The R-Tour, which first began as an idea of Harwell-based Ricardo Energy and Environment employee Ian Behling, has snowballed into a group-wide event (even generating a spin-off tour by Ricardo employees in Detroit).

As someone who suffered depression and received support from mental-health charity Mind and his employer, Ian wanted to give something back; a cycle ride between all of Ricardo’s UK facilities, with people from all of the sites taking part, seemed a worthy challenge.

The 10-day ride (12-21 July) covered 900 miles, starting in Glasgow and finishing in Cambridge, and involved over 45,000ft of hill climbing; some 70 riders took part.

The target was to raise £50,000 for Mind and by the time the R-Tour arrived at sponsor Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s office in Sheffield on day four, over half of that total had already been pledged.

In addition to making a financial contribution, Ceratizit gave each rider a goody bag containing WNT Rotor Pro Cycling accessories; it also provided a mobile service centre — and a hog roast when the tour arrived at its Sheffield base.

The following morning, the Ricardo employees were joined by Tony Pennington and Adrian Fitts from Ceratizit UK & Ireland for the next stage, visiting Derby, Leicester and Leamington Spa.

Ian Behling said: “Unlike a physical injury or illness, it is not easy to see when mental health is fixed. In truth, it probably never is fixed, it is just better managed.

"With the help of Ricardo employee assistance and Mind, I am now in control of my mental health, and part of my care package was to get cycling again.”

Tony Pennington, managing director of Ceratizit UK & Ireland, said (www.ceratizit.com): “A high proportion of our employees are involved in cycling in one form or another, so we were happy to be involved with the R-Tour and support Ian and his colleagues along the way.”