Meet
Joe
Home place
The North West of Ireland nestled in the countryside.
Why I Ride
I ride to race. In so many ways the race is home. I meet and test my capabilities against the course, the conditions and my competitors. The race gives me truth and I value that immensely.
What I Ride
Colnago, Campagnolo, XeNTis wheels.
Favourite Race so far
Race Around Ireland & Silverstate 508 (sorry, choosing two races!) Landscape, terrain, people.
An endurance highlight
Race Around Ireland 2018 and my battle with Svata Bozak. It’s a rare pleasure to have such a fierce opponent and such a close race over this distance.
My most challenging moment
RAAM 2019 – I didn’t manage to thread that needle and get into the race I wanted and planned. I had to race thousands of very difficult miles while accepting the disappointment that it just wasn’t the RAAM I wanted. I’ve never felt so tired on a bike. Still, I finished and won the category.
What I tell myself to keep the bike moving forward
Just ride the next mile. It will change.
Racing or Riding Goals
Still chasing 500-miles in 24 hours, non-drafted.
What endurance teaches me
Distance is a puzzle you have to solve – you have to balance form & pace with terrain, nutrition, clothing, equipment, team logistics, etc. It teaches to always keep a broad view of how to move each puzzle piece to keep the bike moving forward as efficiently as possible. Just like life.
Favourite treat-food on the bike
Easy – Mama Mooney’s pear & walnut cake.