Blue trails go beyond blue

A group of Melbourne cyclists has pledged to help the Australian Beyond Blue foundation maintain its work to increase awareness of depression in men and a group of Melbourne cyclists has pledged to help the foundation maintain its work.

Former St Kilda Cycling Club President Dean Langenberg has recruited an enthusiastic group of men, mostly from the Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris, to complete a three-day Blue Trails mountain bike ride that will raise funds for the foundation.

The idea for the ride evolved from a discussion between Beaumaris butcher Steve Sutherland and Langenberg after both men had helped employees suffering from depression.

"My involvement in cycling naturally led me to organise this ride as a vehicle to raise money," said Langenberg.

A group of eight riders will attempt the difficult and unchartered ride along the Murray River from Yarrawonga to Echuca during the three-day Queen's Birthday weekend (June 8-11), and it's no coincidence that the difficulties presented on the ride are synonymous with those presented by depression.

"Completing the ride will require some of the same attributes that are needed to fight depression - it will take a lot determination and hard work for us to succeed." For more information, email langenberg@bigpond.com.