First female hits 100 AXA Community Bike Rides!
American born to Irish parents, Sheila O’Brien moved to
Ireland in 1997 from Boston Massachusetts. She lives in Cavan with her partner
Darren and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren. A health care worker by trade,
she works as a care assistant in her community. Now almost 52, this mother and grandmother
describes herself as “overweight, with a dodgy knee and a degenerative disc disease”
…yet she can cycle.
In May 2019, she decided it was time to get a bike, and was
able to purchase one through the bike2work scheme – this allows a person to pay
for a bike over a 12mth period through their salary, so you don’t have to come
up with the money all at once. Not knowing much about cycling, Sheila purchased
a hybrid and her cycling journey began…with an occasional trip to Crover House
Hotel for a ‘light refreshment’! Over the following few months, the bike became
more of an ornament, as although Sheila wanted to cycle, finding the motivation
was difficult.
In December 2019, Sheila came across a Facebook advert
promoting AXA Community Bike Rides. “When I saw it, it didn’t make me feel like
I needed to be super fit or need a flashy bike…it looked like something I could
be a part of and although I was overweight, the advert didn’t intimidate me,
which can often be the reason for not taking part in something”.
Sheila had spotted an AXA Community Bike Ride which was being
led by Noel Garrahan, a local volunteer leader in Cavan. Noel is a member of
the Sheelin Flyers Cycling Club and had got involved in the programme to
support people to get back on their bikes in his area. And so Sheila began
registering online and taking part in his group rides. “I love to meet people.
Although I’m usually at the back of the group, there’s never any pressure put
on me and Noel and the support leaders are so encouraging. I learned loads in
those first few group rides; how to change my gears; how to ride safely on the
road and they just helped me build my confidence”.
January 2020 brought bad weather and lots of it, and a number
of group rides had to be cancelled. This was also the month that brought
devasting news to Sheila’s door, as her younger sister Tara (48) living in
Boston, was diagnosed with motor-neurone disease (or ALS as it’s known in
America). “This was a really difficult time. I became a bit disillusioned with
things, and before I knew it, Covid hit and whatever bit of cycling I was doing
came to a stop, as no group rides could take place”
In May, as restrictions were eased, solo bike rides were
introduced and for Sheila, “they couldn’t have come at a better time. These
rides pushed me to get out. I love registering and getting a reminder email, as
this keeps me accountable”. Signing up to take part provided the motivation
Sheila needed to get back out cycling. “Tara can’t cycle, but I can. We often
take our bodies for granted. When I’m on my bike I’m always thinking of her as
she fights her battle”.
With a mix of easy going and challenging solo bike rides on offer, Sheila was able to pick the rides that best suited her depending on her workload and how much time she had to spare. “Cycling takes me further than my feet…I’ve been able to explore way more of my local countryside and I always come home in a good mood”. With the opportunity to participate in solo rides four times a week, Sheila began clocking up the bike rides. “I love to see how many rides I’ve done and it’s great to get the rewards…you feel like you’ve earned something”.
Cycling has provided Sheila with the opportunity to support
her sister Tara in raising money for research into a cure for motor-neurone
disease/ALS. Sheila has created fundraisers through cycling to support the 4youIwillfight campaign.
She’s lost 16lbs in the process. “When I started my goal was
to try and get all three rewards (buff, waterbottle, t-shirt), but I had no
idea where it would take me. I hope people can see how accessible these rides
are and more people take part, as I wish people could feel like I feel!!”
During the spring, Sheila contracted the coronavirus. “My
doctor said because I was fitter and in better health than I had been a year
previously, I possibly recovered much quicker from the virus. You really never
know what the outcome will be of that first step…turning up last December to
take part in an AXA Community Bike Ride has had a massive effect on my life.”
Sheila is now keen to get trained up as a Ride Leader, so she can bring like
minded people on bike rides in her area.
“I’ve never been the first at anything and definitely never
thought I’d be the first at anything physical! I’m so proud of myself and
wouldn’t have done it without AXA Community Bike Rides. Look what I’ve
accomplished! I feel empowered. To be the first woman to complete the 100
rides…it really shows you can be any size and cycle!”
The AXA Community Bike Rides team would like to acknowledge
that a number of others have also recently completed the 100 rides and
congratulate Charlie Parsons (Kilkenny) on being the first member to hit the
milestone.
Why not join Sheila, Charlie and all the other members who
are currently participating in the programme – click Find a Ride and register today!
For more information, please contact
Mary Corry (Coordinator) mary.corry@cyclingireland.ie
Nicole Evans (Development Officer) axacommunitybikerides@cyclingireland.ie
#4youIwillfight #20x20 #ibike