Cycling inspiration story

Participants of the Derbados Cycle Challenge 2020, launched by Bondholder the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS), have been inspired by a para athlete's story.

Derbados 2020 challenges people to cycle 10, 20, 50 or 200 miles before 28th September.

Freya Neale, a 23-year-old who became a DIS athlete at the start of September, is isolating at her Staveley home ahead of brain surgery later this month. She has Asperger’s Syndrome and dyspraxia and suffers from an essential tremor, a neurological condition that causes involuntary trembling. The surgery she is undergoing this month is to try and reduce those tremors.

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Freya is still planning to complete 200 miles for the challenge using the Zwift indoor cycling app to complete her miles because she is passionate about supporting the DIS programme that creates future champions in sport and business.

Freya said: “I saw the challenge and I love cycling. I go out on the road with my Uncle John. He got me in to cycling. I’ve done 100 miles with him before – so I thought I should do more this time, so I’m going for 200 miles before September 23, which is when I go into hospital ready for my operation. My bike is near a window so I can look out and I choose different routes on the Zwift app to keep me motivated indoors.”

Speaking about the DIS, Freya continued: “I have joined DIS because I have tried getting into sports with coaches before, but because of my disabilities no-one has really understood how to help me so they’ve never really pushed me to be the best that I can be. To have a whole team working for me at DIS is going to be amazing. At the moment I don’t really know much about what to eat, how best to train and how to avoid injury.”

Chloe Maudsley, Managing Director of DIS, added: “All of us at DIS are overwhelmed and inspired by Freya who has committed to cycling 200 miles before her brain surgery. She’s only just joined us at DIS but already we are so proud of her drive and determination to succeed.

“As a result of Covid-19, we have had to introduce a charge to all the athletes that access our support. The financial burden of sport can be a barrier to many aspiring athletes and so we want to raise funds to reduce the costs that we are having to ask of our athletes.

To join the Derbados Cycling Challenge yourself email info@derbyshireis.co.uk for an information pack and to sign up to take part.

If you'd like to support Derbyshire Institute of Sport their work, please click here.

To support Freya in her fantastic effort please click here.