Meet Mark: Teacher, Husband, Rider, Fighter
Mark Godman-Sinclair lives in Bournemouth with his wife Katie, where he teaches English at Bournemouth School for Girls. A passionate educator, he’s been shaping young minds for six years. Outside the classroom, however, Mark has spent nearly two decades navigating something far more personal and challenging: life with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Diagnosed in 2006, Mark’s story is one of unrelenting drive. It’s also a love story, a cycling story, and a story of how one charity became a lifelong community.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
When Mark was first diagnosed with MS, his response was mixed. “There was actually some relief,” he says. “What I’d been experiencing, I thought could have been something more sinister, like a brain tumour. So hearing it was MS was a strange kind of comfort, but still incredibly life-changing.”
Not one to sit still, Mark dove into learning as much as he could about the condition. Switching from uncertainty to action became a defining part of how he chose to live with MS.
Adjusting and Moving Forward
MS is a condition that evolves over time, and Mark has had to adapt alongside it. What started as minor symptoms eventually led to using a walking stick, and in the last few years, a wheelchair.
“It’s been a real journey,” he says. “But getting my wheelchair, which was partially funded by Bike the UK for MS, has made a massive difference. It opened up the outdoors again. In some ways, I wish I’d made the switch sooner.”
Why Cycling Still Matters (Even When It Looks Different)
Like so much in Mark’s life, his cycling has been about adaptation. From a standard road bike to a trike, and now to a handbike, he’s continued to evolve the way he rides without giving up the joy of being on the move.
“Just being able to still take part is the key thing,” he explains. “I really enjoy the handbike. The adaptations don’t take away from the experience, they make it possible.”
Why Bike the UK for MS? A Cause That Hits Home
It was a natural fit: a charity that combines cycling and MS awareness. Mark joined Bike the UK for MS to ride, raise money, and send a message of perseverance.
In 2019, he completed the iconic John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) ride on a trike. But that journey held more than just miles and mountains.
“The moment I remember most was arriving in Land’s End,” Mark says. “I proposed to Katie there. I’d been carrying the engagement ring with me the whole ride. Each day, I was fixated on making it to the end, just so I could ask her.”
The People Who Make the Miles Matter
Like many riders, Mark found the connections he made on the journey just as powerful as the ride itself.
“Meeting other MS groups and riders was hugely motivating,” he recalls. “It reminded me just how many people are affected by MS. There’s strength in that kind of shared experience.”
Digging Deep When It Matters
Riding nearly 1,000 miles with MS is no small feat. But for Mark, it was as much a lesson in mindset as it was a physical challenge.
“We can endure so much more than we think,” he says. “I learned that on this trip. And now, whenever I’m struggling, I remind myself: you can do this. Dig deep.”
His biggest message to others with MS? “Don’t give up. Things may change. Yes, you’ll need to adapt. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love.”
Looking Ahead: From the London Classics to Ironman
Mark’s not slowing down. He recently completed the London Classics, a trifecta of endurance events including the London Marathon, RideLondon, and Swim Serpentine.
His next challenge? An Ironman.
“That’s what I’m building toward. And I’m inspired to keep going because Bike the UK for MS has given me so much. I want to stay part of it.”
Mark’s Message to Future Riders
“Do it. It really is an adventure. It will change your life. For me, it’s something that’s resonated and stayed with me ever since.”
His story reminds us that adapting to life’s changes doesn’t mean giving up, it means finding new ways to keep doing what you love, surrounded by people who get it. From carrying a ring across the UK to chasing an Ironman finish, he shows us what’s possible when we keep moving forward.
Inspired by Mark’s story? We’d love to ride with you. Check out our next adventure because there’s no better reason to ride.
