Hilary Jackson’s Journey from Riding Alone to Finding a Common Cause: A Bike the UK for MS Experience

Fitness instructor Hilary Jackson is no stranger to long days and physical endurance. Based in the South of England, she has built her career around helping others stay active and healthy. But with unsociable hours and split shifts being the norm, Hilary has always found herself riding solo. Cycling, for her, was a trial-and-error journey – learning on the go, fitting in rides around work, and taking on challenges like the inaugural RideLondon 100 and multi-day charity rides.

However, when Hilary discovered Bike the UK for MS, everything clicked: the support, the cause, the team. It was the perfect bridge between solo adventures and shared impact.

Hilary’s motivation to ride goes deeper than just the love of cycling. Through her work, she came to know two clients, Mick and Margaret, who lived with multiple sclerosis (MS). Their experiences were very different—Mick dealt with nerve pain and muscle spasms that limited his day-to-day life, while Margaret, once an avid athlete, found creative ways to push forward despite her symptoms. Their stories stayed with Hilary and gave MS a face, a voice, and an urgency she couldn’t ignore.

In early 2023, while scrolling through Facebook, a post caught Hilary’s eye: the North Coast 500 ride. In that instant, everything aligned. A chance to return to Scotland, a place that had left a lasting impression during a childhood holiday, and a way to give back to people like Mick and Margaret.

Since that first ride, Hilary hasn’t looked back. From the North Coast 500 to the Sea to Sea, each route has been a bucket-list cycling experience, made even better by the thoughtful planning and support. “The best part is you can focus on riding, not logistics,” she explains. “And meeting MS groups along the way adds real meaning. I learned so much about the condition—things I never knew before. And it made my fundraising feel more direct and personal.”

As someone used to riding solo, Hilary admits she was nervous about joining a group ride. But those nerves quickly melted away. “The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Everyone finds their rhythm, and there’s no pressure to ride in a pack,” she recalls. “The faster you go, the more time for coffee at the next rest stop!”

When asked about her most memorable moments, Hilary recalls sitting in the sun with a mint Magnum outside the last shop before Gairloch, waiting for fellow riders, stargazing at John O’Groats after a bracing dip in the North Sea, mastering the sleeping bag roll after three days of failed attempts, and waiting patiently to take a celebratory selfie at the Northumberland border—only to be delayed by another cyclist taking the longest wee in history beneath the welcome sign. These are the kinds of memories that make Bike the UK for MS rides more than just challenges—they become shared stories of laughter, struggle, and joy.

Despite the usual reputation for UK weather, Hilary’s been lucky. “I’ve had almost wall-to-wall sunshine,” she admits. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Climbing Hartside Summit into a headwind stands out as a real test. “But if you’ve trained, you just push on. It’s only one more pedal stroke, after all.”

Hilary’s rides have been as educational as they have been physical. She learned that MS may begin much earlier than most people realize, sometimes manifesting as clumsiness or misdiagnosed as dyspraxia. And she heard how, since the pandemic, MS support groups have been struggling to keep their members engaged and connected. “It made me realize how important our support is,” she says. “We don’t just raise money; we give MS groups a reason to gather and connect again.”

Hilary expected to enjoy the rides, but she didn’t expect to fall in love with camping. “Climbing out of your tent and onto your bike is tougher on Day 1 than it is mid-week,” she laughs. “But I’ve been lucky with the weather, and the experience has been magical.”

While Hilary hasn’t made it to as many alumni events as she’d like, she still feels part of the Bike the UK for MS family. She follows updates, celebrates others’ rides, and plans to be back on the road again soon. To anyone thinking about joining a future ride, Hilary offers this advice: Just book it, don’t overpack—you need less than you think, and train—it really will make the ride more enjoyable.

Hilary’s story reminds us that you don’t have to be an expert cyclist or a seasoned adventurer to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is a bike, a cause, and a little sunshine. Want to join the ride? Bike the UK for MS is waiting for you. And if you see someone rolling their