Route 77 - "It’s been a great mental release as well as the physical benefits"

To kickstart 2021 we challenged those from Ospreylia and further afield to join us as we attempt to travel the length of the region everyday.

Covering every club that make up the Ospreys (77 in total) community coaches, staff, players, supporters and fitness fanatics have taken part to help us reach that magic milestone target of 12,500km which we have already smashed!

One member who signed up, was Aberavon Schools Coach and Community Hub officer Michael Dyer who has powered his way through the month.

“It's been a good to have a challenge to start the year with the national lockdown putting all of my coaching commitments on hold. When I originally signed up to the event my plan was to just to walk or get out on my bike around the clubs that are in the Aberavon area of the region and close to where I live.

“Since then I started to walk further afield and so far I’ve visited 25 clubs in Ospreylia and i’m hoping to squeeze in a few more before the end of the month. I’ve covered 397 miles on my bike and also walked or run 118.71km.”

The Aberavon Schoolboys coach is already eyeing up his next challenge:

“It's been ideal training for a challenge I’m setting myself later on in the year. I’m going to try and raise £874 for three charities and aim to ride 874 miles on the bike in 31 days. The distance equals the length of the UK and the charities I want to raise money for are Aberavon School Boys, Mind and YCB Community fund.  

As well as the physical aspects of exercise, Dyer has recognised the huge mental benefits exercising has:

“It’s been a great mental release as well as the physical benefits. When I haven’t been working in the school with key workers children the day goes on forever so it’s been nice to get out and about and have a focus."

Despite not being able to coach at the moment, Dyer is making sure to check in with his teams on a regular basis.

“We’ve all been keeping in touch and checking in with each other. They’re all doing good and can’t wait until we can get back out there onto the field!”