TWO men from Teme Leisure have been involved in a cycle ride of nearly 200 miles from one end of Wales to the other.

An initial reaction might be 'well done' but perhaps it is not such a big deal - what makes it special, however, is that both men suffer from type one diabetes.

Apart from raising money to fight the disease and showing what sufferers can achieve, the two men also help to tackle an important myth about the disease.

Not diagnosed and treated effectively, diabetes is a serious condition that increases the risk a heart disease and damage to major organs. It can also result in the loss of limbs.

Diabetes is often associated with middle age, a spreading waistline, lack of exercise and the consumption of too much beer and fine food.

Indeed, type two diabetes can be lifestyle related but type one, the diabetes that affects the two Ludlow cyclists, is not related to lifestyle and can, and often does, affect infants and children.

Andrew Stewardson's diagnosis at the age of 18 came as a massive shock and meant major changes in his lifestyle.

"My doctor literally said you can't go out and drink like a teenager,” said Andrew Stewardson.

"I was massively into football at the time and I was determined that being diabetic wouldn't stop me enjoying sport.

"Exercising is particularly beneficial for diabetics but adjusting food and insulin around exercise was a learning curve, as different types of exercise can have a different effect on you.”

"Living with diabetes is a constant balancing act, but I learned to live with it.”

After years of daily insulin injections, Andrew started insulin pump therapy in January 2016, which opened up a whole new world of training.

"An insulin pump is worn on the body, and supplies the body continuously with its basic insulin requirements. The additional insulin required at mealtimes is administered by pressing a button.

"The greater flexibility gave me the confidence to enter endurance events and I have since competed in multi-sport events such as the Storm the Castle duathlon."

"Blood glucose levels still need to be measured, but the use of individually adjusted doses of short-acting insulin gives a higher level of flexibility during athletic activity and managing training schedules."

For keen cyclist David Morris, ‘Wales in a Day’ was his first major endurance event.

David, 37, a Teme Tri Club member, was just seven years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

"A lot of people think that you must have diabetes because you have eaten too much sugary food,” David said.

"But in a lot of cases there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. It's not even that it’s genetic, it's just a completely unfortunate event where my pancreas stopped working like it used to."

The important message from both men is that diagnosis can usually be managed effectively and need not stop people from taking part in sport including endurance activities.

However, they would also make the point that its must be taken seriously and that symptoms that can include frequent urination, excessive thirst, tiredness and skin itching and irritation must not be ignored.