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Pedallers in Normandy

 

We have just returned from our 3rd annual trip abroad. A 14 strong crew including 12 cyclists and 2 superb back up men in our superb back up van. We are talking fridge, microwave, awning, chairs, table. We were spoilt and just as well as the heat was relentless in parts and we were able to consume gallons of water with ease. And lunch in style!

 

So, 140 odd miles completed, ferries boarded, hotels and restaurants visited, stories told, laughter had and past heroes celebrated - Charles was never far from our minds. Another epic trip enjoyed by all. It's always a time to reflect on ourselves and on our group when we go away. This year was no different and it prompted a message from Mark, one of the touring Pedallers. It's open, personal and full of raw emotion. It resonates with every Pedaller.

 

Let's Ride Together – The Journey We Never Chose

Dedicated to my fellow Prostate Pedallers, who, like me, have discovered that the hardest journeys are never meant to be ridden alone.

It recently occurred to me why Charles chose cycling as the activity around which to build our support group. I don't believe it was by accident. He could have chosen walking, running, rock climbing or any number of other sports in which he excelled, all of which provide excellent exercise and companionship.

Instead, I think he recognised something much more important. The Prostate Pedallers support group isn't just about riding a bike; it's about travelling together. It teaches us to encourage one another, to conquer the hard climbs, to celebrate the descents and, above all, never to leave anyone behind.

That thought was reinforced during our very recent trip to Caen. Richard and Osca were always there to make sure we had enough to eat and drink during the extreme heat, while others offered practical help and constant encouragement throughout the tour whenever the ride became difficult. They weren't simply supporting a cycling tour; they were supporting us all.

After returning home, I found myself asking why I had joined the Prostate Pedallers. I certainly didn't need to join another cycling club or just to get clarted in mud on a mountain bike. I already belong to clubs where there is plenty of friendship, laughter, good-natured banter, the occasional sprint for a village sign, and, of course, coffee and cake.

But then I realised there is a world of difference between any cycling club and the Prostate Pedallers.
The riders I often cycle with see a man with two arms, two legs and no obvious disability. They assume I'm just another reasonably fit cyclist. What they don't see are the operations, the treatments, the medication, the anxiety or the daily reminders that prostate cancer leaves behind.

They don't know that cycling makes me wet myself, requiring me to wear protection simply to preserve some dignity and normality. They don't know about the loss of a normal sex life or the constant uncertainty about where the cancer might spread in the future. Nor should they have to. We meet to enjoy cycling, not to share the most intimate details of our lives.

 

We talk about new bikes, cycling gadgets, components, races, famous riders, even football, holidays and, of course, where we'll stop for coffee. It's enjoyable, but it isn't the same. The Prostate Pedallers are different.

It may be the cycling club none of us ever wanted to join, but it is the one we all chose to join because everyone of us understands a little of what the others are living through. We share not only a love of cycling, but also the physical and emotional consequences of prostate cancer. That creates a bond that is difficult to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it.

Life already gives us all plenty to worry about: family, relationships, work, finances and growing older. Then prostate cancer arrives, bringing with it hospital appointments, medication, side effects and lots of uncertainty. It affects not only our bodies but more importantly our minds.

That is why this group matters.

We ride together because we face many of the same challenges. We climb the same hills, negotiate the same obstacles and encounter the same potholes along the road. When one of us spots danger ahead, we warn the others. The strongest lead from the front to provide shelter from the ill winds for those behind and when someone begins to struggle on a long climb, we don't disappear into the distance. We wait. We regroup. Then we continue together.

Each of us brings different strengths from our varied walks of life. Some offer practical help. Others provide encouragement or advice. Some humour. Some simply listen when someone needs to talk. Every one of those contributions matters because we help each other moving forward providing much needed support

What kind of cycling club would we be if we simply rode away from those who were struggling?

We didn't choose this road, but we have chosen how we travel it. So, let's continue as Charles intended for the group, to look after one another, support one another and remind each other that there is always someone riding alongside. That’s what makes the Prostate Pedallers so special. So whatever lies ahead, “Let's Ride Together”

 

Mark

Prostate Pedaller