Your Story; Laurence Sherry

It’s funny, in a sad sort of way, how far too often it takes a threat to our mortality before we ever really begin to live life to the fullest, before we are willing to see its beauty despite–and because of–its hardships.  On July 14th, 2011, while cycle-touring the United Kingdom, I left the sleepy port-town of Troon in western Scotland and began the ride to Glasgow.  Within thirty minutes of riding I was joined by fellow cyclist Laurence Sherry.  We soon got to chatting and he told me his story…

As a child, Laurence spent many happy days riding across the Scottish country-side atop his Raleigh MK1 Chopper.  As happens to many of us, adolescence turned to adult-hood and the bicycle was left behind for other interests.  It would be another thirty years before the bicycle would return to feature in Laurence’s life.

In October of 2005, Laurence went to the doctor for a routine check-up.  There would be nothing routine about this visit, however.  By the end of the day, Laurence had learned he had testicular cancer. In his words, “We all know someone in our life that’s got or has had cancer but, when you’re in the seat and it’s your turn to hear those words, your whole world caves in, you feel yourself shrinking into the seat and the doctor’s voice becomes an echo.  My mind’s totally numb, I’m finished, totally finished”

Within 24 hours, he’d had surgery to rid him of the “silent assassin.”  While successful, it would not be the end of the battle, in fact, the toughest days were still to come.  Like many who are stricken with cancer, Laurence’s psyche and emotions suffered greatly.  During the next three months off work, as friends and well-wishers went back to their business, Laurence felt very, very alone; alone with his thoughts, his mind running riot.  “All sorts of things run through your mind, things you want to forget.”

Some time later, one of those dear friends came to Laurence and convinced him the pair should hike the 2,866′ Goat Fell; the highest peak on the island of Arran in the Firth of Clyde.  After two and half hours of climbing, the pair summitted the peak, smiles and handshakes all around.  For Laurence, it was more than just a hike.  “It was the turning point in my life, standing on the top of Goat Fell that day felt as if I was standing on the top of the world, what a feeling, for the first time in a long time I felt good.”  As Laurence and Stuart enjoyed a celebratory pint they agreed that henceforth they would do something grand to celebrate another year of life on this planet.  To that end, within a year Laurence had purchased a new Carerra hybrid bicycle and began riding regularly.  He began participating in such charity events as the Pedals For Scotland and even rode around the island of Arran.

For the next few years, Laurence was feeling great.  Eventually, however, he hit a bit of a bad patch and sought the assistance of a counsellor from Ayrshire Cancer Support. Rather than lifting Laurence’s spirits, the “silent assassin” returned with a vengeance, trying to finish him off.  Leaving the counsellor’s office worse than when he entered, Laurence knew what would help him combat the assassin; a bike ride.  It was then that he decided he’d rather counsel others than be counselled himself.  “It’s not until you get involved that you realize that there’s a whole world out there suffering like yourself.”

As Laurence approached his 50th birthday, he found the need to accomplish something truly monumental.  In an effort to raise awareness and funds for Ayrshire Cancer Support, Laurence would ride that most famous of British rides, the End-to-End; Land’s End, England to John O’Groats, Scotland.  He purchased a new Trek 1.2 road bike, set some goals and started training.  It was on one of those training rides that Laurence chased me down and we chatted, each telling the other the reason for our cycling.

On June 14th, 2012, and supported every mile of the way by his lovely wife, Fiona, Laurence began what he would come to call The Long and Winding Road.  For eleven of sixteen days, the rain poured, making the whole event feel “more of a blur than” a ride in the countryside.  Having ridden many of the same roads, I know just how tough that must have been!  Encouraged by family, friends and co-workers, on June 29th, Laurence and his faithful Trek reached John O’Groats, a grand moment in any cyclist’s career.  More than just a cycling accomplishment, however, riding the End-to-End represented a return to life for Laurence.  He had turned the tables on the “silent assassin” in triumphant style.

