Adrian Jackson

Only bloody did it!!

Well... would you bloody believe it, I actually managed to did it!!

A week ago today I returned from Naples having completed the SSAFA Ride to Monte Cassino.

Many of you probably saw my Day 1 update on LinkedIn, but after that the focus shifted entirely to getting through each day. Since returning home, it's taken the best part of a week for the fatigue, aches, and general wear-and-tear to subside enough to properly reflect on the experience.

What started as signing up for my first real cycling challenge became something much bigger. There were bike fits, training rides, ongoing rehabilitation, a keratitis flare-up just days before departure that resulted in 13 hours in A&E and two clinic appointments, and more than a few moments of self-doubt. All of this was against the backdrop of recovering from a broken collarbone and reconstructed AC joint.

By the time I reached the end, what started as a charity ride had become 923.89 km of training, followed by 332 km across Italy over three days, and a journey of more than 1,256 km on the bike. 

The event was gruelling at times. The heat, distance, climbing, Naples traffic and cratered roads made sure of that. Yet it was also one of the most rewarding things Ive ever done.

What I'll remember most isn’t the cycling, it's the people.

The camaraderie amongst the riders was exceptional, and the ride captains and support team were outstanding throughout. Their judgement, encouragement and leadership helped every rider get safely to Monte Cassino.

Standing in the cemeteries and at Monte Cassino itself was a powerful reminder of why the ride exists. Whatever challenges we faced on the bike pale into insignificance compared with the sacrifices made by those we were there to remember.

To everyone who donated, shared posts, sent messages and followed the journey, thank you. There were times when your support carried me through and reminded me that people believed I could do it, even when I wasn't entirely sure myself.

I've attached a short video from the trip here on my linked in profile.

And if you've been following the journey and meant to donate but never quite got around to it, there's still time to do so by clicking here 😊. SSAFAs work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families continues long after the ride has finished.

Thank you all for helping me get there.
Adrian 🚴

Here I go!!

Penultimate Training Update

Just over five weeks ago, I started training for the SSAFA Ride to Monte Cassino with one simple goal: give myself the best possible chance of reaching the finish line.

Since then, I've completed 21 rides, covered 900.90 km, spent almost 40 hours in the saddle, climbed over 2,600 metres, and completed my first ever rides over 100 km. 

The run-in hasn't been without challenges. A flare-up of keratitis led to an unexpected visit to A&E and is something I'll need to manage throughout the event. It isn't what I planned for, but it has become part of the challenge.

The focus now shifts from building fitness to making sure everything is in place for Italy. I still have a hospital appointment for my ongoing keratitis, a final bike fit, and a couple of short rides before travelling on Wednesday.

Somewhere across those 900.90 km, something changed.

When I started, I hoped I might be capable of completing this ride. Now, despite the inevitable nerves and uncertainty around my eye, I genuinely believe I can do it.

That belief hasn't come from the kilometres alone. It has come from the incredible support I've received. Every donation, message, comment and word of encouragement has arrived exactly when it was needed. On the days when motivation dipped or self-doubt crept in, your support carried me forward.

I've also realised this isn't something I'm taking on alone. Alongside me will be 16 other riders taking on the same challenge for the same cause. The support from SSAFA, the event team and the other riders has been hugely reassuring, especially for a novice endurance cyclist like me. Knowing there's a team behind us whose goal is to get every rider safely to Monte Cassino has made a huge difference to my confidence.

On Wednesday I travel to Italy. Thursday is registration, bike preparation and final briefings before we roll out from Naples on Friday morning. The route ahead covers almost 350 km over three days.

Three days. 350 km. One finish line.

To everyone who has donated, sponsored, shared updates or sent messages of support, thank you. You've helped me get this far.

And if you've been following the journey but haven't yet donated, there's still time. Every pound raised helps SSAFA continue its incredible work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The next update will be when I am packed or from Italy itself.

With gratitude,

Adrian 🚴🇮🇹

Final Weeks....

Another week down, and this one has felt different; in a good way 🙂

Since starting training just over four weeks ago, I’ve now covered around 800 km, with another 190 km added over the last week. The big endurance work is done, and I’ve officially started tapering so I can arrive in Italy rested and ready. 

With 9 days until I travel, everything suddenly feels very real.

What’s changed this week is how it’s felt. For the first time, I genuinely believe I can do this. The legs responded, the rhythm was there, and the miles felt purposeful rather than punishing. The rider briefing on Wednesday night (squeezed in while I was at Dublin Airport on my way home from work) helped more than I expected. Hearing the plan, the support structure, and the challenge laid out clearly gave me a lift and settled a few nerves.

There’s still work to do, but the foundation is there now. The confidence is starting to grow.

Again, I thank everyone who has sponsored so far!! Your support has carried me through the tougher weeks and pushed me into this one with a different mindset. 

And for anyone who hasn’t yet donated, I’d be hugely grateful if you could. It keeps the motivation high and supports SSAFA’s vital work with serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

With gratitude,

Adrian

Follow on update

Following on from last week’s update, the training has kept building. Since starting training four weeks ago, the numbers have really stacked up — and with only three weeks until I travel to Italy, the reality of the challenge is starting to feel very real.

Across this period I’ve now ridden 610.73 km in around 28 hours, including two huge loops — the 123 km Cambridge/Fens endurance ride and this week’s 110 km South Cambs → Royston → Audley End route — plus all the flush rides, evening sessions and recovery spins that keep the legs turning.

This past week has been tough. Yesterday’s ride in particular was hard going. One of those days where the legs felt heavy, the head wasn’t quite in it, and I found myself many times, questioning whether I’ll genuinely be able to take on three consecutive event‑length days in Italy. It’s part of the process I suppose, but it still hits you. The only way through is to keep showing up, keep turning the pedals, and trust the work already done.

The support so far has been incredible, and genuinely keeps me going on the tougher days. For those who’ve already sponsored; thank you. It means a great deal. And for anyone who hasn’t yet, I’d be hugely grateful if you could. It keeps the motivation high and supports SSAFA’s vital work with serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

With gratitude,

Adrian

Training Update

Training update!!

Huge thanks to my sponsors!!