Joe Barr: World-Champion Ultra-Endurance Cyclist

 

Joe Barr is a 63-year old ultra-endurance cyclist who has been racing bikes his whole life. He is a 1986 Commonwealth Games medalist and has amassed hundreds of medals and trophies in different cycling disciplines throughout his 45+ year career.

In 2004 Joe retired from professional cycling but after his young son, Ross beat cancer in 2008 he returned to the bike to fund-raise for a respite centre in Ireland focused on providing care for families going through the cancer journey.

Since then, Joe has become a multiple World Record holder and Guinness World Record holder. He was the World Ultra-Cycling Association Champion over 500-miles (2017, overall) and an age category winner in the toughest race of them all, Race Across America.

His ability to endure on 2-wheels through day and night, to constantly find a way forward despite severe obstacles is unparalleled. His challenge, like so many others however, is to take that experience and translate it effectively to life on 2-feet.

In this episode we caught up with Joe to talk about:

  • What he eats for breakfast

  • How he outsources his brain to his team on long-races

  • Incredible encounters with wildlife, nature and strangers while cycling across America

  • The “why” that fuels him when things get tough

  • Stepping out of the fish-bowl of mainstream sport

  • Why his “second-career” has been exponentially better than his first

  • How endurance racing transformed him as a man

  • And what he’s got his sights on for the next chapter of his journey.

Check it out.

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Treasure Trove

What's One Thing Most People Don't Know About You?
I sketch with pencils to relax after a long day on the bike.

What's Your Favourite Quote?
"Inspiration can find you again but it has to find you moving."

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Thanks again to Joe Barr for taking the time to share his story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew Thompson