Perception and Reality

When it comes to challenges, there's a vast gap between perception and reality. The London to Brighton Cycle Ride was no exception. Picture a serene cyclist on a picturesque journey, enjoying the scenery as they pedal smoothly towards the horizon. That's the perception. Now, let me show you the other side of the coin, the reality of the gruelling ordeal.
 

Pandora's box

Choosing to undertake this ride was like knowingly opening Pandora's box of discomfort and pain, fully aware of the severity of the consequences. The ride was not simply a feat of physical endurance but a test of the mental resilience to deal with the repercussions of every decision made.
 

Throughout the journey

Throughout the journey, pain became a constant companion. It peaked at an almost unbearable level of 9.5 out of 10. What began as a nagging intestinal pain on the left side persisted for 25 miles, only to be followed by an equally intense pain on the right side for the next 20. Nausea was a relentless foe, threatening to rear its ugly head at any moment.

My bodily functions turned traitor.

My bodily functions turned traitor. It felt like a flare-up of Crohn's ‘like’ disease, a result of overindulgence in carbs. The trip turned into a series of pit stops, with my bowel and bladder dictating the intervals.

My left hip threw tantrums in the form of spasms, causing a pain that I can only describe as excruciating, while my right shoulder, already battered from a previous incident on Snowdon, seemed to be on a constant grudge.

Feeding during this endurance test was a trial of its own. My stomach, plagued with severe gastroparesis, couldn't handle the needed carbs as efficiently as it should. The dysphagia made each bite and sip a painful challenge. To manage, I had to maintain a steady intake of nutrients every 20 minutes, taking in a total of 

• 6928 kcal
• 1565g carbs
• 200g protein

All while combatting my high sensitivity to carbs and the resulting symptoms akin to a supercharged Crohn's flare.
 

Consequences

Upon completion of the ride, I was left with a harsh aftermath. My left hand suffered a total loss of dexterity and fine motor control, with the right hand following suit at a 60% loss. Both wrists feel like they've been through a gauntlet, and my right thigh and knee bear the painful cost of walking up Ditchling. My right shoulder hasn't fared any better, resulting in a 40% loss of mobility.