Ella Miles, Author at Bike the UK for MS

Daniel with his father before his Sea to Sea cycle for MS

How Dan Derbyshire’s Father Inspired Him to Cycle for MS

A Personal Connection to MS and Passion for Cycling

Meet Dan Derbyshire, an inspiring individual who has embarked on an incredible journey to cycle for MS with Bike the UK for MS. Dan’s father has been living with relapsing and remitting MS for 16 years. Seeing the impact it had on his father’s life motivated Dan to take action.

As a child, Dan was taught to ride a bike by his father, which ignited his passion for cycling. This eventually led to mountain biking and even passing his motorbike test. Dan and his father would regularly ride their motorbikes together, but when Dan decided to raise money for MS, he swapped his motorbike for a road bike to complete the Sea to Sea route.

Dan first discovered Bike the UK for MS in 2019, but with university commitments getting in the way, he was only able to take on a challenge in 2022. In this blog, we will explore Dan’s motivation for riding the Sea to Sea route. You’ll get an insight into his experience out on the road and understand why he’s returning as a Route Leader in 2023.

Why did you want to ride with Bike the UK for MS last summer?

“I’d wanted to take part in some form of fundraising and spent lots of time searching the MS Society website. I was affected by his diagnosis in a way that most boys and their father would understand. I’ve grown up seeing the MS Society letters and both the annual and bi-annual newsletters throughout my fathers prognosis. He taught me to cycle and encouraged my love for riding bikes, motorbikes and mountain bikes. Naturally, riding my bike felt like the right thing to do.

I choose Bike the UK for MS due to their close nature and relationship they have with the MS groups they meet along the routes that they ride and also the research that they help to fund. I know first-hand how much this can help every individual and their families through varying stages of tier journeys with MS.”

Dan at after the finish of his cycle from Sea to Sea for MS

What training did you do before completing the ride?

“The advice I got in terms of training was to get on the bike and start spinning. That’s exactly what I did! After purchasing and setting up my bike to my liking, I started off with several smaller rides of up to 20 miles, trying to cycle on consecutive days. While doing so, I would push to do longer days (40 miles+) with adequate rest periods in between the rides. I would try and repeat this as often as possible whilst planning challenging sections of hills and plenty of split squats. A few weeks before the ride, I cycled the recommended 50+ miles on two consecutive days to prepare myself for how I would feel on the weekend of the ride.”

What is your go to bike snack?

“It’s got to be a flapjack and a packet of ready salted crisps with a can of energy drink to wash it down! This has definitely saved me from bonking one too many times whilst training!”

What is your favourite memory of the ride?

“Over the short 3 days of riding, there were so many memorable moments! I will cherish them all, so it’s very hard to pick a favourite! For me, it comes down to two experiences…

Although I rode the majority of the ride on my own, there were many instances where I rode alongside other riders. Some of these riders were affected by MS and the others just wanted the challenge of riding from Coast to Coast. Hearing and chatting about all their own stories really made the weekend for me.
The weather was bleak on the first day, raining from the late morning all the way until the evening. The scenery through the Lake District and the North Pennines, however, was second to none. With the pace of my cycling, I had plenty of opportunities to soak it up (and take lots of photos!)”

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to prospective riders for 2023?

“I would say to train a little harder and cycle a little further than you think you need to. It will allow you to enjoy the ride and the views as you cycle the route.”

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

“The first day, the group experienced some torrential rain which was definitely the biggest challenge for me. I always kept a positive mental attitude and remembered the statement that Jason Fox from ‘SAS Who Dares Wins’ said “you can only control what is in your 1m squared”. However, my 1m squared was always the one in front of me pushing me to pedal a little further even when I was struggling”.

Why have you decided to return as a route leader this year?

“As soon as I finished the ride, I promised myself that I would help in 2023. This was mainly due to the Route Leaders who were spectacular with every rider! Always positive when the going really got tough. Also, knowing how the route leaders helped facilitate the riders throughout the route and what the cause is for.”

Dan with his 2022 Sea to Sea team mates after their cycle for MS

Riding with MS – Shine A Light

Teresa Attwood and Linda Bussey with their tandem E-Bike helping them ride with MS. Celebrating at the Sea to Sea finish line.

With the new year upon us, we decided what better way to celebrate our amazing Bike the UK for MS alumni than to dedicate our “Shine the Light” monthly section onto those that inspire us most! To start this off, we couldn’t think of anymore better than Teresa Attwood and Linda Bussey. In this blog, Linda has shared an insight into her’s and Terri’s lives, particularly life after an MS diagnosis, riding with MS and how Bike the UK for MS and the MS Society has helped them.

January Highlight – Teresa and Linda

Terri and Linda swapped the ultra-busy Peak District for Cumbria’s peaceful Eden Valley 10 years ago. The Eden Valley is a hidden gem and offered blissfully quiet rural cycling lanes and the wilderness of the Northern Pennines to explore on foot, right on their doorstep. It seemed they’d truly found their Eden.

