The Challenge:

On 7th May 2022, I will be setting off from Chiswick to begin a 5000 miles approx. (8046km) cycle expedition around the coastline of Great Britain. I will be including some of the Islands such as, Skye and the Isle of Wight.

I will be doing it unsupported and solo, though one or two friends and family will join me on certain small stretches of the journey for a few days at a time, should they wish ;)  I will also be using warmshowers.org when needed or getting to know my tent or even indulge in a hotel or two. Everything I need will be carried with me.  Google 'bikepacking' and you'll catch my drift.  I cannot wait to get going!

Why?

In early March 2013, a shooting pain started from the top of my right arm and went down towards my hand. I just put it down to sleeping badly on my arm... I don't usually run to the GP but that morning, I most certainly did, as I found out that I had lost all feeling on the right side of my body, whilst taking a shower. 

This terrified me but even more so, when the GP told me to go straight to the local hospital. I will never forget the walk to Charing Cross Hospital. 

I also had chronic headaches building up to this and felt extremely ill.  I knew that something was wrong.  

After all sorts of tests were done and a few months passed by and coupled with an anxious waiting time, I was finally diagnosed with MS on 8th July 2013.  A lot of people have to wait a lot longer than this. Some don't get diagnosed for years.  It took a further 6 years for me to know how to handle my MS and keep it at bay and not panic!  Whilst it has completely changed my life, its also taught me to appreciate everything we have around us.

It has helped enormously in having an amazing MS team surround me, including the MS Trust.  I think this is vital to have, hence why I am here.  When talking to other people with MS, this is not always the case.  I have a great MS nurse as well as a neurologist and feel very lucky to have this.  Wouldn't it be incredible if all MS patients were able to state this though!

There has been recently a huge study about the Epstein Barr virus and it's links with MS. It has been proved that the Epstein Barr virus (which is a common herpes virus) actually triggers MS.  We need a lot more research within this area to determine how we can eradicate it.

During the first lockdown, I researched a number of expeditions and thought wouldn't it be amazing to go and do something. I walked into Waterstones and saw 'One man and his bike' by Mike Carter.  I have never laughed so much. I even had to search in the dictionary for a few words that I came across and then thought 'well why not?'.... so here I am, about to embark on a life changing experience. It's going to be a tough challenge but incredible all the while! 

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