Meet Gary and Brendan. Two guys with big hearts, a love of bright lycra and a passion for increasing awareness around mental health. On 7 and 8 August, Brendan and Gary will be Everesting Mt Cooth-tha in Brisbane, with purpose in their legs - to raise awareness and funding for @lovemeloveyoufoundation.
We recently spoke with their promotional manager, Katie O''Malley, to get an insight into Brendan and Gary''s journey and what led them to take on this challenge.
LMLY: Tell us what drew Gary and Brendan to take on such a challenge?
Katie: In 2017 Gary attempted an Everesting event reaching 7,400m but not finishing. In August 2018, he 'came out' to his cycling community about his own mental health battles and completed an Everesting wearing fellow mental health advocacy kit ''Puka Up'' - dedicating his journey to raising awareness on mental health and ending stigma.
In September 2019, following the suicide of an client of Brendan''s, he decided enough was enough, and picked up the ball to get the Knights of Suburbia cycling community up in Brisbane. Becoming the regional leader shortly after, he focused on building a social community first and pre-lockdown, starting a racing community.
Having suffered from mental health issues all his life, Gary started following a fellow rider on social media which led him to the Knights of Suburbia group. He's joining Brendan on his Everesting attempt to help start conversations about mental health and awareness.
"Talking about mental health shouldn't be taboo or a special subject. It needs to transcend into the norm of local dialogue. Like at the coffee shop, the pub with mates and in schools. I'm almost 49 and have only just learnt to describe my feelings." ~ @garyjennings71
LMLY: What is Everesting?
Katie: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m - the equivalent height of Mt Everest. Riders who complete the challenge take their place in the Hall of Fame, alongside the best climbers in the world! .
LMLY: How is their training going so far?
Katie: These first 6 weeks have been challenging both physically and mentally and it has certainly been made easier for them on those tough training rides having Knights of Suburbia members join them, and LMLY community support behind them.
Gary and Brendan''s learnings from these first 6 weeks:
Gary:
* . You need to get your nutrition right.
* . It always hurts.
* . Downhills make the uphills worthwhile.
* . Every kilo counts.
* . I'm looking forward to what I'll learn about myself over the next 6 weeks.
Brendan:
* . Show tunes help with the tedium and boredom.
* . Knowing someone is on the hill with you eases the pain.
* . Stay focused on what you can control.
* . A support crew is priceless.
LMLY: What are some of those ''cyclist'' statistics they''ve been tracking so far?
Gary: 1,790lm, 31,650m of vertical climbing, 78 hours 40min
Brendan: 2,070km, 32,243m of vertical climbing, 81hours
"I'm not the most talented rider. I just have the stubborn gene. If I can inspire one person to think big, then that's a win."
~ Brendan Gale-Grant
LMLY: On behalf of Lance, our community and all those lives we are able to impact from such generous (and courageous) awareness and fundraising efforts, we wish Gary and Brendan all the very best and can't wait to touch base with them in the coming weeks.
Gary and Brendan would like to thanks FE Sports and Knights of Suburbia Founders David Rigney and Russell Lee for their support and donation of prizes to help with fundraising efforts.
COMPETITION:
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND BE IN TO WIN!
We're super excited to announce that through the generosity of
Knights of Suburbia and
FE Sports
that all donations twoguysonehill gofundme page will go in to win 1 of 2 amazing prizes!
First Prize: 1 of 50 Global Limited Edition 24k Gold Sagan x 100% Sunglasses (worth approx $1800 RRP!)
Second Prize: A Knights of Surburbia pack including: Club Jersey, Hoodie, Socks, Bidon, Cap, T-Shirt, Tank Top and Beanie.
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