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Last Updated: 9 Jan 2021 - 10:16:27 PM |
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| O'Donoghue averaged over 20 mph for the distance |
Sorrento CC rider Paul O'Donoghue had a superb ride to break the Irish end to end record for the 380 mile Mizen Head to Fair Head distance last Sunday.
The previous record of 19hrs 3mins was set in 1993 by former international cyclist Joe Barr, but O'Donoghue went almost half an hour quicker to complete the gruelling solo time trial in 18 hours 37 minutes and 8 seconds.
O'Donoghue, holder of the Irish 12 and 24 hour records for many years, first went for the record in June of last year but due in part to unfavourable wind conditions, he finished 1 hour and 2 minutes off the mark set by Barr.
The latter was at the finish then to congratulate O'Donoghue on his brave effort, regarded as one of the toughest tests in Irish cycling. "I know how hard this event is to ride, as it took me two attempts to set the current time. I wanted to say well done," he said at the time.
O'Donoghue was also more successful on his second attempt, going considerably faster than the old mark. He said this week that he was delighted to achieve the goal.
"I'm happy, a lot of work went into it," he told Irishcycling.com. "I tried last year but it didn't work out on that occasion. In all, there is two years preparation behind this, in terms of training, finding possible routes and checking them. I've probably ridden the route about seven times in all, although doing segments at different times rather than riding the complete distance."
"Last year, the wind conditions weren't perfect but my health wasn't the best, either. I had a virus the week before so perhaps I shouldn't have started."
O'Donoghue said that things were much better this time round. "Once I got underway, I knew this was it. I had the experience of last year behind me and was therefore better prepared, mentally. I also got a few more races in before and that helped".
"I had stops scheduled in, having a few four minute breaks along the way. I had one with 65 miles to go but kind of fell apart a bit afterwards. That was probably the toughest part but I was able to get myself going again. I had to change shoes at one point and that lost me a bit of time, but it worked out find in the end for the record"
It was a mixed weekend for O'Donoghue. He set the new record on Sunday, then found out on Monday that Orwell Dundrum Town Centre rider Dave McLoughlin had set a new mark for the Irish 24 hour record. But although he's lost that record (subject to ratification of the new distance), he's happy that the interest is there.
"It is good to see someone else involved and doing these events. Dave might also be getting a couple of other people into this area of the sport so that is great. The more, the better!!
As regards his future plans, O'Donoghue has some clear targets laid out. "I am going to do the 12 hour event in Wales in early September,� he stated. "I hope to improve upon my best there. Further ahead, I have Paris-Brest-Paris next year and would also like to go for the 24 hour record again.
"Personally speaking, the first 24 hour I did was my best. I've done them a couple of times since but wasn't very happy with how things went. I've always felt I can go better, so I'd like to give it another shot".
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| Paul with officials Alice Sheratt and Frank Gibson |
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WICKLOW RECORD BREAKER (press release)
Sorrento Cycling Club member and Wicklow resident, Paul O'Donoghue successfully rode from Mizen Head in West Cork to Fair Head in Antrim, covering the staggering distance of 380 miles in 18hours, 37mins, on Sunday last and thus creating a new record in the process.
Paul, 40, from Kilpeddar failed in his attempt last year to break the 13 year old record which was held by former international cyclist Joe Barr. "The conditions were much better this year with favourable winds and it was not too hot. So I knew I had a chance this time around" said Paul after reaching the finish line at Fair Head close to the world famous Giants Causeway, to a waiting crowd of friends and family, a small army of helpers from his club Sorrento Cycling Club as well as some members from another Wicklow club, Bray Wheelers. "I didn't want to let them down this year by not breaking the record, so I knew I had to keep riding hard" he later added with a smile.
According to his coach, Aidan Ryan from Ashford, "After the attempt last year, we made adjustments to Paul's preparation and training. The rest was up to him" he added "Paul is a fantastic athlete and was bitterly disappointed last year not to break the record, so he looked at all aspects of the previous attempt with other key club members and advisers to see where improvements could be made. We are all so happy for him that this time he succeeded in his goal"
The record attempt was overseen by 2 independent officials from Cycling Ireland, Frank Gibson acting as Commissaire (Cycling Referee) and Alice Sheratt (official timekeeper). A lead car, marshal's vehicles, as well as a following car with a supply of spare bikes, wheels and lots of food and water accompanied Paul helping make a smooth passage through the many towns and villages. The Garda also escorted him through some of the major hotspots such as Cork City, Portlaoise and Dundalk.
Paul left Mizen Head at 2am on Sunday and the route took him to Bandon, on into Cork city, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Portlaoise and Monsterevin, before heading across the bog roads to Edenderry and Enfield and then on to Trim. After Trim, Paul headed on to Navan and then to Dundalk. Paul entered Northern Ireland on the main N1 just before Newry shortly before 4pm and then followed the A1 towards Banbridge, on to Antrim, Ballymena and finally to Fair Head, reaching it just after 8:30pm that evening to break the long standing record.
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| Paul's support crew |
To get an idea of how difficult this event is, Paul had to ride at an average speed of just over 20miles per hour (32kph) for the full duration of the event! Paul also holds Irish records for 12hr and 24hr events. When asked what his plans are next, he replied "Well I'm going to put my feet up for a few days, but I hope to better my 12 and 24hr times next year and also prepare for Paris-Brest-Paris in 2007, which is an ultra endurance 1,200km event held every four years' " after that who knows!"
Sorrento Cycling Club is holding a bike race in Wicklow Town next Tuesday 1st August as part of the Regatta Festival. For more details about the race, see the latest news roundup on this site.
Issued by:
Robert Cullen
Chairman Sorrento Cycling Club
087 233 5348
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