Month: April 2014

Nearly broken by Youghal

Day 3. Nearly broken by Waterford to Youghal leg of CycleAgainstSuicide.com.

Hills. Rain. Head winds. Hills. More fuckin hills.

But fuck it, let’s carry on. Halfway through the day.

Note: swearing levels calculation is (hill gradient * length) / swear constant.

MM39

A story and shared experience we’ll remember: the Waterford homestay for 39 lucky CAS’ers was in a scouts training centre in Mount Melleray. After an hour’s drive out in 2 buses the hot food was very welcome at 8.30pm or so.

Unfortunately due to a minor mix up there was no bedclothes and the place was quite cold. With a minimum of stress and negativity – something quite normal in this group of people and event – a deal was struck with a hotel back in town and we were back on the bus and headed back the way. Finally changed out of the gear to hit the shower around 11.40pm, and a pint was deserved afterwards.

“Free the MM39” – Colm

Push or quit

IMG_0151Not even half-way on Day 1 of 14 and I’m in trouble. Long climb out of south Dublin and it’s a struggle to make progress. If I get 27 more of these – one every half-leg – I will need to drop out.

At the back of the long stretched convoy, one of the marshals has given me a boost of energy, effectively telling me I needed to push on or quit. Anger can be very effective as a short-term fuel source, though I suspect the person doesn’t realise just what truly spurred me on.

Later I got a boost – a strong cyclist beside me with their hand on my back literally pushing up the hill. That was a first for me, not something I would normally like at all, but given the circumstances I kinda needed to accept it.

Made it through 1/14.

Starting out

IMG_0123-w800-h1280I’m lucky enough to be able to take the time off my work for up to 2 weeks if necessary, so I’m going to try do as much of this thing as I can. I will have to work some evenings, but that’s a small sacrifice.

Starting out from Leixlip, my first mechanical took 60 seconds – an issue with the newly installed rear mudguard stays having a minor disagreement with the chain – easily resolved and back on the road.

Pitstop at Heuston station after a quick spin in the N4, a random stranger asked me to mind his bike while he changed – came back in an orange jersey! That was a good start to the day, and made light work of finding the start at RTE.