Stage 1 report Carnsore Point to Athlone – 200km

25 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..

Stage 2 Report Athlone to Erris Head – 224k

8am 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

Paul Moran

Tom McGovern

Noel Gibbons

Gabriel Coen

Fergal O’Neill

Philip Staunton

Mark Quigley

 Marrey Bikes

 Ray McHugh

Jimmy Durkan