First Day of the Big Cycle Done!

Ciarán, Denise and Alan getting, and giving, a three-way massage at Loughglinn (with 130k done and another 30k to go on day 1)

A year on from my solo exploits, it's fantastic to have the first day of the big cycle done, this time with a group of 30 other cyclists!  We split the big group up in to two smaller groups of 15 & 16 and set off from An Cheathrú Rua at 9am yesterday morning, heading for Carrick on Shannon, 168kms away...

Our group was second to go and was marshalled by the great Mark Toner!  This man can cycle - up and down through the group at will, helping those in need of a lift (yes I did at one time) and keeping a tight rein on those who were speeding away from the pack.  

After just 30k - coffee in Keanes

The first section of the cycle brought us out the bog road to Camus, where we were encircled by the wonderful sight of the Maamturk mountains, and following a short incline after Maam Cross we positioned our bikes for a fantastic descent down to Maam Bridge - 30k done and the first of our stops.  After  a quick coffee - thanks to Keane's Pub and a certain someone who picked up the tab - we got onto our bikes again for the wicked ascent up Máimín an Ghabhair (Goat's pass).  This is a very sharp and tough climb but the reward of the descent afterward is worth it - as is the run in to the beautiful village of Cong, our next little stop. 

From Cong we headed onwards into County Mayo, passing Ballinrobe and working our way to Claremorris.  This would bring us to the 90k mark, a little past half way for day 1.  My wife D, and Ruth, had driven on ahead of us and prepared sandwiches and cake for our lunch.  The Garda (police) station was kindly given over by the local gardaí for this purpose.  Everyone was feeling good at this point - we were well on our way.

Following Claremorris we were heading to Knock (site of a Marian apparition in the 19century) and down to Ballyhaunis, then through to the little village of Loughglinn in Roscommon, 120km in.  We stopped again here - our last stop before heading straight for Carrick on Shannon.  At this point, most of us were feeling the pain - but it was close enough now to just plough on.  We readied ourselves for the last leg of the cycle - taking a turn to Fairymount, where there was another severe climb, and then on through Frenchpark, turning right for Carrick on Shannon.

What a feeling when we finally reached our destination!  We were all joined at this stage - tired, sore, but very happy!  

Day 2 today:  a shorter cycle, approx 80km to Mullingar.  It's all for a good cause, the Jack and Jill Foundation that helps families with severely ill children.  www.rosescycle.com