Cyclist Richie (59) a new man after kicking cigs habit
TEN years on from being told by a doctor that his life could be at risk because of his smoking, Campile man Richie Waters is cycling 12,000 kms a year and loving life.
Richie cycled his fourth Ring of Kerry cycle in June. It’s hard to imagine him nine years ago not being able to climb a few steps of the stairs at his Ballywilliam home without gasping for breath.
Richie, 59, said: ‘I was a 20-a-day smoker. I had a serious addiction. Like most lads I started smoking when I was in my late teens. I tried to give up many time. I went to the doctor in my late forties and I was told I had black spots on my lungs and that my lungs wouldn’t survive without an inhaler’
Richie had been a karate instructor and was fighting fit, but couldn’t shake his smoking addiction despite numerous attempts to.
Then his GP Dr Mark Walsh told him he didn’t have long to make up my mind.
‘After that I made up my mind to give up drink and cigarettes. Now I’m cycling with Mark.’
Within two months Richie bought a road bike and joined Barrow Wheelers.
‘On my first few cycles I couldn’t breathe but the Barrow Wheelers team brought me on and taught me not to give up or give in and cycling became an addiction.
‘Giving up smoking was one of the biggest challenges of my life and I gave up drinking as well around the same time as I couldn’t be around that and give up the fags.’
Within a year Richie cycled the Blackstairs Challenge and has since completed ten Stephen Kelly sportives and four Ring of Kerry 180km journeys.
Richie worked in O’Dwyer’s garage in Ballywilliam for 30 years and has been a member of the Barrow Wheelers for nine years.
‘I did this year’s Ring of Kerry in six hours and 45 minutes. I’ll be 60 in March so all going well I plan to cycle 240km from Ballywilliam to Killarney and then do the Ring of Kerry cycle on the following day as a fundraiser for a children’s charity,’ Richie said.
Over the years Richie has raised money for cancer research through his cycles and has raised money on his Ring of Kerry cycles for buses for mentally handicapped children.
Looking back on his decision to stop smoking, Richie credits his wife Diane, for helping him and says: ‘I feel better now than when I was 30. To think back in 2010 I couldn’t walk up the stairs without stopping for breath and now I’m cycling 12,000km a year. I think it’s great!’