Since its inception in 2016, the Man Ride has taken a multitude of guises. We’ve ridden 1000km in four days from Longreach to Airlie Beach in Australia; done the same from Northern to Southern California. Battled equal the distance and three times the vert from Holyhead, Wales to London, England. Only we took an extra day. We needed it! We’ve ridden across five continents. And hosted Man Rides, completed by you, in over 20 countries and virtually on ZWIFT.
The Black Sheep ONE:5 Strava Challenge is a first.
It’s your chance to ride in support of the Man Ride in 2020. Another chapter of our dedication to making a difference. The challenge is doable. The message is simple. One in five men battle mental illness. And we want you to help us do something about it.
How, we hear you ask? Here’s five tips to think about …
Local rules apply. But in the year of confinement and social distancing, riding together has never been more crucial. The bike is a great leveller. Inhibitions to open up, reveal oneself often dissipate. Sometimes to complete strangers. This year, more than most, it's imperative that we talk. And we listen. Hell, 2020 has been hard enough. Dare to have to laugh. And if you can, complete 100km every day, for five days and find different friends with which to share the Challenge and experience. The thanks alone will reward enough.
We might be forced to ride solo. But we are never alone. The best rides are always those that are shared with others. The Black Sheep ONE:5 Strava Challenge is about men and women from all walks of life coming together to spread the message of the Man Ride far and wide – we must reverse the statistics that surround men’s mental illness. So take a moment and capture the memory. A scenic landscape shot. A group photo on your spruced up Strava route. Or a stationary selfie, perhaps, that allows for a moment of self reflection. Don’t forget to share your snaps with the #manride.
Complete 100k in five days. Or be ballsy and complete 100k per day for five days. But don’t forget why we are all here. Forget longest, highest, furthest or fastest. The message the Black Sheep ONE:5 Strava Challenge carries is way more significant than any of that. There are enough ways to hurt yourself on the bike. Enough KOMS. QOMs. Enough crowns. The Man Ride represents an opportunity to dedicate yourself to making a difference. We have to reverse the harrowing statistics that give this Challenge its name.
We get it, you’ve got Airpods. Keep an ear clear for the incoming traffic though, and don’t miss the pothole calls. Or get distracted by a rambling Kanye West. That said, music evokes positive emotion when exercising, whether you want to be active in your listening and rock out to some Zeppelin, or the passive enjoyment of the ambience of Aphex Twin. It’s your ride, take your playlists for a spin. Particularly if you’re embarking on the Black Sheep ONE:5 Strava Challenge indoors. Share your playlists with us and we’ll share ‘em with others.
We all have a yarn to share about what did and didn’t go down over the weekend. Just don’t ramble on about how much money you lost on the punt, or how many strokes it took you on the 16th. Share your ride (physically or virtually) with people who’ll listen to the BS, and even give a little back. Start conversations. Small talk, big talk, who cares. But use the Man Ride to get vocal about men and their chaotic minds which are causing far too many to take drastic action.
© 2026 Black Sheep Cycling
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