Cycling for charity: local man clocks up 900 kilometres in Lourdes

HE HAS just returned home after a tricky seven-day 900k fundraising cycle in Lourdes and Cormac Nott is already planning his next one!

Cormac, from Coosan, and his father Billy were part of a group of 127 cyclists from all over the country who took part in the cycle between Rennes and Lourdes, for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust (IPT). It was Cormac's first time to do it but it was the second time his 73-year-old father completed the mammoth challenge.

The group – which included 15 from Athlone Sub Aqua Club, of which Billy and Cormac are integral members – faced different challenges each day. These included torrential rain, rough road surfaces, steep hills, cycling through Bordeaux city and the matter of getting lost and having to face u-turns!

But, given that it was all done to help bring sick children to Lourdes, he is delighted to have completed the task. Every Easter the IPT brings 500 children with special needs to Lourdes for a week and the money raised from events like the cycle assists greatly with paying the costs.

“Each day had its own challenges and there were several eye openers. On day five, when we cycled between Angouleme and Bourdeaux, the first 80 kilometres was horrendous. It was very challenging,” reflects Cormac.

Over the seven days they clocked up 907 kilometres.

“It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had done a charity cycle before, for Anthony O'Brien, from Athlone to Galway. That was 100k. That was the longest I had ever done until day two of this!” he says.

READ CORMAC'S STORY IN THIS WEEK'S WESTMEATH INDEPENDENT, OUT NOW.