Larry Sheeran

Native of Carrickmore and a renowned guitar player and gentleman (A gentleman is someone who knows how to play a guitar, but doesn’t). Retired civil servant who has been promoted to casual parcelforce driver.

No real cycling pedigree but is a veteran of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway Run. Co-driver with Barney through France and raconteur of note.

Jimmy Higgins

Managing director of Signlight ( Ireland). Member of Phoenix for 40 years and former Northern Ireland cycling International. Raced against Sean Kelly in Kelly’s very early days. After that Kelly had to slink off to France.

Has an amazing and wide ranging vocabulary. Officially driver of the support vehicle and mechanic to the stars, but is expected to cycle a few hundred miles.

Seamus McAleer

Known in the papers as a "Top Cancer Doc" but is really just a jobbing Oncologist. One of the prime movers of this project. Veteran of four other fundraising martathon cycles for Friends.

When he saw the true profile of the mountains he tried to get out by getting concussion and a broken thumb. Now relegated to walking 10 miles a day and washing the kit (see prologue page)

Frankie Logue

Only learned to ride the bike when he was 18 and it shows. Former potholer diver and caver and runs a hyperbaric chamber which he insists he does not use for training (and judging by his performance this is likely true). Retired now and cycling more than ever.

Renowned for his aggressive cycling and knows he will be sent home if he doesn't behave on the bike.

Turlough Montague

A barrister and QC, originally from Tyrone, who is still just clinging to his forties. His first bike was East German in origin and he found watching rust happen before his eyes to be alarming.

Very long and thin so should be like a mountain goat, especially on his new superbike.

Suzie Hanna

Back to cycling after a long rest, but showing considerable promise. Tore round the Bordertrek this year and famously did the maracycle 10 years ago with no training.

Works as a General Practitioner and has been put in charge of placebos, sticking plasters and sick notes

Gerry Hanna

Gentle and soft spoken native of Newcastle. Is an Oncologist and interesting despite this. Training for this trip included the Bordertrek, going round lough Neagh and talking about cycling to work.

Accomplished piano player with a special interest in Oirish traditional songs.

Oonagh McKeogh

Teaches religion at Rathmore Grammar School and is official chaplain to the run. Expected to have some challenges in this regard. Member of Billy Smyth’s "Desperate Housewives" group in Phoenix Cycling Club.

Fanatical believer in coffee stops.

Stephen McKeogh

Credit Manager in Bank of Ireland. Knows the value of everyone else's pound and has been appointed in charge of the evening kitty for the trip.

Known to cheat on the Bordertrek but his wife will keep him right.

Paul Nolan

Keen cyclist who trains on a bike that is heavier than Jimmy Higgins car. However he has upgraded his bike from a penny farthing to a Bianchi for this trip.

Solicitor specialising in Spanish property. Nevertheless will take on any compensation claims on a no-win anyway basis for his fellow cyclists

Suzanne Nolan

Mother of five sons and still finds time to cycle. Started out with a baby seat in 1994. Graduated to Billy’s Desperate Housewives. Avid fan of County Mayo and will be crying after their dismal performance in the All-Ireland Gaelic Football final this year

Barrister by trade and is researching bail terms in Spain.

Mairead Stewart

A native of Donegal, and yet another cycling novice. Is an expert on the turbo and has a track record in marathons.

Works as a research nurse and and is an avid publicity seeker, rivalling even Seamus McAleer.

David Stewart

Consultant Oncologist who is a former world medical student pentathalon champion. A true Derry hard man who has done an ironman. He has trained in the Pyrenees this year and practised carrying drinks to Seamus McAleer on the Hautacam.

Knows his onions on bicycles, but is a bit careless in looking after his 7 bikes. A devil on the descents.