News

Irish team mates Gary Wilson and William Porterfield are getting on their bikes as they embark upon an ambitious project to cycle the length of Ireland – a grand total of 380 miles in just five days.
Neither has any significant cycling experience – indeed Irish captain Porterfield was one of those unusual kids growing up who never rode a bicycle. He was probably otherwise occupied playing cricket!

But now at the age of 27 he is trying to perfect his balance on two wheels – all in the aid of charity. He has agreed to join close friend Gary Wilson on the sponsored ride in aid of Cancer Research UK, all in memory of Gary’s mother Iris who died earlier this year.

So from now until he hits the road in October , Porterfield will be hopping on a bicycle whenever he can. “I was just one of those things that I never really rode a bicycle when I was young”, he says. “I guess it’s not the most difficult thing to do but I will be putting in a few miles between now and the off”.

The “off” will be in Cork on October 9 and the journey over five days will take them to Belfast through Kilkenny, Malahide, Armagh and Derry. “It will be tough going”, says Gary. “Cricket has, of course, kept us pretty fit but I think we’ll have to put in a lot more training before we set off”.

The two men are inviting relations and friends to take turns accompanying them on the journey and they’re hoping members of the public will join in as well. Gary added : “It will be a long haul and I think we will be tested to the limit. But we have organised it that way in the hope that people will support us given the toughness of the task.”

Donations can now be made at www.justgiving.com/Gary-Wilson14 or text the donation to 70070 with the code CRIC50 and the amount you wish to give.

More information can be received at www.welivecricket.com/bigbikeride


Photo courtesy of Rob O’Connor/Rocshot Photography
Yes