Can An Unfit Middle-Aged Man Survive A Tour De France Stage? | Part 1

[@gcn]

How do you think Cillian will get on at L'Étape du Tour de France?

[@stasacab]

He is going to hammer it. Again, you have chosen someone that is too fit.

[@alex.pozgaj]

There must be a certain level of fitness involved to start with, otherwise this would be a dangerous undertaking. I think Cillian is a very relatable chap, and he will manage it, but it's going to be tough (depending on which stage of TdF, it will be more or less so). With a 20 minutes FTP at 187, climbs of 11-12% will be murderous. I know what I'm talking, my FTP is measly 2.5W/kg, and although I do ride quite a lot, such climbs are absolutely killing me.

[@NealWilliams]

I believe so!

[@lisapet160]

8:58 Install cassette with larger gears to help with uphill pacing, re-apply sunscreen during the ride at least once, don't forget about "Buttr" cream. He's not a couch potato as had been mentioned above, he'll make it.

[@ollieatkey8972]

with Connor cracking the whip! he might just make it😂

[@Tamas_Torok]

Conor's motivation on the hill is fantastic. He should make a podcast where he is shouting for an hour so everybody could be benefiting from it :)

[@callielou7]

Brilliant!

[@ondrejmitas3325]

Yes, absolutely. Please Conor!!!

[@mateagoston8145]

Nem lenne Connornak hangja a videó felvétele után. :D

[@Tamas_Torok]

@@mateagoston8145 Lehet :)

[@andras.89]

Connor needs to shout us all up :D

[@Gabepedaler]

Finally some wattage numbers that mirror my own on GCN. This middle aged guy is rooting for Cillian! Let's go!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Gabe! Really appreciate it.

[@charliepenman1319]

Brilliant. I think this has the potential to be one of the best films this year. Excellent Conor and good on you Cillian. Can’t wait to see the GCN+ film

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Charlie! Really appreciate it. I hope we don’t let you down!

[@conordunne219]

Thanks Charlie, I can't wait for the film its going to be a cracker!!! We are all going to be willing Cillian to the finish

[@kylesomerville7078]

More of this content please GCN. Relatable! The struggle is real, rooting for Cillian.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much Kyle. Glad it seems to be resonating with a few people.

[@leftpawedpolarbear]

Conor: At least he’s enjoying it! Cillian, 5 minutes earlier: I really didn’t enjoy that at all! 😂😂😂

[@cilliankelly1]

Sums up climbing though doesn’t it?

[@leftpawedpolarbear]

@@cilliankelly1 Oh absolutely!

[@wenschobert]

Big respect to cillian taking on three challenge... Recently did my first sportive and had to pause somewhere before finish... Was thinking about my kids and decided it wasn't worth any more pain... I guess it was a good call, since some guy I rode with for quite awhile in the beginning feel of his bike after having a heart attack... Damn I hope he is alright... So just for you cillian: go as far as you can, but remember: we won't become heroes in cycling history anymore... But we are the heroes our kids need... Go as far as you can, reach out for the limit... No need to get over the limit.

[@davidd1492]

My wife may be watching so. "Cost of books and magazines has been redacted for health and safety reasons" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 That's priceless.

[@cmgeise]

And I loved the follow up. My greatest fear is that when I die she’ll sell them for what I told her I paid for them. 🥹

[@cilliankelly1]

And 100% accurate. She must never find out

[@mpicanza4491]

Clllian, you are my inspiration. Chapeau sir, chapeau. If you finish this before the cut off time, my respect for you will be 1000% greater than any of your fellow GCN presenters, regardless of what challenges they have done on the channel…😉

[@cilliankelly1]

Wow! Thanks so much. I don’t know what to say. I hope I don’t let you down! 😬

[@conordunne219]

Thanks for watching!! It would be amazing wouldn't it. Don't worry we'll make sure he gets round

[@petyrkowalski9887]

I totally agree.

