Meet the Cyclists
Our dedicated team of colleagues from Barratt Manchester, along with our consultants, are cycling their way from London to Paris to support ANDYSMANCLUB. Each of us has a unique story and different fitness level, making this journey truly special. Meet the cyclists who are riding for men's mental health support!
Mike Cleary
Role: Barratt Manchester Finance Director
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
Training on my own as it is being squeezed in to time that doesn’t exist at the weekend (job & 3 kids). However, training going well – progressed from an hour on the exercise bike in January, out on to the road in the spring and recently completed a 70 mile ride (great start but still a long way to go). Need to push on once year end reporting is completed and get further miles in the legs, plus riding on consecutive days
My Story and Motivation:
My motivation – Fantastic charity – as a middle age man I am conscious that I am in the age and gender group which sadly accounts for the highest proportion of suicide deaths. Anything any of us can do to support this charity is extremely worthwhile. Added to that I like a challenge! Finally, I always believe that if I am asking for someone to sponsor me then it should take time to train and it should hurt – I am discovering that it takes a lot of time to train and I am under no illusions that sat on a bike for 3 consecutive days will hurt!
Sponsored By :
Kevin Furey
Role: Barratt Manchester Technical Director
Fitness Level: Intermediate
My training:
Training has started and trying to build up to max distance as soon as possible quite challenging to fit into work life/ social balance . Mental if I can do it once I just need to do it 3 days in a row
My Story and Motivation:
Great personal achievement whilst also helping a fabulous charity
Sponsored By :
Becky Dean
Role: Barratt Manchester Assistant Buyer
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
With minimal effort to get out training due to other commitments, I recently dug my road bike out and went in at the deep end and managed to do Mcr – Blackpool & back home again (125miles). Although it was testing mentally and physically, having to do 3 consecutive days of 90 miles in the saddle is going to be on another level
My Story and Motivation:
Having previously took part in sporting events/challenges over the years, the opportunity to ride to Paris, having never been before, all whilst trying to raise a lot of money for charity, was a no brainer.
Sponsored By :
Sean White
Role: Barratt Manchester Commercial Manager.
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My Training:
Weekly cycles to the pub and back.
My Story and Motivation:
For me, there is no particular reason other than doing my bit to raise funds for a very worthy cause and pushing myself to achieve something I’ve not done before.
Sponsored By :
Craig Wood
Role: Barratt Manchester Chief QS
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
Only Started a couple of weeks ago riding now by the canal in Worsley with some friends
Started with 10miles and built up to 20 miles over the weekend.
Aim to increase to 40 miles and then take it from there.
My Story and Motivation:
It is a personal challenge and I can help raise money for a very worthy cause.
Sponsored By :
Eion Reynolds
Role: Barratt Manchester Senior Site Manager
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
I train as and when I can, mostly evenings and weekends when I can find the time. Again due to time constraints I cannot follow a set training plan, I am just trying to spend as much time on the bike as I can. During the week I might do one or two ten mile rides and on the weekends I try do at least one longer ride of anywhere between 20 and 40 miles.
My Story and Motivation:
My reasons for taking part are two fold, firstly I believe what Andy mans club are doing is very important I personally lost a close relative to suicide and things may have turned out differently if he had someone to talk to when his mental health started deteriorating secondly I always like a challenge and as I am not a cyclist(the last time I really cycled was almost 30 years ago when I was barely a teenager) cycling to Paris seems like a reasonable challenge. By taking part in the cycle to paris event I can raise money and awareness for a decent cause and challenge myself at the same time.
Sponsored By :
Tom Hudson
Role: Barratt Manchester Site Manager
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
All of my training is at home in the Lake District, so plenty of practice going up and down hills. I’m currently aiming to get one long ride on the weekends, increasing the distance each week, with a shorter ride during the week.
My Story and Motivation:
I’m taking part to raise money and awareness for some amazing charities and to have a great experience along the way.
Sponsored By :
Bradley Massey
Role: Barratt Manchester Design Engineer
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
Trying to get out at least twice a week on the bike generally hitting the hills around Poynton with Steve for one shorter ride (~20 miles) and one longer ride (30+ miles).
