Longford's Ardagh Moydow 100km cycle takes place this weekend

A group of friends in the Ardagh Moydow area are undertaking a 100km cycle within their own parish, just to keep the tradition up.

“Really it is just a casual cycle where a few friends get together and cycle around the parish. It is not a fundraiser this year,” one of the organisers, Declan Kenny, told the Leader.

The cycle takes place this Saturday (September 9). The spin was first organised for 2020, but it was a year before the two wheeled fundraiser went ahead: “We will cover all 81 townlands in Ardagh Moydow with a total cycle of 100km. The whole cycle takes place inside the border of the parish.”

Declan says plans to fundraise this year were put aside as there is a major drive to address a significant issue: “We are not doing it as a fundraiser because Fr Vinny is running a community draw to raise funds to fix the church roof. That brings in the GAA and other community groups together, so this year we are just going ahead with the cycle without the fundraising side.”

The trail is well laid out: “Our navigator, Michael Lynch, has come up with a route that takes in all 81 townlands. We expect around 14 people to take part. The first time we had around 30. That was when we came out of Covid lockdown.”

The Ardagh Moydow 100km cycle has a starting time of 10am from Keenan Park. Refreshments will be provided on the day. If you want more details you can contact Declan or Michael Lynch.