Wellways Break the Cycle riders and support crew, Wellways staff and Mayor Peta Betts (far right).
An 890km bike ride to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health has come to an end with riders praised for a ‘mammoth effort’.
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The Break the Cycle ride by Wellways, an organisation founded by families advocating to improve the support available to people with mental health issues and their carers, chose the tour to reach isolated farmers and communities in the Murrumbidgee area.
A team of 24 riders and support crew cycled for seven days to visit communities affected by suicide including Deniliquin, Moulamein, Finley and Barooga.
Ride participant and Wellways suicide prevention community development coordinator Ned Evans said the ride aimed to assure people there are services available in the region.
“We chose a more rural and isolated ride this year, wanting to reach people who often feel overlooked or left out,” he said.
“The region is full of farmers and tradies, blokes that often don’t ask for help. We hope after meeting the Wellways riders they may be more inclined to reach out.”
The riders began their Break the Cycle journey in Lake Cargelligo, finishing in Albury, with some incredible highlights and challenges.
Neil Evans, Iona McLeish and James Ingram-Douglas.
“Day three was the toughest. We were supposed to ride along backroads from Hay to Balranald but due to road closures, we ended up doing 176km through rain, highway traffic, and with poor phone service trying to look for alternative routes.
“It was particularly tough on our support crew.”
From there they rode to Moulamein where a meet and greet at the local pub made up for the tough ride.
“While we’re a team, we’re also individuals affected by suicide. Many of our riders rode for lost loved ones,” Mr Evans said.
“We met others along the way. Moulamein was particularly good. We had lots of community members talking one-on-one with us about suicide prevention strategies and after care.”
Kyle Yeates, Ned Evans, Sophia Zappala, Jake Ploenges, Bre Stanton, Shane Gatley, Blake Harvey and Romeo Remi.
After a night in Deniliquin, where the riders met with local community members and Wellways staff, they set off for Mulwala via Finley.
“Once we got to Mulwala on the final night, and reflected on the ride, it was quite emotional. All the stories along the way, from communities affected by suicide.
“We committed to not making this just a ‘visit and disappear’ ride.
“We are here to help and support, to build foundations and conversations about suicide prevention and support.”
Wellways services both sides of the border, with offices in Deniliquin, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Albury and Wodonga. Lean more at www.wellways.org.
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Zoe Evans, Edward River Councillor Linda Fawns, Mayor Peta Betts, Jay Little and Phillip Jones from Wellways After Suicide Support.
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