Herne Hill picture framer Jim Davidson (65 today), showed uncommon grit and determination on Saturday 28 June when he completed the 350-plus miles of the St Christopher’s Hospice London to Amsterdam sponsored cycle ride with two broken ribs.
Jim says: “We were on our last day cycling the last 80 miles from Breda up to Amsterdam. I was tired from the previous day’s 100 mile exertion and the heat was rising steadily to mid thirties.
“The tail enders, me included, were struggling. I was slip streaming the bike in front when the rider suddenly braked left taking my front wheel with him and somersaulted me up into the air and onto my back.
“As I struggled to breathe I dimly remember a Dutch lady peering over her fence and asking if a doctor was required. My companion crawled out of the bush I had propelled him into, and assured her that I was all right.
“I checked I could still feel all my fingers and toes, climbed back on my bike and we pedalled off to the lunch meeting point where a medic applied bags of ice to reduce the swelling.
“I rejoined the riders at the next water stop and cycled the next 25 miles into Amsterdam. But the pain of the last five miles of cobbled streets defeated me and I worried I might put the other riders at risk so I called it a day. Later we had our celebration meal and returned to London on the Sunday.
“It was only on Wednesday the following week my sister persuaded me to get a proper X-ray done and the true extent of the injury became all too apparent.”
If you want to contribute to Jim’s heroic ride for an important cause he would welcome your donations at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/James-Davidson40
Brockwell Art Services are celebrating 40 years of picture framing in Herne Hill brockwellgallery.london
