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At CluneTech, our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are absolutely delighted to shine the spotlight on three of our extraordinary team members, Gary Conroy, Jonathan Church and Joe Healy who will be flying the CluneTech flag when they take on L’Étape du Tour de France this July.
This year marks the 32ndedition of L’Étape du Tour de France which will be held on 07 July 2024. The 138km route sees riders take on the 20th stage of the Tour de France, between Nice and the Col de la Couillole. With more than 4,600 metres of ascent, including the climbs of the Col de Braus, Col de Turini, Col de la Colmiane and Col de la Couillole, it’s no surprise that for many people, it is the hardest physical challenge they will ever undertake.
Gary Conroy, Chief Product Officer TransferMate Global Payments
Once you hit 50, the choice is Leather or Lycra. I went the lycra route. As a complete lightweight weekend cyclist (those who know me know that I exercise only so I can eat KFC Mighty Buckets at will), the Étape challenge will be quite the test – the equivalent of 10X my normal weekend cycle. I’ll have Jon and Joe for company, as well as 3 friends of mine and my brother. So hopefully we can all support each other to make sure we leave nobody behind! And all for a good cause – I’ll be supporting Parkinson's Ireland, given my mother had a rough time with it last year. For those wanting more pics of me in lycra, hit me up https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/CluneTechEtape #iDonate.ie
Jonathan Church, Global Accounts, Receivables and FI Product Management, TransferMate Global Payments
Like many others I took up recreational cycling 10 years ago after I got too old to play amateur rugby. In2018, I completed my first Étape Du Tour and since then it’s become this mysterious thing where each time is painful and will be my last until entries open and Gary talks you into it!
In 2024, I’m looking forward to riding as part of Team CluneTech with Gary and Joe, as well as the finish line recovery beverages. Having not done a charity cycle for a while, I’ve decided to double down with bucket list rides of the Étape in July followed by the Land's End to John o'Groats Ride across Britain in September, all in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK - a charity very close to my heart given my younger brother is a sufferer and the condition still has no cure.
Joe Healy, Chief Growth Officer(CGO), Taxback International
Many (MANY) years ago, I was an Irish International Cyclist. Even after retiring from racing, I continued to enjoy recreational cycling. When Gary asked me to join him and Jonathan for the Étape du Tour, I couldn't refuse. The Tour de France holds a special place in my heart, and this seemed like a perfect chance to ride a mountain stage of the Tour and support a cause close to me: the Parkinson's Association of Ireland. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves for the journey ahead, but I'm ready to take it on! Let's do this!
Keep an eye across our social media channels where we will be sharing the all-important updates on the Road to L’Étape du Tour. For more information, or to support the guys, check out their fundraising pages:
Gary Conroy & Joe Healy fundraising for Parkinson’s Ireland
Parkinson's Ireland aims to assist people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, health professionals and interested others, by offering support, a listening ear, and information on any aspect of living with Parkinson's and they also initiate and fund research into Parkinson's disease, its causes and affects.
Jonathan Church is fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK (justgiving.com)
Muscular Dystrophy UK are a leading charity for over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. For over 60 years, they've been building a community of individuals living with muscle-wasting or weakening conditions, families and carers, scientists, health professionals, supporters, volunteers, and donors, making advances that would have been unthinkable just ten years ago.
From all of us at CluneTech, we’d like to wish Gary, Jonathan and Joe the very best of luck. We are so impressed by their dedication and can’t wait to be cheering them on in July!
