Charlotte Decaudaveine and her partner Nico are cycling 20,000km from Chamonix to Tokyo to honour her late father. Their journey follows the historic Silk Road, crossing 16 borders and some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
They have now reached Kozani in Greece after crossing the Epirus Mountains. This is a big milestone in a journey marked by tough weather, exhaustion and the demands of long-distance cycling. Even with these challenges, they remain determined.
A Journey Driven by Loss and Love
Charlotte’s journey is very personal. In June 2020, her father, Laurent, died suddenly from an aortic dissection at the age of 52. He collapsed during a run. Even after emergency surgery and some early hope, his condition got worse. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, his family could not say goodbye.
Laurent was energetic and full of life. He inspired people with his humour and generosity. His passion for sports helped shape Charlotte’s own journey. This challenge is a tribute to his memory and the impact he had on everyone who knew him.
Following the Silk Road
Charlotte and Nico are following the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes that linked East and West for centuries. This route was a lifeline for sharing goods, culture and ideas across continents.
In some ways, this route is like the aorta in the human body. The Silk Road connected far-off places, just as the aorta carries blood from the heart to every organ. When an aortic dissection interrupts that path, the results can be serious. This journey shows why it is important to protect that lifeline through awareness and early diagnosis.
With this challenge, Charlotte is raising money and awareness for the charity. She hopes to help prevent other families from going through the same loss. Charlotte’s journey brings visibility to these issues in a way that reaches beyond traditional campaigns.
Endurance and Community
Big challenges like this are important for our work. In 2024, Michael Lambert’s solo kayak trip around the UK got national attention and helped raise awareness for aortic dissection. Efforts like these show how one person’s actions can help bring about change.
This momentum is still going. In the next few months, supporters will join big events like the London Marathon, Brighton Marathon, Manchester Marathon and the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Together, they hope to raise significant funds to help patients, families, and research.
A Journey That Continues
Charlotte and Nico still have thousands of kilometres to go. Their journey will take them through many countries and climates. Every mile they ride is a message of remembrance and hope.
We are proud to support them and thankful for the awareness they are bringing. If you would like to donate, please visit the JustGiving page.
Together, we can keep working to improve outcomes for people affected by aortic dissection and make sure no family faces this condition alone.
