The Inaugural Great Rugby Cycle 2019 covered 1133 miles in March 2019 from John OGroats to Lands End in support of the My Name5 Doddie Foundation.  I sat at home watching this cycle unfold, hampered by horrendous weather conditions, wishing I had a challenge like this to complete.

Fast forward to Christmas 2019 and the Sports Personality of the Year.  Watching Doddie Weir accepting the Helen Rollason Award, for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, was truly inspiring.  Doddie was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2016.  The following year, he launched his charity, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which seeks to aid research into the disease and improve the lives of those with MND. 

A few days later I spotted the details of the 2020 Great Rugby Cycle online and the challenge seed was planted once more.  I happened to mention to my friend Kate on Christmas Eve that I was interested... I woke up on Christmas morning with a text containing sign up details, from Gary Mac to say I was “in!”  There was no chickening out now! 

Unfortunately 2020 had other plans for us and just a few weeks before the peloton was to set off, the world went into Lockdown.  All was not lost however, the pre lockdown training was put to "good use" with hundreds of miles being put in cycling the Coast Road to Glenarm Castle for treats!

Roll on to 2021 and the will it/won't it happen situation hung over us for much of the Winter and Spring months, resulting in some VERY late training to be ready for the 1st July!  

There have been plenty of raised eyebrows when I’ve mentioned to friends that I have signed up to cycle over 1000 miles around Ireland in 10 consecutive days, but a challenge isn’t meant to be easy and I’m determined to do it!   

Schools out on 30th June at 3pm and we set off from Belfast at 9am the following morning, no better way to start the Summer holidays! 

Any donations made on this page will go directly to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to fund further research into finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease and improving  the lives of those living with MND.  

**Cycle and associated costs fully funded by myself**