Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting. It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy.

DMD almost always affects boys. It is typically diagnosed in childhood between the age of three and six. There is currently no cure for Duchenne, but there is hope. Duchenne UK was founded by two mothers whose sons were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2011.

The Duchenne Dash is Duchenne UK's annual signature VIP cycling event. Over the past 14 years, the Dash has raised more than £9 million for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research (DMD).

Since the first Dash in 2013, Duchenne UK has brought light to a once dark and lonely landscape. Every achievement — from building a clinical trial network, to new drug approvals, to vastly improving care, and to developing pioneering tech to help disability – has been fuelled by the Dash.

I will be riding in the Duchenne Dash on 8-9 May 2026.

Our journey will start at the Herne Hill Velodrome, South East London, working our way 100km down the country to Newhaven and boarding the overnight ferry to Dieppe. After 5 hours sleep (on the ferry floor!) we get straight back on the saddle, cycling 200km through French countryside and towns to Paris. After 300km of total cycling in around 24 hours we arrive at the finish line under the Eiffel Tower.