Larne businessman in ‘End to End’ cycle

The record was originally set by David’s aunt Isabel Woods, who cycled from Mizen Head in Cork to Fair Head in Antrim in 23 hours and three minutes on June 27 1955.

In honour of Isabel’s achievement, 11 of her family and friends are now recreating the journey.

The supporters are split into three groups who will complete the task in 10 days, six days and four days respectively, arriving together at Fair Head on June 27.

B9 Energy Director David, who it was recently announced will receive the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to the renewable energy sector, is a member of the 10 day group.

The challenge is in aid of two cancer charities close to the family’s hearts, The Boom Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The cyclists, who include Isabel’s daughter Sheena and grand-daughter Rose, will meet Isabel at Fair Head on Saturday June 27 at the end of the course. Isabel will be accompanied by husband Peter, who was her trainer and manager during the original attempt.

David commented: “The north bound route we are following is as close to the original as possible.

“The more you look at this route the more you wonder how it was possible to cycle all that way in one go and now that we’re 100 miles into the trip you get a sense that mental determination was probably a more remarkable attribute than the more obvious physical ability.”

To follow the team’s progress on their blog visit: www.irelandendtoend.com. To donate, visit David Surplus’s page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/.