I'm fundraising for Parkinson's UK and this time it's personal
In July 2024, something odd started happening—my left big toe began twitching. It seemed minor at first, just one of those strange little body quirks. But by the time I got around to seeing a doctor, I’d also developed a slight tremor in my left hand.
The doctor chalked it up to a freak accident I’d had—being thrown onto the beach by a wave, cracking my neck and back in the process. So I started physiotherapy and tried to carry on.
Six months later, though, my symptoms had progressed.. The tremor in both my hand and foot had gotten worse. I went back to the doctor’s and this time I was referred to a neurologist. This time, I listened to my wife’s advice and saw a neurologist privately.
The night before the appointment, I went down a rabbit hole on the Parkinson’s UK website. The more I read, the more the symptoms seemed familiar:
- I’d lost my sense of smell over 15 years ago.
- I had stiffness and found it hard to get on a bike.
- A tremor was affecting one side of my body.
- My handwriting had become increasingly illegible as my fine motor skills were worsening.
- And I’d been feeling a general sense of apathy and lack of drive to do things I normally enjoyed.
Just before Christmas 2024, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It hit me like a freight train and I felt like life as I knew it was over.
But things changed—quickly
Within days of the diagnosis I had started medication and the difference was astonishing. Before, after a game of badminton, I could barely walk the next day. My back, hips, and calves would seize up. But once on medication, the pain disappeared. Even my left shoulder—stiff for months—felt normal again. I could swim front crawl for the first time in years without sinking halfway through a lap.
I’ve always loved cycling. A few years ago, I rode two-day, 150-mile charity events to help disadvantaged children in Africa. But recently, I couldn’t make it more than 15 miles, no matter how hard my friends Paul and Mal tried to get me back on the road.
Now I understand why.
Inspired by my eldest son—who recently cycled solo around Taiwan—we decided to take on a new challenge together: the London to Brighton cycle ride, in support of Parkinson’s UK. We officially signed up on June 25, 2025. The ride is on September 14. Training time is short, but the cause couldn’t be more personal.
If you’re able to, please consider sponsoring me. This ride is more than just a physical challenge—it’s a way for me to take back some control, raise awareness, and support the thousands of others affected by Parkinson’s.
Thank you so much,
Halim
It's 55 miles and 3300 feet elevation (that's a lot) plus another 20 miles to get to and from the start.
Your mum, son or friend. Anyone can get Parkinson’s, young or old. Every hour, two more people are diagnosed.
There are over 40 symptoms. Tremor. Pain. Anxiety. Everyone’s experience is different. And there’s no cure. Yet.
That’s why I’m taking part in the London to Brighton cycle for Parkinson’s UK. With your help we can fund better care, drive research breakthroughs and one day find a cure.
We are the Parkinson’s community. We can shape Parkinson’s research. We can transform lives. Together we can find a cure.
My updates
The Big Weekend
Thursday 18th SepSaturday 13th September
Down at the allotment picking apples in the morning.
Pasta for lunch
Train from Brough to Kings Cross. Uneventful apart from trying to keep an eye on my bike.
At Kings Cross put everything back on my bike – water bottles, pump, lights, bags and cycled to Samih and Erin’s, only 3 miles and no rain (which was forecast)
More Pasta for tea, last minute tweaks to the bike including putting our numbers on the bike and the back of our jerseys.
Early to bed 9:30 as we intend to get up at 5:30am
On Friday the forecast for Sunday had been for rain for the whole of the ride and 40 mile an hour winds from the South ☹
But as time passed the forecast changed to rain from 2pm and strong winds near Brighton. So, we decide to set off earlier to try and get there before the weather got bad.
Sunday 14th September – the big day
Up at 5:30am – it’s dark!
Big bowl of porridge and a coffee
Cycled through central London (past the Bank of England) to get to the start at Clapham Common. Nice morning and great views when we crossed the Thames at Southwark bridge.
At the start there were more riders than expected because the organisers had said everyone could start earlier if they wanted to. So, by the time we set off it was our official start time of 7:30am.
