Local cyclist tackles 75 mile challenge

Michael Moore will be driven on by the memory of his late wife as he completes the route from Portrush to Carrickfergus this Saturday (September 11) to raise funds for two charities, accompanied by three fellow cyclists.

Mr Moore told the TIMES: “My wife passed away last year from cancer. At the beginning of this year, I felt motivated to do something. I am a keen cyclist, but I haven’t done this kind of distance for a long time. I am looking forward to it - at 44, I am not getting any younger and I may not have many more chances to do something like this.”

Sponsorship is being collected through Carrickfergus Elim church and will be divided between Friends of the Cancer Centre and Storehouse.

Mr Moore explained: “Friends of the Cancer help people who stay in the cancer ward during their stay there, to make things as pleasant as possible for them and for family members visiting. They provide simple things that help - books, magazines and so on.

“Storehouse helped me out when I moved house. I am a single parent now and money is not flush, so I spoke to Micky at Storehouse. I was moving into the house and had nothing to put on the floors - they helped me with that. I want to help them out so they can help others.”

A further motivation for the challenge is to encourage others to give cycling a go.

“It is good for you - since I went back to it in April, I have lost a stone and a half in weight. I love cycling, love the challenge,” Mr Moore said.

“Once we get past Glenariff it is pretty straightforward. Just when you go through the glens you have to climb a little bit - there are two or three steep ones, but after that you go downhill again, then you are just alongside the coast.

“Hopefully we can do it in good time, averaging 14mph. It should be good fun - hopefully the weather will be nice and the wind will be behind us, or it will be still.”