{"id":12228,"date":"2026-06-17T05:20:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T05:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/12228\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T05:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T05:20:09","slug":"from-prague-to-krakow-co-down-friends-tackle-330-mile-cycle-challenge-for-children-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/12228\/","title":{"rendered":"From Prague to Krakow: Co Down friends tackle 330-mile cycle challenge for children \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Gothic spires, Baroque domes and beautiful Renaissance palaces, it\u2019s little wonder that Lonely Planet describes Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as \u201ctoo beautiful to be real\u201d. Every year, thousands of Irish holidaymakers flock to this storybook city to see these stunning sights.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Ireland and Prague share many historic links. In fact, one of the city\u2019s most famous streets, Hibernia, is named after the Franciscan monks who, in the 17th century, fled to Prague to escape religious persecution. As well as establishing a monastery, legend holds these Irish monks responsible for introducing the potato to the Czech menu.<\/p>\n

Now, Comber women Candice Griezel, who is originally from South Africa, and Jillian Warnock, who are best friends as well as aunt and niece, are about to visit this magical city. Although they won\u2019t get to see many attractions. For them, Prague is just the starting point on a 330-mile cycle ride across the Czech Republic before ending in Krakow, Poland. Far from a relaxing vacation, this four-day marathon is guaranteed to test the women\u2019s physical and mental stamina to the max.<\/p>\n

\"CandiceCandice Griezel and Jillian Warnock are cycling 330-miles from Prague to Krak\u00f3w to raise funds for the Herbalife Foundation, supporting Action for Children Charity. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN <\/p>\n

\u201cThe cycle ride is a charity event,\u201d 42-year-old Candice Griezel, a receptionist in a busy GP surgery, explains. \u201cEvery year, the Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF), which aims to improve the lives of children through nutrition, holds what\u2019s known as a Tour d\u2019Extravaganza. This year, Action for Children, which partners with the HFF in the UK, has chosen to do a four-day cycle event from Prague to Krakow. We decided to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bloomsday:<\/a>\"Harry<\/a><\/p>\n

For most people, a fundraising cycle ride means a fun trip around the park, followed by coffee and cake at the nearest caf\u00e9. <\/p>\n

A gruelling ride in an unfamiliar country across unknown terrain seems a cycle too far.<\/p>\n

\"Prague\"Jillian Warnock and Candice Griezel are cycling from Prague, pictured, to Krakow (DaLiu\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto) <\/p>\n

\u201cIt all started two years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,\u201d Jillian, manager of a credit union, shares. \u201cIt was a shock as well as a wake-up call. Like many people with the condition, I also had problems with cholesterol, but I didn\u2019t want to go down the route of statins. I did some research and decided to improve my health by focusing on losing weight, exercising and better nutrition. I dragged Candice along for the ride!\u201d<\/p>\n

Their determination paid off and, two years later, both women have achieved amazing results.<\/p>\n

Every year, the Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF), which aims to improve the lives of children through nutrition, holds what\u2019s known as a Tour d\u2019Extravaganza<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u00a0Candice Griezel<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost weight, feel fitter and have more energy,\u201d Jillian enthuses. \u201cMore importantly, my cholesterol levels are down and I\u2019ve reversed my diabetes. There\u2019s a great sense of achievement and we wanted to do something to mark this personal milestone. But we also wanted to give something back to the community. Then I saw the Herbalife Extravaganza\/Action for Children event and it seemed a great idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Driven by a variety of factors, including rising food prices, malnutrition among children in the UK is rapidly becoming a health crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, with so much ultra-processed food on offer, we need more education about the importance of good nutrition,\u201d Candice says. \u201cHopefully our efforts will raise awareness as well as funds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having signed up for the ride of a lifetime, both women had to face the fact that not only were they beginner cyclists, but neither owned a bike.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t really think about the details,\u201d Candice laughs. \u201cBut buying two racing bikes, plus all the gear and paying for our flights, cost in the region of \u00a32,500 each \u2014 a huge outlay. Once we had the bikes, the reality of riding 300-plus miles began to kick in.\u201d<\/p>\n

