Web log created by the Foyle Cycling Club. The club aims to promote safe cycling in the North West of Ireland.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Mizen to Malin Cycle Event
This blog covers the upcoming Foyle Hospice Mizen to Malin Head charity cycle event.
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Wed 18th June Mizzen to Killarney, 75 miles, FSE average 16.5 mph
Having left the Hospice at 5.30 a.m. we arrived via the Belfast/Cork flight at Mizzen Head at 12.30 and were on the road before 1.30 pm. There was a steady mizzle but the wind was not hurting us and we quickly made our way through Bantry Bay and the smaller villages on route to Glengariff. A food stop was set up for those who wanted to avail but our group of about 12 pressed on knowing some of our longest climbs were just around the corner. Our team settled down to a maintainable pace as we made steady progress up Caha Pass, climbing as we admired the great scenery. The tunnel through the mountain let us know we had reached the top and the wind then swept us along towards our next challenge. Before long we rising up through Molls Gap and despite the damp weather, photos were taken overlooking Lady’s View. Then we started the long descents passing the lakes of Killarney to our hotel, about half a mile out of town. After showers and hearty meal most of us headed to sample a few pubs in town, where we met more Americans than Irish and dandered back to the hotel again at a fairly reasonable hour.
Thursday 19th Killarney to Limerick 74 miles FSE average 19.5 mph
The weather was much improved on Thursday and our group headed off a little after the planned 9 o’clock. We had to stop around 10.30 to take part in an interview arranged with Radio Foyle and this caused our group to fall behind most of the other cyclists. Even when we arrived at lunch – a selection of fresh bread rolls, assorted meats, veg, fruit, biscuits, bars etc, all prepared by the excellent back-up crew of Donna, Alex, Willie and Bill – we had still not caught up, but things were about to change. Our group, which now made up of about half of the FCC riders taking part in the event, set off with some determination. The N21 road to Limerick is now in great shape with wide smooth hard shoulders and before long we were speeding along, using the bell to signal changes at the front. The Foyle Super Express (FSE) was up and running, and we were winding in groups who had set off long before us. We were hitting speeds of over 30mph on the flat and we were frequently reminded of our rising average as Peter shouted "19.4 ! ", "19.5 !". By the time we got to Limerick, and completed an unplanned tour of the city, our average was still a credible 19.8 mph. The Limerick stop was the Radison Hotel which now features a Spa and many cyclists took full advantage. After another good meal, we adjorned to the bar to watch the European football highlights and have a few pints. There were a group of Australian and American tourists there who had told us they were looking for some Irish craic. As luck would have it, Gavin and Pat had brought along their guitars and before long we had a full scale sing-song with all sorts of visitors, locals, not to mention a few cyclists, all taking part. When we were wrapping up in the wee hours, one Australian gent said "we had heard about the Irish craic, but we didn’t it would be this good !"
Friday 20th Limerick to Clairemorris 90 miles FSE average 18.8 mph
By now we were all into a good routine, breakfast at eight, on the bike for nine and the FSE headed off with the sun shining and blue skies. Unfortunately the hard shoulders were not as good as the N21 and before lunch Evelyn and Peter both suffered double punctures due to large potholes. (These were the only punctures in our group for the entire event, whereas another rider had a total of nine…no names given, lets just call him Lucky.) After lunch we had a good run, once again gaining back some of the miles lost in the morning and even had time for ice-cream at Milltown before the final push to Clairemorris. When we arrived the guys lined up to do the massages had plenty of experience of where cyclists hurt (the RAS had stopped there last year) and they put this knowledge to full use. (I shared the massage room with Gavin and its not nice to hear another man cry !)
Saturday 21st Clairemorris to Ballybofey 105 miles FSE average 16.3mph
It was a rainy Saturday morning as we headed out for the longest day of our trip. We had over 60 miles to go to lunch stop but at least the good roads were back as we headed for Sligo. After lunch the road bypassed a lot of towns, Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Donegal Town etc and each of these long bypass roads seemed like wind tunnels and stretch for miles with no signs of relenting. The real benefits of working as a team paid off here as the group all took their turns at the front and steadily made our way to the infamous Barnesmore Gap. From the previous 40 miles, we knew we would be going into the wind, but we were not expecting the heavy rain or the near gales that battered us for over an hour. Thoughts of the jacuzzi in Jacksons hotel kept us going and after a long sweeping descent into Ballybofey, the Spa and massage afterwards lived up to our expectations. The meal that night went really well and afterwards most of the cyclists took over the reception area, and later the back bar, while we enjoyed a few drinks and sung along with other hotel guests until it was a bit late.