There were 4 stops enroute with loos, water and snacks.
|
Location |
Miles |
|
Water stop 1, Crossways Gardens |
17 |
|
Water stop 2, Rowfant |
29 |
|
Water stop 3, Lindfield |
39 |
|
Water stop 4, Ditchling summit |
48 |
|
Finish |
55 |
Luckily at the second stop Samih had gone ahead and got in a queue for coffee. It took him half an hour to get served, by which time I’d refuelled with banana, protein bar, crisps and water.
That set me up nicely for the next stage of the ride where I started over taking people on the climbs. I think I even surprised Samih as well as myself.
I felt fine as we approached Ditchling and started to overtake a lot of people who had got off and started to walk. For those not aware this is a hill that comes at the 45-mile point in the ride. It’s 0.9 miles long (2.7km) and is a 456-foot climb (169m) with a 13% incline at its steepest.
Samih easily made it to the top but approximately ¾ of the way up I ran out of energy and just couldn’t turn the pedals anymore so had to walk the last part. Samih did say the gears on my bike didn’t help (such a nice person 😊) and it’s the first time I can ever remember having to get off my bike to cycle up a hill…
After photos at the top, it was mainly downhill to the finish. The wind picked up as we descended into Brighton and the traffic was grid locked, but luckily that wasn’t a problem for cyclists!
We crossed the finish line together on Madeira Drive with an official time of 6 hours and 12 minutes. My Komoot app said I’d been in motion 4 hours 55 minutes a total of 55.5 miles 3035 feet elevation and an average speed of 11.3 mph!
After we finished the ride we collected our medals, had some photos and a bag of food which was easily consumed. I tried to meet up with a friend, Ed who happened to be in Brighton, but it wasn’t possible due to the traffic chaos.
We had arranged to return to Clapham Common by coach which meant taking everything off our bikes and getting them loaded into a van to be driven back to the start. Because it took time to pack and unpack the bikes, we were told to wait a minimum of an hour after we’d given our bikes in before getting a coach back.
So, to fill in the intervening time we headed to the Sidewinder pub to meet Dani, Sophie and some other friends of Samih’s. Sophie had also done the London to Brighton ride.
When we got to the pub his friends were sitting outside. I said I was too cold, so we went to sit inside. 10 minutes later they came in as it had started to rain. This was the first pub I’ve ever been too that didn’t sell bitter, so I had to settle for a Pint of Guiness.
When we left the pub, it was still raining. We walked to where the coach left from and joined the queue. We must have waited half an hour to get on the coach by which time we were cold and wet. We were right next to the beach. It was also raining more heavily and the wind off the sea had picked up.
Once on the coach it wasn’t much warmer due to the driver deciding to blow cold air to keep the windscreen de-misted?!
I think we were colder when we got off the coach than when we got on!?
We decided to get the over ground line from Clapham High Street to Dalston Junction rather than cycle back to Dalston given how cold we were and the weather, plus by the time we got off the train it was dark. Given there was quite a wait before the train arrived, and we were both cold Samih went off and came back with a takeaway cup of tea!
On returning to Dalston Samih ordered the mother of all kebabs. I ate more meat than I normally eat in a month!
In total we cycled 66 miles.
Monday 15th September – heading home.
Not my best nights sleep, not sure if it was the adrenaline but I had to read for half an hour around 1 am.
It’s very windy when I get up. Slowly pack stuff up, luckily the train home leaves Kings Cross at 11:48.
I thank Samih and Erin for the weekend and press the button to call the lift but after 5 minutes nothing has happened. So I have to walk down the stairs with my bike (I’ve had enough exercise, thank you).
The cycle back to Kings Cross was interesting, even if it was just over 3 miles. Gusty winds and a lot of tree debris on the road. I also managed to get lost a couple of times and at one point thought I might miss the train.
I headed for the train once the train platform had been announced and asked one of the Hull train staff why my bike reservation was in coach C whereas my seat reservation was in coach H (on a separate engine). Luckily, the train manager sorted it all out including locking my bike in the bike the storage area so I could relax on the train, knowing nobody was going to steal it.
Chris met me at the station, and I’ve been taking it easy the last couple of days.
A big thank you to all who have supported and encouraged me and for all the donations.
