Brothers’ fresh idea to raise funds

TWO mountain biking brothers have pledged to raise money to pursue their dream of competing in European competition by cycling from Dublin to Galway — carrying a fridge.

Gerard and Daniel Wolfe from Killiney in Dublin are two of Ireland’s most high profile mountain bikers and now hope to raise thousands of euro on their cross-country cycle today.

Gerard, 24, and his 22-year-old brother expect today’s ride on a tandem bicycle to take at least 10 hours, a fair expectation given they will be pulling a trailer behind them which will hold the 100kg fridge.

Gerard said the cross-country cycle would need to avoid motorways, adding to the likely completion time, but that it would be worth it if they can raise the €4,000 they want to allow them to compete in European-based World Cup events later this year.

“There are no high performance grants and it is not on TV,” Gerard said of mountain biking, adding that since funds can be hard to come by, raising them through alternative means has become a necessity.

The pair do have a sponsor in the shape of Cycleways on Parnell St in Dublin, but they are so keen to adopt a professional approach to their chosen sport that more money is needed.

To add to the uniqueness of the event the fridge will actually be working throughout the cycle, with pedal power from the 15 year old tandem bike providing the energy to operate the alternator.

“Everyone says we should have beer in there for when we finish,” Gerard said. “What we’ll probably have is an energy drink.

“My dad is going to be driving our van in front of us so we’ll be able to have some food.”

If they raise the amount of money they are targeting then they hope to compete in world Series events in August and September.

* www.facebook.com/Fridge-to-Galway