Cavan to Nordkapp - 10,000km to the top of Europe
Donation protected
UPDATE:
During my track home I've added names to the flag from people working in the Harley Davidson dealers . I promised them to get this flag to the BikeFest in Killarney...... we keep going.
Launch video: https://youtu.be/Gun9ndH8Gpg?si=82i4FreGevvqeoBF
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In 2024 I plan on charity bike ride from Cavan, Ireland to Nordkapp in Norway, which is the most northerly point on mainland Europe, it will take in 10 countries and over 10,000 KM in total. I plan on doing this SOLO but may have a sidekick.
As with any of my trips it is 95% unplanned. I’ve got the ferries booked to get me from Ireland to Holland and back, after that, its anything goes. The plan is to camp or wild-camp 100%, cook as many meals as I can along the way. To make this trip within the time frame allowed it means on average most days will need up to 700km with no rest days at all. Waking up and finding the next place to stay and making my way there.
I plan on vlogging the entire trip and of course, Molly McDrone will be on hand to get some epic shots. To date, I’ve only 2 places of interested marked down, Nordkapp and some place I can make an axe, after that, anything goes. At the moment the departure date is May, which means temperatures of 0–10-degree days to –10degree overnight, lots of snow too!
To make this more interesting the plan is also to raise €6000 for charity. 100% of the proceeds (less GoFundMe charges) will go evenly to my chosen 3 charities and they are,
1: Féileacáin
2: Cuan Centre, Cavan
3: SOSAD, Cavan
Why Féileacáin?
Link: https://feileacain.ie
In June 2016 my son Tadhg was stillborn. Féileacáin stepped in and gave us a memory box along with a cuddle cot. The memory box allows parents to make precious keep sakes which you otherwise would never think of these keepsakes are a wonderful idea, and we treasure them to this day. The cuddle cot allows you to spend time with your child and maximise that time to help you start the process in saying goodbye. All of these are donated to hospitals. No government funding in any manner is received.
Since the death of my son, we fought through 2 inquests which resulted in a verdict of death by medial misadventure, meaning that my son should me here if they had just listened to his mum and had followed the processes already laid out. We then endured not one but three funerals because the HSE had retained my sons' organs that took years for us to get back. Throughout this journey Féileacáin have always been an avenue to talk to and avail of support.
€2000 can provide 40 memories boxes
€2500 can provide 1 cuddle cot.
Why the Cuan Centre in Cavan?
Towards the end of fighting the HSE my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct 2022. The Cuan Centre provides numerous services for local woman fighting this dreaded disease. The provided therapies, counselling, workshops for both the parents and the kids. The kids have had days out with other kids and it's a great way for them to link in with other kids whose parents are going through this.
After months of chemo and radiation my wife was given the all clear and is one of the lucky ones to call themselves a cancer survivor.
The services provided by the Cuan Centre are an essential part of kicking cancers ass and they continue to provide support for anyone who has long ended their battle. It's a great service.
Why SOSAD, Cavan?
When Tadhg was buried, we refer to his grave as Tadhg’s Garden. Since 2016 he has been joined by a few friends who have had a tragic ending to their short lives.
In the words of Million$Bogan, (another biker vlogger)
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”.
In the area I live in the amount of young people who have chosen this path is far too high. SOSAD provide a much-needed outlet for the youth of today to talk and with some luck stop them thinking suicide is the answer- it’s not.
Tadhg's buddies include Oran aged 18 and Laura aged 19. Just recently on Xmas Eve a work friend of my wife lost his son, Tyler aged 16.
If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, depression, bereavement, stress and anxiety, or if you simply need to talk. Please talk, life is for living and if you ask any person who survived an attempt, they would all say they regretted trying, it's not the answer and you are loved.
Organizer
Jonathan Doyle
Organizer