Local girls aim to make history as they prepare for American challenge

Collectively known as The Belles, a four-woman cycling and multi-sport team, the ladies have undertaken a number of extreme challenges in recent years, including being the first female-4 to complete the Race Around Ireland, completing the 7 Sevens Challenge, reaching the summit of seven mountains in one day, as well as climbing England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, with their mountain bikes, to name but a few.

Andrea and Taryn, who are both members of Dromara Cycling Club, will be joined by Julie and Cathy for the Race Across America, which will take place in June 2014.

One of the most respected and longest running endurance sports events in the world, the Race Across America is seen as a pinnacle of athletic achievement, not only in cycling circles but the greater sporting community as well.

There is no other race in the world like it. It inspires everyone who has been a part of it - racer, crew, staff and fans alike. It is the true test of speed, endurance, strength and camaraderie, the ideal combination of work and fun. There is no race that matches the distance, terrain and weather, no other event that tests a team’s spirit from beginning to end.

To put it in context it is about 30% longer than the Tour de France. Moreover, racers must complete the distance in roughly half the time allowed for the Tour.

During the Race Across America, racers must traverse 3000 miles across 12 states, 88 counties and 350 communities and climb over 170,000 vertical feet.

RAAM is not limited to professional cyclists. RAAM is open to professional and amateur athletes alike.

Team racers have a maximum of nine days and most finish in about seven and a half days. Teams will ride 350-500 miles a day, racing non-stop.

The Belles was formed in July 2009 and over the course of the last four years the girls have been involved in the participation and organisation of a number of sporting events. All of their activity having the same aim - to inspire women, and more recently children, into participating in multi-sport activity.

The number of activities that the Belles are/have been involved in is continuing to grow. Over the last four years The Belles have been ambassadors for women into multisport activities and in doing so have pushed themselves to the limits in a number of endurance activities. Now, The Belles have identified the opportunity of competing in RAAM 2014 – the first ever four female Irish team to do so.

This challenge cannot be underestimated, not only in terms of the actual participation but also its crew selection, event management, event administration and co-ordination. It is in this context that The Belles are seeking financial and commercial support for their endeavour.

Andrea said: “It has been in our minds since the four of us did Race Around Ireland in September 2009, but other commitments/new babies etc have meant only now are we aiming for it. and we feel if we don’t do it in 2014, we’ll never do it.

“Funding and sponsorship is the biggest challenge, for entry itself we need £8,000 and to cover the whole trip (for the team and a support crew) we’re talking £50,000. We met with the Ulster Sports Academy two weeks ago and they have given us immense support in terms of training/physio/psychology etc.”

The girls hope they can be supported by a corporate sponsor to help them achieve their ambition of being the first female-4 to undertake this challenge.