Today, Laurence logs many miles on that Trek while committing himself to countless volunteer hours.  He’s established a geo-caching group for people who have or have had cancer; the goal being to provide a bit of mental stimulation, exercise and a sympathetic ear.  Laurence’s next cycle trip will take him from Ardrossan to Arran; to Kintyre, Tarbet, Portavaide, Glendaruel, Bute, Rothesay and back to Wemyss Bay; an 81 mile trip called the 5 Ferries.  In 2014, he and five friends plan to ride from the Mull of Galloway–Scotland’s most southerly point–to John O’Groats–Scotland’s most northerly point.

During that sixteen day Long and Winding Road, Laurence would chat with his mate, Alistair, every couple of days  Upon his return home, Alistair presented Laurence with this poem, telling the story of that epic ride and the great man who did stand tall and fight, and won his back his life.

Cheers my friend, keep those pedals turning!

This  journey  took  root,  just   a  few  years  ago
My  future  looked  bleak, my  spirit  ran  low
Then  Hanchie  demanded,  this  fight  must  be  fought
Even  although  it’s  cancer  you’ve  got
……
I  couldn’t  be  bothered,  I  just  got  depressed
Every  last  thought  was  a  wearisome  test
Then  Hanchie  returned, said “what  are  you  like”
Now  do  as I say and  get  on your  bike
……
And  what  a  difference , his  choice  words did  make
Now  I’m cycling  around,  leaving  cars  in  my  wake
Long mile  after  mile,  and  day  after  day
I  can  be  spotted,  just  cycling  away
……
I’m  going  to  get  fit,  not  leave  it  to  fate
So  I  owe  a  big  dept,  to  Hanchie  my  mate
Ayrshire  Cancer  Support, I  owe  them  as  well
They  helped  me  much  more,  than  I  could  ever  tell
……
Then  one  day  it  hit  me ,  right  out  of  the  blue
Land’s  End  –  John  O  Groats, is  the  journey  I’ll  do
It  will  not  be  easy,  and  I’ll  maybe  get  lost
But  yes  I’ll  achieve  it, no  matter  the  cost
……
I’ll  raise  as  much  money,  as  is  possible  to  do
And  it  can  be  used,  to  help  others  get  through
I’ll  start  off  in  June,  on  the  Fourteenth  day
‘cause  the  Thirteenth’s  unlucky,  to  get  under  way
……
One  thing I  promise,  my  passion  won’t  wilt
Wearing  my  lycra,  and  donning  my  kilt
I  won’t  be  alone,  in  this  test  of  my  life
I’m  being  supported,  by  Fiona  my  wife
……
She’ll  be  in  front,  but  not  too  far
Carrying  my  spares,  in  her  wee Peugeot  car
That’s  it  we’re  off,  the  rain  keeps  coming  down
Then  no  g.p.s ,  and  I  thought  I  would  drown
……
Fall-outs, laughs,  good  weather  was  scarce
One  argument  broke  down,  when  up  rolled  a  hearse
England  to  Scotland,  the  weather  no  better
If  truth’s  to  be  told,  it  got  wetter  and  wetter
……
Some  people  had  doubts,  I’d  finish  this  course
But  proving  them  wrong,  is  a  big  driving  force
I’m  doing  it  for  others,  and  doing  it  for  me
‘cause  I’m living  proof   you  can  beat  the big  “C”
……
Got  there,  done  it,  John  O  Groats  is  in  view
My  thanks  go  to  people,  who  helped  me  pull  through
That’s  it,  it’s  over,  bike’s  parked  in the  car
But  the  Peugeot  broke  down,  so  we  didn’t  get  far
……
Finally  home ,  I  took  stock  of  my  life
And  how  much  I  owe,  Fiona  my  wife
Words  she  would  use ,  and  help  me  inspire
And  thanks  go  to  Hanchie ,  who  re-lit  my  fire
……
So  when  you’re  down,  and  life  seems  unfair
There’s  is  always  a  light,  in  the  darkness  somewhere
If  you  get  bad  news,  and  all  then  seems  black
Stand  tall  and  fight  it,  and  win  your  life  back
……

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