Background | Effects of ME

In 2008, I had arranged to move in to a flat, in London, with Martin Wiseman (left in the photo above) - a friend from school who had since completed a Masters degree from Cambridge, and embarked on a high flying career with CBRE. His drive, grit and ambition, allied to his vivacious personality and joie de vivre  suggested this was someone who was destined to go far. However, we never ended up sharing a flat as Martin was struck with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at the end of August 2008. In the intervening 8 years, Martin has been bed-bound and subjected to myriad diagnostic investigations but does not seem to have been offered any effective treatment from Health Care professionals. He has received first rate care from his carers including those at the Leonard Cheshire Home into which he was admitted, before his parents rebuilt their house to accommodate his needs. Martin's muscles have wasted, so he requires physiotherapy; he has lost the use of his vocal chords so communicates using a form of sign language; and he requires assistance from carers to wash and feed himself.

Advocacy | Reinterpreting Resilience

In 2010, I was training for IRONMAN France and prepared for the cycle leg by riding around Devon and Cornwall once a week, during which I would drop in on Martin. Having completed the race, I returned to Martin and gave him the medal to keep as a symbol of resilience, until he was strong enough to return it. 6 years on from the race (and 8 years from the onset if his condition) the demands of a triathlon pale into insignificance when compared to the physical and emotion struggle that Martin has had to endure, having been confined to his bed for such a protracted period of time. 

Questioning what I can do to help a friend who appears to have been ostracised from recent developments elsewhere in the Medical Community, I decided to share the my training route in the hope that other cyclists might follow it and learn about the rationale behind it. The route is a loop, so can be embarked upon at any point, but the reason I have named it the Celtic Wiseman Perpetual, is that I hope cyclists will continue to ride it and be inclined to make a donation to ME Research UK,  in order to help precipitate a decisive moment after which new treatments can be pioneered and help sufferers like Martin to move on to a new chapter in their lives. 

Get involved

The Celtic Wiseman Perpetual is a gruelling 75 mile cycle ride across Devon and Cornwall that is suitable for experienced Road Riders and is an ideal training route for IRONMAN triathletes. The route can be found here: 

https://www.strava.com/routes/4995050 (Part 1) 

https://www.strava.com/routes/5756555 (Part 2)

Please use #celticwiseman on social media to share your ride.