What next? Samih wants to do it all again next year.
Share
Training
Thursday 18th SepIt’s advised you need to follow a 16-week training schedule to be fit enough to do the London to Brighton ride
May/June in Turkey – went out on the Mountain bike quite a bit, mainly flat. Longest ride 27 miles
June “training starts” week 4
Broomfleet loop, Ellerker and Elloughton flat 14.3 miles road bike
Ride to Hotham arms 8.3 miles flat road bike
27th June Week 5 - down at mums, finally get out on the road bike and do 30 miles into the New Forest – thanks for the route, Victor! Lovely day
Week 6
10.5 miles flat to railway station and back to collect rail tickets
Week 7
9th July Cycled a total of 36 miles, Brough Station and back plus Leeds station to Saltaire along the Leeds Liverpool canal, Bradford and back to Leeds station via Fulneck Moravian settlement with Paul and Mal. Even cycled close to where I lived as a child and past the Virgin Media site in Bradford – I’m sure that wasn’t planned!? Highlights were visiting Salts Mill a kebab near the Bradford City ground and a beer at Spoons nr Leeds railway station before heading off home.
Week 8
Camping Devon and Cornwall – it’s hilly down here. On our mountain bikes
14th July - Portreath to Devoran C2C 24 miles
15th July Great Flat Lode trail 10 miles
18th July Venn Ottery to A La Ronde and back 17 miles
20th July Back home and on the road bike 15 miles 5 loops up a small hill
Week 9
Got to fit in quite a few games of Squash in my mini league so only get to go out on the bike on 27th July 25 miles up Brantingham Dale Road
Week 10
30th July cycle with Paul 34 miles lunch in Holme on Spalding Moor
Still having problems with my cleats, left foot will not go in…
1st August 10 miles, flat
3rd August 15 miles
Week 11/12 no cycling away visiting friends and relatives in Scotland
17th August – 4 weeks to go until the big day, really need to start following the training schedule
20 miles
Week 13
19th August 10 miles
20th August 20 miles
22nd August 20 miles
24th August 45 miles 1875 feet elevation moving time 4 hours!
Week 14
26th August 10 miles
27th August 20 miles
29th August 20 miles
Two games of Squash plus regular Tuesday evening Badminton session
31st August 45 miles, same ride as last weekend, a bit windier and damp for the last 5 miles but over half an hour slower and shattered when I get home. Need to take it a bit easier. Cleat issue not helping
Week 15
2nd September – think I’ve fixed my cleats!? Should have done 20 miles today but no energy, plus I had badminton selection trials in the evening where I played really well!
4th September – wet and windy so went on the static bike for 2.5 hours
7th September – same 45-mile ride again, back to 4-hour time! Cleats a problem again for the last 10 miles
Week 16
8th September 7 miles, collect train tickets for me and my bike to London, not long to go now
Missed the last few short rides due to Badminton and Squash commitments
12th August – time to pack. I decide to change my pedals so I can cycle in my black trainers because with so many riders I think the cleats will be dangerous.
ShareThank you to my sponsors
£18.68
Michelle Hall
£30
Cathy Dean
Well done Halim and Samih!
£32.23
Stephen Foley
£53.32
Terry Daniel
Well done Halim. Stay safe and blessed.
£10
Natalie Woodbridge
Well done Halim , a great achievement
£21.84
Alison Ramshaw
Congratulations Halim!
£53.32
Huw Saunders
Well done Halim!
£21.84
William Small
£11.33
Louise Marshman
Well done Halim great achievement! My dad is currently waiting to be assessed for Parkinson’s so would be good to chat to you at badminton.
£50
Andrew Bush
£106
Paul Crichton
Godd stuff well done you two
£11.33
Ami Panesar
Well done guys great cause!
£30
Bruce And Elizabeth Mathew
Well done Halim! A fantastic achievement for a very worthy cause x
£21.84
Jancy Whyte
£40
Anonymous
£7
Ollie (the Mobile Tech)
Many congrats on smashing your goal. Wishing you all the best From a Work colleague of Erin’s
£21.84
Fay Whyte
£21.84
Nina Whyte
£21.84
Whyte
£21.84
Ian W
Enjoy the ride and remember it’s all down hill after that big climb…
£10
Pat
Good luck Halim
£21.84
Tim Deamer
Enormous luck to you both and congratulations for raising such an amazing sum for this very important cause already.
