We want to build a team for toughest endurance race in the world and we need your help.

In August 2018, myself and the crew (4 people), took on the Race Around Ireland (RAI) and came, against all odds, a very respectable 8th.  Unfortunately, we were forced to retire on day 4 (electrics blew in our follow vehicle) but having learnt valuable lessons this year and having covered 1500km+, against challenging weather conditions, we look to 2019 with fresh enthusiasm. We need to raise £4500 to deliver a 2019 race team and we were hoping you could give us a small bit of help.

A little more about the race – The RAI is 2150km in length and in the solo category, consists of one rider (with support crew) tackling the distance, ‘non-stop’, within 132 hours (5.5 days). It is part of the ultra-endurance cycling world calendar and a qualifier for the Race Across America (RAAM). Due to the unpredictable weather conditions and road quality, it is often viewed as the toughest endurance cycling race in the world. Last year, the winner (completed in 104 hours) slept 3.5 hours in total, with our crew experiencing about the same in 2018!

The team and I had hoped to use the 2018 RAI result as a platform for corporate sponsorship (brief proposal here, if you are interested: https://bit.ly/2Li3Die), perhaps linking into a campaign such as the AIB’s ‘Toughest Journey’ marketing strategy. Whilst some encouraging conversations are on-going, most pledges of support are in the form of equipment. Whilst these equipment offers are incredible useful (we had no time-trial bike for 2018; which is a real disadvantage over the flat terrain), for myself and the crew to compete in 2019, we need some monetary support.

We are aiming to submit a race entry for the end of Feb/mid-March and we will be keeping you updated through Facebook and Instagram posts on our training and preparation in the months leading up to the competition.

Your support will enable us to do the following:

– Rental for support van and follow car (2 vehicles – don’t want to electric blowing again!)

– Fuel and food (we need to move a team of 5 around the whole country of Ireland over 5 and half days).

– One nights accommodation in the Trim area before the race start date (Sunday 25th August).

– Cheap Ryanair flights for 2 crew based in the UK.

Remaining funds will be donated to a charity in the Tipperary area (we will confirm a Hospice charity in the next few weeks).

We are still exploring corporate sponsorship – and indeed feels more comfortable than asking family and friends for pledges – and if business leaders are reading this, we would be keen to connect (race team email is: [email protected]).

Thank you for your time in reading this Pledge and please do message me personally if you have any questions.

Nick Longworth (RAI rider) and RAI 2019 team.