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| 'Article from Portadown Times 23-09-11' Many thanks to Partick Van Dort for writing the article. |
Monday, 26 September 2011
Media Exposure 02
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Media Exposure
So far....
Many thanks to the Tyrone Constitution and Ulster Herald for including articles on the sponsored cycle challenge.
If you wish to provide my sponsored cycle challenge with more media exposure, to help raise as much money as possible for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Leonard Cheshire Disability, please contact me at ian.liverpool@googlemail.com
...... I FINISHED
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| Success ......... brilliant I finished. Standing in front of the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh Wednesday 14th September 2011. http://www.struleartscentre.co.uk/ |
Sponsorship:
Many thanks to everyone for their support and sponsorship. You have been very generous. So far the sponsorship currently totals :
Online: £3,716.25
Of line: £1,500.00
Total: £5,216.25 (so far)
All the money raised will be donated to the Omagh branches of Leonard Cheshire Disability and Multiple Sclerosis Society, both charities have supported my Mum and other Multiple Sclerosis sufferers over the years.
If anyone else feels this is a good cause and wishes to sponsor me or those of you who are still planning to “get around to it” (to quote a few people out there) it will still be possible for the next couple of weeks to donate via:
The Tour:
On October 2001 I started fund raising for Multiple Sclerosis by running the New York Marathon. Ten years later, and after a few years of talking about a new challenge and many hours of organising, the cycle tour ofIreland Co. Tyrone.
On October 2001 I started fund raising for Multiple Sclerosis by running the New York Marathon. Ten years later, and after a few years of talking about a new challenge and many hours of organising, the cycle tour of
Over the next 20 days I would cycle through all 32 counties north and south of Ireland
Fermanagh, Sligo , Letrim, Longford, Roscommon, Mayo. Galway, Clare, Tipperary (north), Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Tipperary (south), Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Dublin, Naas, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Armagh, Louth, Down, Antrim, Londonderry, Donegal and Tyrone.
The main towns / cities I would cycle through were:
Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford, Rosscommon, Castebar, Galway, Ennis, Nenagh, Limerick, Trelee, Killarney, Cork, Comel, Waterford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Dublin, Naas, Kildare, Portlaoise, Tullimore, Mullingar, Navan, Cavan, Monaghan, Armagh, Dundalk, Downpatrick, Belfast, Antrim, Derry, Lifford and Omagh
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| Completed Tour |
To be honest it is hard to believe I have already finished my cycle tour of
A few quirky facts about the tour:
-Total distance cycled was 1,495miles / 2,407km … equivalent distance would be cycling from Omagh, Co.Tyrone to -Average 75miles per day ... equivalent to cycling from Omagh to Hollywood, Co. Down every day.
-A total of 107 hours in the saddle ... equivalent of flying from London to Melbourne 5 times (22hrs one way).
More words and photos to be added shortly.
Punctures – Final Count:
Over the last few weeks I have been on road finishes varying from smooth asphalt to sharp stones / glass / hedge cutting with thorns / pot holes etc and I am happy to report I have had NO punctures ….. yes that’s correct…. NONE.
This is thanks to Bontrager: H4 Hard Case Plus, Triple Flat Protection Tyres. Probably the best tyre for cycling around Ireland
The only notable puncture was in Michael’s air bed. Not a happy bunny.
Thanks:
Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far and Michael for coming over and upping the cycling tempo over Stages 16 to 19. A much needed boost.
Last but not least……..many thanks to Beccy (+bump) & Darcy for their great support team work every day of the tour. Amazing stamina. The tour would not have come to a successful conclusion without you. Many thanks and lots of love.
