In March 2018 I was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabecian. This was of course a shock for me, my friends and my family but I have been determined not to let diabetes get in the way of my active lifestyle.
I have recently found myself treading water in the limbo between university and 'real life' and thought I might try and do something of value in the meantime. As such, I planned to embark on a solo, unsupported cycle from my home town of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire to Athens, Greece.
The route I am following spans about 3000 miles and passes through no fewer than 12 countries. I estimate that this will take around 2 months to complete.
This is of course no easy feat for any cyclist and is therefore a challenge I have trained for with serious commitment. Being Type 1 Diabetic, or as I like to say a ‘Diabecian’, of course adds another level of complication to proceedings as I not only have to manage my energy, morale and fuel but my blood sugars and ketones as well.
I am taking on this project to raise money for Diabetes UK. As the UK’s leading diabetes charity their mission is to: support those living with diabetes, prevent Type 2 diabetes, make research breakthroughs, and ultimately find a cure. I hope that, given the immense platform of this charity, I may do my part in helping to inspire diabecians and muggles alike to become more active but crucially to prove that diabetes does not have to stop dreams becoming reality.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Ben
PS. I would like to thank my sponsor, Frio, for their support on my quest to Greece.