Ciaran takes on Mamore Gap challenge - 39 times

Ciaran O’Hara undertook the mammoth endeavour last Sunday to raise funds for the Foyle Hospice.

The challenge was to cycle Mamore Gap 39 times continuously to achieve the same vertical elevation as Mount Everest. In achieving it, Ciaran, who runs bicycle repair business The Bike General, became the fourth fastest Irish person to complete this distance.

Ciaran told the Journal how the south side of the gap had been completed and there had long been talk in the biking community as to who would undertake the north side. He chose last Sunday due to good weather and wind conditions, and as a bike mechanic, was able to modify it to ensure less chance of injury.

The new dad chose to support Foyle Hospice due to their magnificent work.

He described the challenge, which was ‘like an emotional roller coaster’ as not only a physical one, but also mental.

“What got me over it is where my head is at - I’m strong willed - and my wife, Amy, who supports me in everything I do. The first three or four hours were fine and then it started getting heavy. Eight hours in was tight but I had a lot of people there cheering me on and keeping me going. Your body is telling you to stop but your brain is willing you to keep going. The last two hours were tight but you tell yourself that it’s either a tough two hours or a lifetime of thinking what could have been. It was great to complete it.”

You can still donate at www.thebikegeneral.co.uk