Hi, my name is Andrew Jackson. I am 54 years old, and I was officially diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy in August 2023, though I’ve been symptomatic since around 2022.
In April 2022, I completed a cycle from John o’ Groats to Land’s End in 10 days, covering just under 1,000 miles. My diagnosis put an end to my two-wheeled cycling adventures as I lost my balance due to the illness. However, I was fortunate that my local neurophysio was running a pilot scheme with a local cycling charity.
Cardiff Pedal Power is a local charity that believes cycling should be available to all. They provide everything from refurbished two-wheel bicycles to tricycles and wheelchair-adapted bicycles for anyone to rent.
I found that a recumbent trike worked best for me, and an electric version allowed me to cycle longer distances. In September 2023, I decided to take part in the Ride London Essex 100 event on an electric trike if I could manage it. Around Christmas that year, my eldest daughter and a very close friend decided they would do it with me.
After an amazing amount of planning by my wife and friends, we arrived at the start line at 7:15 in the morning. Since the onset of my disease, mornings have been difficult for me, but we started as planned. I found it very challenging to keep pace with my friend and daughter, even with the electric assist. As we exited London on the A12, I started to lose them in the distance. Around the 25-mile mark, I caught up with them and told my friend to help my daughter finish and leave me. They thought I was giving up, but I knew he could not help both of us. It was either me or my daughter that he could assist. At that point, I called upon all my cycling experience, got into my own head, and kept turning the pedals for the next 75 miles.
For me, cycling this distance and seeing the scenery with others around me is my happy place. For a little while, I forgot that I had this horrible disease. I was doing something normal, albeit in an adapted way, and I felt truly alive. At 85 miles, I stopped to phone my wife and find out where the others were. Luckily, they were just behind me, having stopped for food. I waited for them so we could finish together on Tower Bridge, where some of the rest of the team were waiting to celebrate.
I feel that cycling 100 miles is a huge achievement, but feeling normal for one day means so much more. I just wish I could explain that to the team that helped me achieve this!
