Cycling latecomer to take on Greenway challenge at 82

An adventurous 82 year old grandfather who is embarking on a 30km charity cycle on his vintage bicycle says age is "just a state of mind."

Young at heart Gregory O'Reilly is going to cycle the full length of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway on his 1960 Vintage Raleigh Bike to raise funds for a new mini bus for the the Holy Family Special School, Cootehill, which his grandson attends.

It will also be a novel way, he says, to celebrate his and wife Mary's 61st wedding anniversary. No stranger to charity endeavours, inspirational Gregory celebrated his 80th birthday by cycling from his home in Virginia to Bailieboro, raising over Є3000 for the Holy Family Special School.

For his 79th birthday, the octogenarian undertook a 20km charity cycle from Virginia to Mullagh for Virginia Cancer Care.

"My grandson Shaun is a student in the Holy Family School, he is going from strength to strength and they look after him so well," said Gregory.

"This year they are trying to raise money to buy a mini bus so I decided at 82 that I'd have a go and raise some funds," he added.

"We will be 61 years married on 27th July so instead of getting presents that we don't need or want, we decided to give something back to those who are worthy of it.

"If you ask anyone that knows me, they will tell you I can't sit still for long!"

Although now a seasoned cyclist, there was no suggestion the Baileboro native would be the maestro he has become.

"I had a bicycle at home as a teenager and I went to England when I was 19, I was10 years there and I was 35 years in Dublin but during that time I never was on a bicycle at all," recalls Gregory.

"We retired down here in Virginia and one day I was looking around and there was and old bicycle without wheels or a saddle that once belonged to my neighbour in Corravilla in Shercock, Tommy Lynch and I had a saddle with me for about 40 years that I bought in Dublin in 1979," he added.

"Don't ask me why I bought it because I had no bicycle! I was at a charity event and I saw this Brooks saddle and everybody always talked about the Brooks saddle, it was the best saddle you could have on a bike. I just bought it for the look of it, came home and put it up on the wall in the house and it remained there all those years.

"The old bike is 1964 and I hope it will stay together for next Saturday!"

To support Gregory's cause click here