ANYONE with ambitions to get on their bicycle during 2019 can take inspiration from the efforts of Killarney cyclist, Patricia Leane, whose jaw-dropping mileage in 2018 has been acknowledged by her local cycling club with a special award.
The 51-year-old mother-of-three, from Rockfield on the Tralee road, cycled a total of 13,600 kilometres during the year, which is the equivalent of doing the Ring of Kerry 78 times. Moreover, Patricia likes the hills and accumulated 110,000 meters of climbing – a feat equal to scaling Moll’s Gap 550 times.
The annual award is judged by Killarney Cycling Club on the basis of information recorded on Strava, a social media site for cyclists which uses GPS data. Even the club’s elite racers, who measured up well to the continental professionals in the Rás Tailteann, didn’t best Patricia in the mileage stakes.
Like so many people, Patricia’s love of the bike started with the Ring of Kerry. charity event.
“About 15 years ago I decided to do it for one of the local charities and I got the bug then but it really took off when I joined Killarney Cycling Club,” she said.
“The club is very supportive and there is a group for every level, ranging from beginners to stronger leisure cyclists and racers also of course. The social aspect is great too and the weekly spins give you the motivation to get out regularly”.
Patricia normally hits the road four times a week, averaging between eight and 10 hours in all. To do this, she says, she needs to be well organised and she is supported by an understanding husband – club sponsor Cormac of Leane’s Fitted Kitchens – who is also a keen cyclist.
The fantastic local routes are a big bonus for Patricia and she doesn’t take the landscape for granted.
“I love the hills. My favourite route is up Moll’s Gap, down into the Black Valley and home through the Gap of Dunloe. Thousands come to visit here every year but that trip is on my doorstep and it takes me just two-and-a-half hours.”
Having an annual challenge keeps Patricia motivated and in 2018 it was the three-day Circuit of Kerry event that covered 600km with 6,000 metres of climbing.
“It was tough but you feel good after an event like that. It raised €5,000 for the Cork-Kerry Health Link Bus and that was a bonus,” she said.
Patricia has no big target yet for 2019 but her long-term aim is to stay at the level she’s at for as long as possible and to encourage more women to get involved in cycling locally.
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