In June 2023 I will be joining a number of Parkinson advocates in the first ever international Parkinson's cycling event where we will be riding to the 6th World Parkinson's Conference in Barcelona. The event will include multiple of teams of cyclists departing from various locations across Europe. Two different international teams of cyclists representing Norway, Scotland, England, USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia will launch their tours respectively from England and Germany spending 14 - 18 grueling days cycling 60 to 100km a day to ensure their arrival in Barcelona before the start of the WPC 2023. Other smaller teams of cyclists will launch from various cities in Spain to arrive in Barcelona to meet up with the larger teams. I'm looking forward to joining the UK team of 20 which includes nine people living with Parkinson's, as well as care partners and friends. UK to Barcelona!. For me to put that in perspective with something in Australia, it’s about the same as cycling from Brisbane in Queensland to Melbourne Victoria …….and then add on 200 extra kilometres ….. Wow, you certainly don’t see a lot of people doing that!!! It’s like the dream ride I never dreamt about. A once in my lifetime opportunity and for me and the first time ever in any cycling event or challenge I’ve taken on, to be sharing the journey with anyone else, 20 others, many like myself travelling from different parts of the world, most living with Parkinson’s or the primary support person for their PwP in the ride. Am I excited about this ride ….. I SURE AM!!! Am I nervous and a little worried about what might happen along the way with respect to Parkinson’s …. I SURE AM, it’s always the unknown!! But then being a little bit worried is a good thing, as for me, it means good training, planning, whatever it takes, so on Day I, worry, is replaced by, confident, in you are the best prepared. We will all at some stage have to deal with some challenge’s that Parkinson’s drops on us, I think you must accept that as a given. What I know is we aren’t riding as 20 individuals, any challenge that a person faces will be a team challenge and the team will get through that. Celebrating pushing back against those challenges will be a team celebration. It might take some time to learn, but the positive traits that Parkinson’s brings into your life are things like respect, understanding, acceptance, inclusion, empathy. These are the things that make us a better person. The Bike to Barcelona program will culminate in a PD Awareness event and celebration in front of the International Convention Center of Barcelona on July 2 at Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14, 08019 Barcelona. |
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