Cycling friends to tour Laois and Offaly for hospice help
For the fifth year running, a group of cycling enthusiasts from Portarlington are embarking on a 100km annual tour of Laois and Offaly, for a good cause.
In the early morning of Bank Holiday Monday August 5, some 20 cyclists will set off from the Hawthorn Inn, visiting towns across both counties, raising money for Laois Hospice.
They welcome both cyclists and donations.
The group normally meet regularly to cycle the roads together for fun and fitness.
"We're not a formal cycling group. But during Covid there was about 50 of us cycling together. Now with work or weather it's back to groups of two or three going when it suits them," explains organiser Gabriel Slattery.
The big annual tour started for heartfelt reasons back in 2018 when Gabriel with his friend Robbie Floody cycled the long long way to Clare.
Gabriel explained his inspiration.
"In 2017 my father passed away in the hospice unit in Mountmellick hospital. We stayed nights there with him. It was so great there that I said I'd do something for them.
"In the late 1930s my dad would cycle from Clare to look for work in Bord na Móna, and cycle home. He ended up staying here for the rest of his life. So we said we'd cycle to Clare and do something for the hospice and for my father," he said.
His wife Sharon's parents also availed of hospice care in their final days.
"Laois Hospice is such a great help. We found their service to be like a hand on your shoulder, taking the worry away. Everything is in good hands," Gabriel said.
It went on to become an annual cycle, but closer to home in Portarlington.
"Over the last five years we've raised over €30,000. We get something out of it as well. We are all heading for 60 or over 60. It gives us a reason to exercise, something to aim for," Gabriel said.
He welcomes other experienced road cyclists to join them on the morning of August 5. They will meet at 7.30am at the Hawthorn Bar, for a 15 minute safety check. Then it's onto the road.
The 100km route takes in Geashill, Ballinagar, Daingean, Edenderry, Clonbullogue, Monasterevin, Emo, Mountmellick and back to Portarlington. A 50km route detours before Clonbullogue returning to Portarlington. A 25km route tours the roads around Portarlington.
"The long cycle will take us about four hours. We stop for breaks. There's a distance for everybody. It's not a race, we all need to enjoy it. We are luck we've had no falls or accidents and we want to keep it that way," Gabriel said.
He thanks Mick Flanagan who every year drives with the cyclists with spare bikes, parts, food and drinks in his van, and Chris Evans who organises the routes.
Gabriel also thanks Ann O'Brien in the Hawthorn Bar who every year provides teas and coffees and a barbecue that evening. He thanks Portarlington Credit Union who give sponsorship.
Gabriel's wife Sharon Slattery and her sisters Aisling Floody and Emma Evans will be on hand at the bar after the cycle with homemade sandwiches to revive the tired cyclists.
"Anyone is welcome to join us. Last year we had people come from Kerry to do it.
"We will go whatever the weather. If it's raining we will just be more cautious as visibility will be reduced. Our biggest threat is reckless drivers. Helmets and high vis is a given," he said.
The group have sponsorship cards around the town, while online Sharon has organised a Gofundme page here.