STAGE 21 - Co.Londonderry, Donegal & Tyrone
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| Start of the final stage of the tour.....Stage 21 |
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| The best support team on the island of Ireland, Beccy Brown (+bump) and Darcy. |
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| The charity training tops I have worn during the tour. Leonard Cheshire Disability & Multiple Sclerosis Society |
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| Beccy (+bump) and Darcy writing in Benone beach sand. |
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Stage 21 Map Start: Co. Londonderry, Benone Tourist Complex Via; Co. Londonderry, Via; Finish: Stats Date: Wednesday 14th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 4hrs 37min Distance: 67miles |
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| At She and the rest of the team also sponsored me £12.35. Thanks very much. |
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| Entering Lifford and at County Donegal Council Offices |
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| The team I used to play footy for 20 years ago, Mountjoy United F.C. Great to see the portacabin changing rooms have been replaced by a proper club house. The best of luck in the season ahead. |
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| In the pouring rain I arrive at the final county town of Omagh (home). |
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| We made it .......brilliant. Me, Beccy (+bump), Mum and Darcy at Omagh Strule Arts Centre. http://www.struleartscentre.co.uk/upcoming_events/box_office/index.asp |
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| Would you believe it there was a welcome party to greet us! They include (back row right to left) Alan Shankland, Colette Given, Pamela McCleland, Rosemary Clements, me and Beccy Brown. Mum and Darcy. Thanks very much for making the effort to come along, we really appreciate it. |
STAGE 20 - Co.Antrim
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| Start of Stage 20 at Finaghy, Belfast. With Stage 19 being aborted due to the 75mph wind, my mate Keith, his wife Judith and their kids Calin, Mia and Lana kindly let us stay at their house in Finaghy for the evening. Many thanks for your hospitality and the great food (Keith great to see your cooking has improved). |
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Stage 20 Map Start: Co. Down, Finaghy, Via: Finish: Co. Londonderry, Benone Tourist Complex Stats Date: Tuesday 13th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 4hrs 42min Distance: 60miles |
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| Leaving Belfast and at the top of Hannahstown Hill road. One of the steepest climbs on the tour. The view over Belfast was worth it (but the weather doesn't do the photo justice). |
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| Further on from Hannahstown Hill I ended up on part of the Ulster Grand Prix circuit, an added unexpected bonus. 15 years or so ago I used to go to the races with my Uncle Jim. Great memories. Circuit http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=131&Itemid=125 Intro. to Ulster Grand Prix http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=27 |
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| The main towns I passed through on my cycle today. |
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| Statue in Coleraine town centre of Bertie Peacock, the co-founder of the N.Ireland Milk Cup International youth football tournament. http://www.nimilkcup.org/ |
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| Stage 20 cycle was cut short by 10 miles at Coleraine due to it getting dark, heavy rain and a very energetic Darcy needing some serious play time. |
STAGE 19 - Abandoned due to 75mph winds
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| Start of Stage 19: N.Ireland weather forecast for today warned that the after effects of Hurricane Katia would arrive at Co. Down and Antrim in the afternoon. We decide to give the stage a go and see how far we can cycle. |
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Stage 19 Map Start: Co. Down, Finish: Stage Abandoned due to 75mph winds Stats Date: Monday 12th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 2hrs 8min Distance: 28miles |
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| Scrabo Tower, Newtownards, Co. Down. http://scrabotower.com/scrabo-tower.html |
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| N.Ireland doesn't win much in footy, so when they beat England in 2005, it was a significant moment in the team's history. The event has been recorded on a gable wall on the Newtownards Road. |
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| Michael sitting outside Belfast City Hall. |
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| At Belfast T.I.O. Michael and I met Stephanie Swail who kindly stamped and signed my stage 19 map. |
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| Stage 19 cycle was abandoned due to the 75mph winds. |
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| With Stage 19 abandoned Michael, Darcy and myself contemplate what to do next? |
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| Of course ....... let's add some Iron to our much depleted reserves. |
STAGE 18 - Louth & Down
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| Stage 18 start: Michael, Darcy and I standing at Tepee Valley Campsite. Many thanks to Linda and her husband for their kind sponsorship. http://tepeevalleycampsite.co.uk/default.aspx |
