A ride to push what’s possible: How Rune took on 1,600 km by bike with Parkinson’s

“Would I do it again? Yes, absolutely!” – Rune’s instant reply on the final day might seem surprising, as he had just finished a gruelling 1,600 kilometres bike ride – all the way from the UK to Barcelona. What already is a formidable challenge was turned into an even bigger undertaking by the fact that his cycling group consisted of people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as doctors and other health care professionals.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurologic disorder that affects more than 1.2 million people in Europe and over ten million people worldwide. A continuous decline of dopamine-producing cells in the motor region of the brain typically results in symptoms like tremors, slow movement, rigidity.

Yet, every journey is individually different, and the community is full of people with inspiring stories and achievements. And Rune from Norway is one of them. Diagnosed in 2009, he went into treatment and received a Deep Brain Stimulation device in 2020. Rune did not let the disease define him or stop him from his active lifestyle.

In the run-up to the World Parkinson Congress in Barcelona this summer, he took part in the Bike to Barcelona - all the way from Brighton in the UK to the Convention Centre in Barcelona, where the congress took take place. We had a chance to chat with Rune about his impressions from the tour and his view of the experience:

What were you looking forward to the most before the race?

"We had been planning this event for years and all participants had trained long and hard for it. What I was looking forward to the most prior to the tour was to simply get going, and to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes with this great group."

Looking back, how did you feel when you first got your diagnosis - and did you think you could take part in such a bike ride back then?

"I was very worried about what the future would be like, what my life would look like, also with me being a father. I would have been very surprised if I had known what we would accomplish this year."

How did you prepare for the ride?

"We have been exercising for years, we have been in touch via video calls, trained indoors during winter, outdoors when the conditions allowed for it. There is a mental component to it as well - to push yourself just a little bit further than before."

What has been the most challenging aspect of the ride?

"After a couple of days in the saddle I found that while my legs were fine, I could certainly feel my neck and lower back a bit (*laughs*). But the support from my family and from many, many friends and complete strangers from all over the world were super encouraging throughout the tour."

How have you dealt with the symptoms of Parkinson’s during the ride?

"It is a challenge to be on the bike for such a period of time, but all in all the DBS is working well and things have been stable."

If you could send one message to people who have recently received their Parkinson’s diagnosis – what would that be?

"I am active as a speaker and in touch with other patients quite frequently. I feel a responsibility to be honest with them: you want to provide encouragement, but it can be really difficult and challenging at times. I have been fortunate with my journey so far, and every person with Parkinson's needs to find their own way, at their own pace."

To learn more about Parkinson’s disease or to find a DBS centre in your area, visit the movement disorder website.