Katy and Her Bicyle: A Story of Courage

Cycling 630 kilometres over 12 days along the North Sea (Kustroute), linking the Belgian border to the German border across the Netherlands, is a major physical challenge for any cyclist. For Kate, a grande section teacher at our French bilingual primary school, this journey represents far more than a sporting achievement. It is a message of hope, a constant battle against invisible illness, and a source of inspiration.

Kate lives with a double autoimmune disease diagnosis: Sjögren's syndrome and myositis. The latter illness causes progressive deterioration of muscle tissue, particularly targeting the calves, which makes walking and standing extremely painful and exhausting. Far from letting herself be defeated by the accumulation of medical care (including a fifth treatment and regular hospital infusions), Kate has chosen a positive and proactive philosophy of life: to take control, achieve her dreams, and act now.

“Living life with awareness, embracing the fact that I have constraints, accepting, sharing, and adapting my project. Guess what? It is now or never. The most important thing is being active and being in the moment.”

Cycling as Therapy and Escape

The illness is invisible, but the symptoms are very real: extreme fatigue, extreme heat intolerance, muscle blockages, and breathing difficulties. Faced with the restrictions imposed by her body, Kate had to adapt her routine. Whilst running locks her muscles and swimming proves too demanding for her current capabilities, the electric bicycle has become her ally. This tool allows her to remain active in complete safety, whilst also offering a mental escape into the heart of magnificent landscapes.

“It’s really positive because you see the landscape, you are thinking about other things, and you are living the moment.”

Family and Community Logistics   

This  journey is, above all, a human and collective adventure. Her two children, graduates of our school, and friend Bryan Ambridge, took full charge of the logistics. On the road, the support team followed closely in a converted van, monitoring the GPX tracks from point to point, managing campsite bookings, and providing technical assistance. Béatrice de Luztrac, her fellow teaching colleague at Ermitage, also took part in the adventure by cycling alongside her for the first five days while Kate’s husband, David and her dear friend Tania Ambridge, Round Square Co-ordinator, cycled the whole route with her.

Throughout the North Sea cycle route, a remarkable wave of solidarity emerged. Discounts on accommodation and donations to the GoFundMe spontaneously punctuated their journey. This mutual support did not stop there; Kate’s 82 year old father joined the group to cycle the final two afternoons, providing moral support.

The Journey in Figures

Total distance: 630 kilometres.

Duration of effort: 12 days of cycling (with one rest day).

Weather conditions: Only 35 minutes of rain on the first day, but a constant headwind.

Technical & Logistics: 0 punctures, 3 ferries taken, and 6 dykes crossed (including one stretching 32 kilometres).

Wonders: More than 10,000 tulips spotted along the route.

Her courage has reached far beyond the boundaries of our institution: her journey was widely shared and praised by numerous European medical associations, deeply moved by this demonstration of resilience.

Let Us Support Kate's Fight

Kate's objective remains to inspire our community, to advance medical science, and to raise awareness of her illness. Research into these autoimmune diseases needs our support. Follow her story on instagram at @katyandherbicycle.

Please take part in her initiative by supporting her online fund: Access the GoFundMe Collection