WATCH THE TRAILER
ABOUT THE FILM
I am beyond excited to share the news that The Ride On is now available to watch here:
The Ride On is a documentary following the inspiring story of 32 year old Scotsman Davy Zyw after his diagnosis with the life changing Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Never one for sitting still, Davy sets himself, his twin brother and a close group of friends the challenge of cycling 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland in just 4 days, to raise money and awareness to help further research of MND.
Set against this challenge, The Ride On is an insightful and remarkable account of how Davy, his close friends, and family are facing his MND diagnosis with positive action and hope.
A documentary by Will Nangle
Release Date: October 2022
“Wholesome positivity alongside a no-holds-barred look at MND and the courage it demands from both those with the diagnosis and their friends and family.” - Hannah Francis, Fort William Mountain Festival
THE BACKGROUND
Initially intended as a short film to record Davy’s incredible challenge, it quickly became clear that the dedication, tenacity and positivity shared by Davy, his friends, and family was a wider story of hope and inspiration that could help and support others who have been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The documentary follows Davy, his twin brother & close group of friends as they tackle an epic cycle ride of 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland in just 4 days, all to raise awareness of MND and raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Featuring Davy’s close friends and family, along with his doctor, MND specialist, Director of Neuroscience Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Doddie Weir (Scottish Rugby Legend, MND sufferer and founder of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation), and a chat with legendary long distance cyclist Mark Beaumont about pushing yourself mentally and physically on those longs days in the saddle.
First screened at the 2022 Fort William Mountain Festival, The Ride On aims to raise awareness of MND by inspiring positive thought and action.
“There is no point sulking, I'll end up missing the best days of my health. It’s been a difficult journey to get to today, where I have accepted my lot, and I am ready to share with the world.” - Davy Zyw
DAVY'S STORY
“I am 32, newly wed to an amazing wife, brother to four awesome bros (incl. an identical twin brother), a keen cyclist and snowboarder.
I am a Wine Buyer for Berry Bros. & Rudd, the world's oldest and most famous wine merchant, an author to two books of Champagne & Sparkling wine and have had two sell out events at Edinburgh’s International Book Festival, the largest literary event in the world.
I’ve been on TV a couple of times, I was T4’s Steve Jones’ stunt double when I was snowboarding at the London Freeze competition, and Kirsty Allsopp helped me find a house in London on Location, Location, Location back in 2014 (my friends are still giving me grief).
I have recently moved back home to Edinburgh after 10+ years living in London.
In 2018 I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).”
"I've had the disease for 2 years and I'm not dead yet, so every day is a good day. I live a life which I want to live and I'm doing everything to slow the symptoms of my disease.
I swear a positive mind set, good wine, fresh air and activity is saving me. Apart from the emotional weight, my symptoms are a shake and wasting of muscles, chiefly in my left hand and arm, an overall lack of energy and progressive loss of function in my hand.
If I calculate how quickly my decline was in my left hand, I reckon I have a couple of years of living 'normally' before I need constant help in my day to day life. This includes holding on to handle-bars.”
“It's f**king unlucky getting MND at any age, let alone when you are 30. But my youth helps, and I know from keeping fit and in a positive frame of mind is saving me from the worst of it. There is no point sulking, I'll end up missing the best days of my health. It’s been a difficult journey to get to today, where I have accepted my lot, and I am ready to share with the world.
I want to raise awareness of this relatively unknown condition, importantly in a positive way rather than just another sad story. To do this, we need to inspire positive thought and action, which is where my talented filmer/director friend Will Nangle comes in, who I have known from our mutual love of snowboarding for over 17 years.”
THE RIDE - NORTH COAST 500
“When I still have power in my legs, lead in my pecker and enough grip in my hands to hold my handlebars my twin brother, Tommy Zyw, some friends (Malcolm Holwill, Craig Paul, Ryan Brennen, Tom Platt & Daniel Elswood) are going on a bike ride; we are cycling the North Coast 500.
This epic 500 mile route takes us to the most beautiful, dramatic & remote corners of Scotland. On route there is 10,000m of hills to climb and we hope the wind will be at our backs, as we are going to do it in 4 days. Now, this would be challenging for any experienced cyclist, let alone someone with MND.”
“We have been fundraising for My Name'5 Doddie, a charity started by Scottish Rugby Legend Doddie Weir who was diagnosed just before me with the condition. So far, we have raised over £150,000. His charity is doing amazing work, promoting awareness, funding research for a cure with the MND Association & MND Scotland, and helping people like me, and their families to live their best lives.
To date our story has been featured in the Edinburgh Evening News, and an interview in the nation-wide Metro. I have been in touch with Mark Beaumont over the last few months who has been a great help and giving advice for the route, which he knows intimately and tips for endurance cycling.”
