It was at the beginning of last month, but Boru, a QUOC ambassador and avid challenger of long-distance adventure races over the past few years—Boru Mccullagh—came by to visit us!
Since QUOC has featured his challenges, I’ve kept an eye on his activities from time to time. I didn’t know he was in Japan, but when he came into the shop, I had a strong feeling it was him, and seeing him wearing QUOC shoes confirmed it. When I spoke to him, he was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to.
With his background in track racing, he coaches at the Herne Hill Velodrome in London and is passionate about mental health counseling in cycling, truly embodying the spirit of training and racing. In recent years, his list of incredible challenges has been nothing short of eye-opening, including various bikepacking trips and competing in the Bohemian Border Bash Race, a 1,300km unsupported on-road and off-road race along the ancient borders of Bohemia.
He was in the middle of a journey across Japan, camping in tents and staying with people he met along the way, when he stopped by Nagoya. His Specialized bike was equipped with TAILFIN CYCLING panniers and racks (this was my first time seeing them in person), which held his tent, clothing, and other gear in a minimal setup. It was a very impressive, cutting-edge bikepacking rig.
Active on Instagram and YouTube, he mentioned that he has two PEAK DESIGN mounts around his cockpit, which he uses depending on the situation.
And the shoes that confirmed for me it was Boru were the QUOC Gran Tourer XC. Coming from a track background, he prefers the stiffer sole. I use the same color myself, and that slightly worn-in, dirty look has a certain beauty that comes from a well-used tool.
He had such a great style that, of course, we captured it for our withBICYCLE feature.
Boru has since finished his trip safely and returned home, but some of his journey is already up online, so be sure to check out his Instagram! Thanks for coming by, Boru!
