The Cycle 2013 | For the National Rehabilitation Hospital (1500km / 10 days)

partyatmygaff

(Captain Havoc gave the ok for this thread!)


Hello everyone,

I'm part of a committee organising The Cycle 2013 which is a 1500km cycle around the entire island of Ireland being ran by three cyclists from Trinity College in aid of the National Rehabilitation Hospital and a classmate and friend who became paralysed from the chest down following a tragic freak accident.

What we're asking for is your support, in whatever way you can. Whether it's a donation, a like on our Facebook page, a retweet, a donation on our website or even just a tip from fellow cyclists!

This is a mammoth task for a great cause and your support would be appreciated by everyone involved.

The Cycle

Tom Riddle

Best of luck 1500km in ten days is no easy feat.

wanted to make a donation there but it looks as if the bank details aren't up?

partyatmygaff

Sorry about that, they'll be available from Monday onwards hopefully!

Thanks for your support!

ford2600

Do ye have route details sorted? Where will ye be staying? Support vehicle or are ye touring?[

quote="partyatmygaff;84133272"]Sorry about that, they'll be available from Monday onwards hopefully!

Thanks for your support![/quote]

partyatmygaff

The route is more or less finalised at this stage. There might be a change or two nearer to the date but that's unlikely. More details about the date when The Cycle will be passing through each town will be up on the site in the very near future.

As for where the cyclists will be staying every night, at present, it's a mix between hostels and people offering accommodation and support at certain stages.

We've also planned for a support car for photos/videos, first aid equipment and the material for the occasional fundraising stop during the route

Zyzz

Is it just the 3 lads doing the cycle or can others do it?

partyatmygaff

Other cyclists can join in for some or all of the stages

If you want to take part, send an email to info@cycle2013.com and we'll get right back to you with all the necessary details (You have to get a card is all).

Zyzz

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Other cyclists can join in for some or all of the stages

If you want to take part, send an email to info@cycle2013.com and we'll get right back to you with all the necessary details (You have to get a card is all).

I'll give it some thought for sure, to say you have cycled around Ireland would be pretty cool and to do it for a great cause

Have all the details regarding accommodation etc been finalised? If taking part would disrupt all of that..

partyatmygaff

Accommodation will be organised a month in advance of the start date (Once we have final numbers of everyone taking part) and will be a mix of hostels and/or people offering somewhere to stay (There's been a few offers made already!) depending on the stage.

So feel free to send us an email and get involved!



(And i'm aware there's an issue with the donate button not working for some people... it's being fixed but in the meanwhile here's the direct link: http://www.mycharity.ie/event_Donate1.php?donationTypeID=900101&userEventID=44802)

ford2600

First off well done on all the work to date, 90 miles a day for 10 days will be tough.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't like route.
* Your missing out on best parts of country, Antrim coast, donegal, best parts of Sligo, mayo, connemara, The Burren, Dingle, Iveragh, Caha and Mizen peninsulas, Copper coast, Wicklow..
* Some roads look very busy, Castlebar-Galway- Ennis if going direct has some horrible sections, also Killarney Mallow isn't much fun on a bike.
* Pretty scenery on quite roads is bliss
* If route is cast in stone work away, if not think about tweaking it for your own sake

Sorry for the wet blanket post!

partyatmygaff

Thanks for the suggestions! The route's still not finalised and the finer details have yet to be worked out so your tips and advice are invaluable!

We received an email around last Monday from a member here who wanted to join The Cycle. Check your email!

Ciaran OHara

Hi Guys

We are doing the same thing in September and are kind of around the same stage of finalising a route. We should swap some ideas and information if your keen. Have attached a link below for our route. (sorry its so big)


