Kavanagh’s Supervalue “Help us to Help Others” Cycle

For those of you that might have missed it you can get the Ireland Am promo for the cycle here You will get a couple of advertisements first. They are raising money for the Roscommon/Mayo Hospice, Cancer Care West and the Donegal Hospice. Well worth the support on Saturday 15^th September

Crumlin Childrens Hospital Barbecue

The funds raised from the trip to the Reek will be presented to Geraldine Feeley at the barbeque on Saturday 15^th September in Paddy Fins, Kilteevan. In a past life I lived close by this hospital and I know the work they do. I know from experience the dedication of the staff to both patient and family. I hope we can help make this event a great success and thanks to all those who contributed to the fund. It’s because of you that the club can help others that are not so fortunate. To see where your contribution might go click here  or like their facebook page here

The Reek

Ok, The Reek. Let me say a year ago I would not have believed I could have cycled that far, never mind attempt to climb the Reek as well. So let’s start off from Kilteevan : Twenty cyclists, 2 vans and drivers left Kiltevan at 9am. Twenty cyclists, 2 vans and drivers arrived at the Reek less several pounds in weight (the cyclists that is). Needless to say there were some who could have cut an hour or more off the trip. The rest of us may not have made it at all. One great thing about the club is the encouragement and help offered to one and all by one and all. The fitter, stronger cyclists gave advice, encouragement and a helping hand where and when it was needed. Without them I’m sure I for one would have turned back. So why didn’t I, well every time I thought enough was enough, some other nut would pull alongside and ask how I was doing. What else could I do but push the peddles round one more time? That’s one thing about this club, you need a thick neck (or the banter will do you in) but everyone pulls together and not only for the club but for the community. When I joined first it was just after the club had cycled into the west for breast cancer research. Since then the club has supported or assisted a number of fund raising events. So what happened the Christmas party, it got turned into a trip to the Reek and an opportunity to raise funds for Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

I’m not going to mention too many names because I would surly leave someone out. Girls if you want to know what your other half got up to I’m always open to bribes (and I have the photos to prove it). To get back to it, we stopped in Claremorris at the McWilliam Park Hotel for lunch. I have to say not only did they provide an excellent lunch (and a big thanks should be sent to the staff) but a certain part of my anatomy enjoyed the break (my big toe was beginning to feel the pinch). Unfortunately in what seemed like no time some bright spark decided it was time to mount up again and off we went.

After a photo everyone took off. I have to admit there was some dismay when we reached Castlebar and some realised they had not managed to lose me in Claremorris (I think they were getting camera shy). The fitter cyclists arrived at the Reek and immediately started to get ready for the climb. I have to say for my part the last kilometre seemed like ten and when I got off the bike in the car park, it was to the news that the vans were outside. I decided it would be advisable to take the bike for a walk to the van (now I know how John Wane felt). Thanks to John Gillian’s advice I spent the last few kilometres spinning and so managed to walk the few yards to the van. Now just imagine the sight the poor tourists got. Twenty grubby cyclists changing to take a stroll up the Reek (on second thoughts scrub that, I don’t want to put anyone off their food).

Well off we went, some like mountain goats (our own OAP among them). For the rest of us it was just about one foot in front of another. The comments on the way up put me in mind of the Goal add “are we there yet”. The best was yet to come “your almost there, round that bend and it’s only about 200 yards”. They forgot to say it was almost straight up. Once again a guardian angle came to my rescue. The camera bag that I would normally carry all day came close to going over the edge. John came down, whipped it off me and started to run back up with it. Things were so bad I offered to give him a photographic course on the side of the Reek. Well he refused and I had no choice but to head on up or lose my camera. Yes we got there and I have the photo to prove it. I’m sure the view was superb but to be honest I didn’t care, I took the photos packed up and started down (I just realised, the only way I’m going to get some photos of the views up there is if I climb it again). Did someone suggest a tiddlywinks club? Well to cut a long story short. We got down, we had dinner and then, well I will leave the rest of the evening to your imagination. Remember most of the lads are bigger than me (think I will burn the photos just in case). I must also mention the Westport Woods Hotel. A great meal, great facilities and a wonderful host in the manager and another big thank you as it finished our day superbly.

At last to finish up. Some of us used various excuses to avoid the cycle home but the rest of the die hards made it back in record time. To everyone who participated, helped, facilitated, arranged and those we left behind to man the forts Thank You for the opportunity. I will get the photos up soon. 

Thank You

Sorry all I had to finish the celebration when I returned it’s not every day you get to put another year behind you. First off I have to say thank you for Saturday. It was not only unexpected but vastly unwarranted. I have managed to combine two interests I enjoy (photography and cycling) with something I have a little knowledge of simply to help promote the club. I hope you realise that you have now managed to make me feel guilty for all the enjoyment I have had from the club and creating this blog. The photography I can do, the cycling I will keep up (I may need a kick now and then) but you provide the information and inspiration to populate this blog. You make the blog, I only put it up. Thank you, you have no idea how much it meant.

