Bikepacking the Perimeter of Britain

Perimeter of Britain Project, fundraising for Movember

I am starting from Movember's London office on the 11th July and will be covering roughly 250km a day, with the aim of completing the challenge in 30 days.

YOU are invited to join me along different stints of the journey to connect over a conversation and raise awareness for men’s mental health. The cause area is close to my heart after experiencing depression while working as a young designer and architect in London. It should have been the dream for a budding architect but the experience was soured by a director who bullied me for over two years, which was a big starting point for my mental health issues. Eventually, the stress led to me experiencing dark thoughts one night after work.. The next day, I knew that I needed to make a change and leave his work to prioritise his mental health. I went into the office the next day and told my director, ‘If I don’t quit I don’t think I am going to be here.’ My work supported him and helped to make the transition out of the role as easy as possible, and during this time I started cycling more.

That was the point I started riding the bike more. There was something about the motion that felt good for figuring things out. Taking on this challenge is not only a physical feat but also one with a heart to inspire vulnerable connections between men. I will carry all of my gear with me and only stop for rest, to eat and meet with fellow cyclists and friends.

I want to encourage people to come and join me. There will be a tracker where you’ll be able to see exactly where I am. I truly believe that cycling has helped me in being able to manage my demons in a healthy way.

I'm not alone in experiencing mental health challenges, across the UK, men are struggling. One in five men aged between 16 and 29 reported having moderate to severe depressive symptoms in 2021, and suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged between 20 and 34, with three out of four deaths by suicide being men.