By Gareth Morgan
Copyright independent
But one intrepid fan will rely on -pedal power as he traverses the long miles between Dublin and Tottenham, London, where the Minnesota Vikings are playing a week later.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 22nd
Vikings super fan John MacDonald (38) will undertake the gruelling -cycle of more than 600km in the space of six days, all in aid of mental health charity Mind.
On Monday morning, after the Minnesota Vikings face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Mr MacDonald will take his bike on the ferry to Holyhead before beginning the first leg of his pedal, across north Wales.
“It started off as a joke, there were rumblings that the Vikings might be playing a game in Dublin, so I was like… all right then,” Mr MacDonald, a baker who lives near Canterbury in Kent, said.
When he realised the Dublin and -London games were just seven days apart, he set himself the charity challenge and training has begun in earnest.
I hop on my bike at about 6am and then cycle until I can’t go any farther… and then I cycle back
“I have been out on the bike most weekends, I cycle to work anyway but that is just a mile away. I’ve been doing 50 or 60 miles [80-96km] a day around Kent at the weekends.
“I hop on my bike at about 6am and then cycle until I can’t go any farther… and then I cycle back.”
Mr MacDonald said he felt he had to do something to both highlight his love of the Vikings, the sport of -American football and the charity work done by Mind.
He thanked the network of people who are supporting him either by donating or offering logistical support and even accommodation.
“No matter who you support in the NFL community in Europe, people are happy to help each other out. It’s a very supportive group.”
Like many “Vikes” fans in Europe, Mr MacDonald fell into supporting the team in an unusual way while watching a playoff game in 2009.
Brett Favre was playing for the Vikings having switched from rivals Green Bay Packers.
“I was in a pub in Canterbury and there were Green Bay Packers fans burning jerseys.”
Unimpressed by this display of animosity towards a player, Mr MacDonald decided “I wanted to be everything they’re not. Since then I’ve been a die-hard Vikings fan”.
He is a founding member of the UK and Ireland’s Minnesota Vikings Fan Club, which has grown from “two people sitting in a pub” in 2015 to thousands of fans today, connected by podcasts and social media.
The Fan Club designated pub on game day is Phil Ryan’s Hogan Stand pub, which is near to the stadium.
Minnesota Vikings fans will also take over JR Mahon’s pub from Thursday through to Sunday.
Continuing the NFL’s city takeover, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced plans for a Steelers tailgate in -Merrion Square.
The official gathering point for fans from the Steelers Nation is Fitzsimons in Temple Bar.
The venue will be transformed into a black-and-gold hub celebrating Steelers’ culture.
Other events include the NFL -Experience Dublin in Dublin Castle and a Super Bowl Gallery in City Hall which will showcase all 59 Super Bowl rings alongside the iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy, from Thursday to Sunday.
To donate to the charity cycle visit justgiving.com and search for Purple Pedal.
