By Sarah W. Staber
"You have to tense all the muscles in your arms and legs like you're constipated, it's not very dignified, I'll admit" RAF doctor McGrath concedes to the man sitting across from him. Still in his 'civvies', one of the hardest men in cycling history, Sean Kelly, is wearing that 'tell nothing' poker face used so often during his professional career.
As he listens, a slight twitch of his fingers – which dangle from his knees – is the only sign that perhaps Kelly isn't quite as cool as he looks.
Kelly is taking part in the first edition of the SportActive Challenge® in which a well known athlete attempts to do something out of their range. SportActive, which runs walking, triathlon and cycling tours in Majorca, utilises Kelly's experience in its cycling programs. It forms part of the Irishman's life after the bike but enables him to maintain fitness and a connection with the grassroots of cycling.
In April 2007, RAF Flight Lieutenant Marc Peerce was taking part in one of the company's cycling tours and struggling to the top of a climb when all of a sudden Kelly flies by him, gently teasing him about his lack of fitness. It hurts the Flight Lieutenant more than the screaming burn in his legs at that moment. When Peerce realises that it's a legend of Irish cycling, he sums up all his energy to catch him and with Kelly playfully pushing him up to the finish, Peerce shoots back a dare. "Come fly with the RAF in a Tornado jet fighter then we will see how much you can take." Kelly and SportActive, for whom he rides six weeks a year, took the bet on.
Stay tuned for the full news feature, coming soon to Cyclingnews.