Sunday 22nd Ballybofey to Malin Head 61 miles FSE average 15.7 mph
The weather forecast on the final day was for wind and rain but as we headed off everyone was in great spirits, even if we were wet. We were delighted to see many of our FCC colleagues waiting outside Ballybofey to join us on our road to Derry. (we know that meant an early start for you guys and your company was much appreciated.) The ride into Derry passed by quickly with us sharing our stories of the previous days. In Derry we had a food stop, posed for photos, met our families at the Hospice and then were joined by many other local cyclists for the final piece of the journey to Malin Head…and what a journey it was. As we climbed out of Quigleys Point towards Carndonagh, the wind and rain got steadily worse. By the time we left Malin Town it seemed to be gale-force and at times we were slowed to a snail’s pace. (my wife was waiting near the Five Finger Stand and it took her several attempts before she could open the car door to get out and cheer us on.) At Farren’s bar we waited and gathered the entire group to make the last climb to Bamba’s Crown together. The rain bucketed down and the wind tried to force us back as we turned the final bend to see our target above us. Our families and friends had turned up in great numbers and were experiencing the weather at first hand. The final push, up the steepest climb we had met in 405 miles, in the worst cycling conditions we had encountered in any of the previous six Mizzen Malin events – and we had done it. Handshakes, slaps on the back and congratulations were shared with everyone. After some photos it was back to the Seaview Tavern for some soup and sandwiches, a change of clothes and after about half an hour in the heat, we started to feel human again. TOTAL JOURNEY 405 miles FSE average 17.2 mph I was in bed at 11.00 that night, exhausted and didn’t wake up until nine the next day. (the last time I slept that long was two years ago, after the last Mizzen to Malin – its not just a cycling event you know !) Throughout the whole journey, I never heard a negative comment from anyone. The entire group were great fun to be with and our FCC members certainly did themselves proud. There’s no need for special mentions because every one played a part in making this a truly enjoyable and memorable event. I’ve already told Ciaran McGinley to put my name down for the next one. - he told me he already had it down ! Hope to see you there.
5 comments:
Wed 18th June Mizzen to Killarney, 75 miles, FSE average 16.5 mph
Having left the Hospice at 5.30 a.m. we arrived via the Belfast/Cork flight at Mizzen Head at 12.30 and were on the road before 1.30 pm. There was a steady mizzle but the wind was not hurting us and we quickly made our way through Bantry Bay and the smaller villages on route to Glengariff. A food stop was set up for those who wanted to avail but our group of about 12 pressed on knowing some of our longest climbs were just around the corner. Our team settled down to a maintainable pace as we made steady progress up Caha Pass, climbing as we admired the great scenery. The tunnel through the mountain let us know we had reached the top and the wind then swept us along towards our next challenge. Before long we rising up through Molls Gap and despite the damp weather, photos were taken overlooking Lady’s View. Then we started the long descents passing the lakes of Killarney to our hotel, about half a mile out of town. After showers and hearty meal most of us headed to sample a few pubs in town, where we met more Americans than Irish and dandered back to the hotel again at a fairly reasonable hour.
Thursday 19th Killarney to Limerick 74 miles FSE average 19.5 mph
The weather was much improved on Thursday and our group headed off a little after the planned 9 o’clock. We had to stop around 10.30 to take part in an interview arranged with Radio Foyle and this caused our group to fall behind most of the other cyclists. Even when we arrived at lunch – a selection of fresh bread rolls, assorted meats, veg, fruit, biscuits, bars etc, all prepared by the excellent back-up crew of Donna, Alex, Willie and Bill – we had still not caught up, but things were about to change. Our group, which now made up of about half of the FCC riders taking part in the event, set off with some determination. The N21 road to Limerick is now in great shape with wide smooth hard shoulders and before long we were speeding along, using the bell to signal changes at the front. The Foyle Super Express (FSE) was up and running, and we were winding in groups who had set off long before us. We were hitting speeds of over 30mph on the flat and we were frequently reminded of our rising average as Peter shouted "19.4 ! ", "19.5 !". By the time we got to Limerick, and completed an unplanned tour of the city, our average was still a credible 19.8 mph. The Limerick stop was the Radison Hotel which now features a Spa and many cyclists took full advantage. After another good meal, we adjorned to the bar to watch the European football highlights and have a few pints. There were a group of Australian and American tourists there who had told us they were looking for some Irish craic. As luck would have it, Gavin and Pat had brought along their guitars and before long we had a full scale sing-song with all sorts of visitors, locals, not to mention a few cyclists, all taking part. When we were wrapping up in the wee hours, one Australian gent said "we had heard about the Irish craic, but we didn’t it would be this good !"