My Story and Motivation:
Taking part as I was coerced whilst a little less clear minded at the Barratts Christmas Event – as a side benefit it is a good opportunity to get fit, pick up a new hobby (potentially), and the cause/charity is a good one to support.
Sponsored By :
Alex Pinnington
Role: Barratt Senior Group Procurement Manager
Fitness Level: Advance
My training:
I took up Mountain biking due to a knee injury last year, I quickly found out I prefer going down the hills rather than up them. I have recently bought a second hand road bike for this challenge and have been averaging a 100 miles a week over the last two months with plenty of pub and food stops
My Story and Motivation:
Andy's Mans Club is a great charity that does some really good work with a number of friends being affected by mental health I think its really important charity, especially as many men do not feel like they can speak openly about their feelings. ( My partner often refers/ signposts people to this group with her role as a Social Prescriber, its helped many men she has supported ).
Sponsored By :
Steve Garth
Role: Barratt Manchester Technical Manager of Barratt Manchester.48 Birthdays, 1 Wife, 2 Kids, 3 bikes.
Fitness Level: Advance
My training:
Living in Poynton, Cheshire, on the edge of the peak district, getting out in the countryside has always been a passion of mine, whether walking or biking. At heart I’m a mountain biker, having been mountain biking for far longer than I care to remember. Before ever straddling a road bike, I’d normally only do 15 to 30 miles of off road biking, and I’d always tried my hardest to avoid riding on roads due to a fear of being run over. The idea of doing 90 road miles in a day would fill me with dread. Then this opportunity to cycle from London to Paris came up, and I like a challenge, especially since it’s for a really good cause, so I thought “Why not?”. Obviously, in recognition of my mountain biking heritage, and so as to not upset my mountain biking friends, I promised myself that you would never see me wearing lycra. So here I am, several months later owning a road bike and several pairs of lycra shorts, and watching road biking videos on YouTube (for fun!) .
My road training is about 2 rides per week. One shorter ride on a weekday evening, and one longer ride at the weekend, hopefully gradually building up to the 90 miles mark. So far my training rides have been around my local area in the hills of the peak district, and around the relative flat of the Cheshire plains, but mostly the latter. For me a good training session has to involve a few hills with at least one visit to a café, and will quite often involve copious amounts of cake and a pack of Jelly Babies. I’m very much a fair weather biker, so on those rainy days a quick spin on the exercise bike is all I can muster.
My Story and Motivation:
I’m glad to be riding for the charity “Andy’s Man Club” for the work they do in suicide prevention. I’ve known several people who have felt desperate enough to attempt suicide. Having someone to talk to like Andy Man Club, could have made all the difference and shown them that suicide wasn’t the only option. Please donate and help “Andy’s man Club” continue their lifesaving work.
See you on the road to Paris.
Sponsored By :
Emma Winder
Role: Barratt Manchester Trainee Assistant Site Manager
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
I am trying to get out on the road a couple of times a week after work, currently get around 30/40 km during the week. I am using my weekend to slowly build up the distance for longer rides.
My Story and Motivation:
I have always been fairly active and never shy in taking on a challenge. After partaking in the Manchester Marathon in 2024, when the offer of the London to Paris cycle came up, I was eager to get involved! I have never really ventured into the world of road cycling but I have always been interested in starting. I now have the perfect reason to start and improve my skill set especially when all is in aid of a fantastic charity, Andy’s Mans Club. I look forward to the comradery and challenges that lie ahead!
Sponsored By :
Oliver Towle
Role: Barratt Manchester Trainee Assistant Site Manager
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
Training 3/4 times a week trying to stick to the training plan where possible. 3 smaller cycles thought the week with a longer one at the weekend 40+ miles.
My Story and Motivation:
Taking part as my father suffered with quite bad mental health problems coming out of Covid and has luckily fully recovered since. Sessions like Andy's Man Club provide, have helped him talk in a safe space about his experience and help others going through the same situation as him.
Sponsored By :
Luke Ingelson
Role: Barratt Manchester Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
Watt bike rides during the week at the gym and long rides on the bike at weekends
My Story and Motivation:
Like a challenge, for a good cause, want to get into cycling and triathlons so this is the perfect way
Sponsored By :
Carl Bent
Role: Barratt Manchester Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advance
My training:
Keen cyclist before the challenge, no major changes in training program. 6 weeks prior going to be doing 3 cycles a week, 1 Shorts high intensity, 1 Recovery, steady pace focus on low Heart rate, 1 Long ride a week (increasing mileage each week)
My Story and Motivation:
Big advocate for charity, raised money previously for other causes close to heart. Andysmanclub is a great charity which highlights modern day issues.
