Join BikeRadar this weekend and raise money for mental health charity CALM

Early this year, BikeRadar and leading mental health charity The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) hatched a plan for a campaign that would promote both the positive mental health benefits of riding bikes and help raise money for this brilliant cause.

Sadly, current events mean that we’ve had to put these plans on hold for the time being. However, we don’t want to put efforts to raise funds for CALM on hold, so we’ve hatched another plan and we’d love you to help and join in!

CALM is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day. CALM operates a free and confidential helpline and webchat service but, like many other charities, CALM is finding that the vital fundraising needed to keep this service running is becoming increasingly restricted during the Covid-19 crisis.

And, for a charity such as CALM, that funding is even more important during these incredibly difficult times – in the first week of lockdown in the United Kingdom the charity says that it experienced a 37 per cent increase in calls to its helpline.

As cyclists, you likely already know how regular riding can help reduce stress and anxiety, boosts your mood and self-esteem, and can even help to ease symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

So, this Easter we want as many of you as possible to log #rideforCALM and donate to CALM. You can ride your miles indoors or, of course, following government guidance, head outside on your bike.

All we ask is that you tag your rides and pictures with us on social media using #rideforCALM. Extra kudos if you add it to your username on your indoor training apps, and extra, extra kudos if you wear CALM's colour – orange.

More importantly, head to the #rideforCALM JustGiving page and make a pledge. Any donation is welcome, but it’s worth bearing in mind that £8 will fund a potentially life-saving call to the CALM helpline.

The BikeRadar team will be sharing their #rideforCALM pictures and look out for posts from riders from Vitus Pro Cycling who'll also be taking part this weekend.

So, please get on your bikes – adhering to the government advice wherever you are, of course – to log some miles for mental health and donate to a fantastic and important cause this Easter weekend.