A group of Galwegians are taking part in a cycle with a a difference. When the 25 riders arrives in Galway next Thursday they will be well on their way to completing a challenge that involves travelling through 32 towns in 32 counties over three days.
The 590 mile cycle, in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, is the brainchild of John Behan, who two years ago organised a non-stop cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head in less than 24 hours.
On Thursday the group starts from Listowel in Co Kerry and finishes in Waterford on Saturday. In between they hope to pass through the 32 towns throughout Ireland in under 32 hours of cycling. To do this, riders will have to average 18.43mph or 29.5kph. The riders hail from all four corners of the country.
It is estimated that each rider will drink about 20 litres of fluids on the road and burn about 20,000 calories, which will be replenished with all types of food by the back-up crew. During the event riders will lose about 4kgs to 5kgs over the three days.
Day one starts in Kerry and finishes in Sligo after 240 miles/ 84 kms, passing through 12 counties - Kerry Limerick, Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Sligo. Day two covers the north of the country, finishing in Navan after 220 miles/352 km with another 12 counties completed, while the final day sees the group cover the east of the country, finishing in Waterford after 130 miles/208 kilometres, passing through eight counties.
