Ciaran and Lucy - First month done
3 countries in a day, 40 degree sleeps in a tent and very tired legs.
Five weeks in from Manchester through the UK, crossing to France, and then into Belgium and on towards italy. The dynamic duo have packed a lot into their trip so far!
What happens when two relative beginners decide to cycle around the world? Well, five weeks in, Ciaran Booth and Lucy Pickersgill have already given us plenty of answers. There have been scorching temperatures, wild camping, 150km days in the saddle, unexpected friendships, cold showers, sardines, Marmite, plenty of coffee and, of course, a fair few near misses with Italian drivers.
But most importantly, they are doing exactly what they set out to do — getting moving, doing something incredibly difficult and inspiring others to believe that they can do more than they think. And they are doing it all while raising money and awareness for Sport Parkinson's.
From Manchester to the world
On 8th August, Ciaran and Lucy left Manchester to begin an extraordinary journey: approximately 18,000 miles, more than 30 countries and around 16 months on the road. They describe themselves as two beginner cyclists.
Lucy had never cycled more than 60km until relatively recently, while Ciaran's sporting background is very different. He spent seven years playing professional rugby, before deciding that his next challenge would be something completely different.
Their philosophy is simple: Do hard things. They're good for you.
And that message is at the heart of their journey. The first few weeks: from Manchester to continental Europe
Their first week took them through the UK, discovering that adventure doesn't necessarily mean travelling thousands of miles. They explored canal paths and cycle routes close to home, travelled through the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire, and eventually made their way towards Dover.
One of their biggest days so far saw them cycle around 150km from Woodstock to Oxted, before continuing towards Dover and the ferry to Dunkirk. Along the way, they experienced something that has already become a major theme of their journey: the kindness of people. Friends from the Parkinson's community opened their homes to them. They were welcomed with food, somewhere to sleep and, in one case, a swimming pool and a much-needed rest day.
They even received ice lollies, cold water and a wet flannel from Sue, who plays for the Women's Parkinson's football team, as they battled through temperatures of more than 38°C. A local pub landlord added lemonade, cake and a £20 donation to their fundraising. It is a brilliant reminder that community really does matter.
Into Europe
After crossing the Channel, the adventure became truly international. Ciaran writes about arriving in Dunkirk and cycling through three countries in a single day, eventually camping in a forest on the outskirts of Ypres, Belgium. And if you're wondering what it's like to cycle across Europe carrying everything you need, the answer appears to be: hot, tiring, occasionally uncomfortable, but absolutely worth it.
Their first night camping abroad wasn't exactly luxurious. Ciaran describes waking up covered in sweat with the smell of sardines still lingering in the tent. They then spent several days cycling through Belgium, making use of the country's excellent cycle network and eventually heading towards the forests of Luxembourg.
Along the way, they've already had some remarkable encounters, including unexpectedly meeting people they knew from university and bumping into a Mancunian friend in a rainy Belgian village. As Ciaran puts it, stopping for two hours for coffee and baguettes probably increases their chances of meeting people
It's not always about the spectacular moments
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about following Ciaran and Lucy is that their journey isn't being presented as one endless highlight reel.
Yes, there are incredible landscapes.
Yes, they're cycling across countries.
Yes, they're taking on something that most of us would struggle to imagine.
But there are also long, tiring days, mundane jobs and moments when the excitement inevitably fades. Twelve hours on a bicycle can give you plenty of time to think. Ciaran talks about learning that finding your rhythm doesn't mean every day suddenly becomes exciting. Sometimes it's about learning to appreciate the ordinary, the cows, the cornfields, the coffee stops and simply getting up, packing the tent and doing it all again.
That feels like a pretty good lesson for life. At the time of writing this, their fundraising page shows over £13,000 raised from 250 donations. That's an incredible start — but there is still a long way to go.
Every mile can help somebody else move
The thing we love most about Ciaran and Lucy's challenge is that it isn't really about cycling, it's about what movement can make possible. At Sport Parkinson's, we see every day how physical activity can help people living with Parkinson's stay physically active, improve wellbeing and, perhaps most importantly, feel connected to other people. Sport can give people a reason to get out of the house.
It creates friendships. It can provide confidence. It can give someone something to look forward to. And sometimes, it can completely change someone's outlook. That's why Ciaran and Lucy's journey means so much to us.
They're not just cycling around the world. They're taking the Sport Parkinson's message with them.
What could you do?
You don't need to cycle 18,000 miles. You don't need to travel through 30 countries. You don't even need to own a fancy bike.
Ciaran and Lucy are proof that you don't have to be an expert to start something new. Lucy herself says she wants to show that you don't need to be an expert to try something new and do something extraordinary. So why not get a few friends together and do something special?
Cycle somewhere you've never been. Walk a new route. Take on a sponsored challenge. Organise a football match. Climb a hill. Run a 5K. Try something you've always said you'd like to do.
Get your friends involved, make some memories and raise money for Sport Parkinson's while you're doing it. Because your challenge doesn't have to be huge to make a difference.
Follow their adventure
Ciaran and Lucy are documenting their journey as they make their way around the world, sharing the reality of life on the road with the highs, the lows, the beautiful moments and the inevitable chaos.
You can follow their journey through their Couple vs The World website and on Instagram via @ciarandoesthings_ and @lucypickersgill_.
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