Saturday 12th August 2023
Why would anyone who runs a spends his entire week getting up a stupid o'clock decide to get up at 7:30am on a Saturday morning! Well, I did, and I was met by 3 other equally obliging people.
(James Edwards took the photo so missed being in it :p)
On the morning Grant Hamel who is a recognised business coach, James Edwards of Blue Squirrel, myself and we were joined by expert cyclist Danny Brothwell of The Shift Scheme. Shift is a cycling program that is designed to employers to increase the use of bicycles as a regular means of transport by their employees and so a perfect accompany for the event.
To check out the scheme : goshift.co.uk
The reason for the cycle was to raise a little money for an incredible cause that is often under-represented and sometimes forgotten. This was a charity event for Cruse Bereavement Support and more specifically for male depression.
Cruse Bereavement Support website: cruse.org.uk
I had planned on doing it on my own – being not a proficient or regular cyclist myself I wanted it a little off the radar with a gentle meander, but my work peers and friends had different ideas and I was properly held to account 😊 .
Coming back to the subject of the charity for a second. In the UK, male depression and mental health issues is a pressing societal concern. Despite growing awareness about mental health, there still exists a pervasive stigma surrounding men's emotional well-being. Men often face societal pressure to adhere to traditional notions of masculinity, which can deter them from seeking help or discussing their struggles openly.
This reluctance to express vulnerability can exacerbate feelings of isolation, leading to untreated depression and other mental health challenges. Additionally, societal expectations might influence coping mechanisms, such as turning to alcohol or substance abuse, further compounding the problem. It is crucial to foster an environment where men feel empowered to seek support without judgment, and to challenge stereotypes that hinder honest conversations about mental health. By addressing these issues head-on, the UK can take significant strides toward better male mental health outcomes.
Losing someone you love is never easy, and for many men, the experience can be particularly isolating. That's why I'm determined to support Cruse Bereavement Care and their vital work in providing male bereavement support across the UK.
The route we chose. We are all Worcester based companies and people and so the route chosen was the rivers and canal systems of Worcestershire. Relatively flat (I thought – who was going to tell me how much of a climb the paths near the locks are?). A circuit was arranged to enter Worcester from Droitwich and back again which I worked out to be 15 miles (it was 21 miles!).
However, a beautiful ride with a lot to see and thoroughly achievable with a little practice.
We Started at St Richard’s Statues in Droitwich by the River (near Waitrose) and headed along the river towards Hanley heading to the junction at the passing the Droitwich Marina Eagle and Sun In, Hanbury Wharf. There we took the canal in direction of Worcester along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Once we arrived in Worcester (we struggled to find a coffee shop open before 10am and so carried on without caffeine haha) passed the racetrack and along the River Severn and partly using Cycle Route 46 back into Droitwich at which point celebrated success with cake and finally a coffee at Nelly’s Yard the fantastic Droitwich coffee chop.
Nelly's Yard is definitely work a visit:
Thank you for everyone who supported.
Those involved: Richard Frazer - Frazer Finance - frazerfinance.co.uk
Grant Hamel - Grant Hamel Coaching - granthamel.com
James Edwards - Blue Squirrel Software - bluesquirrel.software
Danny Brothwell - SHIFT Scheme - goshift.co.uk
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