Three experienced Manx mountain bikers are to compete in a big endurance test in Portugal.

Longest Day Longest Ride (LDLR) founder Gary Cooper, along with fellow Manx rider Andrew Westmorland and LDLR ambassador Adrian Beale will travel to Penafiel, Portugal, in September to take part in the 2019 WEMBO European Mountain Bike 24 Hour Championships against some of the best riders from around the world.

The trio are completing the challenge to try to help publicise issues around male mental health and to raise funds for local mental health charity Reach IOM and to promote LDLR, the island’s only 24-hour endurance mountain bike event, to an international audience.

LDLR celebrated its 10th anniversary event last weekend at Cohnrenny Community Woodland.

Over the past decade it has raised more than £35,000 for local charities, with this year’s funds being donated to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Isle of Man.

The 2019 event saw many riders from the UK and abroad travel to the island to compete once again, with others planning to return in 2020.

Gary said: ’It has always been my drive to get the event out there when visiting other events, and will certainly be doing the same this year, particularly in September when I travel to Portugal.

’I have spent countless hours up at Conrhenny clearing and building new trails in preparation for LDLR, something I’ve found very therapeutic.

’I could see a result for my day’s work and felt a real sense of achievement knowing I was building not only something that would be enjoyed by hundreds of people at the event, but also a legacy for others to ride and enjoy for years to come.’

Gary has suffered with anxiety and depression for more than 22 years and in December 2018, after months of highs and lows, he tried to take his own life.

Fortunately, a friend found him before he took action and he has since been working with a Certified Mental Health Professional, as well as his personal trainer, to focus his energies and mind on the WEMBO European Championships.

’I started training in February and haven’t looked back since,’ he said.

’I still struggle on a daily basis but I have something to aim for and am enjoying the training, as hard as it is. I’m really feeling the benefits both physically and more importantly, mentally. Having something to focus on has really helped me get through my lowest points.

’The message I want to spread is that it’s okay to not be okay. I’m a 47-year-old man, husband and father, and I am vulnerable. I will not stay quiet about my illness and experiences, I am not ashamed of what I have done or what I am living with; I will fight this to the end.

’More needs to be done to help people suffering with mental health, to help remove the stigma and to help save the lives of those too afraid to speak out for fear of ridicule or prejudice. I hope that completing this endurance test will not only help me in overcoming my demons, but help others too.

’We are very grateful to the Steam Packet Company for offering its support for this trip, and look forward to flying the LDLR flag in Portugal and promoting the Isle of Man as the amazing cycling destination that it is.’

The Steam Packet is supporting their efforts by assisting with the cost of return ferry travel for the team.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’Gary has achieved so much with LDLR in such a short time, and is clearly a very dedicated and humbling individual. We wish the trio the best of luck both for the 2019 WEMBO European Mountain Bike 24 Hour Championships and in their efforts to raise awareness of mental health.’

To support Gary and follow his journey, visit: www.gofundme.com/solo-european-champs-to-help-fight-mental-health.