Name : Claire Magennis
 
From : Downpatrick
 
Have you ever taken part in a challenge like this before? : When this challenge came up I got volunteered and foolishly thought I could easily manage it. I have never done any long distance cycling, never did any physical activity, always owned a bike that rusted in the garage, until Christmas ‘09 when I got a good hybrid bike. The first time I went out on it I broke my collar bone.
 
Do you belong to a cycling club? : I have never belonged to any cycling club and never taken part in any type of physical challenge before. I realised a month ago that I would need a road/cycling bike to have any chance of completing the challenge. I bought one and have been spending the last 3 weeks getting used to it.
 
How did you find training for the event? : I enjoy going out cycling with my husband, family or friends, but training for this has had to be more intensive and whilst Paddy can come with me at the weekend he hasn’t the time to do too many trips during the week. I find these solitary runs difficult/boring/ hard to motivate myself for. I try to incorporate some social activity during the runs – to pick a route that goes past a friend’s house or arrange to meet someone for coffee and then take the longest route there and back that I can tolerate.
 
What are you looking forward to most about the Elite Challenge? : I am looking forward to getting the challenge over so that I can get back to the type of cycling I will enjoy whilst acknowledging that the training has greatly expanded my range of what is enjoyable. I have a vision of being able to put my car in the garage after I retire next year and only taking it out for distances over 30 miles.