Jerusalem-bound cyclist says Faith sustained him in toughest stage yet

A CYCLIST has completed what he has described as the toughest stage of his 2,200-mile journey to Jerusalem, saying prayer and faith have helped overcome the trip’s physical and mental challenges. 

Andrew Foote, a gardener from Willesden Green, Brent, tackled steep mountainous terrain on Italy’s north-west coast during his fundraising ride for Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). 

Having set off from Westminster Cathedral on 15th August, he hopes to raise £20,000 for suffering and persecuted Christians by cycling from London to Jerusalem. 

Andrew said the most demanding section of the trip came as he approached Genoa: “It’s basically the foothills of the Alps. I knew it would be tough.” 

Despite the gruelling climbs, Andrew said his fitness has improved dramatically during the journey, adding that an eight-year pain in his left shoulder unexpectedly disappeared – which he described as “almost like a miracle” 

He said: “It feels almost like I’m on an electric bike. 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 pilgrimage has been completed alone, giving Andrew time for reflection. Memories and past worries often surface during long days in the saddle, but he said they now pass quickly. 

He told ACN: “Whatever thought has troubled me, when it comes back it doesn’t trouble me again, which is very therapeutic.” 

In difficult moments, he turns to prayer, particularly the Serenity Prayer, while focusing on reaching each day’s destination. 

His next major milestone is Rome, where he hopes to attend Pope Leo XIV’s general audience on 23rd September and possibly meet the Pontiff. 

Andrew described crossing into Italy as a spiritual turning point. While travelling through France he often found churches closed, but in Italy he has regularly attended Mass and found faith more visible in everyday life. 

One of the most memorable moments came in Genoa, following Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. 

Approaching a priest afterwards, Andrew explained that he was a pilgrim cycling to Jerusalem and asked for a blessing. 

To his surprise, the priest, Father Matteo Ceccarelli, introduced himself as the city’s chaplain for pilgrims. 

Andrew added: “He said, ‘This is amazing. We were just talking about pilgrims and pilgrimages before you came up to us’.” 

The priest then offered a blessing and prayed for the success of the journey through the intercession of Our Lady. 

Experiences such as these have strengthened Andrew’s conviction that he is not undertaking the challenge alone. 

He said: “One of the things I was fearful of before setting off was being lonely, being anxious, losing my temper, but I have felt remarkably calm the whole way through. 

“I can really feel like I’m being protected and that there’s a lot of people out there rooting for me and keeping me in their thoughts and prayers.”