![\"Tim](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tim-left-Stuart-right-1.jpeg\")
\nTim says:<\/p>\n
In loving memory of their much-missed friend John Rowlands from Moreton, Wirral, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s in his early 40s and passed away aged 45, Tim Fanucci and Stuart Glen are close to concluding their continent-spanning ride. <\/p>\n
So far, they have raised over \u00a38000 and created important awareness around early onset Alzheimer\u2019s. Their 3500km journey ends at the resting place of their late friend who was from the Wirral on Friday 19th September at Landican Cemetery, and from there they will come to the city.<\/p>\n
\nTim says:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a crazy and profound experience for us, with some genuinely hair-raising moments, like fighting off wild dogs and bears cycling through Serbia which was intense. We also lost some of our lights so there was some sketchy night riding until we got replacements. We\u2019ve talked a lot\u00a0 and reflected about John and his life on the ride, and how much we wish he was here, and what he\u2019d think of this adventure. We\u2019d love to raise over \u00a310,000 if we can from this crazy idea we came up with in the pub one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their epic ride started on Tuesday 19th August 2025 and has taken in Istanbul, \u00c7orlu, Edirne, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary and more countries. The duo hope to draw attention to early-onset dementia, a condition that affects people under 65, and to honour John\u2019s memory who was an avid Liverpool FC supporter. They have already raised over \u00a38000 and want to reach \u00a310,000. <\/p>\n
Tim and Stuart both attended Liverpool John Moores from 2002 to 2005 and share an enduring love for the city from their time as students. Tim first met John on his first night moving to Liverpool and in true Merseyside style, John offered to show Tim its highlights and nightlife and they became firm friends from that moment on.\u00a0Their friend John was obsessed with the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, widely known among Liverpool supporters as \u201cThe Road To Istanbul\u201d. So they decided to flip the journey and cycle back, naming the challenge: \u201cThe Road FROM Istanbul\u201d to finish in the city that celebrated Liverpool\u2019s iconic victory and the city where their friendships began.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Tim](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tim-left-Stuart-right.jpeg\")
\nStuart adds: <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t believe we\u2019re almost at the end of the trip and to remember John who is still terribly missed by us all. Highlights have been Istanbul for the food, Budapest for the public baths, Vienna for the culture and kayaking. Europe is beautiful. The trip has not been without its challenges \u2013 we\u2019ve had four flat tyres and one of our pedals fell off. And a bike derailleur broken but we managed to get that fixed. John always raved about Liverpool FC winning The Champions League in 2005 so we thought it only fitting to cycle the Road From Istanbul to Liverpool in his honour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tim says: <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re absolutely not cyclists and had pretty much no training. In the first 24 hours we had a few mishaps, including a bike pedal falling off, stopping off at the dodgiest coach station, lack of water, spending hours looking for a bike shop with the right parts, and very sore bums, sore legs, sore muscles\u2026 everywhere sore, basically. But now we\u2019re so close to arriving in Liverpool and that\u2019s kept us going over the last month.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations can be made here<\/a>. Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.\u00a0
\nFind all the latest Liverpool news here<\/a>. <\/p>\n
\nFrom the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n