Louise Minchin has said she is still dealing with the effects of frostbite months after suffering the injury during an extreme Arctic ice cycling challenge in March.
The 57-year-old BBC presenter had been taking on a punishing 300-mile ride through the remote Northwest Territories in Canada when she was forced to withdraw.
In a new update, Louise admitted she remains uncertain about what her long-term recovery will mean for her toes, although she said her fingers are now “okay”.
Writing in her newsletter, Louise explained that the expedition went badly off course from what she had hoped. She said she managed to ride around 140km in dangerous conditions, but as temperatures plunged to -40C, she developed severe frostbite in both her fingers and toes.
She added that the frightening part was that she could not feel it happening, meaning she had no idea she had frostbite or how serious it had become until after leaving the race. Louise said the decision to stop came after her companion, Mimi Anderson, became unable to continue cycling because her hands were so numb she could no longer change gear.
Louise said Mimi has since fully recovered, but her own healing process is still ongoing. She told readers she would avoid sharing the full details while she continues treatment, adding that although her fingers are fine, the same cannot yet be said for all of her toes.
Louise Minchin, 57, has shared that she is still recovering from frostbite sustained during her Arctic ice bike ride challenge in March
The presenter was taken to hospital after abandoning the challenge 14 hours in, using an emergency beacon to alert rescuers and call for help.
The Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge was to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Louise’s Instagram bio currently reads: ‘Currently recovering from frostbite after an Ice Bike race in the Arctic Circle.’
The challenge was a 300mile cycle across three days and Louise was around a quarter of the way through it before she had to pull out.
At the time, speaking from her hospital bed, she told her fans: ‘We are out of the race but we are safe, warm and being well looked after.’
‘We did around 140k in temperatures as low as -40C. When we got to this point both of us knew we were very dangerously cold.’
Louise said the ‘combination of the temperature and wind meant despite having prepared as much as we could have it was a huge risk to go on’.
She added: ‘Turns out we were right to stop. We both have frostbite and are being looked after incredibly well looked after. At the moment we remain in good spirits.’
After she was discharged from hospital, Louise posted a health update to her followers.
Louise was rushed to hospital after having to abandon the cycle 14 hours in, when she used the emergency beacon to call for help.
She was participating in the Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge in a bid to raise money for The Duke of Edinburgh ’s Award, where she attempted to cycle 300 miles in three days
Taking to Instagram, she penned: ‘I am out of hospital in time for Easter thank goodness. Thanks to all of you for your messages.
‘Profound thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff who have looked after me over the last two weeks both here in the UK and in Canada.
‘I am incredibly grateful for the care you have all given me.’
Louise was met with dozens of messages from fellow TV stars expressing their relief that she had made a full recovery from the frostbite.
Michelle Ackerley penned: ‘So good to hear you’re home. Hope you have a restful Easter,’ as Helen Skelton added: ‘Sending love superwoman.’
Gabby Roslin echoed: ‘Thank goodness you’re home. Sending you so much love and please take good care of yourself,’ as Sian Williams wrote: ‘Phew. Take good care of yourself Lou.’
After she originally shared the news of her hospitalisation, fans and other stars rushed to support Louise in the comments section, with fellow celebrities flooding with caring messages.
Greg Rutherford wrote: ‘Bloody hell Lou! Be safe,’ while Helen Skelton congratulated her: ‘What an achievement so far!’
Gaby Roslin penned: ‘Oh my word. Please take good care of yourself,’ and Sally Nugent echoed: ‘Take care love’.
Louise is no stranger to gruelling physical challenges and was last year featured on Gladiators’ Celebrity Special.
Taking on the iconic Collision challenge, Louise was tasked with carrying balls across a bridge, while four Gladiators swung across in an attempt to stop her.
While Louise successfully managed to earn eight points, she did take a hit to the face, leaving her with a slightly bloody nose.
