倫敦達人 The Explorer

My friends, this page is dedicated to you. We made it to Paris (320 km of paddling and 50+ punctures in 3 days)!!!  All 73 JDRF cyclists paraded into the heart of Paris via Arc-de Triumph and Eiffel Tower, as a team. Pedestrians were cheering for us along the way. The experience was unforgettable (It felt like the team owned the road for that particular moment). The spirit was very high. Among us, there were cyclists with medical difficulties (diabetes). There were cyclists whose family members are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at very young age. Seeing them taking on the challenge regardless of the medical diffculities was a great inspiration to me.

There were cyclists from the USA, Malaysia and all across the UK. Funny that, we formed a bond by fixing punctures for each other. We become friends by discussing how we got ourselves punctures. One cyclist had 3 punctures in a half day, believe or not.

We encountered London heavy shower, French morning shivering chill and mid-day heat. We paddled through some 4 kilometer continuous hill and few super killer hills. I from time to time asked myself why I put myself through this pain when I was absolutely exhausted. I kept reminding myself that I did it for a good cause, did it as a physical challenge, and the most importantly I’m being supported by all the generous financial sponsors (that is you lot, my friends and colleagues).

Lessons I learnt:

First challenge I had to make was to set up a training routine (100 km cycling and 30 km jogging a week) and a healthier diet (less red meat and more vege). It was difficult as I didn’t really exercise much once moved to London and I ate lots of meat(is that what they called Heathrow injection?). There were friends and colleagues who offered to go out cycling and jogging with me in their spare time. Second challenge I had to encounter was to go out of the comfort zone and to ask for donation. I hope I didn’t harass you lot too much for donation over the last 6 months. Third challenge was a bit more physical. I had a tough time on Day 2 of paddling especially we only had 4 hours of sleep between Day 1 and Day 2. I had to deal with a sore knee and tensed cuff muscles. I thought about giving up once or twice on Day 2 but instead I just kept paddling (I admit I did take “a few” pain killers) like there was no tomorrow. The most critical lesson I learnt was NEVER to cycle across countries with a Hybrid bike. It was bloody hard work to paddle uphill and impossible to glide downhill when my bike was 3 times heavier than race bikes. It was described as the most pleasurable pain by a fellow fundraiser / cyclist. I agree to that absolutely. (I remembered calling it "Self Torture".) 

Again, I would like to thank you for sponsoring Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation and my bike ride. Without your participation and sponsorship, this would not have happened so spectacularly. (Together we raised more than £80,000 for the charity.) (I really meant what I just said.) Come to London and I will buy you a cup of coffee (arrrhh... or a pint of beer). Leon's London to Paris Bike Ride for Charity - www.justgiving.com/LeonLin

Best Regards, Leon