Sponsored By :
Alex Googde
Role: Barratt Manchester Senior Quantity Surveyor
Fitness Level: Intermediate
My training:
I train 2-3 times a week varying from hill sessions, long distance and short sprints. I train in the Saddleworth Moors for hills and Cheshire for long distance. I mainly cycle with my mum, but have been out for a few rides with my cycle mates
My Story and Motivation:
I have always been fairly active and never shy in taking on a challenge. After partaking in the Manchester Marathon in 2024, when the offer of the London to Paris cycle came up, I was eager to get involved! I have never really ventured into the world of road cycling but I have always been interested in starting. I now have the perfect reason to start and improve my skill set especially when all is in aid of a fantastic charity, Andy’s Mans Club. I look forward to the comradery and challenges that lie ahead!
Sponsored By :
Noel Anderson
Role: BDW North West Senior Quantity Surveyor
Fitness Level: Intermediate
My training:
I sessions indoor spin bike a week at the Gym. Trying to ride as far as I can in the 30mins, I use the km figure to push myself every ride, so far I’m at 18.20km. From mid July I will do at least one outdoor ride a week 40-75miles.
My Story and Motivation:
I was a keen cyclist a couple of years ago and this is a great opportunity to get myself back into the saddle, whilst supporting a cause I believe in. Working onsite, with people who find it difficult to talk, I understand the importance of an organisation where conversations can be private. Therefore I believe Andy’s Man Club is the perfect charity to help look after people who work hard but still feel the pressures and expectations from society and life. I personally don’t have any experience with the charity, but it gives me confidence to talk to people onsite and offer them a place to seek help if they require it. Sometimes advertising the fact ‘that it is good to talk’ is as good as anything to get conversations flowing between friends, perhaps not involving the charity directly, but using the cahaity as a catalyst for discussions.
Sponsored By :
Olivia Carroll
Role: Barratt Manchester
Graduate Quantity Surveyor
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
As someone who hadn’t ridden a bike since primary school, this was a huge challenge to take on! My weekends and evenings have since been filled with training sessions which I have grown to love. I have gradually been building up to longer distances convincing my family and friends to join me to support.
My Story and Motivation:
I am looking forward to the trip and raising lots of money for an excellent cause.
Sponsored By :
Danny Harrop
Role: Barratt Manchester
Assistant Site Manager
Fitness Level: Intermediate
My training:
My training schedule has consisted of 2 out door sessions a week, with a short ride mid week and a long ride of around 25 miles on the weekends, utilising the hills and roads around the Rivington area where I live. As well as outdoor sessions I have been incorporating indoor bike sessions and leg sessions into my weekly gym routines helping me build my fitness levels.
My Story and Motivation:
Being able to do this event for Andy’s Man Club charity and raise money and awareness is a big motivation for me.
With my last career in the armed forces I have always been someone who enjoys challenging themselves through different challenges and I am looking forward to seeing how I can push myself in this event. I believe that this will be a once in a lifetime event and I am excited to see how the team will do.
Sponsored By :
John Gosling
Role:
Barratt Manchester Contracts Manager
Fitness Level: intermediate to advanced
My training:
Indoor cycling twice a week with road cycling as often as possible. Comfortable over 50 miles. Training still in progress due to to age !
My Story and Motivation:
I am doing this challenge for a great cause Andy's Man Club. Exercise is great remedy for mental health and would like to promote the stigma which goes with men suffering with anxiety and depression and talking about to others is also helps. I will also enjoy spending the tough 3 days with my work colleagues.
Sponsored By :
Andrew Couch
Role:
Barratt Manchester Senior Site Manager
Fitness Level: intermediate to advanced
My training:
My main sport is sailing which I've been involved with all of my life, the cycling has always been a big part in keeping fit for the sailing events. Over the years the road cycling became more towards the mountain biking but I still enjoy both.
