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Route has 6 major climbs between 1150ft and 2100ft above sea level and is 136 miles over 4 days cycling. I am paying my own B&B costs so your money goes straight to the cause. Dystonia will make this an extremely painful ride for me, I may take weeks to recover, therefore if I complete it, the money raised will be such an achievement.

Imagine having cramp or muscle spasms 24/7!!! Most Dystonia sufferers live with this.

I started with involuntary head movements in September 2014 but my doctor had no idea what was wrong, it took a visit to a Chiropractor to check for the cause who said I had Dystonic movements and needed a referral to a Neurologist.  I was officially diagnosed in November 2015 - I was one of the lucky ones - some people take up to 7 years to get diagnosed! The involuntary muscle spasms caused by Dystonia gave me a lot of pain with the incessant twitching and movements, often making me feel quite ill.  It became difficult to work, to do normal household tasks, to socialise, keep my balance some days ( I looked drunk). Travelling caused the muscles to become even more active, in fact every aspect of my life was affected and friends just couldn't understand what it was I was struggling with, let alone health professionals.  I lost my confidence, became depressed and felt suicidal at times as any kind of relaxing was impossible, imagine trying to relax on a pillow but your head and neck are doing the exact opposite!!! Or watch telly sitting quietly.......no,no, not possible.  I struggled to explain to health professionals how this was affecting me, and they in turn had little or no understanding of the condition to be able to help.  This is where the Dystonia Society were a tremendous help and support providing a helpline, giving me information in order to push for the right treatment, providing advocacy service and leaflets on the condition to raise awareness.  They have support groups run by volunteers throughout the country.

Thankfully, once I started to get Botox injections into the offending muscles, my life started to improve for a while but then the Dystonia changed tack and I was told I needed EMG guided injections in order for the Botox to be more effective.  York Neurology do not provide this for Dystonia so I ended up 9 months with no treatment at all and in a dreadful state, unable to do much at all.  Finally I found out from another sufferer about Sheffield Hallam Neurology department being interested in Dystonia, offering the EMG guided Botox injections and persuaded my GP to refer me there.  I started with the EMG guided on 2nd November 2017 and have improved tremendously since then . I need to have these injections every 3 months to keep my condition under manageable control. My health has improved and I am in a fair remission from the Dystonia for now which has enabled me to build some fitness up to attempt the Coast to Coast cycle route in order to raise awareness and funds for vital support services and research into a cure.