2,500km self-supported bikepacking race on the Wild Atlantic Way
The Charity:
Jigsaw
Participant:
Keith Buchanan (me)
Start Date:
8th June 2023
The Challenge
Cycling 2,500km of the Wild Atlantic Way
I am cycling the Transatlantic Way Race / Ride in June to raise money for Jigsaw. The Transatlantic Way is an annual cycle that takes part on the Wild Atlantic Way from Derry in Northern Ireland to Kinsale in Cork.
The ride will take in all the peninsulas along the western coast of Ireland and I am hoping to do it in 8 to 10 days.
The cycle starts in Derry on the 8th of June at 5am and then myself, and about 100 other riders, will follow a set route to Kinsale. It is a self-supported race so we will have to bring all we need on our bikes, including sleeping gear, bike tools and spares. I’ll be sleeping in B&Bs and Hostels along the way but will spend a night or two wild camping with a sleeping bag and bivy.
I have not undertaken anything of this distance before so it is a complete unknown but I am looking forward to the adventure of it and, of course, taking in the beauty of the west coast of Ireland.
The Charity
Jigsaw: young people’s health in mind
Jigsaw is a youth mental health charity that understands and support young people’s mental health.
I’m delighted to be able to raise money for Jigsaw as I’ve seen first-hand what they can do in an area that I as a parent feel totally unqualified for.
Younger people are struggling with some very different stresses and anxieties than what I had to face as a kid. And the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis are making things even harder for them. And that is where Jigsaw comes in.
Jigsaw provides free, one-to-one, therapeutic sessions with young people (aged 12-25) in-person, and online, both locally and nationally.
It would be great if you were able to offer support in the form of an online donation.
Online Donations
Donate
You can donate online from the button below. All the money you donate goes straight to Jigsaw.
DONATEThe button above will take you through to my page on IDonate. Money will sent directly to Jigsaw.
Company donations
Donate as a Company
Jigsaw say that that if you would like to take part in the charitable donation scheme, and are donating €250 or more you can donate with them directly here: https://jigsaw.ie/ways-to-donate/#tax.
If you do donate that way then let them know it is for this fundraiser. Also please let me know so that I can thank you directly. You can email me on [email protected]
Follow
Follow the Race
Each participant will be carrying a GPS tracker to that the organisers can track our progress. It is also handy if you want to “Dot Watch” on a map to see where participants are. The first link is for the everyone in the race and the second link is just my tracker.
I am hoping to stop and take photos along the way and publish them to Instagram. But I can’t promise quality or quantity on the photos. @keithbuchanan000
