A HOWTH resident has told of his cycling success after he became the first ever-Irish person to have completed a long distance cycle on the Arctic Circle.
Eugene O’Leary (69) cycled over 1,000 kilometers down the coast of Finland to the city of Pori, before he successfully crossed the country to Helsinki.
Eugene’s 11-day cycle commenced on June 21 and concluded on July 1.
The cycling fanatic told the Northside People how he was inspired to take on a number of cycling challenges following the death of his teenage daughter Helen who died when she was just 18.
Eugene’s daughter died in Beaumont Hospital. However, following her death, her father made it his business to raise as much money for the hospital through various cycling challenges that he set for himself.
“The cycle was a huge success overall,
? said Eugene.
“I was under the impression that the weather was going to be extremely cold but it proved to be the opposite with very high temperatures.
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He explained how his journey wasn’t completely free of any difficulties, but they proved easy enough to handle.
“I camped along the route in some forests during the cycle, but I forgot to light the insect repellant on some of the nights so one can imagine how that ended up.
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Eugene said he also made the mistake in the early days of the cycle of forgetting to stock up on basic food necessities.
“I forgot to stock up in advance which meant I had to cycle 33 miles before I arrived at a place to get food,
? he explained.
“Finland is sparsely populated and although the people are very reserved they are extremely helpful.
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Eugene said at one point his GPS sent him in the wrong direction but thankfully with the helpful assistance of a local cyclist he was shown his way to the Olympia Stadium Hostel where he stayed.
However, despite the minor mishaps, Eugene said he is thrilled that he completed the journey successfully.
“The roads that I cycled on were very smooth – much like the roads in Howth, so that made the cycle much more manageable,
? he stated.
To celebrate his success, Eugene said he plans to cycle from Limerick to Cork on his 70th birthday next January.
He said the journey would cover 70 miles, with each mile being symbolic for every year that he was born.
Eugene also plans to take part in this year’s Garda cycle in aid of the St Francis Hospice. He said the cycle managed to raise e43,600 last year.
Eugene’s passion for cycling has also inspired other people to raise money for charity.
He said some people have set up charity cycles in shopping centres to raise money for the Jack and Jill Foundation and various other charities.
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital will be celebrating their 20th year being involved with the Stephen Roche Training Camp in Mallorca.
Eugene will be celebrating alongside the hospital by flying to Mallorca in October to take part in this year’s cycling event.
In the years that he has been involved in cycling for the hospital, Eugene has managed to raise an estimated
?¬70,000.
The money raised has gone towards the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation.
Eugene said all the money raised is in recognition of the excellent care that his daughter was given prior to her death at the hospital.
Anybody interested in making a donation on behalf of Eugene have been asked to visit www.cmrf.org