As well as holding down a full-time job, Jillian is mum to 21-year-old twins and a son of 12, and has a two-year-old granddaughter. Candice has a 20-year-old son and a 21-year-old daughter and is looking forward to becoming a granny in September.<\/p>\n

How do they find the time to practise their riding skills?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get up early!\u201d Candice laughs. \u201cBut between work and family commitments, time is limited. We go out as often as we can, but mostly at weekends. The bonus of a 5am start is that the roads are still empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many people new to cycling, Jillian found busy roads a challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, going out on the main road for the first time was scary. I was terrified I was going to fall over or get hit by a car. Most drivers were lovely, but there were a few who weren\u2019t patient. Once I got used to it, I became more confident in traffic, but we still had to improve our distances. Initially, we\u2019d ride around locally and think we were the bees\u2019 knees!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gradually, the friends began travelling further afield, but their latest adventure, from Newtownards to Newcastle, proved a painful challenge.<\/p>\n

\"CandiceJillian Warnock and Candice Griezel and who are cycling from Prague to Krak\u00f3w for the Herbalife Foundation, supporting Action for Children Charity. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s been our longest journey so far,\u201d Candice winces at the memory. \u201cAn 80-mile round trip was always going to be tough, but my seat wasn\u2019t right and it was incredibly painful. We had to keep stopping along the route to get a rest. I\u2019ve since changed the seat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more: Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Co Down man celebrates 30th birthday with special Belfast honour \u2013 The Irish News<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI struggled, to be honest,\u201d Jillian adds. \u201cI kept looking behind me, telling Candice I really couldn\u2019t go on, but she just cycled alongside encouraging me. She kept me going. But it was hard. I was walking like John Wayne for a week afterwards!\u201d<\/p>\n

By any standard, Newtownards to Newcastle is a tough ride, but this event takes endurance to another level. Candice sounds confident.<\/p>\n

\u201cCentral Challenge, an independent body that organises such events for groups and charities all over the world, has arranged everything, from accommodation to the provision of medical assistance if need be. Fortunately, we\u2019ll have professional cyclists riding along with us, so it\u2019s reassuring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jillian isn\u2019t convinced they\u2019ll be the fastest riders in town.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everyone will probably be in bed by the time we eventually arrive in Krakow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps, when the event is over, they\u2019ll continue with the hobby?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to think so,\u201d Jillian smiles. \u201cIt feels good to be part of the cycling community.\u201d<\/p>\n

To support the women on their cycle from June 21-24, 2026 visit: https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/charity-cycle-from-prague-to-krakow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With Gothic spires, Baroque domes and beautiful Renaissance palaces, it\u2019s little wonder that Lonely Planet describes Prague, the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12229,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[217,8902,8903,8904,8905,8906,218,8907,8908,8909,857,74,8910,221,8911,8912,56,8913,8652,8914,8915,8916,8917,8918,8919,8920,8921,8922,8923,8924,644,8925,4100,558,8926,8927,8928,8929,8930,8931,654],"class_list":["post-12228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-krakow","tag-architecture","tag-blue","tag-bohemia","tag-bridge-man-made-structure","tag-capital-cities","tag-charles-bridge","tag-city","tag-cityscape","tag-copy-space","tag-cultures","tag-czech-republic","tag-europe","tag-famous-place","tag-history","tag-journey","tag-karluv","tag-krakow","tag-looking-at-view","tag-medieval","tag-most","tag-prague","tag-republic","tag-river","tag-scenics","tag-sky","tag-social-history","tag-springtime","tag-summer","tag-sun","tag-sunny","tag-tourism","tag-tower","tag-town","tag-travel","tag-travel-destinations","tag-unesco-world-heritage-site","tag-urban-scene","tag-urban-skyline","tag-vacations","tag-vltava-river","tag-water"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12228\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/poland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}