Ireland Coast 2 Coast Charity Cycle Ride Challenge 2004

Firstly thanks to all those kind and generous people that sponsored me - much appreciated. If you could send cheques payable to 'Austen Jones' to 1 Oban Close, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JU I would be very grateful - so far people have pledged / I have collected approx £270 for the Diabetes Federation of Ireland and the British Heart Foundation - so give yourself a pat on the back ;-)

Summary: 240 miles in 2 Days...
Day 1: Outward journey from Maynooth to Gallway...
Day 2: Return journey from Gallway to Maynooth...

Day 2: Return Journey from Gallway to Maynooth...

Very rudely awoken by my alarm clock at 7:00am. I hobbled to breakfast thinking to myself that 'hobbling' probably wasn't a good sign for how the day's cycling would pan out. We set off on our bikes at about 8:00a.m. and the first 40 miles represented probably the least fun I have ever had on a bike ever. It was rainy, it was cold, I was tired and stiffer than starched concrete. I was not having any fun (not that fun was my reason for going of course).

Shortly after the morning drink stop (and a couple of nurofen) my legs seemed to loosen and my aches subsided to a less attention-grabbing level with the exception of my triceps which were really starting to hurt as I wasn't used to dropped handlebars having done most of my 'training' on a mountain bike. It was lunch again soon and we were treated to soup and sandwiches (again) but this time I made sure I didn't make the same mistake as the previous day and ensured I was one of the first to leave and so could take up a wind-avoiding mid-pack position.

We hit a few hills and with each one I slipped further and further down the pack until I was again cycling solo - this wasn't such a problem though as the wind was a gentle tail wind rather than the head wind of the previous day. The rain had been replaced by sunshine and I was enjoying sections of the ride now. The faster group that had set off last caught up with me and swept me along with them for a time but the pace was bursting my lungs and burning my legs so I didn't last more than about 10 miles with them.

At the last drink stop with only a final stretch of 30 miles of cycling to go the mood was buoyant and the riders were keen to crack on, myself included suprisingly. Psychologically the last stretch was easier because it was the last stretch but I wasn't up for the 'sprint finish' that some of the Ireland racing team chaps decided to go for... 8 miles from the end. In my book '8 miles' and 'sprint' aren't words that should be used together. Anyway, I arrived back safe and sound feeling very proud of my personal achievement, and I still am ;-)

If you sponsored me - much appreciated - and even if you didn't you can still show your support for the Diabetes Federation of Ireland and the British Heart Foundation by posting your cheque payable to 'Austen Jones' to 1 Oban Close, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JU I - thank you! As I said before I should be collecting approx £270 which is pretty good (even if only just over £1 per mile!!)

Page updated: March 2007 by Austen Jones