Cycle Against Suicide 2019

This morning broke with the usual. Bright and sunny but very cold. That has been the order of the day these 10 days. But I am used to it by now if that's possible. Because its the last day and the fact that I don't need to worry about what I need to cob=ver for tomorrow. My natural disorganisation comes into play. All week I have been making sure that there was a place for everything.Just so I could go straight for anything I wanted in my bags. Not today! Today everything is just bunged into a bag without any care of were it might be if I need it. Mistake!! Brekkie is substantial and we are ready to head out into bright sunshine. Tom is giving a presentation this morning and we all know it is going to be difficult for him. But he has Ann and Pat and now us to support him. These are difficult and moving times for all of us but its good to talk and share how we are. Oh Im forgetting everything this morning. Left my cycling shoes somewhere. No Idea! Not dressed for the cold!

Some of the boys had gone off to mass the next morning when I awoke. Hope they prayed for me. We are heading for Abbeyleix and then to Kildare today. There is very much a sense that we are heading for home now. Im feeling good in the body. No stress in the legs. I am surprising myself. I thought I would be exhausted by this stage. But I have been good. There was a get-together last night in one of the local hostelries, open to everyone including the hosts. But we decided to pass on that one and opt for an early night. After breakfast of bacon and eggs and sausages,  John, Mary's son, will take Joe and I into the start. The weather is fine but still has that cold, even chilling breeze that gets into the bones. So, dressing accordingly, Im ready for any eventuality. Today promises to be an easy route into Kildare. Its a while since I cycled these routes but from memory the roads are wide and the terrain is flat. So, bring it on. Stradbally comes and we are now in the area that I

This morning broke bright and sunny. Maybe now we will have some good weather. I had a good nights sleep and am ready for the day. Gail and DJ are up and cooking breakfast and we have a leisurely meal together before heading back to the start. Even though it is sunny it is very cold in the wind and there is some juggling of layers to get it right. Its an opportunity to give my chain and stuff a quick clean and to polish up the rest of Lullabel. Out of Cashel is a bit rolling but the cold wind is hardest to deal with. We stop for an early lunch before taking on the main stretch through Thurles and Urlingford Its a straight forward cycle , pretty flat. We have 270 cyclists today after a good influx in Cashel with the local clubs joining in. We also have a cohort of students. The pace is very good until, a little earlier than usual we arrive in Kilkenny. The rugby club are our hosts for the night and we have welcome tea, coffee and cakes on our arrival. Mary, our homestay collects

We had a relatively short spin today from Listowel to Killarney john b food time me and tom me and graham in for dinner killarney homestay with mike in Killarney me and paddy in killarney where is my bike?

I woke early this morning to a bright sunny day. Had a good sleep and decide to get out of bed and sort my day and night bag. They haven’t had a good scour since I started the cycle and in order to stay half organised I need to sort them. That doesn’t take long so there is time to do some other housekeeping. Breakfast is tea, toast and poached eggs with Fiona and Darragh and Gerry and Liam who are also on the cycle (father and son). Up and out by 8am and a lift back to the start. Its very cold this morning even though we were forecast good weather. At least there is no rain for now.  At the school, as soon as I get there, Gavin and Maggie arrive. Gavin is excited about the cycle and its great to see him here. We set about getting him signed on.  Rolling out of Mallow there is a longish drag which comes too early for me. Legs are never woke up this early. The road to Mitchelstown is rolling and it’s a leg dragger. Michelstown itself seems to be built on hills and entering the s

We were picked up last night by Mike, our host. Mike had only a van so he took one of us and his neighbour Paddy took two more. On the way Mike said we would stop at  Supervalu to get supplies to cook dinner. We had a great dinner in a fine big farmhouse in front of a roaring stove with wine and good craic. Mike is a great character, has spent years in the States and cycled across America before coming home to Ireland. Such an inspirational man. Some of the guys were going out to the pub but we decided to stay in the homestay for the evening. That was a good decision. I need a quiet night. Woke this morning to another dull day. looks like rain might come . But, gotta get up and out. Nice bowl of porridge , some brown bread and jam and we are off back to the start with neighbour Pat. Mike is a roofing contractor and is gone as we are leaving. Back at the school Pat came in with us to see what goes on. Its a great school we have coffee and tea and scones laid on and it reall