TRIATHLETE Conor O’Dea went from running, cycling, and swimming competitively to being paralysed from the neck down after a bike accident five years ago.
But despite suffering a serious spinal injury, the 60-year-old is fighting back and leading a Coast to Coast cycle challenge later this month to raise money for one of the organisations that supported him.
“It’s very hard work getting back on my own two feet, but one of things that has been a huge part of my recovery is the trike that Greenmount Cycling Academy gave me,” Conor told the Limerick Post.
Greenmount Cycling Academy is based in Limerick Racecourse and caters for all age groups. It also provides bikes, trikes, and training for special needs cyclists in conjunction with the Limerick Sports Partnership.
One of things that the club needs, Conor says, is a minibus to help get people and their bikes to events and race meetings across the country.
Conor will be joined by 32 other club members on a cycle from Hook Head lighthouse to Loop Head lighthouse between May 31 and June 2, a total distance of 270kilometres.
“On the trike, I’ll be covering around 22km per hour,” said Conor, adding “so many people have been so supportive and helpful. It’s really great to be able to give something back”.
Conor has already raised over €10,000 of his €50,000 target. Anyone who would like to support him and the Greenmount Academy can donate at idonate.ie/event/coast2coastchallenge or follow Conor’s Facebook page for updates.
