Celtic Wiseman (Breizh)

The Celtic Wiseman Perpetual is a series of gruelling routes for experienced amateur and professional road cyclists. The original Celtic Wiseman (Kernow) was established in Cornwall in 2010 and has expanded to include Celtic Wiseman (Cymru), in West Wales, Celtic Wiseman (Ulster), Celtic Wiseman (Alba) around Edinburgh, Celtic Wiseman (Mannin) (https://www.strava.com/routes/2970060334377264384) around the Isle of Man and, this year, Celtic Wiseman (Breizh) around Brittany; a team of 6 of his friends will be riding the inaugural Celtic Wiseman (Breizh) - a gruelling 126km cycle ride around Brittany (centred around Saint-Nic) on Sunday 13th August. For the latest progress and information search #celticwiseman on social media. 

The routes were set up to raise awareness of Martin Wiseman who was bed bound with ME for over a decade from 2008. For several years his muscle wastage was such that he could not even talk, and his parents were forced to rebuild their home to accommodate his needs. 15 years on, Martin has recovered significantly, however, continues to be affected by complications from the condition. 

The Team

Richard Davies, Aled Edwards, Paul Magee, James Partington, Rob Newnham, Felicity Newnham

The Celtic Wiseman (Breizh) Mannin) builds on the initial Celtic Wiseman  (Kernow), Celtic Wiseman (Cymru), Celtic Wiseman (Ulster), Celtic Wiseman (Alba) and Celtic Wiseman (Mannin). All routes are tough road rides suitable for experienced Road Riders and a ideal training routes for IRONMAN triathletes. You can download the route of the Celtic Wiseman (Breizh) below and find the other routes through our Facebook page. If you are interested in joining us please get in touch through @thecelticwiseman on instagram
https://www.strava.com/routes/3126623295808881882

https://www.facebook.com/celticwiseman 

Please use #celticwiseman on social media to share your ride.

The Celtic Wiseman (Perpetual) Series 

In 2008, Martin Wiseman was struck down with ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and has been bed bound ever since. For several years his muscle wastage was such that he could not even talk, and his parents were forced to rebuild their home to accommodate his needs. In 2017, in order to highlight the fact that, 9 years on, Martin was still debilitated by this condition, Richard Davies established the Celtic Wiseman (Kernow) cycle route around Devon and Cornwall. Inspired by his IRONMAN training route, Richard's goal was to develop a challenging ride of approximately 120km through beautiful landscape with plenty of gruelling climbs that riders could complete in day. By cycling the route and sharing it with others, not only did he hope to raise funds, but also he hoped to raise awareness of the condition as a whole but, specifically, Martin's plight. A year later, as interest in the event grew, Richard was joined by 5 other riders who knew Martin from University and they committed to expanding the concept to other Celtic regions. In 2019 the group completed the Celtic Wiseman (Cyrmu) in West Wales in 2019, the Celtic Wiseman (Ulster). this summer and the Celtic Wiseman (Alba) in 2021. 

You can learn more about Martin's epic 12 year battle with ME (aka 'the beast' below but he has now has now made an impressive recovery and is even hoping to join the team for a leg of this year's route in Ireland. For more information on the routes, please visit our facebook page (below) or search #celticwiseman on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/celticwiseman

Background | Martin's Story

After graduating from Cambridge with a Masters degree, Martin  embarked on a high flying career with CBRE,  and was living the high life in London. His drive, grit and ambition, allied to his vivacious personality and joie de vivre  suggested this was someone who was destined to go far. However, Martin was struck with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at the end of August 2008. In the intervening 12 years, Martin has been bed-bound and subjected to myriad diagnostic investigations but does not seem to have been offered any effective treatment from Health Care professionals. He has received care, including residential care homes, before his parents rebuilt their house to accommodate his needs. At the worst point, Martin's muscles had wasted to the extent that he required physiotherapy; he had lost the use of his vocal chords so communicated using a form of sign language; and he required assistance from carers to wash and feed himself. 

Advocacy | Reinterpreting Resilience

In 2010, his school friend Richard Davies was training for IRONMAN France and prepared for the cycle leg by riding around Devon and Cornwall once a week, during which he would drop in on Martin. Having completed the race, he returned to Martin and gave him the medal to keep as a symbol of resilience, until he was strong enough to return it. 10 years on from the race (and 12 years from the onset of his condition) the demands of a triathlon pale into insignificance when compared to the physical and emotion struggle that Martin has had to endure, having been confined to his bed for such a protracted period of time. 

Questioning what he could do to help a friend who appears to have been ostracised from recent developments elsewhere in the Medical Community, Richard decided to share his training route in the hope that other cyclists might follow it and learn about the rationale behind it. The route is a loop, so can be embarked upon at any point, but the reason it is named the Celtic Wiseman Perpetual, is to encourage cyclists who might be inspired to tackle it to make a donation to ME Research UK, in order to help precipitate a decisive moment after which new treatments can be pioneered and help sufferers like Martin to move on to a new chapter in their lives.