https://maps.google.com.kh/maps?saddr=Greysteel,+United+Kingdom&daddr=Gweedore,+Ireland+to:Donegal+Town,+Ireland+to:Ballina,+Ireland+to:Westport,+Ireland+to:Galway,+Galway+City,+Ireland+to:52.8093797,-8.9319603+to:Limerick+City,+Ireland+to:52.567962,-9.3325035+to:Tralee,+Ireland+to:Bantry,+Ireland+to:51.5461938,-9.3639568+to:Cork,+Ireland+to:Wexford,+Ireland+to:Wicklow+Town+Citizens+Information+Centre,+Wicklow,+Ireland+to:Enniskerry,+Ireland+to:Kilsallaghan,+Ireland+to:Dundalk,+Ireland+to:54.3401817,-5.7135761+to:Dundonald,+United+Kingdom+to:Bushmills,+United+Kingdom+to:55.166283,-6.8301142+to:Greysteel,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&sll=54.094839,-6.223755&sspn=1.388418,3.532104&geocode=FYK6RwMdpGST_ylBape5KQxgSDEiedI9V-KPSw%3BFUn-RwMdoHCC_ymtATvAoYJfSDFsBE73Nxi9uQ%3BFfX0QQMdLj6E_ykXHP0XM6hfSDGwdDGXqccACg%3BFYS6OQMdA050_ym1eW9gczdZSDHgnjGXqccACg%3BFZP0NAMdldJu_ymvCf0_VmNZSDGA6jGXqccACg%3BFR_YLAMdZM51_yn_Wy1alZNbSDGBUkkKRBsrAw%3BFaPOJQMdiLV3_ynHQDmjkWxbSDEfnvcoAT9plw%3BFXSmIwMdH098_ykTUVQfYVxbSDEwczGXqccACg%3BFZofIgMd6Zhx_ykl1C_haidbSDEod38XHJcV2A%3BFc6YHQMdpP1r_ynpYlwaZDVFSDF_NjCXY-BxbA%3BFXyWFAMdZdNv_ym5dJn7VgpFSDEgojGXqccACg%3BFVGIEgMdDB5x_ylhcqiW7qNFSDHQCpehqfEj2g%3BFTziFwMdVIJ-_ylhub6RCJBESDHQxTGXqccACg%3BFRSZHgMdlmCd_ylvSjm0YRtoSDGAcjGXqccACg%3BFX1pKAMd9NSj_yHbOXRh29ALSCmBtGpny7BnSDHbOXRh29ALSA%3BFSCrKwMdlteh_ykNmdRZqKdnSDGA0zGXqccACg%3BFS76LwMdKZSf_ynjA9yj3xNnSDEyUlW7p8cAJg%3BFXnxNwMdu0Ce_ynLasikH8xgSDGQdDGXqccACg%3BFVUqPQMdWNGo_ynBcdwgIRVhSDGQMEuAcOiGnA%3BFUkGQQMdzpSn_yn3pogBBwthSDHAbJ83fp-5-A%3BFcRcSgMdvHWc_ymthIBHLSlgSDG7phO7cvd7NA%3BFUvFSQMd3seX_ymjkbXAfxhgSDHGl00OkQk7pQ%3BFYK6RwMdpGST_ylBape5KQxgSDEiedI9V-KPSw&oq=dun&doflg=ptk&mra=dpe&mrsp=18&sz=8&via=6,8,11,18,21&t=m&z=8

ford2600

I'd change Galway Ennis Limerick section.
Head for Ballyvaughan, take coast through Clare, incl Burren and take ferry across to Tarbert. Get to Tralee that way, maybe via Ballybunion.

Also look at taking Coast road from Dungarvan to Waterford and take ferry to wexford...

Cobh Ferry rather than Cork City and take back roads most of way to Midelton. N25 dual carriageway no joke for bikes despite the number of gus that use it

Just a few ideas

Ciaran OHara wrote: »

Hi Guys

We are doing the same thing in September and are kind of around the same stage of finalising a route. We should swap some ideas and information if your keen. Have attached a link below for our route. (sorry its so big)


