Cavan Memorial Cycle

While cycling is growing ever more popular as a leisure activity and source of exercise for people, it is important to remember that it is not without its risks. Unfortunately, for the members of The Over The Hill Cycling Club from Watergrasshill that was brought in to start relief back in 2019 when one of the club’s members, Simon Martin, tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained while out cycling. Simon was an admired and much loved member of the club and recently friends and clubmates of Simon took on a four day challenge to raise funds for "Aquired Brain Injury Ireland" in his name. Amongst those friends and clubmates were two members of the Blackwater triathlon Club, Marie MacAree and Club Chairperson, Niamh Fleming. Day one went from Watergrasshill (home of OTHCC) to Tullamore (177km). Day 2, brought the cyclists from Tullamore to Kingscourt in Cavan where Simon grew up (104km). Day 3 was a spin from Kingscourt to Kilkenny (182km) and finally day 4 brought them back home after another 130km in the saddle. To date, over €8000 has been raised for a very worthy cause. With Covid restrictions making it difficult to get in the miles early in the year, and not being able to cycle as a group, some of the cyclists were not as conditioned to hours in the saddle as I would have been on previous Malin to Mizen and Mizen to Malin challenges. Niamh was amongst those who faced the first day with a greater than usual level of trepidation, not too sure if she could manage the 4 days. But as with all good clubs, everyone looked out for one another and everyone all made it up and back safely, a few shades darker but no lighter, proving that we fuelled well along the way! They even had a light north wind to blow us back home. The group were blessed with the weather over the four days and between sunburn and saddle soreness it wasn’t always the most confortable of trips, but everyone who took part agreed that it was well worth it. Well done to all who took part.