‘All up hill from here’

It’s a tremendous challenge taking on a cycle of almost 400km from one end of the country to the other. It requires meticulous planning, incredible stamina and a strict training regime.

Well, not necessarily. Laura Keogan hopped on her bike with none of these attributes packed in the school bag on her back.

Let me set the scene - a Lurgan lady, no plans for the weekend, a heart of gold and no idea where the road was going to take her.

The cyclist set off June 19, with the goal of reaching Cork City in only three days. She decided to take on the epic journey to raise money for Virginia Cancer Fund.

“Each year I try to do something that’s mentally and physically challenging. Last year I cycled to Galway, so I decided I wanted to go somewhere further afield this year and push myself a bit more.”

While most athletes would plan the quickest journey to cycle the 280km distance, the Munterconnaught lass instead took the scenic route - adding another 100kms.

“I went to Wicklow, then to New Ross and then on to Dungarvan through the Waterford Greenway. On the last day I cycled from Dungarvan to Cork City.”

While she knew the journey was going to be tough, she had no idea the toll it would take on her, both mentally and physically.

“I had planned the trip to take three days. The first day I cycled 130km to Wicklow and to be honest, I got up the next morning and I was wrecked, so I decided I needed to drag out the cycle a bit more so that I would be able to do it.

“I stayed at my auntie’s house. She had cooked me breakfast and was nearly tempting me to stay another night and quit the cycle. She even was going to bring me for a sea swim.

“It was a struggle to get going in the first place and, once I left Wicklow, it honestly felt like it was uphill the whole way to New Ross.”

Looking back on the route and laughing with frustration, Laura continued: “I was going up a hill and I could see a bend at the top and I thought - surely it’ll be downhill after there. Then I’d reach the bend and it was just another hill. It was honestly like that for about 20 minutes, it was torture! That was probably the hardest part of the journey because I was already physically so tired.”

Laura recalls almost throwing in the towel numerous times - and the bicycle wasn’t far behind it.

“I just kept thinking: I could give this up now and my auntie could come and collect me and I could go home.

“It was so hard, but I made it thank God!”

Despite her unconventional training regime, Laura was able to push through the pain.

“There was no preparation in this whatsoever. I didn’t train in the days, weeks or months leading up to this cycle to be honest. I think the last time I had been on my bike was in November.”

Why take on such a journey without training?

“Look, I had time off work. I decided I was going to do the cycle about a week before. I did get out on the bike and did about 30km. It was honestly just to go get a coffee. That was my prep.”

The Munterconnaught lady finally reached Cork, motivated by the support of others and the commitment she made to the charity.

“The only thing that was keeping me going was basically that I told people I was doing this cycle and I was raising money for the Virginia Cancer Fund.”

Commendably, Laura raised over €1,200 for the cause.

“The reason I chose Virginia Cancer Fund was because it’s a local charity and I know they do great work in supporting people in the area.”

Formed in 2009, the fund is a voluntary organisation that offers transport solutions for cancer patients travelling to and from hospital appointments.

Chair of the Virginia Cancer Fund, Mary Reilly was incredibly grateful to Laura for her fundraiser.

“She cycled to Cork for us and pledged all the funds to Virginia Cancer Fund.

“It’s an awful feat for a young girl. We’re very proud of her and very privileged to receive that money.”

The organisation is completely reliant on donations to enable it to run.

“Without the help and hard work of people like Laura, we wouldn’t be able to keep those cars running up and down to Dublin to bring people to get their treatment.

“We are so thankful to the people of Virginia and surrounding towns for their loyalty, their support and their continued generosity.”