Northern Ireland

Endurance cyclist Joe Barr aims to set Wild Atlantic Way record

Endurance cyclist Joe Barr hopes to set a new world record for cycling the Wild Atlantic Way.
Endurance cyclist Joe Barr hopes to set a new world record for cycling the Wild Atlantic Way. Endurance cyclist Joe Barr hopes to set a new world record for cycling the Wild Atlantic Way.

A Co Tyrone endurance cyclist has set off on a record-breaking bid to cycle Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way almost non-stop.

Joe Barr (62) set off on the gruelling 1,456-mile cycle from Muff outside Derry yesterday afternoon, aiming to complete the route in 110 hours with only a one-hour stop per day.

If successful he hopes to arrive in Kinsale, Co Cork by 9pm on Saturday.

The Strabane cyclist already holds the endurance record for cycling across Ireland and between Malin and Mizen head.

Before setting off yesterday, Mr Barr said he hoped to lay down a time worthy of a Guinness World Record.

“If another world record was the best way forward, it would have to be one that reached further, way further," he said.

"I knew the Wild Atlantic Way was my only option except with a twist.

"Apart from stopping for an hour every 24 hours, I will be attempting to do the cycle non-stop.

"This race will be part duel and part dance between Ireland and my physical, mental and emotional capacity. The result will be what it is, a measurement of myself versus the race."

The cyclist is also hoping to raise £5,000 for two-year-old Zion Cassidy from Belfast who was diagnosed with Nueroblastoma before Christmas.

Zion’s family hope to raise more than £200,000 to access advanced cancer trials to help their son.