Health, independence and confidence – all gained through cycling

Cycling reversed my pre-diabetes, which will allow me to have life-changing surgery Davie, Inclusive Cycling Experience recipient

Fiona Wylie, 64, from Inverness, was used to looking after her husband Davie, 63, who was mostly housebound. Davie had suffered a ruptured bowel that led to sepsis, making Davie seriously unwell, and causing long-term problems that affected all his joints.

At the time, Davie had spent a number of weeks in intensive care, and afterwards he was very weak with limited mobility. Even after the initial recovery, the sepsis had a lasting effect, leaving him with chronic neuropathic pain.

Due to the negative impact on Davie both physically and mentally, Fiona began to support and help him with everyday tasks he could no longer perform himself. Once he was able to start moving again, Fiona still chose to accompany him everywhere, since he was unsteady on his feet and not confident being out by himself.

Davie found walking difficult and couldn’t even get as far as the local bus stop. It was painful, and it was sapping his energy and motivation. He’d often just lie in bed, with his fitness deteriorating further.

Trying cycling

The doctor said an operation was needed, but first Davie had to lose weight. The visit also revealed Davie was pre-diabetic, so he was referred to a dietician to lose weight. As exercise was difficult due to walking being a challenge, the dietician recommended that Davie try cycling, as it’s often used as a mobility aid by people who struggle to walk.

Davie found out about the Inclusive Cycling Experience, operated by Cycling UK in Inverness, which allows people with disabilities to take adapted cycles out on loan, and also offers try-out sessions – all for free.

The sessions help people try a variety of cycles, to see which type is the most suitable. Thanks to the experts at Cycling UK, Davie instantly took to the first bike he tried: the vanRaam Easy Rider trike.

As Davie was still quite physically weak and had not cycled for more than two years before first attending, he had to start carefully, cycling only for 10-15 minutes at a time. He cycled around the university campus where the sessions are held, with Fiona accompanying him there on the bus.

Free cycle loan

It allowed him to test whether he would enjoy it and find it helpful, and also to build up confidence slowly. Katie from the Inclusive Cycling Experience then offered him the opportunity to take the bike on a loan, after which he was able to secure a cycle through HITRANS.

Davie built up stamina relatively quickly in under a year, to the point that he can now cycle for hours. He cycles daily now, for recreation, shopping and visiting friends.

His confidence has improved, as has his health, and the couple are both thrilled Davie can move around independently, which he hadn’t been able to do for two years. “It’s really got my life back on track,” Davie says.

Fiona agrees: “It’s been really positive for me because he’s very positive. It’s giving me some of my independence back as well.”

Better mental health

Davie says he finds cycling “uplifting, transformative and joyful”, and his new confidence and independence have meant that he is able to help look after their grandchild. “Things have been going really well, and we’re even talking about going away on holiday. And we would never have done that,” Fiona says.

She thinks the improved mental wellbeing is all thanks to cycling: “Absolutely, 100%, and having the bike’s done that for him. That’s what’s done it.”

“I never thought it would feel this good,” Davie adds.

In terms of physical health, the regular exercise has meant that his pre-diabetes has been reversed, and he was able to have the surgery. He’s improved his fitness and lost weight and been discharged from his dietician.

“I got him new jeans yesterday and a size smaller than the ones he had. He’s put on muscle, his legs have definitely got more definition,” Fiona says.

Looking good

Everyone has been noticing how well Davie is looking. Their son has also noticed the huge difference. Fiona says: “He said to me on the phone the other day, ‘I don’t think Dad’s a fall hazard anymore, but even if he was, he could get himself up off the floor.’

“And I went, yeah, he could. He’s got that strength in him now that he didn’t have before. And he’s got the motivation to get up in the morning and do things.”

Now that Davie can navigate the world on his own, he’s enjoying trying out new routes and exploring local landmarks, riding around Sunnyside, Balloch Hill and Clava Cairns. He’s been enjoying single-track roads, cycle paths and scenic loops.

It’s also allowed him to meet people while out on rides, chatting with strangers about the trike, and reconnect with friends, all a virtuous cycle for his wellbeing.

“He’s back to his old self. Definitely,” Fiona confirms.

New-found independence

As for Fiona, at first she struggled to let Davie go, being so used to doing everything for him and with him. Whenever Davie was about to leave the house, she’d ask where he was headed, and he’d say: “I don’t know, I’ll just go this way and see where it goes.”

He has autonomy over where he can go now. “And that was difficult for me,” says Fiona.

“One day he said: ‘I’ll go to the butcher’s, what do you want me to get?’ And I didn’t know because I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think about what I’m gonna get, I just go in and get something. I told him, you’ve got to remember that I’ve got to get used to this new independent person again.”

Ultimately, it’s given Fiona her independence back too. Davie can once again “negotiate things that he used negotiate and just be himself”. Fiona now has the confidence to let him go, and it’s freed up her time – she can meet friends for coffee without worrying about leaving him.