Malin to Mizen inside 24 hours REVOLUTION CYCLISTS COMPLETE CHALLENGE WITH 45 MINS TO SPARE
EIGHT hardy bucks from the Revolution Cycling Club smashed their 24 hour challenge to cycle from Malin to Mizen Head and breezed across the line on Sunday morning with 45 minutes to spare.
On Saturday, June 25, the eight cyclists set out from Mizen Head at 11am with just their bicycles and willpower to get them over the line. The 600km cycle was in aid of Mallow Search and Rescue.
The lads burned 14,195 calories from start to finish and to keep their bodies fuelled for they consumed something in the region of 160 bottles of water, 400 energy bars, 500 ‘shot blocks’, 40 energy gels, a few cans of Coke and Lucozade, and hefty helpings of carbohydrates.
The eight cyclists were Hugh Twomey and his brother Diarmuid, Anthony Daly, Indrek Mannik, James Crowley, Shane O’Connor, Gary Lawlor and Conor Roche.
Conor Roche, who is also the PRO of Mallow Search and Rescue, described getting over the finishing line as being “utterly fantastic.” “We all had a huge challenge and we all made it. It was a tough experience but one which was utterly fantastic,” beamed Conor.
The weather on Saturday morning was ideal – as there wasn’t any sun and only a slight breeze. The drops of rain which did come were greatly welcomed as it helped cool the eight down.
Thankfully there weren’t any injuries during the entire challenge and the only person who got a puncture twice was Hugh Twomey. Hugh knows the Malin to Mizen Head road well as he also did the challenge last year for charity.
There was a mighty welcome for all the cyclists and their entourage at Kanturk Garda station at 4am, as friends and family stood at the roundabout with placards and cheered the group on their way.
“We were getting pretty exhausted by that stage so to have people turn out at such an early hour in the morning in Kanturk was brilliant. It really put a pep in all our steps,” said Conor.
Mr Roche joined Mallow Search and Rescue three years ago and said while the work can be tough going it is equally very rewarding. In 2015, they conducted over 200 days of active search for people and they travelled all over the country – Enniskillen, Kilkenny, Athlone, Waterford and all over Cork county.
He said the group’s night time training certainly helped them do the challenge. Along the way they were also joined by fellow cyclists of the Cliona Foundation, who are a charity which provides financial assistance to families with a seriously ill child.
For the challenge, they had a number of family and friends who rolled up their sleeves and a number of businesses in the region helped with transport, food supplies and repair kits for their bicycles.
Anthony Daly described the epic challenge as “tough but enjoyable.” He said the cycle is without question tough on the body as they had to force feed themselves to make sure they had enough carbohydrates to burn.
“We were delighted with our time as we had 45 minutes to spare. Thankfully, the weather was good to us. We are delighted to do this challenge for Mallow Search and Rescue as they are an amazing group of volunteers,” he said.
To read further go to their Facebook page, ‘ 24Malintomizencycle’ and to donate log on to https://www.gofundme. com/malin2mizen
ABOVE: And they’re off on a 600km challenge from left Anthony Daly, Shane O’ Connor, James Crowley, Conor Roche (looking away) Indrek Mannik and Hugh Twomey LEFT: Diarmuid Twomey, Conor Roche, Anthony Daly, James Crowley, Hugh Twomey, Indrek Mannik, Gary Lawlor Shane O Connor at the Mallow Search and Rescue base prior to their epic challenge on Saturday, June 25. BELOW: Connie Tarrant of E Tarrant and Sons Skoda dealers in Banteer, with Anthony Daly and Hugh Twomey.