Aberdeen stroke victim set to mark recovery in Etape Loch Ness cycle sportive
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A 27-year-old Aberdeen man is jumping in the saddle to tackle an around Loch Ness cycle event after suffering a major stroke less than two years ago.
Researcher Krzys Adamczyk, who suffered the stroke in August 2018, has found cycling extremely therapeutic and now plans to take part in the Etape Loch Ness.
He says cycling has given him so much confidence following his illness.
“The cause of my stroke remains somewhat of a mystery to medicine," he said. "After a period of recovery all fine motor skills, balance, and co-ordination returned to my pre-stroke levels.
“I was nevertheless suffering from extreme fatigue, headaches and anxiety. While things kept getting better over time, the uncertainty over the cause and the knowledge that I’m at risk of this happening again robbed me of the confidence I had left.
“Last summer my work colleague offered to lend me a road bike. I had been enjoying short trips on my mountain bike at that stage but nothing too strenuous. Over a two-month period I cycled further and further – I wanted to explore Aberdeenshire and in order to do that I had to push my physical limits too.
“One day I realised that nothing bad happened because of my increased levels of physical activity. In fact, I was experiencing less fatigue, had better mood, and was finally able to clear my head of all the worries.”
The Etape Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s few closed roads sportives and takes in 66 miles of the stunning 360-degree Loch Ness route. It also features a timed King of the Mountain stage, with a 4.8-mile climb gaining 380m in height with a gradient reaching 12 per cent at times.
Krzys said that taking part in the challenge is a chance to celebrate wanting to get out of the house and enjoy life again.
He said: “The camaraderie I have experienced so far in the wider cycling community has been fantastic. I’m taking part with a friend who is also relatively new to road cycling. He suffers from asthma and has already noticed the benefits of a good cycling workout.”
Krzys, a doctoral researcher in sociology at Aberdeen University where he also works as a research co-ordinator, explained that during the winter he has been carrying out training at the Aberdeen Sports Village, and went on a cycling holiday to Gran Canaria earlier in the year.
“I am looking forward to the Etape Loch Ness," he said. "Knowing that there are many other people struggling with various health and mental health conditions, as well as other life struggles, who find solace in cycling has made me feel less alone in my experience.”
Budding cyclists are invited to register for some of the few remaining places in the event in return for a pledge to raise at least £150 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
For more details visit www.etapelochness.com