https://maps.google.com.kh/maps?saddr=Greysteel,+United+Kingdom&daddr=Gweedore,+Ireland+to:Donegal+Town,+Ireland+to:Ballina,+Ireland+to:Westport,+Ireland+to:Galway,+Galway+City,+Ireland+to:52.8093797,-8.9319603+to:Limerick+City,+Ireland+to:52.567962,-9.3325035+to:Tralee,+Ireland+to:Bantry,+Ireland+to:51.5461938,-9.3639568+to:Cork,+Ireland+to:Wexford,+Ireland+to:Wicklow+Town+Citizens+Information+Centre,+Wicklow,+Ireland+to:Enniskerry,+Ireland+to:Kilsallaghan,+Ireland+to:Dundalk,+Ireland+to:54.3401817,-5.7135761+to:Dundonald,+United+Kingdom+to:Bushmills,+United+Kingdom+to:55.166283,-6.8301142+to:Greysteel,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&sll=54.094839,-6.223755&sspn=1.388418,3.532104&geocode=FYK6RwMdpGST_ylBape5KQxgSDEiedI9V-KPSw%3BFUn-RwMdoHCC_ymtATvAoYJfSDFsBE73Nxi9uQ%3BFfX0QQMdLj6E_ykXHP0XM6hfSDGwdDGXqccACg%3BFYS6OQMdA050_ym1eW9gczdZSDHgnjGXqccACg%3BFZP0NAMdldJu_ymvCf0_VmNZSDGA6jGXqccACg%3BFR_YLAMdZM51_yn_Wy1alZNbSDGBUkkKRBsrAw%3BFaPOJQMdiLV3_ynHQDmjkWxbSDEfnvcoAT9plw%3BFXSmIwMdH098_ykTUVQfYVxbSDEwczGXqccACg%3BFZofIgMd6Zhx_ykl1C_haidbSDEod38XHJcV2A%3BFc6YHQMdpP1r_ynpYlwaZDVFSDF_NjCXY-BxbA%3BFXyWFAMdZdNv_ym5dJn7VgpFSDEgojGXqccACg%3BFVGIEgMdDB5x_ylhcqiW7qNFSDHQCpehqfEj2g%3BFTziFwMdVIJ-_ylhub6RCJBESDHQxTGXqccACg%3BFRSZHgMdlmCd_ylvSjm0YRtoSDGAcjGXqccACg%3BFX1pKAMd9NSj_yHbOXRh29ALSCmBtGpny7BnSDHbOXRh29ALSA%3BFSCrKwMdlteh_ykNmdRZqKdnSDGA0zGXqccACg%3BFS76LwMdKZSf_ynjA9yj3xNnSDEyUlW7p8cAJg%3BFXnxNwMdu0Ce_ynLasikH8xgSDGQdDGXqccACg%3BFVUqPQMdWNGo_ynBcdwgIRVhSDGQMEuAcOiGnA%3BFUkGQQMdzpSn_yn3pogBBwthSDHAbJ83fp-5-A%3BFcRcSgMdvHWc_ymthIBHLSlgSDG7phO7cvd7NA%3BFUvFSQMd3seX_ymjkbXAfxhgSDHGl00OkQk7pQ%3BFYK6RwMdpGST_ylBape5KQxgSDEiedI9V-KPSw&oq=dun&doflg=ptk&mra=dpe&mrsp=18&sz=8&via=6,8,11,18,21&t=m&z=8

Ciaran OHara

Thanks for the info ford, will have a gander at your suggestions.

partyatmygaff

Two weeks left to go! (3rd July is the start date)

If anyone's interested in joining in, please send an email to info@cycle2013.com

Check out the new teaser video and find out more here.

Zyzz

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Two weeks left to go! (3rd July is the start date)

If anyone's interested in joining in, please send an email to info@cycle2013.com

Check out the new teaser video and find out more here.

No helmets in your trailer vid :eek:

But good luck, prepare for sore arses

partyatmygaff

It's all about getting the action in to build up some excitement!

The support cars, the safety equipment and all the other less-than-exhilarating stuff were all off-screen

The route has been finalised, most of the fine details have been ironed out and we're all thrilled to see things in action after months of planning. Still waiting on final numbers of cyclists so one last call for anyone interested in joining in for one or all of the stages. Send us an email on info@cycle2013.com

The route's attached in [URL=https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/165419/258659.pdf[/URL] PDF.

buffalo

I'll be joining the lads for a few days at the end of the route - I have other commitments that unfortunately mean I can't do the whole thing.

