The Healing Power of Cycling: How Azu found a new purpose after losing his father

In the dark days of the Covid-imposed lockdowns, Dennis Githu popularly known as Azu had hit a crisis point. His life aspirations vanished into thin air after he received the news that his dad had passed away in the UK.

“I took up professional cycling in May of 2020 after losing my dad in the UK and not having the chance to bury him or bid him my last farewell,” Azu explains.

While some cyclists are focused on the physical benefits of the sport, others like Azu reap the mental benefits of being on two wheels.

He now runs a program; Suicide Awareness Tours, aimed at saving lives and breaking the stigma of suicide.

“The motivation behind Suicide Awareness Tours is due to personal experience and stories from friends, relatives, and random strangers we have met on social media, rugby, cycling, entertainment, and any other gathering.”

According to Standard Extract Report, 311 individuals are thought to commit suicide each year in Kenya, including 77 women and 240 men. Reports also show that Central Kenya has the highest rate of suicide deaths, with at least five deaths daily.

However, because of stigma, suicide fatalities are either underreported or reported incorrectly. Despite being illegal in Kenya, suicide has been identified as one of the main causes of fatalities, particularly among young people.

According to UK-based Kenyan Dr. Kevin Rumpe, there are several reasons that push individuals to commit suicide, but the main one is depression.

“Depression is one of the common mental disorders the world is facing today. It is caused by a lack of self-identity and drive. One leads a directionless life.” Dr. Rumpe said.

Due to the tsunami of sorrow that losing a loved one unleashed, Azu’s life was no different as he soon found himself feeling the effects of panic attacks and anxiety.

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That was the case up until his bicycle started calling, promising hundreds more stories throughout the nation that were just waiting to be told. The most important ride for him was his first 142 km cycle.

“My first road test was 142km from Nakuru-Ravine-Maji Mazuri-Makutano-Kamara-Total-Salgaa-Nakuru. That ride made a great significant impact on my life since I never believed I would visit places on two wheels.”

Dr. Rompe recommends cycling as a way to reduce stress.

“Psychological health benefits are noticed as well with cycling just like any other form of exercise. Mental disorders like depression are easily avoided because the mind, as well as the body, is involved.” Dr Rompe told Mozzart Sport.

Azu was a man on a mission, cycling over 773 kilometers across and beyond the country, from the far reaches of Arusha to the depths of Diani, in order to save as many lives as he could.

Looking back on all of the landscapes he has explored by bike, one spot in particular, Diani Beach, stands out for Azu.

“So far, I have cycled 773km for Suicide Awareness. My best memory is of two men I met in Diani Beach. I had just completed the 503km ride from Nairobi to Mombasa.”

In December last year, Azu hit the violence button and published a post about his suicide. The post went viral with people criticizing him for attention seeking. But the post revealed to Azu the truth of suicidal thoughts among sportspersons.

“A week later, I went for a rugby match and it was then that I realized that suicidal thoughts among sportsmen and women are real. That evening I had 7 different people sharing their stories.”

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Azu is a rugby mc who focuses mostly on the entertainment aspect of the game.

In today's society, suicidal persons are stigmatized, and it can be challenging to spot them most of the time. Despite this, Azu's mission has gained praise from many, and friends inform him about situations like these.

“Most of the time, identifying a suicidal person is difficult. We rely on friends to share information on such situations. Some approach us privately on social media and explain themselves, others call, some are referred while others don't even know that someone stepped up for them," he says,

"Once we get people to help, our primary and first agenda is to just chat with the person. Most of them just want to talk to someone and at least feel at home again." He adds.

When some cases are beyond his scope, he refers the patients to psychiatrists and counselors for free assistance.

“If your mental health is not that stable, I work with psychiatrists and Mental Health counsellors to help better them. Services are given for free.”

Azu claims that treating depression is expensive, both financially and in terms of the time spent with the patients. However, he envisions a time when he would raise $1 million to construct centers for the rescue of suicide victims.

“Treating depression is not a cheap cause. To assist a suicidal person, you have to be available for them, because they feel alone, neglected, and forgotten. some of them experience extremely low moods and if you don't check on them, they go back to square one in the journey to recovery,"

"Traveling or cycling from town to town needs money for logistics. My prayer is that we can raise $1M (approximately Ksh 126,150,000) to build rescue houses for victims suffering from suicidal thoughts.”

Dr. Rompe believes that cycling is a tried-and-true form of exercise that is essential in preventing and treating cardiac ailments.

“The so-called lifestyle diseases, including heart diseases are easily prevented amd managed by exercise. Cycling is a form of exercise, thus has an immense benefit in the prevention and management of heart disease,"

"The heart is an organ composed of cells, tissues and muscles which must be exercised for better functions. Cycling improves the general cardiovascular & respiratory system by increasing the heart rate hence increasing blood flow to the heart.”

He, however, warned against excessive cycling, saying it had the same negative effects as excessive exercise.

“Cycling just like any form of exercise should be done within limits to avoid injuries.”

He suggests that in addition to eating organic foods and periodically fasting, young people should set realistic goals and make strategies to help avoid depression.

“The best way to avoid and overcome depression is to have goals with actionable plans. This will keep one in the loop of trying to achieve things thus avoiding mental clutter which in itself builds up causing depression,"

"Overcoming depression also involves taking good food, hence one should focus more on organic foods avoiding junk and sugar coupled with occasional fasting.” Dr. Rompe added.