Brian to tackle ultra-distance cycle race across America
An on-call firefighter at Danes Castle will be taking part in the Trans-America Bike Race in June 2018 to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Wooden Spoon Devon.
The race involves cycling 4,300 miles across 10 US states in around a month.
Brian Murray retired as Chief Fire Officer from Highlands and Islands Fire Service in 2010 after a 30-year career, having served in numerous brigades and at the Fire Service College.
After moving to Exeter in 2013, Brian joined the on-call crew at Danes Castle. He said: “I could not resist the challenge as I had always loved being part of the emergency response team with the excitement of being in the back of a fire engine and responding to emergencies, although the last time that had happened was in 1986 before my promotion to Station Officer.”
Following two serious cycling accidents - on the first he broke his pelvis and shattered his elbow and on the second he broke his hip, both requiring surgery – he received rehabilitation on both occasions at the Fire Fighters Charity’s Harcombe House.
The TransAM Bike Race involves cycling 4,300 miles from the Pacific Coast at Astoria, Oregon, to the Atlantic Coast at Yorktown in Virginia. Brian will be aiming to ride between 123 and 172 miles a day – including over at least two major mountain ranges – the Rockies and the Appalachians.
“There are no stages, once the clock starts it doesn’t stop until we finish, whether cycling, eating or sleeping, so everyone cycles as long as possible and sleeps as little as they can,” he said.
Brian cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in six days averaging 150 miles per day as part of his training programme and to launch his fundraising activity for the charities.
More information is available at the following links:
www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/brianmurrayadventures
www.instagram.com/brianmurrayadventures
www.facebook.com/brianmurrayadventures
www.transambikerace.com
Pictured with Brian are members of the on-call crew at Danes Castle, Exeter.
