"Pfizer Cycle for Chernobyl from Cork to Galway”           

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18th and 19th of June 2010. Over two days of glorious sunshine 330 cyclists and 37 support crew completed the challenging task of cycling from Cork to Galway to raise funds for the Chernobyl Children's Project International. After a send-off from the Lord Mayor of Cork and Irish Cycling Legend, Sean Kelly the tour left Cork City Hall in a blaze of colour, cycled through Cork City and out onto the Mallow Road heading towards Limerick. A strong head wind made the going tough but with rest stops in Mallow and Charleville everyone arrived at the South court Hotel in Limerick in good spirits for the final rest stop of the day before cycling en masse into Limerick City and holing up for the night at the Mary Immaculate College and other locations nearby. An excellent meal in Dolans Bar and Restaurant on the Dock Road followed by one (or two) sociables topped off an idyllic day on the bikes. After an early night (for most) everyone was fresh and ready for action again on Saturday morning. Any stiff muscles and aching joints were dealt with by our ever present massage therapists. After a send-off by the Lord Mayor of Limerick the show was on the road again. Guided through Limerick City by local Gardai and our own two motor cycle Gardai from Cork we were on the road again stopping for rest breaks at Ennis and Gort. Thankfully the wind had eased up overnight and the sun shone for the whole day with temperatures reaching 24degs. Lots of sun block was applied to necks and backs of legs.

	With rest stops at the West County hotel in Ennis and The Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort we arrived bang on schedule at the Merlin Park Regional Hospital on the outskirts of Galway for a final rest stop and re-grouping. We entered Galway City, 330 cyclists and 37 support crew bringing the city to a momentary halt. Around Eyre Square and down to the docks where two articulated were waiting to load up the bikes, one Dublin bound and the other to Cork. With the bikes secured (never to be seen again if some had their way) it was off to the accommodation for a quick shower and change and out to the Ardilaun Hotel where there was some serious partying to be done. After a fine BBQ meal and the formalities out of the way the serious business of the weekend began. Assisted by DJ John Paul we rocked the night away while an impromptu session broke out around the piano in the Hotel lobby. The stunning scene of dawn breaking over Galway Bay should have been a sign that it was bedtime but sure it was too late by then.
"Cycle 2010"

Rendezvous time for the coaches back to Cork was 12 noon from Eyre Square and there were some very tired but happy cyclists climbing wearily onto those buses. As 4 coach loads of cyclists were driven back to Cork many a thought was cast back to Friday and Saturday as we sped back the road we had come, past landmarks remembered from the outward journey. Some overheard comments were: Did we really cycle up that hill?, I cant believe I did this, I'm never doing this again. At least not till next year, God my a*** is sore, and that's only from the dancing last night!. The final stop, City Hall, Cork. Right back where we started from, where the truck was patiently waiting to unload it's cargo of pain. All bikes were collected and accounted for. Wives were collected by husbands, husbands collected wives and everyone seemed to be collected by someone. Goodbyes were said to newly made friends and the group dispersed after a memorable weekend, many with a great feeling of personal achievement (I did it), all with memories of the cycling and the craic and the feeling that they had been part of something special. This is what the Pfizer Cycle for Chernobyl is all about. All this and more while at the same time raising much needed funds for a worthy cause.

                                                 **THATS AS GOOD AS IT GETS**

And you can do it all again next year on June 17th and 18th 2011. Put it in your diary now. Thank you and see you all next year!!!

Briefly, the cycle consists of the following:

Day 1:   Leave Cork City Hall at 10am. Cycle to Limerick with pit-stops at Mallow, Charleville and Limerick. Overnight stay in Limerick including evening meal.

Day 2: Leave Limerick and cycle to Galway with pit-stops in Ennis, Gort and Galway. Overnight stay in Galway (BBQ/ party for a nominal charge).

Day 3: Transport back to Cork for cyclists (coaches) and bikes (articulated trucks).

Extra Features of the weekend include:

* Snacks/sandwiches and water/sports drinks at the 6 Pit Stops

* A free Cycle Jersey

*A support Crew comprising of : Safety Officer & Lead Vehicle, Garda traffic Corps Outriders, HSE Medical Support, Catering, Luggage Transportation, Physio/masseuse personnel.

* Great Craic, sense of achievement, new friends and an unforgettable weekend is thrown in for free!!