Just four years later, Terri was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS. A ‘lazy’ right foot initiated a trip to the local GP, who sent her for a series of tests and scans. The scans showed lesions in her spine and brain, consistent with multiple sclerosis. It was a devastating diagnosis for them both, threatening their active lifestyle.

On the recommendation of an MS nurse, Terri joined the local East Cumbria Group of the MS Society. They offered weekly exercise classes, coffee mornings, and other social gatherings. Everyone in the Group lives with MS: all are at different stages of their MS journey. The group is a tremendous source of support. Terri and Linda quickly signed up as volunteers, and soon become firm friends with many of the gang.

Three years ago, Terri became the local Group coordinator. Amongst a host of other co-ordinating activities, she produces the Group’s quarterly newsletter. She has also become involved with the Society at National level, to help give a voice to people with MS on the ground.

Meanwhile, they still manage to cycle and walk most weekends. Last year, they purchased an electric-assist tandem (known as Lill-e). This has been a game-changer for riding with MS, allowing them to continue to cycle together and get away for long weekends with friends…and ride the Sea to Sea last summer!

Linda celebrating at the summit of Bealach na Ba on the penultimate day of North Coast 500 — Linda celebrating at the summit of Bealach na Bà, North Coast 500

Why did you want to ride Sea to Sea for MS last summer?

“Because it looked like fun and the routes looked amazing! The East Cumbria Group is a massive supporter of Bike the UK for MS and has been enthusiastic to meet riders on the Sea to Sea and Land’s End to John O’Groats. As keen cyclists ourselves, we were drawn to the excitement of seeing riders completing long days in the saddle, and were impressed by the incredible camaraderie among the team and riders. We rode the C2C together in August, and then 10 days later I did the North Coast 500 on a solo bike. Between us, we managed to raise over £2,800. We were happy to know that a good chunk of that would come back to the Group, the rest going to fund research to help find a cure for MS”

North Coast 500 September team pictured with Margory from Retford MS Society — North Coast 500 September team meeting with MS Society member, Margory

What training did you do before cycling across the country for MS?

“We just got out on Lill-e as much as we could, usually riding 30-50 mile days at weekends. We also did a few long weekends away, generally involving bigger rides, including cycling from home out to Scotland, and forays into Northumberland, staying at different B&Bs each night. I was also getting out as much as possible on my solo bike, seeking out the most challenging local hills”.

What is your go-to on the bike snack?

“We’re a bit ‘old school’, and generally carry a thermos of hot chocolate. We normally enjoy this with homemade oaty biscuits, flapjack, or energy bars”.

What is your favourite memory from the ride?

Sea to Sea: “it was being cheered on by friends who’d come to meet us at the top of Hartside – they certainly helped us to romp up the final summit. The scenery was stunning as we rode across the Northern Pennines in rare moments of sunshine. Completing the C2C with our friends from Edinburgh (who started as our sponsors and then became participants) was very special.

On the North Coast 500, it was climbing Bealach na Ba, the incredible view and descent off the top. And the people – what a great bunch!”

North Coast 500 September team lined up at the finish of the ride — North Coast 500 team celebrating at the finish line!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to prospective riders?

“Enjoy the ride, take time to take in the views, and remember it’s not a race”.

How does Bike the UK for MS benefit you and the East Cumbria MS Group?

“The East Cumbria Group funds a number of activities and events throughout the year. These include weekly exercise classes and monthly coffee mornings, where people with MS can meet and chat in relaxed settings. Last year, we took out group membership at Watchtree Wheelers (a charity near Carlisle that runs a cycling facility for the disabled). We then funded a couple of trips out to the Nature Reserve. Everyone enjoyed trying out the range of different bikes on the traffic-free track, and just got an immense buzz from exercising outside in the fresh air. It was great to show you can continue riding with MS.

This year, we’re also funding a weekend of adventure activities at Calvert Trust Keswick. Having a disability doesn’t stop people with multiple sclerosis from pushing their boundaries. They need to be given the opportunity to try something different in an inclusive and safe environment. The support of BTUKFMS helps us to give people with MS those opportunities”.

Two members of East Cumbria MS group riding adapted bikes at Watchtree Cycle Hire — East Cumbria MS Group at Watchtree Cycle Hire

Member of East Cumbria MS Group being supported in an exercise class — East Cumbria MS Group at Watchtree Cycle Hire

How Bike the UK for MS supports the MS community

Our trips truly would not be the same without meeting the amazing members of the MS Society groups up and down the UK. Meeting with these individuals is such a highlight of every trip, and this a great way for our riders to not only learn more about multiple sclerosis (MS) but also to remind them to keep pedaling as their hard work is helping so many amazing people! As our 2022 summer season has come to an end, we wanted to reflect upon the main reason we run our trips – To support those living with MS. With an estimated 130,000 living with multiple sclerosis in the UK, it is imperative to us to support research to find a cure for the disease.