On June 12th Rover member Terry Byrne will embark on the Tour of Divide race.
For anyone not aware, Tour of Divide race is a self-supported 4418km ride starting in Banff, Alberta Canada to Antelope Wells New Mexico USA.
Thats a whooping 2745 miles!!! Over 500 miles further than the Tour de France and with no domestiques or fancy team cars or buses. Just Terry, his wits and his trusty bike, with possibly some of the most stunning scenery in the world along the way, and maybe the odd bear or two. For most of us mere mortals who cycle the Essex lanes, that’s mind blowing, but not for Terry.
Terry Byrne is someone who isn’t afraid of a challenge or two. Some of you who have ridden with Terry in preparation for his grand tour will know a little of his back story and his adventurous spirit, for those of you who don’t, let me fill you in.
Terry has made Colchester his home with his beautiful wife Katie and their two sons, as Terry was posted here as a serving soldier with 2nd battalion Parachute Regiment, 2 Para, one of the most prestigious regiments in the British Army.
‘ Utringue Paratus’, which is Latin for ‘Ready for anything’, is 2 Paras motto and it’s fair to say Terry is the epitome of that. Terry has served twice in Iraq, and in 2008 after passing the SAS briefing course he choose to go back to 2 Para and deploy to Afghanistan as the lead section commander for C company.
August of 2008 Terry was injured and sustained a below the knee amputation of his right leg with a damaged right hand and loss of his little finger. Terry was the fastest ever amputee to be discharged from hospital after just 4 months. From the small amount of time, I have spent around Terry and researching his adventure history, I am not surprised. Terry’s positive, grounded attitude and his approach to life and adaptability to overcome something so life changing is a credit to his character and his amazing supportive family.
Terry’s list of completed challenges as stated on The Adaptive Grandslam website: Mt Elbrus, Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Aconcagua, Mt Blanc Challenge, Cumbria challenge, Yorkshire challenge, Grand Paradiso. Attempted: Mt Denali (Thwarted due to bad weather), Mt Everest (Injured stump climbing Mt Pumori)
Terrys challenges have been supported by a charitable foundation called ‘The Adaptive Grandslam’ whose aim is to inspire people to achieve the impossible by providing people with disabilities opportunities to take part in expeditions.
Terry is one of their members and AGS has supported him through his adventures and has done again with this race, along with Support our Paras and Terry himself. Terry has also had further support from his employer Bloor Homes who have supported Terry’s attempt by agreeing to time away from his role as a Contracts Manager.
We will be able to follow Terry’s race via Terrys Instagram page.
You can find the link below,
Terry Byrne (@tel_byrne) • Instagram photos and videos
I hope you will join me by wishing Terry the very best of luck and fingers crossed for a good tailwind.