On Sunday the 1st of September the team made their way up to Glasgow. After stuffing down as much cereal, bananas and bread as we could take at 5.30am, the team set off from Dumfries (our overnight stopover) with yet another new recruit – Evin, a Dublin-man who joined us for the day – in the pitch black and freezing winds at 6am, heading North.
Slowed by the bone-shattering road surfaces, gale force 6 head-winds and heavy downpours, 9 tired men peddled as hard as they could for 73 miles to reach an arranged visit at a community centre providing meals and support for Irish pensioners in Glasgow.
Although arriving slightly behind schedule, the team was cheered and warmly welcomed by over 100 Irish pensioners, the Lord Provost of Glasgow (i.e. the Mayor), families and the former Irish and Celtic football (soccer) goalkeeping legend, Packie Bonner.
Fed soup and bread, team met the grateful pensioners, enjoyed some live music and chatted about the trip so far. Everyone is bearing up well, even Bernard who is starting to enjoy those hills.
In the evening the team attended a quiz night in Sweeney’s On The Park where all proceeds from the quiz went towards the cycle’s fundraising efforts. The weekly quiz was Irish themed in honour of the Forgotten Irish and the cyclists fared pretty well in the quiz. The winners were ‘Peter Boden’ comprising of Ercus Stewart, Gerald Byrne, Ben Williams and Michael O’Driscoll with ‘The Langers’ a close second. There have been some questions raised about the scoring of ‘The Langers’ but most kept quiet as the pacemakers for the rest of the cycle were on the team.
Performer of the Day – Matt Hoyle: Mr Consistent exceeded himself today by a super-fast puncture repair that Ferrari would have been proud. He also gathered the troops together with ease when a rider fell off the pace.
Langer of the Day – Erucs Steward: Spreadeagled on a table, the smooth talking Irishman, Ercus managed to talk himself into getting a rubdown by 6 pensioners.
Which brings us to today, Day 9 and a big day awaits us the team: 107 miles through the Scottish national park, Lock Lomond, to Fort William. Only 3 days remain and the team are spurred on by the thought of John O’Groats.
1039 Miles 