[@rbonn3880]

Cillian will triumph. I so admire his honesty and determination. He is the Every Man cyclist, like most of us.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much! Very kind. 👍

[@satori4183]

Thank you for selecting someone who has +2 hrs om the Alpe = more relatable than fit Freddie. Cillian is gonna smash that TdF stage I'm sure!

[@cilliankelly1]

I’ve managed to shave a good chunk off that time since. So hopefully I’m doing something right!

[@gcn]

@@cilliankelly1 We're expecting sub 1 hour soon!

[@obiseankenobi2056]

ah this is awesome .. ' no a harder gear not an easier gear " made me fall out of my chair laughing ;) go Cillian !!!!!!!

[@conordunne219]

Got to keep Cillian on track haha.. thanks for watching!! We are loving this challenge, so hoping Cillian makes it.. I believe in him!!

[@johndutson4971]

If I hadn't been at home on the couch watching this i would have sworn that was me trying to do that final climb lol!!! ALL THE BEST to Cillian, sure he will smash it. Also the funniest thing ive seen in a while.

[@cilliankelly1]

Haha! Cheers John!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed this one John. Always funny to see Cillian suffer! 🤣

[@conordunne219]

Thanks john, Cillian is brilliant!! Few outtakes I hope to share one day too.......

[@ComicalFlask]

That was the first climb!

[@kevin._.farren]

Keep positive thoughts going throughout, monitor your self-talk closely. When struggling I start saying simple positive things like, "There's beer at the finish! Kids eventually grow up and move out! Emily Ratajkowski in a bikini! " These always raise my spirits immediately.

[@jameswitte5676]

12:26: When Cillian yells out “no more gears” I laughed out loud. We’ve all been there.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Yep! I'll have to try and get me some more gears before the big day

[@kevincrean4245]

Don't buy upgrades; ride up grades.

[@paulsars]

Get this guy back as often as you can! Great guy, great accent, positive and good to listen to

[@gcn]

I'm sure there's another horrible challenge waiting for him!

[@darrenst441]

I want to see Cillian succeed and think he can ride the distance but the time cut will be the hardest factor in this challenge. I hope he’s receiving sound guidence for both his training and his tactics on the day. Good luck Cillian !

[@cilliankellycycling]

Don't worry, I'm in safe hands... I think...

[@kenkumon6099]

Let's give Cillian a 'Sky train' of GCN presenters to shepherd him around! Hank and Alex on the flats, Manon for the early climbs, and Ollie for the high mountains 😅

[@cilliankellycycling]

You reckon I could drop Ollie?

[@gcn]

Better to use Ollie early, don't want to risk him getting dropped before the high mountains! 😂

[@conordunne219]

I'd be worried Hank would just turn this into a race hahaha

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Well done Cillian. Very impressed. A 187 watt 20 min FTP is not too shabby.. and love your grit on those hill repeats. It is inspirational and I can relate so keep pushing and cant wait to see how you get on.

[@Gdm6638]

1:34 Silly little bits of editing like this is just one of the reasons I love this channel🤣

[@simonmoss463]

These are types of videos I like most. I adore seeing you elite riders killing yourselves, but to see someone more like me, putting in the effort inspires me even more. Bravo Ciallan, I'm rooting for you! Go for it!!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Simon. You've got a similar FTP to me?

[@FlatSpinMan]

Brilliant idea for a series and a documentary. Love seeing more ‘realistic’ riders.

[@slowturn5664]

This was a joy to watch. Setting here on my couch, contemplating the open road. I am inspired to roll off said couch and respond to this video. Perhaps this is the day I will abuse my kit and force it into shapes no designer ever intended. Then if I don't get too winded pumping my tires, I will hoist my leg over the frame and start a summer of glorious riding. Once again GCN you move me. 🙂

[@cilliankelly1]

Wow! That’s great to hear! So did you do it? Have you been out on the bike since? Go on! Do it! 😉

[@selfmade1521]

This is exactly how I feel!!

[@gcn]

Come on Slowturn. If Cillian can do it, anyone can!

