Daragh Bass fundraising for Cycle Against Suicide in N2- End to End Portugal Challenge 2026

In less than a month, I’ll be cycling the length of Portugal. 750km from north to south, over 6 days. For context, I am not a cyclist. I have no real cycling background, no long-distance experience, and almost everyone I have asked, including ChatGPT, has suggested this may not be my smartest idea. Naturally, I’ve decided to do it anyway. But this is about more than proving a point to myself. I’m taking on the N2: End to End Portugal Challenge 2026 to raise funds for Cycle Against Suicide. In Ireland, suicide is the most common cause of death for people aged 15 to 34. In England and Wales, it is the leading cause of death for people under 35. Among young men, the numbers are even harder to sit with. More than 1 in 3 deaths among males aged 20 to 24 in Ireland are due to suicide. Behind those figures are families, friends, teammates and colleagues left trying to make sense of the silence.  That is why the work of Cycle Against Suicide really matters. They focus on awareness, education, open conversations and early support. So while this will involve a fair amount of pain, doubt, and questioning my life choices, it’s for a cause that genuinely matters. Thanks for visiting my page. Whether you donate, share it, or send a bit of encouragement, it all genuinely helps.

Owner messages:

Day 6 and N2 Challenge complete 🇵🇹🚴🏁 Great to be finished! 141.52km and 1,556m climbed today to complete the N2 End-to-End Challenge and reach Faro. Six weeks ago I didn’t own a road bike. Today I can say I’ve cycled the length of Portugal! 740km, over 9,000m of climbing, incredible people and unforgettable memories that will stay with me forever. Very Tired, very sore, but proud and grateful to have been part of this. thank you to everyone who donated, sponsored, encouraged and followed the journey!

published by Daragh Bass on 02/06/2026 12:30

Day Day 5 complete 🇵🇹🚴☀️ 146.96km and 1,450m climbed today. My longest ride ever. The plan was to beat the heat with an early start, but Portugal had other ideas. Temperatures climbed quickly and after five consecutive days on the bike the legs were definitely feeling it.I managed to stay with the fast group until the second food stop before the tank was empty. Got home with the help of the group. One day left and the finish line is in sight!

published by Daragh Bass on 02/06/2026 12:21

Day 4 complete 🇵🇹🚴☀️ 127.8km covered ✔️ 1,254m climbed ✔️ Longest ride ever ✔️ Today started fast! I headed out with the breakaway group and the pace was fierce from the go. Tough to stay with them on the climbs but great fun on the descents. Things settled after the first break, but still doing 35/40kmph on the flats. Another 127km down and we’ll over half way. The fatigue is definitely building now, legs are sore but incredibly thankful for all the encouragement and sponsorship along the way!

published by Daragh Bass on 28/05/2026 23:14

Day 3 complete 🇵🇹🚴☀️ 96.5km covered ✔️ 1,685m climbed ✔️ And the hills just kept coming! Today was all about climbing. Big elevation and another scorcher with temperatures peaking around 45°C. But what goes up must come down… highlight of the day was a huge descent. Around 7km long with a 300m drop, sweeping bends and speeds around 70km/h. Had the pleasure of sitting on the wheel of two former Olympians which made for an unforgettable experience! https://youtu.be/7WX_6QCie3c?is=xlVsYBNNFvSu_Wl6

published by Daragh Bass on 28/05/2026 23:10

Day 2 complete 🇵🇹🚴☀️ 127km covered and 1,634m climbed today in absolutely brutal Portuguese heat, reaching around 35c. This was my longest ride ever and a proper test from start to finish. Long climbs, high heat and a fast group. Tired now and definitely feeling it tonight, but we’ll push on. Two days down cycling the length of Portugal in support of Cycle Against Suicide and hugely grateful for all the support and sponsorship so far!

published by Daragh Bass on 26/05/2026 18:59

About Cycle Against Suicide

Find out more
Cycle Against Suicide is an awareness charity (CHY 20687) that makes a valuable contribution to the public education of mental health by changing the narrative surrounding suicide. When an individual is vulnerable enough to consider taking their own life, silence is read as indifference. With hundreds of people dying by suicide in Ireland each year and research indicating that thousands more contemplate it, we all have a role to play to collectively address the challenges that suicide presents. In a bid to save more lives, Cycle Against Suicide through its programmes, sets out to change culture and create a society that openly talks about suicide to allow people to speak up and seek help.

About N2- End to End Portugal Challenge 2026

Find out more
Cycle Against Suicide is a national mental health awareness/suicide prevention charity - CHY 20867.
Participants on our N2; end-to-end Portugal Challenge and their fundraising efforts, are directly supporting the delivery of Cycle Against Suicide’s work across families, schools, communities, and workplaces. Funds raised through the N2 Portugal Challenge are vital in underpinning both the delivery and continued development of our programmes, enabling us to provide accessible mental health awareness, education, and peer-support initiatives nationwide. Their commitment helps us reduce stigma, promote help-seeking, and create spaces where open conversations about mental health can take place.
Specifically, their support contributes to our work with children and young people in schools, the development of parent supports, and the expansion of peer-support programmes in workplaces and communities. It also underpins targeted initiatives focused on men’s mental health, where the need remains critical. By third participation in our N2; end-to-end Portugal Challenge, the are helping Cycle Against Suicide empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to face mental health challenges and ensuring that the message “It’s OK not to feel OK, and it’s OK to ask for help” continues to reach those who need it most.
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