After many many miles of training and preparation the cyclists of Cappagh took to the highways and byways of Ireland and rode northwards to the greatest parish in the world!
The event ran smoothly from the very start, thanks to the amazing preparations of the Events Committee and the cooperation of all those taking part. It all got underway on Thursday night when the first bikes were packed in a Gorthrush Trading lorry at the Parish Hall. On Friday from 5, the remaining bikes were packed in to the lorry provided by Strathroy, while the cyclists and there gear were packed into to two coaches for the journey to Dublin. And what a bus journey that proved to be!
Saturday started early with everyone getting fed and prepared, walking there bikes through the Skylon Lobby to ride to Headquarters. The sight on Jones Road would have made anyone who saw it proud as we quite literally took over Croke Park. At 9.30 Priesident of the Association, Christy Cooney gave a rousing speech and set us on our way. What followed was unbelievable, the Sea of blue that swept through and shut down the traffic of our capital was an awesome sight.
With the weather in our favor we set of from Jones Road; Gardai outriders took us through Ballymun towards Ashbourne and on to the first organised stop, (thanks to Seamus McCallion & Brian Donnelly who were there with Snak Packs for all). After a quick ‘Splash and Dash’ the riders were set of on to the open roads in there teams, for the hills of Slane and Collon and on to Hunterstown (a special thanks must be given to DAmaina Green & Slane GFC for the Cappagh Flags and support on ‘the hill’ & Sean McClean and Hunterstown GAA for the use of their facilities). Kathleen McClean and her daughter, Marie Wallace, Sibhoan & Edel Sweeney, Bridgett O’Neill, Maria Harpur Mark & Mariead McBride provided Soup, Sandwhiches & smiles to warm the hearts of the riders at the half way stop. The team got a little rest bite before they set of again!