Kavanagh’s SuperValue “Help us to Help Others” Cycle

For all you TV3 Ireland AM fans out there. Keep an eye out on Wednesday morning at 7:35 for a taste of what's to come. The Mayo Rose Derbhla Kenny and Mayo Footballer Andy Moran will be on promoting the cycle taking place in Westport on the 15th September

At long last "The Reek Here We Come"

Well it’s official. We are nuts, meet 8:45 for 9 am start on Saturday. Bring some boots or sturdy runners, track suite bottoms or trousers and a warm jacket for the reek. A hat and gloves might come in useful with our fine weather. After all you will have had a good warm up on the way and we wouldn’t want you to get sunstroke. Some food and a drink will also help on the way up and down. Though I suspect there are some amongst us that will be thinking of the liquid refreshments to come. For those who could not make it for one reason or another. Don’t worry the rest of us will suffer in your place.

For anyone ordering club kit for the winter or for the younger cyclists, get your order in to Frank before Monday. There is good value to be had and the cost of shipping will be lower as will be the unit price.  A sizing chart can be accessed here and prices for 2012 here

ISPCA Oktoberfest Cycle

The Roscommon ISPCA has asked Danny Doyle to participate in a cycle from Prague to Munich on the 24^th September. 480K in four days, lots of padding required. Needless to say it’s for the aid of animals and he needs to raise €2000 to get on his bike. Danny has arranged a bowling night in Ros Bowling on the 14^th September to help him raise the funds. Teams of 4 at €40 per team and just to keep with tradition there will be a raffle on the night which will include a bike donated by Neilans bike shop and other prizes. I don’t think it would be beyond us to support him in some way I know he did a superb job for the Pink Ribbon Cycle. I hope to be there and I hope some others will be as well.

Kavanagh's SuperValue Help us to Help Others

Kavanagh’s Supervalue Mayo Stores are hosting a cycle in aid of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice on the 15^th September. Two routes: Beginners 50K Westport – Castlebar – Newport and back to Westport; Advanced 100k, Westport – Castlebar – Kiltmagh - Clairmorris and back to Wesstport. On line registration €30, In Store €40 and Teams of 4 €100. For further details click here . Any additional information I get I will update this post. The Advanced cycle is 100k and you can get them on facebook here . Another one for the Hospice and at the rate I'm going I suspect I will need it sooner rather than later, especially as some cyclists are likely to be leading me astray in Westport shortly.

Four Villages Cycle Tour 18th August

We have been invited to participate in a 50k cycle round Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim. You will get a medal along with your certificate and times if you require. Registration 10am to 10:45am at Tarmonbarry, GAA Grounds. Off at 11am €15 per person on the 18th August, refreshments afterwards. Notice is a tad short but they are looking for numbers. Three choices: 1. Reply individually: 2. Reply as a club, use the forum to compile numbers: 3. Bit close to the Reek. On the other hand it might be a nice trip for the families and we could cycle to Tarmonbarry and participate. They could do with some indication of numbers so we need to reply asap to nrcf@eircom.net I’ll see if I can get some more information. Funds raised will go towards local projects and yes it is on Saturday. I think I will just go and sign the divorce papers now and save the expense.

Glenamaddy Summer Cycle Fest

Well what can I say? It was a great cycle, very well organised, and well marshalled, plenty of water stops and most importantly food. We even had some sunshine, what more could you want on a Sunday. In saying that a soft seat, barbeque, beer or soft drink, did I mention the SOFT SEAT. Well let’s face it I can’t fault the ladies and I have no doubt it was mostly the ladies of Glenamaddy looking after the community centre. There were soft seats and lots of good food to be had when we returned. On behalf of all the cyclists I have to say a BIG thank you. I must also give a well done to our own cyclists who took on the challenge of not only completing the Glenamaddy cycle but also cycled the 30K + over and back. I have no doubt it will stand to us on Sunday week when we take on the Reek. I must also thank our own juniors and ladies who also completed the Glenamaddy cycle. If all that isn’t enough two of the lads came home with a trophy for second place. Don’t worry I’ll not mention names; some heads are already big enough. Suffice to say we probably recognise them better form behind. Well done lads. To Linda and the rest of the organising committee I’ll be looking forward to next year BIGGER but not necessarily better Thank You

Glenamaddy Summer Fest Cycle

Ok Folks Don't forget the Glenamaddy Summer Fest Cycle on the 12th August. Registration 10:30 - 11:30 am at the Community Centre with the off at 12 noon. €10 from the 20k and €15 for the 40k. Funds raised will go to help with the expenses for the various parades and festivals in the town but more importantly to the Galway Hospice Foundation. We will hopefully have two groups going over. 1st group cycling over for the event and back. The second will go over and back by car or van if it can be arranged. Times will be posted next week. You can check out additional information here