Friday 20th Limerick to Clairemorris 90 miles FSE average 18.8 mph
By now we were all into a good routine, breakfast at eight, on the bike for nine and the FSE headed off with the sun shining and blue skies. Unfortunately the hard shoulders were not as good as the N21 and before lunch Evelyn and Peter both suffered double punctures due to large potholes. (These were the only punctures in our group for the entire event, whereas another rider had a total of nine…no names given, lets just call him Lucky.) After lunch we had a good run, once again gaining back some of the miles lost in the morning and even had time for ice-cream at Milltown before the final push to Clairemorris. When we arrived the guys lined up to do the massages had plenty of experience of where cyclists hurt (the RAS had stopped there last year) and they put this knowledge to full use. (I shared the massage room with Gavin and its not nice to hear another man cry !)
Saturday 21st Clairemorris to Ballybofey 105 miles FSE average 16.3mph
It was a rainy Saturday morning as we headed out for the longest day of our trip. We had over 60 miles to go to lunch stop but at least the good roads were back as we headed for Sligo. After lunch the road bypassed a lot of towns, Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Donegal Town etc and each of these long bypass roads seemed like wind tunnels and stretch for miles with no signs of relenting. The real benefits of working as a team paid off here as the group all took their turns at the front and steadily made our way to the infamous Barnesmore Gap. From the previous 40 miles, we knew we would be going into the wind, but we were not expecting the heavy rain or the near gales that battered us for over an hour. Thoughts of the jacuzzi in Jacksons hotel kept us going and after a long sweeping descent into Ballybofey, the Spa and massage afterwards lived up to our expectations. The meal that night went really well and afterwards most of the cyclists took over the reception area, and later the back bar, while we enjoyed a few drinks and sung along with other hotel guests until it was a bit late.
Sunday 22nd Ballybofey to Malin Head 61 miles FSE average 15.7 mph
The weather forecast on the final day was for wind and rain but as we headed off everyone was in great spirits, even if we were wet. We were delighted to see many of our FCC colleagues waiting outside Ballybofey to join us on our road to Derry. (we know that meant an early start for you guys and your company was much appreciated.) The ride into Derry passed by quickly with us sharing our stories of the previous days. In Derry we had a food stop, posed for photos, met our families at the Hospice and then were joined by many other local cyclists for the final piece of the journey to Malin Head…and what a journey it was. As we climbed out of Quigleys Point towards Carndonagh, the wind and rain got steadily worse. By the time we left Malin Town it seemed to be gale-force and at times we were slowed to a snail’s pace. (my wife was waiting near the Five Finger Stand and it took her several attempts before she could open the car door to get out and cheer us on.) At Farren’s bar we waited and gathered the entire group to make the last climb to Bamba’s Crown together. The rain bucketed down and the wind tried to force us back as we turned the final bend to see our target above us. Our families and friends had turned up in great numbers and were experiencing the weather at first hand. The final push, up the steepest climb we had met in 405 miles, in the worst cycling conditions we had encountered in any of the previous six Mizzen Malin events – and we had done it. Handshakes, slaps on the back and congratulations were shared with everyone. After some photos it was back to the Seaview Tavern for some soup and sandwiches, a change of clothes and after about half an hour in the heat, we started to feel human again.
TOTAL JOURNEY 405 miles FSE average 17.2 mph
I was in bed at 11.00 that night, exhausted and didn’t wake up until nine the next day. (the last time I slept that long was two years ago, after the last Mizzen to Malin – its not just a cycling event you know !) Throughout the whole journey, I never heard a negative comment from anyone. The entire group were great fun to be with and our FCC members certainly did themselves proud. There’s no need for special mentions because every one played a part in making this a truly enjoyable and memorable event. I’ve already told Ciaran McGinley to put my name down for the next one. - he told me he already had it down ! Hope to see you there.
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