Purple House Back In The Saddle

Reach for the top…

ith each passing year, the Purple House Coast2Coast challenge is getting a little longer, tougher and a little more saddle sore.

Last year, we’re talking 130km per day, in the blistering heat, as the 30 hearty volunteers cycle from the Atlantic all the way over to the Mediterranean.

Or, to be more precise, Biarritz on the Bay of Biscay to Narbonne Place on the Med.

Which, according to GG’s quick calculation, is quite a bit. If not more. Which may explain why last year’s Coast2Coast challenge has already raised over €24,000 for Purple House, the Bray-based charity that specialises in after-cancer care through rehabilitation and physiotherapy services.

And now, the call is out for 2024, with a five-day cycle across Croatia, Slovenia and Italy from June 18th to the 24th. The challenge is being led by Irish Cycling Safaris, which means that the cyclists will be guided on the route each day, with first aid and mechanical support also provided.

Danny McDermot & Conor O’Leary

And to give you a taste, we’re jumping back to ringleader Conor O’Leary’s final day account of 2023’s cycle of life…

These challenges always take on a life of their own, and this one was no exception. 

When myself and fellow Newcastle resident Danny McDermott from Irish Cycling Safaris sit down each year to plan the next Coast2Coast Challenge, we never know who will sign up.  Some people return for a number of years, and for others, it’s a first time experience. 

The Coast2Coast idea was Danny’s, with the first one being about seven years ago when a group cycled Coast2Coast from Bray to Galway for Purple House. After a number of years, people asked us to go further afield, which led to the Bray to Paris trip last year, and right now, to the Atlantic to the Med cycle. Next year, we have a very exciting challenge planned.

The people who sign up for our challenges are the true heroes, from all walks of life, and all for their own personal reasons, whether that be to remember a loved one who has passed away from cancer, or in support of someone living with cancer.

Each person pays their own flights, accommodation and meals, which ensures that 100% of the fundraising goes to the services provided by Purple House.

Saturday 10th June: Biarritz to Pau 130km

After a quick dip in the sea at Biarritz on Saturday, the 30 of us hopped on the bikes and started the 130km cycle from Biarritz to Pau. The first issue for many was acclimatising to the 25 degree temperatures, while also keeping hydrated.  Dehydration would put an end to the trip and it would be a real shame for this to happen on day one. The first 70kms or so took us through the rolling countryside outside of Biarritz which allowed us to adjust to the challenge ahead.  We were lucky with only a couple of punctures.  After lunch the real work started as we hit some tough climbs which took us into the town of Pau. The heat today was a real issue for me and drained almost every ounce of my energy.

Sunday 11th: Pau to Bagneres de Bigorre 85km

On Sunday we planned to climb the famous Tour de France Tourmalet climb, however after 85kms, a quick stop in Lourdes, then thunder and lightening closing in on the Tourmalet, this was not an option for the majority of us, bar a few hardy souls! So, it was back to our hotel to try and dry out our saturated cycling gear!

Monday 12th: Bagneres de Bigorre to St. Girons 126km

I started the cycle today with my cycling shoes still wet from yesterday, not a great start, but the humidity quickly dried them out. By Monday evening, we were on a high as we got to the summit of one of the classic Tour de France climbs, the Col de Portet d’Aspet – an elevation of some 1,069 meters. This climb in the Ariège Pyrenees has been used over thirty times in the race. Since its first appearance in 1910, some of the greats of cycling have led the peloton over the summit.

Thunder and lightening accompanied us on the ascent, and I for one was glad to reach the summit in one piece! We had lots of celebrations at the summit and the obligatory photo opportunity. We were glad of the 30km decent into St. Girons, where a pretty impressive lightening storm lulled us to sleep!

Tuesday saw another 130km cycle into Carcassone, before today, all going well, we will cycle 125km to reach Canet Plage at the Mediterranean Sea. And that will be our 650km cycle complete. Wish us luck!

Taking place from Tuesday, June 18th to Monday 24th, you can sign up for this year’s 6-day cycle fundraiser right here. You can also find out more about Purple House over here.

There will be an information evening at 7pm on Thursday, April 11th at the Purple House Bray HQ. Email here or phone here for further info.