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I AM.

GLOBAL MAN RIDE DAY 2019

By Black Sheep Cycling

"Don’t ever underestimate the power of good people. And the difference they can make to your life."

Man Ride 2019 has now come and gone. On October 6, 2019, just over 4,000 people from all over the world came together for one sole purpose. Men's Mental Health. But why?

Awareness in and around Mental Health has arguably never been so high. Charities and organisations have helped establish the discourse around suicide, depression, and anxiety that has been desperately needed. Yet, in almost ironic symbolism to how the connectivity of smartphones has made us incredibly disconnected, the awareness of mental health has arguably created a level of confusion about what can be done. The Man Ride was at risk of doing that as well.

So this year we took on a challenge. It was far greater than we could have ever expected. Perhaps far greater than people will know. We wanted to intervene. We wanted to do something. It's an almost juvenile response to a problem, and perhaps that has been what has made it so special.

If Mental Health is multi-factorial, Men's Mental Health is a hay-stack that has been put through a blender. Our intentions to help fix the problem come with the upmost respect at how complex the underlying casualties actually are. Mental Illness will never be cured, but hopefully its effects can be minimised. Perhaps even more importantly, we can help people learn skills to deal with life in our very complex world.

How are you?

A question we are asked when we wake up in the morning, when we order our morning coffee, when we get to work, when we go home, and when we kiss our loved ones.

One of the world's most frequently asked questions, which for the majority of us, is ducked and swerved with almost unconscionable ease. And it's not because we don't care about the question, it's because we fear the answer. We fear the answer if we say "I am feeling really lucky today" and it's because we don't even reason with the possibility of saying "I am actually feeling pretty crappy today".

"It was around the 90km mark when I understood the depth of the question being asked around the group."

POWER OF PEOPLE.

Yet, in another example to us about how incredible our community is, our call-to-arms to answer the question, and to own I AM was embraced beyond belief. From the six amazing men who showed incredible openness in front of the camera, to the hundreds of people who have contacted us directly or shared their own story on social media. All I can say is thank you.

I am not sure what we have created with Man Ride. It's become more than just a conversation. It's much more than creating awareness. What I do know is that many good people, from all corners of the world, have grasped it and taken it somewhere we could have never imagined. And without a doubt, they have changed lives along the way.

"Take care of yourselves."

TO BE CONTINUED.

Man Ride 2019 may be over, but the conversation doesn't stop. We are increasing our contribution to the Black Dog Institute to $25 FROM EVERY MAN RIDE kit sold until October 11, 2019. Grab a kit, contribute to the cause, and continue the conversation.

Footnotes

Quotes from Riders. Photos from Riders. Words by John Polson.

MAN RIDE COLLECTION

FootNotes

Quotes from Riders. Photos from Riders. Words by John Polson.

Gold Coast Marathon

I AM.

GLOBAL MAN RIDE DAY 2019

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FootNotes

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