Ciao from Roma...we made it.
This is not going to be easy. Not sure how I can put the last few days into words but will try to do so; all be it very briefly.
Arrived in Roma on Sunday at 3pm to St Pietro de Montario in Rome - the church where Hugh O'Neill is buried. There was a wedding on that afternoon in the church but the advanced party had sorted a local curate who arranged to have the carpet rolled back for us...good work Dad. As it happened, Sunday was the 20th of July which was also the anniversary of the death of Hugh O'Neill...he died on 20th July 1616. A fluke but a significant and poignant date nonetheless.
On seeing the grave I had to pinch myself several times. Here we were. Our journey's end. All the talk, all the planning, all the training, all the cycling had finally come to this moment. It was very special to us all. To have friends and family there made it even more special, it really meant a lot.
So what were the stats I hear you wonder? Well it only was 2,444km and took 23 days which equated to 107hrs and 35 minutes in the saddle. We covered 5 countries and had 11 cyclists on board at different stages. We have also bought shares in Ffyffes from the countless bananas consumed and have so far raised over 6,700 euro for the Irish Cancer Society. It will take some time for all this to digest.
There's so much more to come. Too many people to thank and a few yarns to be spun but be patient...that will all come over the next few weeks. Just because the cycle is over doesn't mean the blog is too. Stay tuned.
Same bat time, same bat channel.
GC
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Le Dolce Vita
Italy...Ok in the time it takes for my internet use to expire I'll try and give you some sense of what the last couple of days have been like. I've 11 mins 40 secs left so this is going to be brief. 3 days across the plains of Lombardy entailed lots of flat straight roads with traffic for company. The only inclines were the hump-backed bridges over the irrigation drains. Enough said.
We reached Assisi today. 8 cyclists and 5 support crew make it all so much more interesting. If there was only 3 of us then I think we'd have run out of things to say long ago. Assisi is a medieval town with lots of narrow stone streets and of course plenty of churches - a very quiet and peaceful spot...a bit like Knock!
None of us were prepared for the Apennines. Some serious hills but with that comes fantastic scenery. Yesterday was a major baptism of fire for our new recruits - Rachel, Diarmuid and Gilly. Over 2,400m climbed in 110km...the most climbing by far on the trip. The scenery was breathtaking too. One of the most scenic days so far.
Today was no different. A monumental or just plain mental climb greeted us at 5 to 9 this morning. When my back wheel began to spin on a bit of loose gravel I knew we had a toughie on our hands, or legs! A minimum of 20% gradient in sections - I'm not kidding. Gilly reckoned that the hill had to be illegal. We christened it "Col de Prego"...our own interpretation of "prego" is not what you'll find in the dictionary by the way.
Niall McGee burst on the scene today. He's a runner by trade but there was no holding him back on the hills. Glad he was on a big brute of a bike which slowed him down somewhat.
We've 2 days left, all be it long days. Can't believe we're so close to Roma. Saw our first sign for it today too. Getting exciting now. 54 secs left, better post quickly.
GC
We reached Assisi today. 8 cyclists and 5 support crew make it all so much more interesting. If there was only 3 of us then I think we'd have run out of things to say long ago. Assisi is a medieval town with lots of narrow stone streets and of course plenty of churches - a very quiet and peaceful spot...a bit like Knock!
None of us were prepared for the Apennines. Some serious hills but with that comes fantastic scenery. Yesterday was a major baptism of fire for our new recruits - Rachel, Diarmuid and Gilly. Over 2,400m climbed in 110km...the most climbing by far on the trip. The scenery was breathtaking too. One of the most scenic days so far.
Today was no different. A monumental or just plain mental climb greeted us at 5 to 9 this morning. When my back wheel began to spin on a bit of loose gravel I knew we had a toughie on our hands, or legs! A minimum of 20% gradient in sections - I'm not kidding. Gilly reckoned that the hill had to be illegal. We christened it "Col de Prego"...our own interpretation of "prego" is not what you'll find in the dictionary by the way.