[@slowturn5664]

@@cilliankelly1 No ended up with yard work...weed pulling and edging.

[@tnan123]

Go Cillian! Best of luck with this goal! We'll be rooting for you!

[@selfmade1521]

Great content, and great story. Life is so busy sometimes that it takes quite an effort to fit in activities like this. Good on ya making it happen and inspiring the rest of us to do more.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much. Really appreciate it

[@fabianbravoa]

What an inspiration! I started on December at the same FTP. Now I’m at 221w and growing every day. Finally content I can relate to hahahaha

[@cilliankelly1]

Nice one! That’s a great FTP increase in that time. Well done!

[@gcn]

Great work Fabián!

[@blakemorton9870]

We need more Cillian videos. Brilliant. Also....11mins 45secs, greatest slo mo camera look ever!!!

[@cilliankelly1]

Haha! I’ve already made it into a gif for sending around WhatsApp groups.

[@N5Gabe]

The more I see Connor's bike the better it looks. :) And it really fits to his personality!

[@gcn]

Certainly does!

[@TheCatAteMyShoe]

*YOU CAN DO IT!* We're cheering for you, Cillian!!!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot! 🙌🏼

[@conordunne219]

Go Cillian!! Thank you for watching!

[@ericb8985]

Hill reps are brutal but also really motivating. I remember my first hill training session (took me around 5mins at the time) and I set myself up for five repetitions. Struggling already on the first climb, I never thought I could make it but at the end of the day, I went up and down ten times because I always felt great after catching my breath riding downhill. :)

[@cilliankelly1]

I’ve done a few of them now. But I think I need to get better at the sustained longer climbing efforts where I don’t get that opportunity to rest and freewheel every few minutes

[@gcn]

@@cilliankelly1 10 times up East Hill is halfway up the Alpe!

[@donovanvaz3289]

@@gcn Yes but as Cillian has pointed out, half way up Alpe is a constant climb. The hill reps gave hm a breather each time. He's right, it's the sustained climbing that needs addressing.

[@tonypapas9854]

I love this kind of video. It really helps fans to understand how damn hard a Grand Tour really is......21 stages of stress and exhaustion......even the TTs. And this is just a single stage.

[@cilliankellycycling]

It's crazy. Like some of the Grand Tour stages when the riders out up their numbers on Strava, they're riding 300 watts for hours! I can ride 300 watts for about 90 seconds and after that I am 100% goosed.

[@gcn]

To be fair to Cillian, this one is a harder stage than average!

[@tonypapas9854]

@@gcn I know. I'm rooting for him. Just acknowledging how hard it is. Great idea for a video series.

[@chrisbaum998]

Cillian thank your for sharing your journey with us all!! Look forward in your epic challenge.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thank *you* Chris, for taking the time to write that. Really appreciate it.

[@allawhome]

Loving this. I know Cillian will conquer this. I am not unlike Cillian in my current state of fitness and this is truly inspirational!!

[@marlonm396]

Cillian, no sacrifice, no victory. You will be an inspiration to many. Solid work mate!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Marlon! I hope I don't let myself down now...

[@kevinhanna6112]

Being both Irish, a GCN fan, old (57) and a dedicated cyclist I must say I LOVED this episode Fair play Killian - Kevin from Donaghmede Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 .

[@pbandjosh]

Great vid. "No a harder gear not an easier gear" was awesome Also, Connor's paint job is tremendous!

[@gcn]

It's definitely...loud?

[@rcaballero3375]

I’m basically in the same situation as Cillian, 47 years old, 175lbs, 5 day desk job, husband and father. I’m excited to see your progress Cillian. You can do this!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks a lot Rommel. You've got a few years on me! Do you get out on the bike much? Tough isn't it?

[@rcaballero3375]

@@cilliankellycycling I try.. I bought my first bike about a month ago.

