TEN cyclists will tackle 98 miles of winding roads in Snowdonia to raise funds for a mental health charity in Conwy.

Paul Stock said he was inspired to organise the eight-hour cycle amid a rise in demand for mental health services during lockdown, which he himself sought after suffering from anxiety and depression.

The cyclists, aged 30 to 60, four of whom are from Conwy, three from Anglesey and four from Cheshire, as well as four supporting crew members, are aiming to raise £1,000 which they hope will help Conwy Mind to provide its services to people in the area.

Paul Stock said he was inspired to take on the challenge after overcoming his own struggle with mental health.

Paul Stock said he was inspired to take on the challenge after overcoming his own struggle with mental health.

Mr Stock, 45, a member of Rhos Cycling Club, said: “The current situation we have been in has left a great deal of people some very young and old I know feeling anxious and struggling with depression. I struggled myself since before Christmas and it made me into a person I didn’t like being and I had good and bad days feeling worthless.

"I was pushing people away that were trying to help.”

Mr Stock said he sought private mental health support through his workplace, which had a positive impact on his well-being.

“I decided to fundraise for Mind because they are a charity helping people struggling with mental health for free and it’s a way of helping people in need in these strange times we are in,” he said.

The mapped-out route, planned for September 25, will begin at Conwy Quay before heading along the coast to Bangor, south towards Llanberis, up Pen-y-Pass to Beddgelert, onto Porthmadog, turning to Betws-y-Coed, north to Llandudno, around the Orme and returning to Conwy Quay.

The 98-mile route which the group is preparing to tackle in September.

The 98-mile route which the group is preparing to tackle in September.

Mr Stock said the team has begun training and he will look to ride the challenging route over the coming months.

“We all have started training individually and currently doing 100 miles a week,” he said. “We will be looking to get together for a few spin classes when things open up.”

Donate to the fundraiser by visiting Mr Thomas's Just Giving page.