An Eden-based firefighter is blazing the comeback trail after undergoing heart surgery by tackling a 24-hour static cycle ride fund-raiser.
Stephen Reid, of Penrith, who is better known as Docker, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after suffering dizzy spells and blackouts.
“In layman’s terms, the electrics weren’t working in my heart,” said Docker, aged 53.
He underwent an operation in mid-June to correct an irregular heartbeat. He is now in the recovery phase and aiming to boost his fitness levels.
A full-time firefighter based at Carlisle East, he was off work for 10 months but has now returned to light duties and hopes to be fully operational later this month.
No stranger to tackling gruelling challenges away from work, he had previously signed up for Ironman Barcelona 2022. This was due to having what he calls “unfinished business” after falling from his bike at the 2019 event when trying to beat a time he set in 2016.
Docker, who is married to Andrea and has two sons, Luke and Jamie, has deferred that entry until next year. But he says of the interim period: “I need something to focus on, to get me fit.”
And so this Saturday September 17, at around 10am, he will step into the saddle of a turbo trainer static bike at Arragon’s Cycle Centre, run by his good friend Sarah Graham.
His aim is to pedal for 24 hours until Sunday morning, stopping only for comfort breaks and to refuel. A former manager of Penrith Rugby Club’s second team, he is raising money for the My Name’5 Doddle Foundation founded by ex-Scotland and British Lions player Doddle Weir, and also Eden Valley Hospice.
“We were intending on doing a circumference of Cumbria but this is safer. I thought if I do a Turbo trainer ride, I’m in one place; if I start feeling ill, I can get off.
“They said the operation was a success. However, they also said I will get pre-op symptoms post-op; so occasionally I will still get dizzy spells, I will feel a bit lousy. I have been getting them but obviously nowhere near as often or as bad as I did. It’s just a case of getting myself back to full fitness.
“I’ve got mixed thoughts about the turbo ride. Of course I’m looking forward to it because it means I’m getting to do something — but I’m not because I know it’s going to bloody hurt! I’ve done up to five hours on it before and I’ll just keep peddling!”
Docker will tackle his challenge through virtual training application Zwift, meaning people can log on and join him remotely.
He is accepting donations through a GoFundMe page and also at Arragon’s Cycle Centre on Brunswick Road.
