Two sixty‑somethings. One tandem. A long-term dream of cycling round the world. And a body that didn’t get the memo.

Over ten years ago, Mark joked that we should go for the (then very slack) world record for a married couple cycling around the world on a tandem. Fast‑forward a decade: the record is now unreachable for us, our kids are grown, and just as I finally got super‑fit for my 60th… I was hit with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Overnight I went from doing 50 push‑ups a day to struggling to turn my head or put on socks. PMR is a vascular autoimmune disease that causes intense inflammation and pain. It will burn out eventually — but “eventually” could mean years. In the meantime, I’m on steroids, dealing with weight gain, brittle bones, cataracts and pre‑diabetes. Not ideal. But I can still move. And that’s enough.

So instead of waiting for perfect health (which may never come), we’ve started anyway.

We’re raising money for two causes close to our hearts:

If you’ve enjoyed following our journey — or just admire two slightly bonkers sixty‑somethings refusing to give up — please consider sponsoring us. No pressure, just gratitude.