Pedaling for brain injury recovery: Fraser's fundraiser

Fundraiser Fraser Harvie took on a grueling cycling challenge for SameYou after being influenced to get into the sport by his super-fit girlfriend - saying if he didn’t cycle, he’d never see her. 

Fraser and his partner, Rachael Halifax, both from Scotland, took on the endurance feat in June, cycling 4-times around North Uist, a distance of 128 miles with a cumulative climb of 4,996.7 feet - or 583.7 feet higher than Ben Nevis (4,413ft), the UK’s highest mountain.

Now Fraser, 60, who works in the life sciences industry, is sharing his tips ahead of the charity’s next planned epic adventure, SameYou Bike & Hike Ibiza in April.

He has produced a training guide and recipes ahead of the event to help the participants take on the mega challenge.

Cycle tips

 

About Fraser

Fraser, a former fitness instructor, used to sign up for marathons and weightlifting events, but he looked at getting back to full fitness after his second major surgery to eliminate Ulcerative Colitis; which affected all aspects of his fitness, mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.

He decided on cycling as his girlfriend, 51, is an endurance athlete champion of the sport, in multiple events, including RAB, 24hr Track Attaque, Kintyre Way Ultra and London to Paris in 24 hours. She also won the 2016 BBC Sport Unsung Hero Award-Scotland, for her involvement in various grassroots programs across Glasgow, one in which enables people living with physical disabilities to enjoy the outdoors through cycling.

He said: “In the past, it was actually a bit disheartening because I used to go out cycling with Rachael and when I wasn’t as strong as I am now, I could keep up with her for the first 20 miles and then after that she would just kick down and leave me standing. I'll be honest with you; it was a bit demoralizing.

“But the advantage was it motivated me, and she got home after the cycle half an hour before me, so she was showered, she had everything sorted for when I got back, dishes done, dinner on the go. A cup of tea on the go. But now I'm a little bit stronger, I can stay with her for at least 50 miles.

“I mean, I could sit back and say, ‘oh, I've had this surgery. I've had this illness. Now I've just become a couch potato’. That's probably a mental state of mind. So, you have to have this kind of positivity and drive. I actually think, cardiovascular-wise, I’m fitter now in my 60s than I was in my 50s or my 40s… or even my 30s!”

 

Fundraising for SameYou

The couple, who always sign up for a yearly challenge, chose to raise money for SameYou as both Fraser’s parents and Rachael’s father suffered strokes, and a family friend had had an aneurysm.

Fraser added: “I decided that for this year's challenge, I would do extra complementary training. And that certainly paid off. So, I spent more time in the saddle basically and I changed aspects of my cycle training to make it harder, for cardiovascular fitness and muscle conditioning.

“Of course, Rachael just got on her bike and didn’t need to train… I exaggerate slightly! I had to train six months for the challenge. But the nice thing about doing long distance cycling is, it’s a great excuse to eat cake, for fuel, and it doesn't go straight to your waist.

“My best tip is cadence is your friend. Basically, don't stop pedaling!”

 

To take part in SameYou Bike & Hike Ibiza see https://sameyoubikenhike.org

 


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Fundraising is a powerful way to ensure that life-changing recovery care and services are available to the 1 in 3 people who will experience a brain injury in their lifetime.

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