£11.33
Alex Christian
£30
Alex Brownlie
£21.84
Zara J
£6.11
Rebecca Pearse
£103.60
Alex Smith
Good luck Samih and Halim - you’ll smash it!
£21.84
Andrew Jones
You two are going to smash it!
£21.84
Shibbs
Gwon Samih and Halim!!
£25
Nagarajan Muthukumar
Good luck Halim for doing this for a great cause.
£106
Deniz Britton
Go Halim - get those legs peddling!!! Xx
£45
Pauline Elaine And Mike S.
Pauline £15 Elaine £10 Mike S £20
£21.84
Edward Okello
£15
Viv And Anthony
£21.84
Christine Johnson
£21.60
Gary Lines
Good luck with the ride Hal 👍
£10
Sarah Brown
Just read this Halim you are doing amazing , best of luck with your challenge x
£53.32
Roger Ramshaw
Go for it!
£106
Audrey Ramshaw
Best of luck to you both! xx
£20
Victor Douglas
£21.84
Andrew Nichol
£10
Jacqui
Good luck on your cycle ride
£21.84
Christine Godfrey
Good luck
£21.84
Sue Nicolini
Good Luck
£53.32
Ian & Jill Ramshaw
£21.84
Tullis Ross
Good Luck!
£21.84
Jon Horsley
Wishing you and mini-Halim success on the ride and all the best for the future.
£21.84
Steve Langdale
Good luck Halim.
£21.84
Chris Rimington
Good luck
£42.79
Russell Cook
£11.33
Caroline Forman
Good luck and enjoy it !! Caroline and Julian
£16.56
Anonymous
£20
Bantam Paul
You’ve got this no problem - well done Halim 💪
£11.33
L Hong
Best wishes for the charity bike ride
£21.84
Michael Parker
Best of luck
£20
Michael Parker
Best of luck Halim
£21.84
Jonny Foley
£10
Jack Headley
£21.84
Nicola Heptinstall
£27.05
Susan Dewar
£11.33
Anonymous
£5
Thomas Shortland
£21.84
Kieran Beuttell
Good luck! Going to a great cause
£21.84
Chloe + Ben
£53.32
Aidan Inceer
£11.33
Jale Yilmaz
Good Luck Halim !.
£20
Eleanor Double
£100
Timur Ziddioglu
£10
Martin Ward
£53.32
Andrew & Liese
Best of luck, you can do this!!
£5
Mark T
£21.84
Rhona Eli-morris
£21.84
Stephanie Stewart
Good luck with the bike ride Halim. It’s very inspiring and a very worthwhile cause.
£20
Sue West
Good luck Halim 🙂
£32.23
Mark Joyce
Good luck to you and Samih!
£32.23
Sinan Inceer
Wish the best
£21.84
Maria Sellors
That’s a tough challenge but I know you can do it! Xx
£21.84
Lisa Harris
Good luck team Inceeh.
£11.33
Anonymous
Good luck Halim.. What a worthy cause
£21.36
Anonymous
£32.23
Gillian Greenway
Good luck
£50
Jill And Des Ramshaw
Good luck to you both.
£21.84
Richard Tyas
Good Luck Halim!
£32.23
Birol Mehmet Kaya
Good luck Halim.
£10
Tom Cockshutt
£27.05
Jack Ramshaw
£21.84
Anonymous
Good luck to you both
£6.11
Rich Lovelock
Good luck!
£50
Kathy Joyce
Good luck, Halim.
£25
Paul Cairns
Good luck Halim! Great charity - my dad passed with Parkinson’s last year and great to hear how much the treatment is helping you❤️
£32.23
Amy Ramshaw
Good luck!!! 🍀
£32.23
Karim Sharf
Best of luck!
£21.36
Melis Inceer Tirpanceker
Best of luck!
£50
Tim Bellamy
£106
Colin Wilson
£53.32
Anonymous
Good luck
£21.84
Well done to you both