A MAN with cerebral palsy who cycled from London to Edinburgh with only his grandmother for support has told how he “felt like giving up the whole time”.
Jody McIntyre took on the 463-mile challenge for the Brainwave charity that helped him with movement and balance as a child.
The 12.5 day journey, which ended on Wednesday afternoon, raised £3530 for the organisation. During the feat, Jody was backed up by grandmother Sarah Connolly, who borrowed a campervan and provided food and rest breaks along the route.
It also saw the 27-year-old Londoner reunite with his brother, grandparents and other relatives in the Scottish capital.
But yesterday Jody, who did just ten days of preparation for the challenge, told The National: “People look at an achievement like this and think ‘what a positive person’ or ‘I could never do that’.
“I’m nothing special and I felt like giving up the whole time.
“In the last few days I’d been planning to go via the east coast around Newcastle, but I discovered an alternative route that looked more direct and wondered why no one did that route – it was all mountains, it went through Northumberland National Park and the Pennines.
“You’d get to the top of the biggest, steepest mountain you’ve ever cycled up, struggling and struggling and struggling, and look up and there’s another one. It was like that over and over again for days.
“Real life isn’t like social media, where there are lots of people giving you likes and encouragement. Real life is cycling alone and being exhausted.
“It’s more of a psychological test than a physical one.
“Coming in from Dalkeith I was so excited, it was the quickest bit of the whole trip.”
He went on: “A lot of people, including myself, were wondering if it was really possible.
“It’s a cliche to say if I can cycle that kind of distance, anyone can, but I really hope this does inspire more people to take on a challenge.
“When I was born and it turned out I had a disability the doctors were telling my parents I’d never be able to walk. Brainwave changed my life. Even though this is a small contribution, it’s a special one.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here