A group of 18 hardened cyclists cycled the 590kms from Mizen to Malin at an average speed of 33kph, to complete the distance in a time of 18hrs 53mins to set a new record for a group. The group were lucky to have dry conditions but had not the advantage of a helping wind as the winds were mostly hitting the riders on their right shoulder.
For over three quarters of the bid it looked as though the riders would achieve a time under 18 hours but traffic problems in Derry city and tiredness hit in over the closing quarter of the bid, and instead looked at getting inside the 19 hours mark.
The new mark is now nearly two better than the old time that was set back in July 2006.
Each of the cyclists burned an average 15,000kals, pedalled over 10,000 pedal strokes, and drank 20 litres of fluids over the duration of the bid.
Bids like this could not be achieved without the efforts of a skilled support crew who managed the food, hydration and mechanical problems of the riders.
Every effort was made so that the cyclists had a safe passage through all the main towns as the group raced through the four provinces and 13 counties on their way from Mizen to Malin. The organiser, Western Lakes CC, would like to thank all the people who gave generously and donated to Mayo Cancer Care support (Rock Rose House ) and to the Gardai along the route who helped with the marshalling.
