Biography
Eoin McNamara
Colly Murray
Hailing from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, Colin Murray earns his crust as an IT professional, working in Dublin. Colin's many hobbies expanded to include cycling after he undertook a tour of Thailand to raise funds for the Beaumont Foundation (http://www.bhf.ie/) in 2002. The experience of seeing the country and meeting its inhabitants from such an intimate perspective, as well as the sense of achievement gained from the trip, had a profound effect on Colin, who from then on was well and truly hooked on cycling and the experiences it afforded.
Since then, Colin has completed numerous events including, the Wicklow 200 (widely considered to be Ireland's premier cycling challenge), the Comeragh Challenge, various triathlons & running events in Ireland, including Dublin City Triathlon, Tri Athy, triAthlone, Lough Key Triathlon, and the Alive Outside Duathlon series. "Cycling is one of the greatest forms of escapism" says Colly, who spends many long hours on the Dublin and Wicklow mountains in preparation for "Les Dix Alpes", the ultimate road biking high-altitude experience. For someone with such diversity of interests, there are few more efficient ways to combine excercise, a way to see the country and mountains, and an escape from the daily grind.
After the tragic loss of a childhood friend - Martin - to cancer in September, Colin felt the need to give something back to cancer care in Ireland and the people who had done so much to care for his friend. After hearing about "Les Dix Alpes" from a college friend, Colin signed up, determined to raise money for Cancer Care West. The event has an additional depth of meaning for Colin as he considers the memory of the pain and suffering endured by his friend over his protracted struggle with a devastating illness, and relates that to the challenge of climbing some of the steepest slopes in Europe 10 times in 10 days. An additional motivation is given by the impending arrival of Colin's first child in September, after which, no doubt, opportunities to spend time biking furiously around Europe will necessarily be more limited! Nevertheless, Colin intends to continue channelling his seemingly boundless energy by completing a half-Ironman, and the journey from Malin head to Mizen head.
www.collymurray.com
William Kerwin
William Kerwin
A native of county Wicklow, William Kerwin is an all-round sports fanatic, with a keen interest in football, cycling and triathlons. William, Eoin and Mark were classmates in Dublin City University. They completed a number of college projects together but nothing on this scale. When asked did he ever think he would do a cycle like this his response was "not in a million years" acknowledging that "this is the stuff of dreams".William currently works for AIB and is an key member of the AIB football team. William is always looking at taking on new challenges and pushing boundaries. He plans on completing a number of triathlons this year before embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He feels this cycle across the States will be a massive challenge but nevertheless a worthy one.
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."-Lance Armstrong
Mark Leonard
Mark Leonard
25 year old Dubliner Mark Leonard was part of the duo, which included Eoin, who cycled 1400km around the coast of Ireland in 2 weeks during the summer of 2007 raising over €10,000 for the Irish Cancer Society. The pair organised the entire cycle without a supporting vehicle, using their own resources.The success of the cycle of Ireland has given Mark a yearning to attempt something more challenging, and with the valuable addition of William to the group, the coast to coast cycle is now a reality.
Mark is doing the cycle in memory of his father James Leonard who died of cancer in August 2006. Mark's two aunts also passed away of the same disease.These have served as a call to action for the former Dublin City University Business student.
He is inspired by ordinary people who strive to achieve the extraordinary, such as Jane Tomlinson & Team Hoyt (google them!)
Mark has competed a number of triathlons in preparation for the charity cycle and sees this trip as a great way to see the US and raise money for a worthy cause.
