Riding Without Wings - 24 Hour Mountain Bike Fundraising Challenge

Well.... Initially we were just 2 guys set to embark on the 24 hour British Mountain Bike Championship hosted by Exposure Lights down in Plymouth on the 25th & 26th July this year (2020) Andrew Westmorland contesting in in the Fat bike class & Darran Leadley for the Single Speed category.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, as with pretty much all sporting events this year it was cancelled but Westy (Andrew) having his sights set on competing, got in touch with me to see if I wanted to still do something & to make it worth while. So what he came up with was to raise funds for a local Isle of Man charity, the Without Wings Auto Immune Arthritis Trust & at the same time still be able to compete on a certain level by riding to the rules & event criteria set up by the Trust Races team. The Trust Race is a multi-location event where people can create their own course in their desired location that has to fit a certain criteria (between 2 - 8 miles per lap & at least 150m of elevation per lap)

Riding for 24 hours on a mountain bike is not only physically tiring but mentally exhausting too. In typical Manx weather day & night it can be especially hard. Hopefully the goal of reaching out & raising funds will give us the focus we need to battle on through the night from 10am in the morning right through until 10am the following day.

We are looking at our ride being held at Conrhenny Plantation.

So here we are.......... Please take time to look at charity's web page & details below. Please donate as little or as much as you like. It really is something worthwhile raising funds for. You may think of arthritis affecting just the older generation but like other auto immune conditions it can affect all ages.

The Secret World of Autoimmune Arthritis…

We all have preconceptions about everything in life. Arthritis is no different. With autoimmune arthritis conditions accounting for only about 20% of ‘arthritis’ diagnoses, you would be forgiven if the first image that pops into your head is gnarly fingers or that old knee injury. It’s doubtful you’re thinking of a crippled child in hospital or a new mum unable to hold her baby. You probably aren’t thinking about the potential for organ complications, stomach complications, blindness, sepsis or fatigue, nor about the psychological impact of hospital waiting times, medication side effects, or being unable to go to school or do your job. You might think of loneliness or depression as these are complications for anyone with a chronic pain disorder.

Without Wings was established in 2016 to help people understand. If you are affected by autoimmune arthritis, we also believe it is possible to find ways to thrive, not just survive with these illnesses, and we want to help you find your path. We therefore aim to provide easier access to helpful resources.

As well as Without Wing’s free counselling initiative via our partnership with MCH Psychological Therapies, affected persons can therefore apply for discretionary funding towards the following:

* complementary health support

* physical aids

* rehabilitation activities

* short-term home help

If you would like to enquire about any of these, or would like to support the charity, either by funding, or becoming a member, please do get in touch. Approximately 1-1.5% of the population have, or are going through, an autoimmune arthritis diagnosis – younger people, older people and even children. This means our Island is home to around 1000 people living with these complex illnesses that, like other autoimmune illnesses such as MS, Diabetes Type 1 and Crohn’s Disease, occur when a confused immune system attacks healthy tissue.

You are far more than your diagnosis

If you would like any further information from Without Wings or to donate directly you can contact them via email on: support@withoutwings.co.uk

Links:

Without Wings Auto Immune Arthritis Trust

Trust Race 24 Facebook Event Page

Exposure Lights 24 Hr British Championship Event Details Page

Thank you,

Darran & Westy