On the 20th January, an important article appeared on the BBC website. It concerned a man trying to change perceptions, unite people behind a cause, and give hope to the world.  

I’m of course talking about Joe Biden’s inauguration as president. 

But the BBC also released a film about a man cycling across the world, trying to rewrite the narrative of what is possible with a cancer diagnosis and raise £300,000 for charity. That day, as the Bristol2Beijing social media and email accounts received a deluge of messages, I was cycling towards the town of Bolu in Turkey, my second day of riding since departing from Istanbul. 

Snow cloaked the ground in a gleaming blanket and our breath billowed like a dragon. I was joined by Sinan Kargi, an avid cyclist and dentist (in that order) from Istanbul and we were making steady progress along flat and then rolling roads. It was the perfect way to spend a day when on the internet minor craziness erupted. Why?

Instead of being bombarded by messages, I had to focus on the road in front of me, and each pedal stroke was a reminder of what this ride is about: making progress despite climbs or cold, and sharing the journey with others. Each achingly slow uphill section, rapidly slurped coffee or munched simit – consumed before cold set in – was a reminder of the unglamorous day to day reality of this ride. Many parts are intensely enjoyable, some are pretty tough, but fundamentally, the nature of the ride does not change whether many or few people know whether it is happening. 

That said, gaining the BBC coverage was amazing. There is nothing like a national broadcaster to share a message with millions of people and reach a whole new set of people. If sharing the story and message behind this ride can have a positive impact on others, then it is worth doing. For me the most rewarding aspect was to read the messages saying how individuals had made changes big or small as a result of hearing about the ride. The other fantastic thing was the immense generosity of nearly 500 different people donating a further £20,000 to our five charities, bringing our overall total raised to £66,099.51 (as of 4th Feb ‘21). What I find heartening about this is that it shows there is a message and idea that resonates with so many people. I owe a huge thanks to the Bristol2Beijing team for responding superbly to the various messages and requests we had following the BBC’s film. I feel also incredibly fortunate to be able to do this expedition, and all the more so when most of the world struggles to travel.

I am really optimistic that we can continue to reach as wide an audience as possible. The fundamental motivation for me stems from just after I was diagnosed with cancer. I remember searching the internet, looking for “good news” stories of people who had been diagnosed with cancer and gone on to live and do amazing things. Beyond a certain former pro cyclist, I couldn’t find anyone. I remember wanting hope – that maybe it would be possible for me to keep on living. If I can be an example of someone continuing to live well, even after receiving a very serious diagnosis, then so much the better. But I also believe there is a wider message that applies to everyone: that we have a choice of how we approach life, and it’s within our control to make positive changes in our lives – no matter the circumstance – which will make us happier and more fulfilled. And this is as true now during times of Covid as it was for me receiving a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment.

No amount of publicity changes the day to day reality of the ride, or the enjoyment I find in it, or the difficulties of the challenges I face.  I’m still turning the pedals, fixing punctures or improvising when things break. It still means cycling through landscapes ranging from dull to delightful. It still means meeting an ever-changing cast of characters. It’s a mixture of experiences – none “good” or “bad”: all are different and all add richness to the adventure.

But on 20th January, when we were joined by fifteen cyclists from the local club in Düzce – including two tandems! – it was one of those rare days when all the hopes of the ride aligned and came to fruition: not only was the message of the ride being shared – so was the ride itself.