Niall McGee burst on the scene today. He's a runner by trade but there was no holding him back on the hills. Glad he was on a big brute of a bike which slowed him down somewhat.
We've 2 days left, all be it long days. Can't believe we're so close to Roma. Saw our first sign for it today too. Getting exciting now. 54 secs left, better post quickly.
GC
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Martin Connery - The Miracle Man
Let's go back to last August and the seeds of this trip. Myself and Mick were chatting over a cuppa about our trip to the Pyrenées and the Alps and how it would be good to do something like that again but in the process raise some money for charity. We both felt strongly about cancer and believed that although neither of us had (at the time) any direct family or friends suffer from the disease it was a very worthy cause. We had a charity now all we needed was a route.
Another Mikado or two later (I happened to be out of Fig Rolls) and the Flight of the Earls was mentioned. The idea formed over the next few weeks and months, Hardy came on board and the rest you know.
Then in December we got word that Martin was in hospital with a stomach tumour. Over the next few months I can only imagine what the man went through. At all times however he continued to talk about coming on the trip. It was, I suppose, a goal for him; something to aim for. When we were on our Sunday morning training spins in February and March, Martin was having chemo. We all hoped of course that he'd be well enough to come but as the fine weather approached it (and he'll be the first one to acknowledge it) it seemed less and less likely.
However, in May Martin got back on the bike. His first day out he took part in a Tour de Turlough (a local team handicap race) with his son Mark and they settled for a respectable pace of 16m.p.h. The two of them won the race and posted a time over 20 mph...Martin was back.
In early June I got a text from Martin to say that his flights were booked. I replied in one word "Deadly" Ok in hindsight it wasn't the best choice of words after all he'd been through but he knew what I meant.
On the 4th of July he joined us in Belgium. Since then he has cycled over 1,400km in 13 days. He has climbed every hill, spun every crank and not once did we have to look over our shoulder to see where he was. To say he's an inspiration to us all falls way too short. Many people in his position would just be happy to stay at home, watch the match on telly and count themselves lucky. Not Martin. He's thriving, he's living and he's loving every minute of it.
One of the defining moments of the trip for him was reaching the top of the Ballon d'Alsace which was the first big climb of the trip. That was Martin's acid test and he passed with loads to spare. He insisted on buying us all a memento to mark the occasion and it's something we will all remember.
He's leaving tomorrow not because he's tired and he's had enough but because he going to his neice's wedding at the weekend (another goal of his during the dark days). We'll miss him for the jokes (that you Gunter?) the singing but not for the punctures. It's been a pleasure for us all having him and he has been the success story of this trip.
GC
Another Mikado or two later (I happened to be out of Fig Rolls) and the Flight of the Earls was mentioned. The idea formed over the next few weeks and months, Hardy came on board and the rest you know.
Then in December we got word that Martin was in hospital with a stomach tumour. Over the next few months I can only imagine what the man went through. At all times however he continued to talk about coming on the trip. It was, I suppose, a goal for him; something to aim for. When we were on our Sunday morning training spins in February and March, Martin was having chemo. We all hoped of course that he'd be well enough to come but as the fine weather approached it (and he'll be the first one to acknowledge it) it seemed less and less likely.
However, in May Martin got back on the bike. His first day out he took part in a Tour de Turlough (a local team handicap race) with his son Mark and they settled for a respectable pace of 16m.p.h. The two of them won the race and posted a time over 20 mph...Martin was back.
In early June I got a text from Martin to say that his flights were booked. I replied in one word "Deadly" Ok in hindsight it wasn't the best choice of words after all he'd been through but he knew what I meant.
On the 4th of July he joined us in Belgium. Since then he has cycled over 1,400km in 13 days. He has climbed every hill, spun every crank and not once did we have to look over our shoulder to see where he was. To say he's an inspiration to us all falls way too short. Many people in his position would just be happy to stay at home, watch the match on telly and count themselves lucky. Not Martin. He's thriving, he's living and he's loving every minute of it.