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Stage 18 Map Start: Co. Armagh, Via: Co. Louth, Via: Finish: Co. Down, Stats Date: Sunday 11th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 5hrs 8min Distance: 77miles |
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| The rain and clouds made it difficult to appreciate the Co. Armagh countryside. |
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| On our way into Dundalk, Co. Louth, Michael tries to convince a potential new recruit that this is a once-in-a-lifetime cycle around the 32 counties of Ireland and he should join the peloton. Unfortunately it fell on deaf ears. |
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| Me next to the monument commemorating the vist to Dundalk, Co. Louth, of President Bill Clinton on the 12th December 2000. |
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| At the border of Co. Down. |
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| As the rain clouds lifted the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down reveal themselves. |
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| With it being a Sunday, the T.I.O and the St.Patrick's Centre in Downpatrick were both closed. Michael standing outside the St.Patrick's Centre. http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/index.php |
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| At Delamont Country Park camp site, Darcy reassures Michael he only has 30miles tomorrow and then it will be all over! |
STAGE 17 - Co. Cavan, Monaghan & Armagh
Tonight we will stay at Tepee Valley Campsite just outside Markethill, Co. Armagh. We brought our own accommodation, in the form of a camper van, but they provide options for an alternative sleepover experience in the form of a Gypsy caravan, Yurt, Tepee and log cabin. Check it out at:
http://tepeevalleycampsite.co.uk/default.aspx
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| Stage 17 start: Not sure if Michael and I are convinced the off-road route Darcy is proposing is such a good idea. |
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Stage 17 Map Start: Via: Via: Co. Armagh, Finish: Co. Armagh, Stats Date: Saturday 10th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 5hrs 58min Distance: 92miles |
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| Unfortunately the T.I.O. at Cavan was closed, but next door in the http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/cavan-tourist-office/72388 |
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| At the border of Co. Monaghan |
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| Unfortunately the T.I.O. in Monaghan has been relocated. Luckly Monaghan Leisure Complex was next door to the old T.I.O. and Michelle Leonard was happy to stamp and sign my stage stage 17 map. |
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| The wall at The Market Place, Armagh holding me up. http://www.marketplacearmagh.com/about/ |
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| The amazing St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. http://www.stpatricks-cathedral.org/ |
Tonight we will stay at Tepee Valley Campsite just outside Markethill, Co. Armagh. We brought our own accommodation, in the form of a camper van, but they provide options for an alternative sleepover experience in the form of a Gypsy caravan, Yurt, Tepee and log cabin. Check it out at:
http://tepeevalleycampsite.co.uk/default.aspx
STAGE 16 - Co. Offaly, Westmeath & Meath
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| Start of Stage 16: My mate, Michael Pennance, has come over from London to take part in the next 4 stages (Many thanks fella). He will no doubt add a much needed boost to my morale and cycling. |
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Stage 16 Map Start: Via: Via: Co. Meath, Navan Finish: Stats: Date: Friday 9th September 2011 Time (in saddle): 5hrs 33min Distance: 91miles |
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| At Tullamore T.I.O, Michael and I met Mary Heansey who kindly stamped and signed my Stage 16 map. She also gave us a 200ml bottle of Tullamore Dew to boost our spirits! Very tasty whiskey ........ and no we did not drink this when we were on our bikes. http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/tullamore-tourist-information-office/70951 |
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| At Mullingar T.I.O, Michael and I met the very chatty Stef Byre and Maeve Murray who kindly stamped and signed my Stage 16 map. Many thanks to Mick Lynch for sponsoring us (Mick is the happy man sandwiched between the two ladies.) http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/mullingar-tourist-information-office/70945 |
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| Michael having a break outside Mullingar T.I.O. |
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| Trim Castle http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlandseastcoast/TrimCastle/ |
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At Navan T.I.O in Solstice Arts Centre, Michael and I met Colette who stamped and signed our Stage 16 map. http://www.solsticeartscentre.com/ |
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| Stage 16 Finish: 91 miles later we have safely made it to Lough Ramor Caravan & Camping. Thank you to the owner's contribution to the fund raising (sorry we didn't catch his name). |
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