Continuing our irregular series about cycling, Ciarán Flaherty talks to a local cyclist about life on two wheels, why they like cycling, and what advice they may have for others thinking of taking up cycling.

Tell us a brief bit about yourself – name, age, what you do, and how long you have been cycling?

I’m Niall Murphy, aged 50, and yes, I know 30 years too late [to start cycling]! I work for a local company, Tempoglass; we provide automotive glazing repairs and replacement of glass on all types of vehicles. I have been cycling since 2014.

What got you into cycling?

I got the bug for cycling after doing a charity cycle for Cancer Connect NI which involved a cycle from Tempo to Westport, Mayo, to climb ‘the Reek’ [Croagh Patrick] and back in 24 hours.

What do you enjoy most about the sport?

I enjoy the fresh air, discovering new roads and early morning summer spins. I enjoy the training that I do to compete at club and open level all around the province.

The amount of friends and new faces I have met locally and all over Ireland through the cycling network is unreal.

The feeling of freedom you can get when out for a spin, whether it’s on or off road, through a forest or down a small country lane, is all the same – I just love the feeling of freedom, going where the bike takes me and the sense of adventure that it brings.

What is the hardest aspect of cycling?

The hardest aspect or the sport is trying to compete with people 30 years younger, and trying to do a bit in the winter weather, especially with the shorter days and poor weather!

What does your typical week look like in terms of training for cycling?

If you don’t train, you can’t race, so my typical weekly training schedule looks something like the following.

I train on Tuesday morning for one hour; on Wednesdays during the cycling season – April through to September – it’s a club race; on Thursday morning, I train for one hour, and on Saturdays, if time allows, I get out for two hours.

Sunday is traditionally a longer three-hour spin with friends and club mates.

Are there any favourite cycle routes you have completed or would like to complete?

A few years back, myself and clubmate Mark McGirr raced the notorious Donegal Atlantic Ultra as a two-man team.

The race is a 555km race around the coast of Donegal as fast as you can, following much of the Wild Atlantic Way.

As it’s a non-stop, fast as you can-type of affair, I only saw some of the scenery in daylight, and it was breathtaking, so I would love to go back and see the rest!

What advice would give you to someone starting off in cycling?

The best advice for anyone starting off cycling is to be consistent, and to please buy some hi-viz clothing and a front and rear light. Importantly, though, forget about speed, and just go out for a spin and enjoy!