One of the defining moments of the trip for him was reaching the top of the Ballon d'Alsace which was the first big climb of the trip. That was Martin's acid test and he passed with loads to spare. He insisted on buying us all a memento to mark the occasion and it's something we will all remember.
He's leaving tomorrow not because he's tired and he's had enough but because he going to his neice's wedding at the weekend (another goal of his during the dark days). We'll miss him for the jokes (that you Gunter?) the singing but not for the punctures. It's been a pleasure for us all having him and he has been the success story of this trip.
GC
Monday, July 14, 2008
The St Gotthard Experience
So at this stage you are all getting some idea of our trip and all of the different experiences that we are having. But its about time that we got into some of the nitty gritty details of a trip like this, aye how much suda cream do you really need and do cyclists wear underpants and of course how does your bum feel after 7 hours in the saddle? Vitally important questions I would have thought to relay to all our avid blog watchers out there and its about time they were answered!
So like most of you out there who, like me 2 months ago, have never experienced anything like this before Im going to do my best to explain what this cycling lark really feels like! And really theres no better way to do this than to relay to you The St Gotthard Experience. Sounds harmless doesnt it? Sounds like a pleasant continental jaunt or some sort of informative tour of a local historical landmark, wouldnt you say? Well in fact its a monster 30km Alpine climb to 2,1oom, with stunning views, precipitous drops, staggering feats of engineering and of course a large dollop of suffering for the virgin alpine climberaka mise.
Now 30km is a long way uphill for the average Paddy to get their head around, sure you can hardly go 10km uphill in Ireland never mind 30! In fact thats really the most important thing about mastering an alpine climb on the bike: you simply have to say to yourself that this is going to go on for a long, long time. Yes your legs are screaming for a break, your lungs are often trying to burst out of your chest and you are up and down out of the saddle more often than your Granny with a weak bladder, but in your head you refuse to give in, you know that with every revolution of the pedals you are one step closer to the summit and one step closer to achieving something really significant. And of course you are in an environment that is both breathtaking and inspiring. So I suppose to climb an Alpine pass on a bike is both a mental and physical experience that requires huge reserves in both domains but a hugely satisfying and fulfilling event especially your first one.
As for the suda cream, well lets just say its not something I wont pack again! And finally underpants....what are they?!!!!!!!
MT
So like most of you out there who, like me 2 months ago, have never experienced anything like this before Im going to do my best to explain what this cycling lark really feels like! And really theres no better way to do this than to relay to you The St Gotthard Experience. Sounds harmless doesnt it? Sounds like a pleasant continental jaunt or some sort of informative tour of a local historical landmark, wouldnt you say? Well in fact its a monster 30km Alpine climb to 2,1oom, with stunning views, precipitous drops, staggering feats of engineering and of course a large dollop of suffering for the virgin alpine climberaka mise.
Now 30km is a long way uphill for the average Paddy to get their head around, sure you can hardly go 10km uphill in Ireland never mind 30! In fact thats really the most important thing about mastering an alpine climb on the bike: you simply have to say to yourself that this is going to go on for a long, long time. Yes your legs are screaming for a break, your lungs are often trying to burst out of your chest and you are up and down out of the saddle more often than your Granny with a weak bladder, but in your head you refuse to give in, you know that with every revolution of the pedals you are one step closer to the summit and one step closer to achieving something really significant. And of course you are in an environment that is both breathtaking and inspiring. So I suppose to climb an Alpine pass on a bike is both a mental and physical experience that requires huge reserves in both domains but a hugely satisfying and fulfilling event especially your first one.
As for the suda cream, well lets just say its not something I wont pack again! And finally underpants....what are they?!!!!!!!
MT
St Gotthard Pass Switz.(2,108m)
Friday 11th July saw us leaving Wassen (no harm there - a charming little alpine village but €2.80 for a glass of tap water...COME ON!!!) and climb the St. Gotthard Pass. About 12 km from the top of the climb we crossed the Teufelsbruche (Devil's Bridge). This was a significant spot for us as on Paddy's Day in 1608 Hugh and the lads lost a large amount of money when their donkey fell down the gorge. They spent two days trying to recover the loot but to no avail. We considered pushing a couple of our own donkeys down the ravine but couldn't agree to which one. Mike? Bernie? Too tough to call.
