68-year-old Guido de Wilde, who survived fourth-stage cancer, is tackling a challenging 3333-kilometer route from Barcelona to Paris. He is participating in the Cycle Against Cancer charity ride to inspire patients battling the disease.
68-year-old Guido de Wilde, who survived fourth-stage cancer, is tackling a challenging 3333-kilometer route from Barcelona to Paris. He is participating in the Cycle Against Cancer charity ride to inspire patients battling the disease.
This 25-day cycling trip supports Al Jalila Foundation's cancer treatment programs in the UAE. The team consists of 15 cyclists and started from Barcelona on July 1st. According to the tracker, they have already covered over 300 kilometers of the route, which includes more than 54,000 meters of elevation gain before reaching Paris.
For De Wilde, this challenge goes beyond mere physical endurance; it aims to show others that life can continue even after receiving a serious diagnosis. He emphasized that the journey should send a message to those diagnosed with cancer that there is a path forward and that the diagnosis is not the end of the story.
De Wilde recalls how his life changed in January 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. At that time, he managed a portfolio of over 170 hotels in the Middle East, Turkey, and Egypt, when he was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. He noted that he realized then how important the way this news was delivered was, and that the radiologist who informed him of the diagnosis also gave him hope by mentioning the possibility of recovery.
Almost immediately after his diagnosis, cycling became part of his fight. During six months of chemotherapy, De Wilde trained at home using a virtual system. He stated that instead of letting treatment undermine his spirit, he actively participated in his own recovery, and thus cycling transformed from an activity into a part of his battle.
Years later, the same struggle brought him back onto the road, now as part of a team. Among the participants are survivors of stage four bone cancer, while others ride for loved ones who have lost someone to cancer or those still undergoing treatment. Thus, the team shares a common goal throughout the entire 3333-kilometer route.
Cycle Against Cancer brings together cancer survivors, business leaders, and members of the UAE cycling community. Of the 15 participants, thirteen are based in the UAE, and two joined from abroad. Many ride in memory of loved ones or in honor of family members undergoing treatment.
In the months leading up to the event, participants regularly woke up at 2 or 3 in the morning to train on the Al Qudra bike track before the desert heat became unbearable. Their preparation also included yoga, nutrition work, sleep discipline, and strength training. De Wilde stressed that the common goal supports the team.
The route from Barcelona to Paris was chosen to test the physical and mental capabilities of the cyclists. Over 25 days, they will cover long distances, steep climbs, and challenging terrain. De Wilde explained that the difficulty was intentional, as the challenge must reflect the resilience demonstrated by patients daily. He believes that this physically demanding journey tests endurance, resilience, and teamwork, and that this is its meaning.
De Wilde's connection to charitable cycling spans over two decades. As a passionate hotelier, he began using cycling to raise awareness and funds in 2003, and later in 2008, co-founded the Marriott’s Road to Awareness initiative. In 2022, he launched Cycle Against Cancer, undertaking a solo seven-day trip from Brussels to Bergamo in Italy, raising $100,000 for the Al Jalila Foundation. This trip marked the official beginning of a movement born from a personal commitment to support the regional medical community.
The funds raised during this challenge will go towards Al Jalila Foundation's cancer treatment programs, including research and ensuring access to care for patients. De Wilde noted that over 7,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the country, so this funding ensures timely access to support and treatment. His collaboration with the Al Jalila Foundation has lasted over ten years, since the foundation's establishment in 2013, making this ride a natural continuation of his commitment.