Joe Barr has set a new record for riding across Ireland,
adding the new marker to an incredible set of records to date in his career.
Despite having now turned 60 years, Barr is showing no
signs of slowing down; his latest record smashing the old one.
At the weekend he broke the record for riding from the
most easterly point of Ireland to the most westerly point.
That’s a total of 235.6 miles from Wicklow Head
lighthouse to Slea Head, Co Kerry. And Barr did it in 13 hours and 32 minutes.
That was a huge 3 hours and 48 minutes faster than the
previous record set back in 2013.
Barr now has a unique set of place to place records crisscrossing
the country, holding the markers for Ireland East–West, North-South,
South-North and North-South-North.
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“This has been an incredible year for me," he said
after his latest ride at the weekend. “Despite turning 60 my performances are
getting stronger and stronger.
“Age really is a red herring. One of the reasons my
performances are still improving is the unwavering support of my team.
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“Setting a world record for East to West cycling in
Ireland completes all of the world records for major Irish endurance distances.
“It’s a real achievement for the team and I to hold all
of the titles at the one time. To go the distance, you have to be surrounded by
the right people.”
Barr rode the first Race Around Ireland back in 2009
which effectively launched a second career for him, as an endurance rider after
he had been a road race professional.
Twelve month ago he won Race Around Ireland for the
second time; claiming the 2018 victory after sleeping for just three hours in
five days during 2,157km.
Two years ago he set a new record for riding up and down
the island of Ireland non-stop; clocking 48 hours 40 mins. He beat his own
previous record, set in 2015, by 21 minutes.
At 735 miles nonstop, the route took Barr from Malin Head
all the way down the country to Mizen Head.
He then turned and went all the way back up the country
again, finishing at Malin Head.
Also in 2017 he was crowned 500 mile world champion for 2017. The title has been bestowed on him by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA).
Joe Barr nears the finish at Slea Head, Kerry
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