On crossing the Gotthard Pass (which was a bit of a let down on top as there wasn't even a sign signifying the top) we arrived into the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. It's amazing how quickly a country can change. During breakfast we were "danke" this and "bitte" that and by lunch time it was ''ciaos'' and ''pregos'' all over the place.
A thunder storm after lunch meant we had to put the head down to Bellinzona. Hardy couldn't decide if he wanted to cycle on the road or the bike lane so decided to do both. A broken spoke meant a short stop in a bike shop where the mechanic treated his wheel as a brain surgeon would a brain...an art in itself to see him truing a wheel.
After chocolate, the rain stopped, the sun shone and all was right with the world again. Finished up in Intragna. A small little idyllic village in the mountains with a savage final km up hill. Just what we all needed after 134 km. However, pain is only temporary and the memory of good food is permanent. The grub was savage and the craic even better. One of the really good days.
GC
On crossing the Gotthard Pass (which was a bit of a let down on top as there wasn't even a sign signifying the top) we arrived into the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. It's amazing how quickly a country can change. During breakfast we were "danke" this and "bitte" that and by lunch time it was ''ciaos'' and ''pregos'' all over the place.
A thunder storm after lunch meant we had to put the head down to Bellinzona. Hardy couldn't decide if he wanted to cycle on the road or the bike lane so decided to do both. A broken spoke meant a short stop in a bike shop where the mechanic treated his wheel as a brain surgeon would a brain...an art in itself to see him truing a wheel.
After chocolate, the rain stopped, the sun shone and all was right with the world again. Finished up in Intragna. A small little idyllic village in the mountains with a savage final km up hill. Just what we all needed after 134 km. However, pain is only temporary and the memory of good food is permanent. The grub was savage and the craic even better. One of the really good days.
GC
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Balsthal - Switzerland - Eight of the Seventh
Arrived in Switzerland today...two countries down, three to go if you include the land mass that is San Marino.
So far over 1,200km, two punctures, one medieval fair, one broken wheel (Mick has perfected the art of cycling on one wheel), one night on the tear (still not fully recovered from that yet), 7 stitches, 6 good goings over from our close friend Debbie and two cols (for the uninitiated, a col is one mo'fo' of a hill).
Spirits are high and went even higher on receiving the news that Bernie arrived today with a melted wheel. We first thought that Michael O'Leary decided to strap his bike to the wing to save money when in actual fact Bernie melted the wheel himself on the way to the airport, the fumes from the Galant getting the better of the new Panaracer tyre.
Verdun: an amazing spot...a fortress town that still bears all the scars from the war...everywhere you look there are military graveyards and we went to visit a destroyed village called Bezonvaux which brought it all home.
So for those of you who think that the weather at home is depressing try this: on Sunday we pedalled to le Thillot at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace from Toul - a mere 145km. Now here's the best bit: having eaten in a dodgy pizzeria the night before we were all suffering from Delhi Belly and with 90km to go it started to rain, now when I say rain I don't mean the light old drizzle you get at home - this was pelting, vertical, and really drenching rain. My passport, Hardy's evening wear and Martin's copy of War and Peace all were casualties. On arriving in le Thillot we discovered that the hotel we were booked in was closed. Nothing new there as it was Sunday afternoon in France afterall and we'd been through all of that before. So we ensconsced ourselves in a local pub, taught the friendly barmaid how to make hot whiskeys, wrapped our feet in newspaper and watched the Tour on telly. 2 hrs later and the hotel still wasn't opened so we ask our barmaid "what's the story missus?" "L'hotel est fermé Monsieur...c'est dimanche"..."Oh Scheisse" (been practising my German but not my spelling).
In the end le Terminus was our saviour. Yet to be stuck for a roof over our heads...yet.
