Cyclist on epic ride from London to Jerusalem for ACN

Andrew with Fr Matteo Ceccarelli in La Spezia

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

A Willesden cyclist undertaking an epic 2,246-mile ride from Britain to Jerusalem says faith, prayer and growing physical strength are helping him overcome the toughest stages of his journey.

Andrew Foote, who is raising money for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has reached Italy after weeks on the road and some of the most demanding terrain he has encountered so far.

While many cyclists might expect the south of France to provide the greatest challenge, Andrew said it was the mountainous roads he encountered after crossing into Italy that truly tested him.

"France was easy compared to yesterday and the day before," he said. "Approaching Genoa was really hard."

The journey, which has already taken him hundreds of miles across Europe, has pushed him physically but also revealed just how much his body has adapted to life on the road.

After weeks of cycling with heavily loaded panniers, Andrew said riding without them now feels almost effortless.

"It feels almost like I'm on an electric bike," he said. "There have been several times when I've got on the bike and nearly come off because I wasn't expecting it to go as fast as it was."

Much of the challenge has been completed alone. Aside from occasional conversations with fellow cyclists, Foote has spent long days with only his thoughts for company.

That solitude has brought unexpected moments of reflection.

"Sometimes your head goes into weird places," he said. "I'll remember things from my childhood or quarrels I've had in my life with people."

Yet rather than dwelling on difficult memories, he says the experience has proved surprisingly therapeutic.

"Whatever thought has troubled me, when it comes back it doesn't trouble me again," he said.

To maintain focus during difficult moments, Andrew often turns to prayer, particularly the Serenity Prayer, while concentrating on reaching the next destination rather than worrying about the miles that still lie ahead.

"I'm taking it one day at a time," he said. "My main focus is really just getting from A to B to C. The way I look at it is that Rome is bronze, Ephesus in Turkey is silver, Antioch in Syria is gold and Jerusalem is like the diamonds, so to speak."

His next target is attending his first general audience with Pope Leo XIV in Rome on 23rd September where he hopes to speak to the Pontiff.

Crossing into Italy has also provided a welcome cultural change.

"It feels more authentic," he said. "People work to live rather than live to work."

He described being struck by the country's vibrant street life, expressive culture and slower pace compared to London.

For Andrew, the move into Italy has also strengthened the spiritual dimension of what began as a fundraising challenge. He said he found churches more accessible than in parts of France and has been able to attend Mass regularly while travelling.

One of the most memorable moments of the trip came in Genoa, where he attended Mass before asking a priest for a blessing for the remainder of his journey.

To his surprise, the priest revealed that he served as the city's chaplain for pilgrims and had been discussing pilgrimages shortly before Foote approached him. NThe encounter left a lasting impression.

"I can really feel like I'm being protected and that there are a lot of people out there rooting for me and keeping me in their thoughts and prayers," he said.

Before setting off, Andrew admitted he worried about loneliness, anxiety and how he would cope with weeks on the road. Instead, he said he has experienced an unexpected sense of calm.

With Rome now firmly in his sights and Jerusalem still thousands of miles away, Andrew remains focused on the immediate challenge ahead.

For now, the Willesden Green cyclist is keeping his ambitions simple: one road, one day and one pedal stroke at a time.

To support Andrew visit: https://acnuk.org/cycle4hope