Carnsore point Co Wexford to Erris head Co Mayo

group at rosslare

Carnsore Point

Stage 1 report Carnsore Point to Athlone - 200km
Stage 125 Western Lakes CC cyclists took off on the morning of August 22nd at 8am from Carnsore Point, Co Wexford. With great back up provided by Ray Mc Hugh and Jimmy Durkan the groups faced in to a strong headwind (North West) for the entire duration of the stage 1. The first 130k was extremely rolly with long drags in to Bunclody, Arles and Stradbally. The wind never let up all day but at least it stayed dry. Some real aggressive cycling from Jim Tuohy, Fergal O' Neil, Alan Stephens, Gabriel Coen, Ruairi Canavan and Martin Kinneavey moved the group slickly through the relentless wind. We Rolled in to Athlone just after 5pm tired, windburned but elated. After a few well earned drinks (Barrel), we were up in the morning for stage 2 to do it all over again.....stage 2  is 224k to Erris head.Big Jim, comes prepared even with head lightsssss, I suppose he was expecting the worst..

Jim Touhy leader
Stage 2 Report Athlone to Erris Head - 224k
Stage 28am start again out of Athlone and straight in to a long slog against a strong northwesterly headwind all day. Once again we were blessed by a dry day. The stiff winds made for grueling cycling conditions but everyone put their shoulder to the wheel and grinded out the miles. Finally arrived in to Belmullet after 5pm but there was still an 18k round trip up to Erris Head and back. However most of the cyclists in the so called faster group decided to bail out in Belmullet (Decoyed by Joyce) while Jim Tuohy's group kept to the plan. Embarrassing moment for the big boys! Celebrations went on in to the wee hours with wonderful dancing from Noel Gibbons. A committee meeting was convened at 3.30 am where it was decided for health and safety reasons to bus back to Ballinrobe in the morning instead of cycling home. It was agreed by all after seeing Ruairi Canavan at 10am that this indeed was a good decision. Celebrations continuing after at Inches for the Mayo match and BBQ.After the Mayo match a few of the cyclist over heard Martin Joyce saying that he was going to donate quite a considerable amount of his wealth to MND after he was drown by a cold bucket of ice water... at the moment we are looking for video evidence because as of Monday morning Joyce denies these alterations flatly.

Martin Joyce

Joyce after his ice bucket challenge, as you can see he is elated

 

Ray Mc Hugh and Jimmy Durcan

Jimmy Durcan winner of the Martin Joyce lookalike competition for the 2nd year running, poor Jimmy

Participants
Martin Joyce
Paul Moran
Tom McGovern
Pat McGovern
John Conroy
Michelle Conroy
John Hughes
Imelda Hughes
Padraig Hughes
Gerry Sheridan
Jim Tuohy
Marie Frazer
Breege Morrin
Andrea Heneghan
Kathleen Barry
Alan Stephens
Shane Gilligan
Ruairi Canavan
Mike Kelly
Noel Gibbons
Gabriel Coen
Fergal O'Neill
Philip Staunton
Mark Quigley
Sponsors of Jerseys
 Marrey Bikes
Back Up Team
 Ray McHugh
Jimmy Durkan
Erris head

Erris Head