Paul “Mouldy” Muldoon has spent years combining his love of cycling with his commitment to Celtic FC Foundation and the charitable traditions at the heart of the club.
In 2017, he cycled from Celtic Park to Lisbon as part of a remarkable journey marking the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions. Three years later, another ambitious challenge was planned: a cycle from Glasgow to Milan to commemorate Celtic’s appearance in the 1970 European Cup Final.
Like so many plans in 2020, however, the journey was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The road to Milan was postponed, but it was never forgotten.
Now, after several years marked by chronic back, neck and nerve pain, Mouldy is determined to complete the challenge in a different way – cycling the entire route virtually from his home.
Over the course of the journey, he will cover 1,050 miles and climb a daunting 123,909 feet as he follows a mapped route from Glasgow to Milan using a smart trainer and virtual cycling software. Each session recreates another section of the road, allowing supporters to follow his progress through Britain and mainland Europe towards the San Siro.
It will not be fast. It will not be easy. But he intends to get there.
Mouldy was also unable to join his friends on their Road to Seville cycle in 2023 because of his health problems. Instead, he recreated that route virtually, completing the challenge at home while helping the team raise funds and awareness for Celtic FC Foundation.
Mouldy Goes to Milan is the next chapter in that journey – and, in many ways, the most personal.
Having endured long periods of pain, restricted movement and very limited exercise, the challenge is about more than reaching a destination on a map. It is about rebuilding his health, confidence and sense of purpose, one carefully managed cycling session at a time.
It is also proof that setbacks do not need to decide how the story ends.
Every mile will raise awareness and funds for Celtic FC Foundation, with the money generated through the wider Road to Milan campaign being used to support the Paradise Recovery Café.
The weekly initiative provides a safe and welcoming environment for around 30 adults affected by substance misuse, mental health challenges, trauma and homelessness. Those attending can access peer support, routes into recovery communities, a warm meal and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of belonging.
For people who may have experienced isolation, judgement or repeated setbacks, the café offers understanding, dignity and the opportunity to begin again.
Those ideas of recovery and rebuilding are also woven throughout Mouldy’s own challenge.
He is no longer attempting the 100-mile days and ten-hour stretches in the saddle that he once managed. Progress now has to be measured differently: in shorter sessions, sensible decisions and the determination to climb back onto the bike even when the body is reluctant.
Some days will cover more ground than others. Some climbs will take longer than expected. There may be pauses and difficult moments along the way.
But every completed mile will take him closer to Milan – and help Celtic FC Foundation continue offering vital support to people facing challenges of their own.
Mouldy is sharing regular updates on his blog throughout the journey, including the sections of the route completed, distance covered, climbing statistics and the Celtic shirts chosen for each session.
The destination is Milan. The purpose is something much greater.
