Cycle Against Suicide 2019

Heads a bit woozy this morning but it was definitely worth it. Lots of good fun last night which I know will carry into today. Its a beautiful morning. sunny but cold. Ber drives us back to the start but not before taking us omn a tour of Limerick University grounds. What a magnificent complex. World standard. How could you not come out of there without great qualifications. The start is great with the schools all present to send us off again. Legs are tired this morning . But our first stop is only 20 km away. There is a reason for that! Rolling through the roads of Clare and heading for the Kingdom is a great trip. Stopping in Foynes for a lie in the sun and an ice cream. Into a headwind and a few climbs before we hit Tarbert for another stop for refreshments and a struggle into Listowel.

Early morning in Nenagh is dull and looking like rain. But at least there is no wind. Mary has gone off early to work and Paddy is making the breakfast. He wants to make me a fry but I resist and settle for Weetobix and tea and toast. The trip back to Nenagh from those hills around Lough Derg has me hoping the cycle will not be taking me there. Some of the lads at the school are finding the presentations tough. Opening old wounds. The young people in the school have done a lot to make our visit a good one. A bit of music livens everyone up and a nice coffee is a welcome start for the day. I needn't have worried about the hills because we are taking the main road out of Nenagh heading for Killaloo and across the county border into Co Clare. A big deal apparently for Clare and Tipperary people because the town strides both counties. On to Bodyke and to Tulla where we have a fantastic reception from the school who are lining both sides of the road to cheer us in. I never get used

Woke up this morning after a mighty sleep. 7am and it misty and overcast. Looks like its going to be one of those soft days that rain appears on you like a dew. At least that awful hard wind has gone and today will be calm. A quick look at MetEireann.ie shows the rain as having, or about to go past. That bodes well for the day ahead at some stage. However, Im still layered up and minding the body from the cold. We have some nice coffee and scones awaiting us in Tullamore GAA who are hosting our arrivals and departure. They have been so welcoming to us. There is some talk about painting nails! My homestay for tonight in Nenagh, Paddy is cycling this leg today and we meet up for introductions and a chat. A fellow bike rider and kindred spirit. Its good to meet him. We have our usual presentations from some wonderful people who give of themselves in an uplifting and challenging way. Brings us all closer together. Its James Fahey's birthday today. James is a long time CAS cyclist a

In the aftermath of Storm Hannah I arrived in Westmanstown in Lucan for the start. I say the aftermath but it was more than that. A gale was blowing from the West while we were planning to go west. There was a good crowd when I got there. People were milling around taking stuff and bikes out of cars and vans. There were a lot of familiar faces and new faces. Guys I hadn’t seen for a year, since the last cycle. Into the main reception area to more greetings and upstairs to the sign on. There is a question mark over the start time . Its been decided to wait an extra hour before taking off because the wind is due to ease.  There is time for a coffee and scone now. Seeing old acquaintances and having time for chats and catch-ups before the actual rollout. Eventually we are off in bright sunshine, but quite cold. So different from last week when we were basking in summer sunshine. Forecast says it will be better tomorrow. Heading off directly into the wind is mitigated by the fact th

Storm Hannah. is on the way! Right on cue! Tomorrow is the day I head off from Westmanstown, in Lucan. Hopefully the storm will be nearly passed over by then. But, sure if its not, it won't be hanging around for too long. I had my last spin yesterday. Hugh and Terry and myself went off and did a flat 60km. Im feeling good now. The last week or two has been good for my fitness and I think Im ready. Lullabel got a good. scrub down yesterday. Got into the nooks and crannies that usually get missed. New pedals as well. I don't want any mishaps to take me off the road. Going through the final packing. Trying to be as organised as I can be. Even though Im not the most organised person in the world, something will be missed. Odd socks will be lost. Stuff will be left in homestays. Ill have all the wrong charging cables. Something. So I struggle with this part. Day bag, Night bag! What goes where? Thinking out the logistics of how do I get to the start? What will I wear, layers-

What beautiful weather we have been experiencing this last week. Thoughts go to next week and wondering if, for a welcome change  will be bask in sunshine next week. Past experience says no. My weather forecast for the next two weeks is rain with short intervals of high wind, throw in a little bit of sun and a few hailstones and that will be closer to the actual. But, have to stay positive and embrace whatever is to come. I haven't cycled since Sunday! I have been getting my house in order (literally). Grass cut, all the essential little jobs before I skeedadle off on my trip. But this morning Im going out for a good spin with my buddy  and that should be nearly my last cycle until Saturday. I bought some new pedals and other essentials. I have my list of "stuff to take" up on my wall and will start today getting it together. Deviding it into Day Bag, Night Bag! Got to get that combination right or Ill be wearing pyjamas at the lunch stop when a change is called for.

What glorious weather we have been having these last few days. Sunny, warm, calm, temperature of over 20 degrees. Positively continental. A few rides during the last week in this weather was almost obligatory. The C Group,  who I cycle with, has set a 75km run today with an 8am start, for the day that is in it. Suited me lovely. I am more concerned with getting out every day rather than thinking about distance. Feeling absolutely great after the spin. 8am start. Meant home and hosed by 12.30. the whole Easter Day ahead. Wouldn't it be great if we had this weather from next week onwards? But, somehow I doubt it. Normally on this trip we get a bit of everything. Rain,hail,snow,wind with a little bit of the good stuff thrown in. Thats the way it always is one this ride. So, I don't expect it to be any different. One thing is for sure! It will be good. It will be exciting. It will be hairy, It will be uplifting and joyful. It will be sad and woeful. But most of all it will be

My goodness. Year Seven ! Its been a long journey since RTE studios start in April 2013. I had come off a long cycle in New Zealand in 2011 and was looking or a long distance, multi-day cycle to somewhere. Im not sure whether I heard it on the radio or seen it on TV but the news of a 14 day 1400km cycle around the island of Ireland suited my needs exactly. So, I was quick to sign on for this epic. Not knowing what to expect. Well over 1500 cyclists of all standards pulled out of RTE in Donnybrook heading for a first stop in Bray and then onward to Waterford. At Bray I couldn't understand the long lunch break, over 2 hours! It was a warm sunny day and I lay out in the sun after a nice buffet lunch. I found out later there were 'talks' going on inside. And to be honest I wasn't that interested. After all, I was here for the bike ride and wasn't expecting anything else. That night I stayed in a hostel in Tramore, with a group of guys I had never met before. We we