We Love Cycling

Brought to you by We Love Cycling Ireland and hosted by sports journalist and cycling commentator Declan Quigley, Defying the Odds shines a light on cyclists who’ve achieved exceptional things in the face of adversity. It’s a celebration of their spirit, and passion – and a reminder of just what can be done in the saddle. In this episode, we meet Richael Timothy who was a decorated athlete – an Irish underage soccer international and inter-county Gaelic Footballer – until an acquired brain injury left her with severely impacted motor function on the right side of her body. Sidelined from her previous passions and searching for a release, she found cycling and began a journey that would lead all the way to a bronze medal at the 2020 World Track Championships and the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

Brought to you by We Love Cycling Ireland and hosted by sports journalist and cycling commentator Declan Quigley, Defying the Odds shines a light on cyclists who’ve achieved exceptional things in the face of adversity. It’s a celebration of their spirit, and passion – and a reminder of just what can be done in the saddle. Our latest guest is Cormac Ryan, who was just 19 years old – and five months away from an All-Ireland minor hurling final – when he was told he needed a pacemaker and could no longer play contact sport. He’s now a mental health advocate and the founder of the Cycle For Life charity, which has raised tens of thousands of euros for medical and mental health services. Midway through his latest adventure, a daunting 6,000km ride from Achill to Athens in support of Pieta House and Bodywhys, Cormac tells host Declan Quigley about the trials and tribulations that he’s faced – and the perspective he’s gained as he pedals into the future.

Brought to you by We Love Cycling Ireland, Defying the Odds shines a light on cyclists who’ve achieved exceptional things in the face of adversity. It’s a celebration of their spirit, and passion – and a reminder of just what can be done in the saddle. The series kicks off with Philippa Ryder, a role model, advocate and activist for LGBTQ+ rights, she’s also got a deep passion for cycling – from the daily commute to competing on the international stage at 57 years old, as she did when collecting three medals at the Gay Games at Paris in 2018.