My Story and Motivation:
Really enjoy a challenge and what better than a London to Paris bike ride
Sponsored By :
John Blackledge
Role:
Designer Contracts Customer service co-ordinator for North West
Fitness Level: Advanced
My training:
There is 3 training sessions per week, Day 1 ) Indoor mixed intervals 1 hour, Rest, Day 2 ) Indoor mixed intervals 1 hour, Rest, Rest, Day 3 ) Outdoor 2 hours mixed speed / endure, Day 4 ) Outdoor Leisure ride with a café stop Length depends on weather.
My Story and Motivation:
I started cycling in 2017 and was just over 18 stone with a size 46 “ waste , I soon got hooked and with hard work dedication
Within a year got down to 9 stone 6 , with a 30” waste. I also started racing and achieved a good level participated in the British Nationals around my area and the famous Colne GP closed road racing which was the finale to the British nationals . After hearing where I had started and where I was up to Cycling plus interviewed me and published an article. The Steve Burke Hub centre in Brierfield , 2020 I finished 7th position on the 13 week racing championship . Along side a lot younger group of racing cyclists
Sponsored By :
Ben Thomas
Role: Technical at Urban Regen Ltd(Demolition/Remediation/Earthworks/Civils)
Fitness Level: Advanced
My training:
I’m aiming to get out on the bike at least twice a week mixing up family rides, XC mountain biking and some (much) longer road rides to get to the point where I can do 100 miles in a day sometime in late August. Then need to practice cycling after a 3-course lunch with wine…we are going to France after all.
My Story and Motivation:
I am taking part to help my longstanding client Barratt raise funds for this fantastic charity: I had seen the AMC logo around but not really looked into their work before. It’s a really excellent idea: too many men become isolated and try to manage their mental health issues alone and I know from the experience of friends and family members that not everyone wants, or responds to, medical interventions for issues like depression and anxiety when they start to struggle with these.
Sponsored By :
Lee Hassett
Role: Divisional Director for Designer Contracts Ltd.
Fitness Level: Advanced
My training:
I am training 4 days a week on my peloton bike and cycle approximately between 60 to 100 miles on the road Saturday and Sunday.
Cycling is my escape and allows me time to think and reflect and more importantly be part of a peloton team.
My Story and Motivation:
I decided to get hold of myself in March as I was feeling tired constantly and not really balancing my work with personal fitness and healthy lifestyle choices.
That has now changed and I have so far lost two and a half stone in weight, my blood pressure is normal and I feel much healthier and physically alert.
I have participated in several charity cycling and walking events this year and the opportunity to cycle from London to Paris is an amazing experience that i feel proud to be part of the Barratt homes team.
Raising valuable funds to support the great charities will be a privilege for me personally.
Sponsored By :
Andrew Dunn
Role: Legal Adviser to Barratt
Partner at Ward Hadaway LLP Solicitors
Fitness Level: Intermediate to Advanced
My training:
Fitting in training around a busy schedule of property exchanges & completions, and family!
Currently trying to do a short session mid-week indoors in front of the football, and a long ride at weekends on my retro 1980s racer.
Just done a slow one day 216km Gran Fondo ride in the black mountains in Wales.
Looking forward to meeting up with the group to get some training and coffees in over summer.
My Story and Motivation:
Having previously raced triathlons when I was younger, and an avid admirer of the drama and terrain of the Tour de France, I'm now focussed on a slower cycling experience as opposed to speed, and the iconic London to Paris route is an opportunity to share in an incredible journey and challenge, building on meaningful connections, and importantly doing so whilst supporting and increasing awareness in our worthwhile cause.
Sponsored By :
Stella Lightfoot
Role: Barratt Manchester Designer. Divisional Charity Chair and events organiser.
Fitness Level: Beginner to Intermediate
My training:
I try my best to go out as much I can and just invite myself to any group rides :) I am more of a casual cyclist you know stop and look at scenery but I am slowly getting use to the road and all the hills.
My Story and Motivation:
This is a physical and mental challenge for me a once in lifetime thing so I really wanted to give it a go and it means even more now that we are doing it to raise money for a charity that helps the ofter quieter mental health suffers amoungst us. It is okay to ask for help we should make it the norm.
Sponsored By :
Support Our Journey
Join us in supporting men's mental health by donating or sponsoring our ride. Your support can make a difference!