REAL RIDER

Dementia forced Chris Graham, 39, out of the army – but despite never having ridden before he embarked on a 16,000-mile trek

Iwas approaching my 24th year as a soldier when I was discharged because of a rare, genetic form of dementia. I knew I needed a challenge before my condition worsened. I lost my dad at 42 to this disease and my brother Tony (43), who also suffers with it, has been in a nursing home for five years.

My wife Victoria helped plan my route while I learned to ride the bike properly. I went to Mountain Mania Cycles in Carterton, explained what I was planning and was recommended a Surly Long-Haul Disc Trucker. In April 2015 I flew to Canada, riding from Toronto to Anchorage in Alaska through the provinces.

From Alaska and Canada I cycled down the west coast of the USA through California, LA and Death Valley and on to the Mexican border. I’d camp out – with my tent packed in a one-wheel trailer attached to the bike – or stay with old army pals and at motels. Florida was wonderfully warm and I cycled up through the Carolinas and on to New York then Nova Scotia and back to Toronto. Because of the dementia I’m not good with recalling directions, so when I was cycling through cities Victoria was on the hands-free phone to me. She was following my tracker ‘ping’ on a system called Yellowbrick and could see me and my route on a computer and directed me. To date I’ve raised over £50,000. I’d love to do something similar, maybe a round the world ride, before I’m unable to cycle any more.

My wife Victoria helped plan my route while I learned to ride the bike properly

To donate to Chris’s chosen charity, Alzheimer’s UK, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Christopher-Graham8 His book, Five Minutes of Amazing, is out now, published by Little, Brown Book Group, £18.99