[@jonpearce3865]

This has really spurred me on to get back on my bike, I stopped to focus on work during covid as being a carer during the pandemic took up a lot of mental and physical strain and with the restrictions it made it hard, but now it's easier to get out on my bike I've got all my gear back out and cleaned up my bike I'm ready to go and watching Cillian has really given me the motivation to get going, can't wait to get back on that saddle in a couple of days (work holding me back again lol), keep up the work Cillian your an inspiration mate 👍👍

[@cilliankelly1]

Ah nice one Jon. Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I hope you enjoyed getting back out on your bike!

[@daveyoung6680]

Brilliant, Connor not even breathingat the end of the hill rep, Cillian on his bars, hilarious. Fair play Cillian

[@Adam_Wilde]

Great idea for a series. I love the bravery of Cillian and the tough-loving support he is getting up the hills 🤣

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Adam 🙌🏼

[@JimKJeffries]

What I've learned counts most is giving my best. Win or fail, all you will find is yourself & love. So my encouragement mate, give your best, each day with all you do. PS, your awesome for doing this publicly.

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Jim. Really appreciate it!

[@LtStone1]

Conor shouting at Cillian and seeing him dig deep to push even harder was just briljant! (euh what is that man doing sitting in the tent?)

[@LD-bv1pm]

I rode the Gap-Alpe D'Huez etape many years ago. Izoard, Lauteret and the Alpe of course. Thousands of riders, closed roads and cheering locals. One of the best experiences of my life.

[@cilliankelly1]

Fantastic. Well done! What an achievement.

[@curtisgoodwin8962]

Brilliant work guys! Loved this episode and can’t wait to watch Cillian improve in the coming weeks. #respect

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Curtis. Really appreciate it 👍🏼

[@philthewriter]

187 ftp is pretty good for somebody who hardly rides. Looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

[@cilliankelly1]

I started off at an ftp of 131 about 2 years ago. I bought a turbo trainer and with a Zwift session every week or so (sometimes every 2 or 3 weeks depending on what’s going on) it slowly crept up to 181 over that time.

[@goku445]

ftp?

[@bronnerx5991]

Great effort and keep it up Cillian! As a late 30s man looking to lose 30-50lbs, I’m taking on virtual challenges right now, including cycling a 1750km length LEJOG challenge with cycling only KMs (indoor and outdoor) over the summer. It’s great to see Cillian putting in the efforts, and having similar challenges. I look forward to seeing his progress.

[@cilliankelly1]

That's great! Well done!

[@martincornish1737]

Good luck Cillian. Great to see someone like myself, who finds it hard to balance, working, and home life, around trying to fit in some training. Also, he has similar ftp figures to my own, which will hopefully give me some inspiration as to what I can do to get better and fitter, whilst trying to fit it into a working day.

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Martin! Yeah it’s not easy eh? I hope you’ll enjoy watching. 🙌🏼

[@thefucrew9865]

Great job, Cillian !!!! Keep up the great work !!! We are all cheering for you, and know that you will make it an outstanding event and experience !!!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot! 🙌🏼

[@johngannon1]

Cilian you’re grand and giving me hope. You will be brilliant and make the time cut. Really looking forward to the film - allez, allez, allez

[@cilliankellycycling]

Cheers John! Much appreciated

[@tristanarnaud920]

I have the exact same la vie claire winter jersey ! Great to see these colors we all know from Hinault or LeMond. Courage pour ton challenge et chapeau !

[@jascollinscork]

Oooh yesss….. love these!! Loving Killian’s retro jerseys!! I’ve raced some of them roads around Cobh 💗 best of steep hills around there for ye BOTH 🥵

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Jay. I can’t believe how flat they’ve made East Hill look on camera. It’s a bloody brute of a hill!

[@gcn]

@@cilliankelly1 Almost as hard gradient as Alpe d'Huez!

[@cabrown0525]

"A harder gear, not an easier gear!!!" That was brilliant!

