An Unexpected journey
Coach Darryl shares his story of living with a stoma, finding his way back to the trails and refusing to let it stop him doing what he loves. From discovering The Cornwall Bicycle Project at Dirt Farm to becoming part of our coaching team, Darryl reflects on his journey and a very special day back where it all began
A Day at Dirt Farm — Filming for Clinimed & SecuriCare
I’ve been looking forward to this day for quite a while, but if I’m completely honest, I was also pretty nervous about it.
The idea of being filmed talking about my life with a stoma, and then getting out on the mountain bike to show that having a stoma doesn’t have to stop you doing the things you love, was exciting — but also a little overwhelming.
The day had finally arrived: filming at Dirt Farm with Clinimed and SecuriCare.
And what a day it turned out to be.
We started with the interview, which lasted around two hours. It was a lot to take in, and talking openly about my experiences on camera was definitely outside my comfort zone. I was nervous in the build-up to the day and even more aware of it once the cameras were rolling.
But having a real purpose behind the whole thing made a massive difference.
The whole reason for doing this is to raise awareness and hopefully show other people living with a stoma that it doesn't have to stop them getting out there and doing the things they enjoy.
Where it all started
There was also something quite special about coming back to Dirt Farm for this particular project.
Dirt Farm is actually where I first found out about the Cornwall Bicycle Project.
I'd been riding there and noticed a sticker on the uplift trailer. It caught my attention, and I ended up looking into what the Cornwall Bicycle Project was all about.
It's funny how things work out, because at the time I had no idea where that little sticker would lead.
Within a couple of weeks, I had become a volunteer coach with the Cornwall Bicycle Project and was working with them at Woody's Bike Park.
Looking back now, it feels like having my stoma was actually what led me to discover the project in the first place. Something that initially felt like it was going to change my life in a negative way ended up leading me towards new people, new experiences and opportunities I probably wouldn't otherwise have had.
That's one of the reasons this whole filming day felt particularly meaningful.
I wasn't just coming back to Dirt Farm to talk about having a stoma and riding bikes. In a strange way, Dirt Farm was part of the journey that helped me realise just how much I could still do.
Time to ride
Once the interview was finished, it was time to get on the bikes.
A massive thank you to Gwenda from Dirt Farm for arranging for us to have the bike park to ourselves. Having Dirt Farm practically to ourselves made the whole experience even more special.
I had around six mates with me, which made a huge difference. Having my mates there took some of the pressure off and made it feel much more like a normal day riding bikes — although there was definitely nothing normal about having cameras following us around!
My best mate Roscoe was there too, although unfortunately he couldn't ride. He'd fractured his C7 vertebrae, so he was stuck on the sidelines supporting us instead. Typical Roscoe — even injured, he still managed to be part of the day.
We managed to get out on a few different lines, but with the limited riding time and everything that needed to be filmed, we ended up spending most of our time sessioning Full Moto.
And to be honest, I wasn't complaining!
It was brilliant to get back on the bike and just ride. After all the build-up, the nerves and the interview, getting out there with my mates and doing what I love was probably the best part of the day.
Looking back
The whole experience was great, although I won't pretend it wasn't a long and slightly overwhelming day. There was a lot going on, and being the focus of a professional filming crew isn't something I'm used to.
But looking back, I'm really glad I did it.
Hopefully, what we've filmed will help raise awareness of stomas and show people that having a stoma doesn't mean you have to give up the things you love.
For me, mountain biking is a massive part of my life. It's something that gets me outside, gives me a buzz and, most importantly, makes me happy.
And when I think about the journey I've been on, it's quite amazing how one thing has led to another.
A sticker on an uplift trailer at Dirt Farm led me to the Cornwall Bicycle Project. That led to me becoming a volunteer coach at Woody's Bike Park. And now, I'm back at Dirt Farm filming a project about living with a stoma and continuing to do the things I love.
If this film can encourage even one person who has a stoma to think, "Maybe I can still do that," then all the nerves will have been worth it.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the day happen, especially Gwenda, Clinimed and SecuriCare, and of course my mates for coming along and supporting me.
And a special mention to Roscoe — next time, mate, you're getting on that bike!
It was a long day, a nerve-racking day and definitely an experience I'll never forget.
But most importantly, it was a day about showing that a stoma doesn't have to stop you living your life.
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