Dementia cycling session 'brought back memories'
BBCA man diagnosed with a rare form of dementia says taking part in a free cycling session "brought back memories" for him.
The experiences in Gloucester have been organised by charity Dementia Adventure and are designed to help people enjoy safe, supported sessions together.
Former Welsh international rugby union player Alix Popham also attended the first session on Thursday and said cycling has become a "a big coping strategy" after he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2020, aged 40.
Steve Ralph, who was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy about two years ago, said the sessions were "a very safe environment to let yourself go a bit and relax a bit".
The charity has adapted bikes to make it as accessible as possible, with tricycles and other bikes which allow those who find pedalling difficult to rest.
Along with early-onset dementia, Popham was told he may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to "repetitive hits" to his head during his rugby career, he said.
Since retiring, he has cycled across America, and said he feels "like a caged animal" if he does not exercise.
"For me, I've got to train every day - it's important to get the blood flow of oxygen to my brain."
Popham said "hopefully there's a friendship group that you can make" going to the sessions, which he hopes will give people something to look forward to.
"The more people I'm speaking to in this space - the experts, the professors - this is something that everybody can do to keep dementia away," he added.
"But if you've been diagnosed, it can definitely help and slow down the progression of the disease."
According to Care UK, exercise can boost strength, balance and coordination - all of which are affected by dementia - in patients.
The charity said studies have shown that gentle exercise can slow down the progression of dementia symptoms.
'Let yourself go'
Posterior cortical atrophy, which Ralph was diagnosed with two years ago, is a rare degenerative condition in which damage occurs at the back and affects vision.
He said his stability and confidence came back within minutes of the session starting.
"For years, I used to cycle around Bristol and cycle to work and that," Ralph said.
"I had a go and it's really brought back memories and in a very safe environment to let yourself go a bit and relax a bit."
Another session is due to take place at Gloucester Athletics Club on 4 June, and at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre on 6 May and 8 July.
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