Joe Foreman

I'm doing Sydney to Byron Bay on 2 wheels for a bloody good cause!

Having stepped away from semi pro sport recently, I’ve realised how important it is for me to have new challenges, hobbies and something to work towards.

Rugby was a massive part of my life for a long time. Since I was 6. It gave me structure, discipline, competition, teamwork and, probably most importantly, a sense of belonging & brotherhood.

Being forced to retire from the sport I loved last year was a big change, and my own mental health during that transition is something I’ve kept a close eye on.

Mental health is also something very close to my heart. I’ve seen close friends, family members and people I’ve shared a changing room with go through their own battles over the years. Sometimes you know about it. Sometimes you have absolutely no idea what someone is dealing with.

So when the opportunity came up to raise money for the Black Dog Institute by riding from Sydney to Byron, I decided to Lycra up, buy a road bike off Facebook Marketplace and give it a crack.

Considering my previous cycling experience mainly involved cruising around the streets of Coventry on a BMX as a kid, this should be interesting.

That Marketplace bike is now going to become my best mate as we tackle 800+km and 8,500+m of climbing up the coast. Hopefully we’re still on speaking terms when we roll into Byron.

But the training has already given me something I didn't realise I was missing.

A goal to chase, a team around me and that feeling of camaraderie and shared purpose I loved so much about rugby.

There will undoubtedly be some long days and some dark moments on the bike. But I’ve spent years in team environments learning that when things get tough, you keep going, lean on the people around you and help each other through.

This time, there’s an even bigger reason to keep pedalling.

Every donation, big or small, will support the Black Dog Institute and the incredible work they do in mental health research, prevention and treatment.

If you’re able to donate, I’d massively appreciate it.

And to everyone who donates, shares the page, sends a message or supports us along the way, thank you sincerely. It genuinely means a lot.

Here’s to 800km, 8,500m of climbing on my two wheels from Facebook Marketplace and hopefully making a difference along the way.

Our overall team goal is $70k, so hoping you can help us out our best feet forward on this one..

Properly excited for it- can't wait to keep you updated!

Thank you ❤️