Some of ye know I had a close friend suffer a freak accident at Easter. A spontaneous, "one-in-a-million" blood clot compressed his spinal cord, and for two weeks he was paralysed from the chest down. It was a pretty dark time - we accepted the worst case scenario, and prepared as such. He was recently married - I was his best man - and in a single instance, the life that lay before him was torn away.

Thankfully, after two weeks he started to get some movement back. Though he's still spending most of his time in a wheelchair, he can take steps with a frame. He spent his first night in his own bed Saturday just gone, and this weekend he'll spend two nights.

He was only transferred to the NRH a few weeks ago, but they have been hugely helpful and supportive since the very beginning. In the early days they were full of comforting advice and hope, and pretty much gave counselling over the phone.

Now that he's there, he's in a pretty intensive programme of occupational therapy, physio and sports, which is helping hugely. Whenever I've been in, the atmosphere has been great, the staff are all very friendly, and it makes such a difference to the patients and those around them.

So when I saw the lads were organising this, I saw a nice opportunity to give something back. By the time I join them, they'll probably be experts at long distance cycling, but a bit tired, so hopefully I can at least shelter them for a bit and pace them up the hills.

If you've got a few quid to spare, I'd really appreciate any donations you give to the lads on my behalf. If you leave your name I'll thank you personally next time I see you, and kiss you on the mouth if you're into that. As an alternative, I'll shake your hand.

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/joeandjamies_cycle_around_ireland/

Much love,
buffalo.

partyatmygaff

https://www.facebook.com/Cycle2013

The video's finally complete (and the bloopers reel's on the way too!)

With 12 days to go until the start date and €11,600 to go to reach our target of €15,000 we need all your support. Please share the video where you can and donate, every little bit helps! The minimum donation is only €2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZg5yMHEmHw

12 days to go, any cyclists who want to join in need to send us an email very soon at info@cycle2013.com. That and we've €11,600 to go, any and all donations no matter how small (mycharity.ie who process our payments have €2 as a minimum) would be greatly appreciated. That and if you could share the video and page, it'd be a great help to get the word around.

Thanks!

partyatmygaff

Hear about JP O'Brien's story and the work of the National Rehabilitation Hospital here in this interview with RTE.

https://www.facebook.com/Cycle2013/posts/567478113305161

Zyzz

Quick note, jump on twitter and see if you can get some big cyclists to retweet about your cause! (Nic Roche, Dan Martin etc etc)

partyatmygaff

Zyzz wrote: »

Quick note, jump on twitter and see if you can get some big cyclists to retweet about your cause! (Nic Roche, Dan Martin etc etc)

Thanks for that! I've asked them and hope they'll help us out.

So far, we've gotten retweets off Paul McGrath, George Hook, Rosanna Davison, RTE Sport, RTENewsNow and a few others such as car manufacturers/pharmacy chains. I'd like to thank them for all their help in getting the word around.

In another news, The Cycle starts in less than seven days! Excited to see things get moving after so many weeks of talking and planning.

If you haven't already, please read the story and donate here at http://www.cycle2013.com

(And if you want to join in, this is the final call to send an email to info@Cycle2013.com , the stage list is available http://www.cycle2013.com/blog/?page_id=30 )

partyatmygaff

Set off today at 9AM and past stage 1 already.

The Metro Herald and a few other papers are doing a piece on The Cycle tomorrow, keep an eye out.

http://www.cycle2013.com

buffalo

Off to join the lads in the morning, assuming I manage to blag the bike on to the train. You can read about why I'm doing it and sponsor me at http://www.mycharity.ie/event/brian_mc_cycles

Going to be burned alive!

partyatmygaff

buffalo wrote: »

Off to join the lads in the morning, assuming I manage to blag the bike on to the train. You can read about why I'm doing it and sponsor me at http://www.mycharity.ie/event/brian_mc_cycles

Going to be burned alive!

Glad to have you with us!

http://www.cycle2013.com

And before I forget, 1000km down!!!

partyatmygaff

And it's over, congratulations to all the cyclists involved! Amazing achievement by everyone.



www.facebook.com/cycle2013

www.cycle2013.com - still open for donations