Rich from Dorset tells us why he is taking on a 50-mile tandem cycle challenge in aid of the MS Trust.
I was diagnosed in 2013, three days before my 40th Birthday, with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. At the time my wife, my family and I knew nothing about this disease and the journey it would send us all on. Now, nearly 5 years later, I am no longer able to work and rely on a wheelchair to get around.
A friend of mine, Billy, mentioned doing a bike ride together. I was always an active person - running, rugby, squash, any sport really - but now, as a lot of sufferers, my balance is not the best. Even though my legs can no longer hold me upright they still have the power to pedal, so a plan was born to do a tandem bike ride.
The goal we have set is to do a tandem ride of 50 miles around the lovely hills of Dorset. I did a shorter distance last year, 43 miles, so we’ve decided to push it a bit further this year. We hope friends and family will join us and raise funds for the MS Trust on Sunday 16th September starting from our local rugby club Sherborne RFU. The club has kindly provided us with the venue to start and finish and also to hold a BBQ and raffle to raise extra funds.
My training has started at home on a static bike, under the guidance of my MS physio, and I’m able to increase the distance by 2 minutes weekly. It has also given me a goal, something to focus on, and a chance to raise money for a great organisation at the same time.
