Cyclists gearing up for 150-mile ride despite 'horrendous' weather (From Enfield Independent)

Cyclists from charity OLSGEIRE gearing up for 150-mile Northern Ireland ride despite 'horrendous' weather

12:50pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

Cyclists are hoping poor weather will not affect their 150-mile charity ride through Northern Ireland this weekend.

Eighteen cyclists from Enfield charity OLSGEIRE are gearing up to cycle a route past the Giant’s Causeway in a bid to raise more than £5,000 for charity.

However, with temperatures set to reach lows of 6˚ and a risk of storms, they hope they will be able to complete their challenge.

Noel Sainsbury, 52, of Primrose Avenue in Forty Hill, said: “The weather looks horrendous. We are worried about it, we have some very inexperienced cyclists with us so we hope there is no problems.

“We’ve done these bike rides before and we could get blown off our bikes.”

The team are raising money for charity Youth Initiatives which works with young people in Northern Ireland to break down barriers between people from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds.

They have collected £1,200 to date and hope donations along the way could help them reach their target.

The team has never cycled the route before, although Mr Sainsbury, who owns Archers Financial Services in Winchmore Hill, has driven the track in his car to make sure he is familiar with it. 

The group formed ten years ago to make a difference to the community through charity events including runs and bike rides.

It has made more than £400,000 for charities in and outside of the UK since it was set up.

The team hope to cycle 55 miles on Saturday, 44 miles on Sunday and 43 miles on Monday.