[@halloweentimemachine]

I'm a similar age (prob a couple years older), also do more programming than riding, and am just getting back into cycling after way too many years. A ton of respect to Cillian for this attempt--so much going on in life at this stage that just getting up and trying is cool to see. A couple things that you probably know but that might help other in the situation of trying to return to fitness (or just starting out): 1. The comment about knowing that the ride's intensity is relative to ftp, but "still feeling exhausted": once your aerobic fitness improves you will be able to operate at a higher % of your vo2 max for longer. So even though it IS relative, it WILL get "easier" as your vo2 max fractional utilization improves--or at least more sustainable over longer distances. So don't fear the relativity, instead work on improving aerobic fitness! 2. Muscles have super long (lifetime??) "memories", so your earlier in life (primarily adolescence) fitness will help you get in shape now since you still have those muscle cells, they are just smaller and inactive. Once you get moving again they are going to be there for you--literal sleeper cells. Best of luck!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks a lot for taking the time write that, really appreciate it. Is that really true about muscle memory? I know it's something that often gets said. But does it really make a difference with that much of a time gap? We're talking 10+ years here.

[@njmoddjobs]

I’m sure he’ll make it. He’s going to be an inspiration for me as I recover from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon and have not been able to ride. A turbo is on the way so I can make a start. Big 👍

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Nathan. Hope you’re all better soon 👍🏼

[@gidmanone]

if I may ask, how did you rupture your Achilles tendon?

[@njmoddjobs]

@@gidmanone Just walking across the road. Not curb missed no trauma beforehand. It just went audibly pop and that was that. A boo hiss we want our money back moment

[@gidmanone]

@@njmoddjobs i'm sorry to hear that

[@njmoddjobs]

@@gidmanone the tendon has now healed so it now doing physiotherapy and slowly building up using a turbo trainer and hope to be back on the road by October is my personal goal but I’ll have to see how the recovery goes.

[@nzmarty]

Watched this video, searched for Cillian on Companion, and he's Zwifting right now!!! Great effort!!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Haha! Fantastic. I'm just finished going up Alpe du Zwift again. 20 minutes faster than the time I'd said in that video!

[@nzmarty]

@@cilliankellycycling you’ll be getting a TU from me every ride mate. Great AdZ effort today - just remember Rule #10. :)

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Cillian, you are going to smash your goal! You got this, mate! Embrace the journey. I’m envious you will be doing that race. Nothing worth doing is easy. You are going to come out stronger, fitter, and a better person for it!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks a lot Chris. Really appreciate that 👍

[@chriseaton4486]

Chapeau to Cillian. Love these stories.

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Chris. Hopefully there's a good ending 😬

[@markbentley4343]

Zone 2, zone 2, zone 2 (low zone 2) plus max 2 hard efforts a week. You can do it! 💪😀

[@markbentley4343]

Most people are aerobically deficient because they neglect zone 2 and do loads of hard efforts,racing on Zwift and group rides. They start running out of gas after 3 hours despite cycling for years. So if you train the aerobic engine with low HR/ low power efforts, you are already giving yourself a big leg up.

[@cilliankelly1]

Oh don’t worry. I love zone 2.

[@markbentley4343]

@@cilliankelly1 you will go far, young man

[@yokaiofwater]

Good luck, Cillian! I will root for you every video along the way!

[@alex.pozgaj]

This was a great video! Looking forward to see how this journey contines! 💪💪💪

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Alex!

[@gcn]

Thanks Alex - keep an eye out for part 2 and be sure to watch Cillian take on the challenge on GCN+.

[@smashinpetals4472]

As a unfit middle-aged man (with crazy kids and full time job) as well, we'll spur each other on to achieve this feat! Hope to see you along the way en route! All the best with your training.

[@gcn]

Good luck!

[@davehollingworth5537]

Brilliant. Thanks guys. Good luck Cillian!!

