Couple begin round-the-world cycling challenge for Parkinson's disease

1 hour ago

Kaya Black,Greater Manchesterand

Haider Saleem,North West

Lucy Pickersgill and Ciaran Booth plan to cycle about 18,000 miles through 30 countries

BBC Lucy and Ciaran stand together with a bike that is loaded with panniers, wearing matching, green cycling jerseys. It is a sunny day and they are standing on grass, with a crowd of people mingling in the background. — Lucy Pickersgill and Ciaran Booth plan to cycle about 18,000 miles through 30 countries

A former professional rugby player, who represented Ireland at under-20 level, has begun an 18,000-mile (30,000km) cycle around the world to raise £50,000 for charity.

Ciaran Booth and his girlfirend Lucy Pickersgill, both 26, set off from Manchester Rugby Club in Stockport and plan to travel through about 30 countries over 18 months.

The challenge was inspired by Ciaran's mother, Annie Booth, who has Parkinson's disease, and said sport and exercise had helped her both physically and mentally.

Annie said she was "really proud" of the couple and described their journey as "shining a light on what's possible" for people living with the condition.

Ciaran said his mother had found "loads of strength in community through sport" following her diagnosis, including through the charity Sport Parkinson's.

He said Sport Parkinson's encouraged people with the condition to exercise and find support through a community.

'Get fit on the job'

Despite Ciaran's background in professional sport, the pair describe themselves as beginner cyclists.

Lucy had only begun cycling seriously in the months leading up to the trip, with the couple expecting to average about 100km (62 miles) a day.

"You can't really train for something like that," she said.

Ciaran said they planned to "get fit on the job" as they travelled through Europe before continuing towards India, Nepal and China, then South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, followed by Canada and the US.

Ciaran Booth represented Ireland at under-20 level during his rugby career.

Ciaran Booth Ciaran Booth stands with teammates wearing a green Ireland rugby shirt before a match. — Ciaran Booth represented Ireland at under-20 level during his rugby career.

Their heavily-laden bikes carry everything they expect to need on the trip, including a tent, sleeping bags and cooking equipment.

He said they would rely on their camping equipment, joking they could sometimes end up "sleeping in a bush on the side of the road somewhere".

Lucy added: "If you see us, give us a packet of crisps or something."

Ciaran said Lucy's bike weighed about 39kg, with his slightly heavier

Ciaran Booth kneels beside a loaded touring bike while Lucy Pickersgill stands next to him on a grassy rugby ground. There are people milling behind them, but they area the focus of the shot. — Ciaran said Lucy's bike weighed about 39kg, with his slightly heavier

The couple spent about a year preparing for the journey, including arranging visas, vaccinations and equipment.

Lucy said that after the intensity of planning, life on the road would become much simpler.

"It's a case of: Where are we going to sleep? Have we got enough water? What are we going to eat?" she said.

But she added there was one part of the trip that was "already fixed".

Lucy is maid of honour at her best friend's wedding - which is taking place in Cyprus - and said they needed to cycle there by the end of October.

"That's our only deadline."

Ciaran Booth began playing rugby as a child before going on to spend seven years as a professional player

CIARAN A young Ciaran Booth stands on a rugby pitch wearing a red and blue striped rugby shirt. — Ciaran Booth began playing rugby as a child before going on to spend seven years as a professional player

Ciaran represented Ireland at under-20 level and said he went on to spend seven years as a professional rugby player, with the couple's website listing Sale Sharks, Connacht Rugby and Jersey Reds among his former clubs.

He chose Manchester Rugby Club as the starting point because he began playing there aged four.

"It felt kind of a full circle moment to sort of close a chapter of my life and start the next one with the person that I love next to me," he said.

They are also taking reminders of Manchester with them, including a crocheted bee - named Meryl, after Lucy's 96-year-old grandmother - attached to Lucy's bike.

Annie Booth said she was "really proud" of her son and his girlfriend for taking on the challenge

Annie Booth stands on a sports field wearing a white Sport Parkinson's T-shirt. — Annie Booth said she was "really proud" of her son and his girlfriend for taking on the challenge

Annie said Sport Parkinson's had helped her "in so many different ways, mentally and physically".

She has taken part in walking football and said the organisation supported her as she went on to play for an England Parkinson's walking football squad.

She admitted she would miss her son "dreadfully" while he was away but said she was focusing on the purpose behind the journey.

"As a mum, regardless of Parkinson's, your heart and your head say different things sometimes," she said.

"But I'm very pleased that they're living out this dream and they're going to raise some incredible money for Sport Parkinson's."

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