On their bike to promote men’s health

ON YOUR BIKE: After completing a cycle journey the length of the country this year USO are planning a trip around the East Cape next February as part of their kaupapa to improve Pacific Island and Maori health. Using cycling as a platform, USO are raising awareness about cancer, the importance of regular health checks and staying fit and active. Pictured are director Chris Te'o, Tim Marshall of Tauawhi Men's Centre, Jo Pere from the Cancer Society, lead rider Mau Moananu and director Talalelei Taufale. Picture by Liam Clayton

A GROUP of men using cycling to raise awareness about health issues in Pacific Island and Maori communities are planning a trip around the East Cape for 2017. USO formed in 2011 to raise awareness about cancer, promote cycling as a way of staying active and to encourage regular health checks.

Founder Chris Te’o came up with the idea after his father died from pancreatic cancer only three weeks after his diagnosis. With brother-in-law Mark Lerwill, he cycled from Auckland to Wellington to raise awareness about cancer — and the journey took off from there.

This year the group completed a 2250km journey from Bluff to Cape Reinga and members of the group have also completed rides in Samoa and Hawaii. What started as a mission to raise awareness of cancer, has expanded to all areas of health.

Health outcomes“Unfortunately, Pacific and Maori do not have great health outcomes,” says Mr Te’o. “We cannot improve our economic situation either without taking care of our health.”

Tim Marshall of Tauawhi Men’s Centre invited them to Gisborne this week as part of International Men’s Health Awareness Month.

USO, Samoan for “brother” and also the acronym “understanding, strengthening, overcoming”, shared their kaupapa with members of the Gisborne community. As well as “commutacating” — the group’s term for active transport to and from work — the kaupapa is about regular health checks.

The group plan to return to Gisborne in February 2017 to cycle around the East Cape to either Opotiki or Whakatane, and then back through the gorge, spreading their message among communities along the way.

Small stepsTalalelei Taufale, who has a background in basketball and multisport, says it is about taking small steps.

“Whether it is 100 kilometres, or just two kilometres to work or the dairy, we are promoting cycling as a way of keeping fit and healthy that can fit into your lifestyle.”

Many of their members are overweight and obese, but want to change their outcomes and get into sports.

“With regular exercise they can build up a base, which can lead on to other sports — mountain-biking, triathlon, running, any sport.”