Lee BottomleyWest Midlands
Edmund Doyle
Edmund Doyle took on the challenge to help men’s mental health services after his own struggles
A man has cycled solo from Cheshire to China to raise funds for a mental health charity.
Edmund Doyle, from Weston, near Crewe, set off on 11 June on his dad’s old mountain bike and arrived at Horgos, Kazakhstan, on the Chinese border, on 28 October.
He was inspired by a YouTube video of a Brit riding home from Shanghai. “I still can’t quite believe I did it,” stated Mr Doyle, who said there were so many moments he had to remind himself that it was not a dream.
So far he has raised almost £5,000 for Mental Health Foundation, and said doing it for a cause so close to home after his own mental health challenges had kept him going on the hardest days of the 11,000km trip.
During the ride, he faced illness on the Montenegro border, and violent storms in Georgia, as well as several mechanical failures, including a broken derailleur during the final stretch of the challenge.
He said what made the journey even more powerful, and helped him through, was the kindness of people along the way.
“From families inviting me into their homes to strangers helping fix my bike in the middle of nowhere, people showed me generosity I’ll never forget.
“It changed how I see the world – it’s a far kinder place than we’re often told.”
Mr Doyle said he was especially proud to have completed his challenge to support men’s mental health, knowing how difficult it can be to speak up.
“If this journey helps even one man talk about what he’s going through, or feel a little less alone, then every mile was worth it,” he said.
“You don’t have to cross continents to face what you’re dealing with – but you do have to take that first step, he said.
“Or in my case, turn that first pedal.”