THE tar began to melt on the road as Ramelton’s Billy McMahon cycled through the sunny south east during his mammoth journey around Ireland which he completed on Monday after just 12 days.
Covering 2,106km in very warm conditions was no obstacle for Billy who took on the challenge in order to raise funds for his local Tidy Towns committee for the development of woodland paths in the area. So far he has raised €4,000 and the Go Fund Me Page ‘Billy’s Big Bicycle Adventure 2021’ will stay open for another couple of weeks for donations.
Speaking to the Donegal News Billy said he got on very well but it was very warm during the second week of the challenge.
“We had no real issues just one puncture. We were very happy with it. I cycled 2,106km in 12 days and burned an awful lot of calories. It was a really nice experience we met people I hadn’t seen in years all over the country.”
A highlight for Billy was getting to meet up with his best friend from school in Wexford who he had not seen in 20 years. Billy’s wife Anne joined followed in a campervan, providing with support along the way. He said between staying in campsites and wild camping they got to see some beautiful places, a particular favourite was cycling through The Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry.
Billy and his wife Anne
“It was amazing. I had never been there before and it is a beautiful part of the world,” said Billy.
“It was warmer in the south east. One day we had to stop because it was so hot that the tar was sticking to the wheel of the bike. We pulled in and stopped for an hour and a half and a breeze came up in the evening and it cooled down.”
He saved the most difficult part of the journey for last – the Mamore Gap in Inishowen. Billy said this was the hardest climb in the country.
However he was given a boost when he got to Buncrana and friends had travelled over on the ferry to cycle with him on the last stretch back to Ramelton.
“It was a really great experience, I would highly recommend it,” he added Billy.
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