[@ericsaari2901]

Good luck mate! I'm a cyclist and had the opportunity, due to freelancing, to ride a ton and race for a decade and it was amazing. I was pretty fast (amateur level) and did lots of miles. Saw a stage of the TDF and tode up an HC climb, raced and won. However, then later life happened, and I have been off the bike for the better part of 4 years. Just now trying to find the motivation to get fit again and do my dream of the Raid Pyreneen. I was unable, due to funding, to do it when I was fit, and now I am not. I can relate to this so much! I'm working at it, but it is going slow, and it is frustrating, since the mind remembers what I really should be managing, vs what I am. I look forward to this film and also know I am training hard in my own hell somewhere else in the world!

[@stephenselwood1941]

Good luck. Love the quick glimpse of my favourite looking jersey the TDF Combine circa 1986?

[@ianross5019]

Well done cillian. I can’t wait to see the final version. Being more Eddy Large than Eddy Merx I feel your pain. But I’m feeling inspired to do something about the heavy passenger that I take with me on every ride!

[@richardstewart5499]

Beautiful and very funny. Your all are simply inspirational and enjoyable. Be Well, Cillian!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much Richard. 👍

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Cillian, you can definitely do it. I believe in you. GCN, please give him a bike fit. His knees are not as all over the place as Freddie‘s but almost.

[@cilliankelly1]

Haha! I was always convinced I looked incredible on a bike before I saw this video.

[@stephenhendry447]

Brilliant. “I’ve no more gears”🤣 “harder gear not easier”. 🚴🏼💨🤣

[@gcn]

We loved this bit too! 🤣

[@feedbackzaloop]

A man with such regalia simply cannot be unfit. A legend, who can deal with kids, dog and multiple tweets, is always a legend

[@nataliemckail8781]

Cillian… instant LEGEND!,

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Natalie! 🙌🏼

[@SwiCyc]

Really looking forward to this film. I am in exactly the same position. Two little kids (4 and 1) and a 100% job in engineering. If i hadn't a commute of 25km one way, which I do often by bike, I wouldn't be able to ride my bike at all. So: GO CILLIAN! Do it for all of us normal people!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much Mathieu. That's actually a large contributory factor. I used to have a similar commute which I would cycle regularly. But for a few years now I've had no commute so I've become quite sedentary.

[@-P-Z-]

Looking forward to the further instalments of the series. Hope the trainer continues to be demanding

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Przemek. As Greg LeMond once said. It doesn’t get any easier, you just go faster.

[@JoseLCiclista]

He seems like a guy who can overcome difficult obstacles with his mindset. I believe in you Cillian.

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Jose! Really appreciate it.

[@ВладимирВалюженич-д3ч]

What a greate idea! Go, man, step over your limits! We all support you!

[@veloman59]

You'll do great Cillian go for it!..Looking forward to seeing the end result . Keep it up!

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Simon! Really appreciate it.

[@briandonovan1725]

Good luck Cillian! I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress. You've got this!

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Brian! 🙌🏼

[@johnflynn4923]

Balls to the wall on that final climb effort Cillain, fair play to you, fitness gains were definitely made there. Train hard, race easy and you'll have the L'étape in the bag well within the time limit.

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot John!

[@gcn]

Who doesn't love seeing a middle-aged man struggling up a 700m climb! 😂

[@jackiechan8840]

More of this bloke please. He's a good craic.

[@cilliankelly1]

Well, thanks! 🙌🏼

[@j030977]

This is the content we needed. :)

[@dynamischesduo9611]

Looking forward to the ne GCN+ content with the Irish coming in :-P Great thing you do, fingers crossed, Cillian!

[@tonyjefferys4300]

Cillian you are an inspiration Sir.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks so much Tony, really appreciate it 👍

[@mikemazzantini6397]

"Harder gear, not easier gear!" 🤣

[@cilliankelly1]

And it really wasn’t that flat when he said it!

[@gcn]

@@cilliankelly1 4% is pretty flat 🙄

[@full-english]

I’ll tip my hat to Anyone out there doing anything to improve.

[@alinapopescu872]

It doesn't even matter if he manages to complete the Etape or not, he will have tried his best. Go, Cillian !