GC
So far over 1,200km, two punctures, one medieval fair, one broken wheel (Mick has perfected the art of cycling on one wheel), one night on the tear (still not fully recovered from that yet), 7 stitches, 6 good goings over from our close friend Debbie and two cols (for the uninitiated, a col is one mo'fo' of a hill).
Spirits are high and went even higher on receiving the news that Bernie arrived today with a melted wheel. We first thought that Michael O'Leary decided to strap his bike to the wing to save money when in actual fact Bernie melted the wheel himself on the way to the airport, the fumes from the Galant getting the better of the new Panaracer tyre.
Verdun: an amazing spot...a fortress town that still bears all the scars from the war...everywhere you look there are military graveyards and we went to visit a destroyed village called Bezonvaux which brought it all home.
So for those of you who think that the weather at home is depressing try this: on Sunday we pedalled to le Thillot at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace from Toul - a mere 145km. Now here's the best bit: having eaten in a dodgy pizzeria the night before we were all suffering from Delhi Belly and with 90km to go it started to rain, now when I say rain I don't mean the light old drizzle you get at home - this was pelting, vertical, and really drenching rain. My passport, Hardy's evening wear and Martin's copy of War and Peace all were casualties. On arriving in le Thillot we discovered that the hotel we were booked in was closed. Nothing new there as it was Sunday afternoon in France afterall and we'd been through all of that before. So we ensconsced ourselves in a local pub, taught the friendly barmaid how to make hot whiskeys, wrapped our feet in newspaper and watched the Tour on telly. 2 hrs later and the hotel still wasn't opened so we ask our barmaid "what's the story missus?" "L'hotel est fermé Monsieur...c'est dimanche"..."Oh Scheisse" (been practising my German but not my spelling).
In the end le Terminus was our saviour. Yet to be stuck for a roof over our heads...yet.
GC
Thursday, July 3, 2008
St. Hubert (Belgium) - Day 6
Finally, at last...the internet (how am I going to survive in Cameroon next year?)
So far so great. After 6 days in the saddle we're well and truly under way.
Every day has been a blast and last night in Louvain was one too - the mother and father of all hangovers today dropped the average speed to 18km/hr...a short 145km in a long 7 hours didn't help matters. Forgiveness required for the shortness of detail - wrecked and the Belgian keyboard doesn't help.
So in brief, 5 flatish days with a tailwind took us across northern France...top class Highlights included the ferry crossing in Quillebeuf, the chateau in Blangy for €15 for the night, the green fields of France, the poppies, the view from the Halle au Draps in Soignies and in Louvain.
Took a tour of Louvain and got a real sense of the significance and importance of the Flight of the Earls and the role that the Irish college has played in shaping and continuing to shape our history. A real eye-opener for us all. A big shout of thanks to Malachy and all the staff for their kindness, hospitality and the hangover. Merci beaucoup!!!
Joined by Mike and Martin today so (unlike the Earls) the group is growing.
Tomorrow, France again - 130 km to Verdun.
A toute à l'heure,
GC
So far so great. After 6 days in the saddle we're well and truly under way.
Every day has been a blast and last night in Louvain was one too - the mother and father of all hangovers today dropped the average speed to 18km/hr...a short 145km in a long 7 hours didn't help matters. Forgiveness required for the shortness of detail - wrecked and the Belgian keyboard doesn't help.
So in brief, 5 flatish days with a tailwind took us across northern France...top class Highlights included the ferry crossing in Quillebeuf, the chateau in Blangy for €15 for the night, the green fields of France, the poppies, the view from the Halle au Draps in Soignies and in Louvain.
Took a tour of Louvain and got a real sense of the significance and importance of the Flight of the Earls and the role that the Irish college has played in shaping and continuing to shape our history. A real eye-opener for us all. A big shout of thanks to Malachy and all the staff for their kindness, hospitality and the hangover. Merci beaucoup!!!
Joined by Mike and Martin today so (unlike the Earls) the group is growing.
Tomorrow, France again - 130 km to Verdun.
A toute à l'heure,
GC
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