Lis van Lynden: Cycling 5,000 Miles with MS – A Story of Grit, Kindness & Adventure.
- xtinecruzat
- May 6
- 3 min read
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013, Lis van Lynden has refused to let the condition define her limits. With no prior cycling experience or training, Lis set off in 2022 on a solo, unsupported ride around the entire coastline of Great Britain—covering 5,000 miles over seven months and raising over £13,000 for MS charities.
Her journey didn’t stop there. Lis went on to cycle the Irish coastline and most recently visited 12 of the UK’s national parks by bike, with plans to complete the final 3 in 2025.
Along the way, she’s faced physical challenges, experienced incredible acts of kindness, and become a passionate advocate for others living with MS.
Lis’s story is one of courage, conviction, and living life on her own terms—no matter the obstacles.
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Show notes
Who is Lis
Half Dutch, Half British
Growing up abroad
Moving to London and training as a teacher
Losing her brother in a sailing accident
Losing her father to bowl cancer
Working in West Dulwich for 12 years
Thinking there must be more to life
Being interested in adventure travel
Climbing Kilimanjaro and doing a mountaineering course
Slowing the group down
The first signs of having Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
2008 packing in her job and doing a history degree with the Open University
Losing her mother to lung cancer
Meeting someone and buying a house together
Getting diagnosed in 2013 with MS
Going through a divorce
Heading to Svalbard in 2018
Reading “one man and his bike’ by Mike Carter
Book: One Man and His Bike: A Life-Changing Journey All the Way Around the Coast of Britain
“Can I do this? Could this be my adventure challenge?”
Having 100% conviction
Being inspired by and supported by Verdangi Kulkarni
Being consumed by her dream
2020 and dealing with lockdowns
2022 7th May - Ready to start the journey!
No training and doing 68 miles on the first day.
Ripping up the rules….
7 months, 3 days and 1 hour
1 month into the journey and how everything had changed
Going off medication and feeling free
Heading to Northern Ireland
Meeting Ann Whatmore on the road (her episode on the TGP goes live on 5th June 2025)
MS Symptoms and dealing with it on the road
Wanting to make changes in her life and live life to the fullest
Trying to figure out a different way of earning income
Movement, eating well and sleep
The power of helping ourselves and the importance of mindset
Getting through the shitty days
Reframing
Next challenge
How to connect with Lis on social media
Final words of advice for other women who want to take on a new challenge
Social Media
Just giving: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisvanlynden
Instagram: @coddiwomple2wander
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lis.vanlynden
Twitter: @LisvlTravels
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