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Alina! 🙌🏼

[@kowreck]

I think Cillian will do fine. I'm also doing my country's L'etape this weekend and had been preparing for a few months now. Hopefully will go well.

[@thesaintirl]

I see your in Cobh, great to see Ireland represented on the double in GCN, you've done epic rides in GB, England Scotland and Wales and further afield would be great if Cillian and yourself Conor could do a few epic rides in Ireland. Wicklow mountains, the Mournes, Connemara, or Conor could try to beat the Malin to Mizen something like that.

[@cilliankelly1]

Cobh. Yes. Where even the flat roads are hilly. Conor actually did a mad challenge up in Donegal last year. 555km. He did a GCN+ film on that. Ad for it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX2klpmufdJrY6s

[@jimmyzhao2673]

I'm cheering for you !

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@leedorney]

I remember that post workout video and i have Cillian loads of encouragement cas hes got a true mountain to climb (or a few) and i didn't know it was him, i truly wish him him the very best successful day on a bike!

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Lee. Really appreciate it.

[@smccarthy1975]

“ I’ve no more gears “ . I know that feeling

[@n22pdf]

Good luck Cillian🚴🏼‍♂️ well done for starting this journey and good luck for the event

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks a lot Pete

[@edjack1993]

Enjoyed this - Cillian is very relatable!

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks Eddie! Really appreciate it

[@simoping]

Love this challenge.. as a fat middle aged dad myself and off the bike for 6 months I’m right behind you Cillian! Inspiring

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot! Nearly there now. Only a week to go. Panic starting to set in.

[@beermonster1234]

Love Cillian, come on lad get working! Can’t wait to see part 2 of your journey

[@cilliankelly1]

Thanks a lot Chris. 👍🏼

[@kstethespokes1051]

Love this! My FTP is similar to Cillians & I want a new challenge - I wouldn’t have dreamed of entering this but if Cillian can finish the Etape then I’m going to have to try it too in 2023! No excuses.

[@gcn]

It's a great target to have!

[@DavidSchilter]

5:31 You talking about Shane Kelly? What a beast he was at the kilo on the track. Legs like tree trunks. Apart from bad luck at the 2000 Olympics in my home city, he pretty much won everything else. No shame him being appalled at you - haha!

[@cilliankellycycling]

No, Sean Kelly. One of the best road racers of all time and now GCN+ commentator!

[@mikekilbride2116]

Having completed a similair journey, culminating in a succeesful 2019 Etape, I found the best training was doing loys of Zwift climbing. Those mountains are going to take hours so knowing that you can do this, having replicated it on Zwift, will give huge mental strength. Also, for me, a power meter was a must, riding to power on those climbs is the best way to control your effort. Finally make sure to get a few five hour plus rides in the month before, that bike time is impoprtant, I acheive this by doing UK sportives. I hope I see you out there this year it is going to be tough, forget the time cuts ride to your plan and take what the day brings.

[@cilliankelly1]

Great stuff Mike. That's almost exactly what I've been doing. As long a ride as I can fit in on the weekend and going Alpe du Zwift as often as I can in the evenings. Did it twice in a row last week. Aiming to do another double ascent tomorrow evening!

[@christopheribeiro4325]

Love this series . Another epic journey to follow

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks Christophe. I hope you enjoy it.

[@christopheribeiro4325]

@@cilliankellycycling Moreover than I did enjoy it , you're a motivation to us all which you got so many responsabilities and you don't neglect them i take my hats off. Stay healthy and like youre mentor great guy connor said "just focus on the present" each and single day. What is the most important is to focus on the journey and not just the end goal.

[@chrisfurby8241]

You got this Cillian, looking forward to following this journey 😁

[@cilliankelly1]

Cheers Chris! 🙌🏼

[@socopower]

Well done Cillian, you’ll feel awesome when finishing that journey!

[@cilliankelly1]

You are right!!

[@stefan4341]

Can’t wait to see the next episodes! Love it.

[@cilliankellycycling]

Thanks a lot Stefan!