Five hardy souls from Mayo are getting ready to take on a wild sort of a challenge for charity next month.
Well-known charity fundraiser and Castlebar Community Radio disc jockey Johnny Oosten has joined forces with Tommie Moran, Aughamore; Gerry Corrigan, Castlebar; Daniel Gill, Pontoon; and Patrick McGowan, Westport, to launch an epic charity cycle along the coastal touring route, The Wild Atlantic Way.
The five cyclists plan to cover 1,600 kilometres, from Malin Head to Mizen Head, along Ireland's Atlantic coastline, over 24 days, from August 15 to 28.
The cycling experts at Halford's have wheeled in on the challenge and are the lead sponsors while Irish TV is also supporting the cycle and will be filming the adventure for its popular County Matters show.
When the Irish TV cameras are not rolling, the cyclists, who will be wearing Go Pro cameras, will be documenting their journey themselves, capturing on film the stunning coastal scenery and some of the people they meet along the away.
"The great thing about this challenge is that just two of the participants are experienced cyclists - Patrick and Tommie," said challenge organiser Johnny Oosten.
"The rest of us haven't really ever taken on anything like this. I just got a bike myself last year.
"I wanted this to be a challenge for people who are not professional cyclists but who like a challenge. The idea is that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve your goal.
"We are hoping lots of people, of all abilities, will come out and join us along the way and do one or more of the 14 stages of the cycle to raise money for a very good cause."
The cycle launches in Derry on August 14.
Stage one starts in Derry and ends in Letterkenny, going via Malin Head; followed by stage two, from Letterkenny to Donegal town; stage three Donegal town to Sligo; stage four, Sligo to Belmullet; stage five, Belmullet to Westport; stage six, Westport to Clifden; stage seven, Clifden to Galway; stage eight, Galway to Spanish Point; stage nine, Spanish Point to Limerick; stage 10, Limerick to Tralee; stage 11, from Tralee to Glenbeg; stage 12, from Glenbeg to Kenmare; stage 13, Kenmare to Baltimore; and stage 14, from Baltimore to Kinsale, taking in Mizen Head.
Those who would like to join the challenge along the way can take part in any of the stages or part of a stage.
The cost to take part in a stage is €30.
"This is a leisure event for all who like to get out and about on their bikes and take part in an event which is not a race of any kind," added Mr Oosten.
For more information on the Halford's Wild Atlantic Way Challenge, visit the Facebook page at The-Wild-Atlantic-Way-Challenge; email [email protected] or call (087 ) 9828015 / (087 ) 2211526.
