HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE…
Ted Reddick, 57, from Lee-on-the-Solent, was paralysed from the neck down, but – defying all odds – he now plans to ride up Mont Ventoux...
HOW WAS LIFE BEFORE THE BIKE?
“I was a racing cyclist in the 1980s and was very active before contracting a rare neurological condition called transverse myelitis (TM) in October 2018. TM causes inflammation and compressive lesions on the spinal cord. It effectively caused a shutdown in everything below that level.”
HOW DID YOUR CONDITION AFFECT YOU?
“I was paralysed from the neck down within two weeks of my last ride. I underwent an essential and painstaking daily physiotherapy routine to rebuild strength, conditioning and mobility.”
HOW HAS CYCLING HELPED REBUILD YOUR LIFE?
“Two and a half years after diagnosis I still have limited sensation from the chest down, as well as balance and co-ordination problems. I live with constant and intense pain in any muscle group that I use. But I returned to cycling in the summer of 2019. My first ride on the road was difficult but my speed and power has very slowly improved over time.”
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR CYCLING ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE?
“In 2019 I competed in the Spinal
Unit Games. I managed 13mph on the Pinarello, and over many weeks worked my way up to 15.1mph – finally over 15! Small improvements are big landmarks, and I remain determined to keep pushing myself. I purchased a Wattbike Atom in 2019 but only started using this with a vengeance late last year. It has been invaluable in monitoring and improving my strength and is one of the reasons why I have set up my challenge. Every ride is ridden with almost unbearable levels of pain and I struggle to climb off the bike at the end of it.”
WHAT ARE YOUR CYCLING AMBITIONS?
“I was never a great climber when I raced, but I have wanted to ride some of the Grand Tour climbs for many years. Back in January – after a particularly good day on the bike – I decided to challenge myself to ride up Mont Ventoux. This acts as both a target for myself and my recovery, but also as a way of raising funds to assist others who might not be able to afford the expensive neurological rehabilitation needed to improve their TM situation.”
GET IN TOUCH...
Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk
“I RETURNED TO CYCLING IN 2019. MY FIRST RIDE WAS DIFFICULT BUT MY POWER IS IMPROVING”