We forget, don’t we, why we’re firefighting problems, or focusing everything on that win, or deadline, or delay, or problem that won’t seem to go away.
And it’s not until we step outside, away from the desk and that part of our experience, that we realise we’re actually part of something bigger.
A collective effort.
There was nervous energy in the chilly Friday morning air as Cranmore’s Big Charity Cycle team set off from the Holywood office, enthusiastically clapped along by well-wising colleagues.
The task, a three-day, 270km cycle from Holywood to Castlerock then to Rathmullan and ending in Enniskillen’s Manor House.
Action for Children was the chosen charity, a cause supporting the work of some 7,000 volunteers helping families and children navigate the most difficult situations.
Michael Shorten and Damien Whinnery, the least experienced riders, formed their own mini-peloton as Fergus McGrath, Chris Price, Heather McCook, and Enda Reynolds would held back before charging ahead at a more rigorous pace.
Both sun and wind smiled, or maybe smirked, on the riders. Damien and Michael, first through Belfast’s quiet centre and into the long climb to the city’s north.
The going was fair for almost 90 of the day’s 107 kilometres. After being passed by the faster riders, Damien and Michael would experience the first instance of what would soon become a running theme: puncture number one.
Michael made a quick repair and, after weeks of nerves and self-doubt, the remaining 20k leg seemed almost doable for the pair. Castlerock was within reach. The first day’s huge effort – the longest distance of the three days – was about to be…
Puncture number two.
Less than 100 metres from the first, the second puncture was to be catastrophic. A faulty tube made repair impossible, leaving Damien and Michael stranded 20k from the first day’s destination.
In Articlave, just outside Castlerock, where the stronger cyclists had just arrived, the call went through.
“Who owns the van outside?” boomed Heather in The Village Tavern.
Local man Ryan and his van were soon on their way, and Michael and Damien were whisked with bikes to join the other team. Ryan, it turns out, was a former Ulster boxing finalist and a keen fisherman.
He wanted nothing in return but was left a hefty tip behind the bar anyway.
It would not be the last act of genuine generosity the riders would encounter over the three days – indeed, not even that day.
The double puncture meant the team were now concerningly short on tubes.
Then puncture number three struck, just as the day concluded.
Another fix, another tube used.
To the rescue, however, came Heather’s friends, Lyndsey and Lyndsay, who made their way to Castlerock with a restock of essentials – provided gratis.
That left the team feeling more confident for what was a worrying day two – an energy sucking 110km journey from Castlerock to Rathmullan that was likely a stretch too far for Michael and Damien.
The plan had been to cross by ferry to Greencastle from Magilligan, and by boat from Buncrana to Rathmullan, making the day a more manageable 70km.
And despite Heather’s incessant calls to all the marinas this side of Lough Swilly, the team were heading into the day one crossing short.
Making matters considerably worse was the rain. And the wind. And the cold.
The morning was punctuated by gloomy discussions, of portents of pain, furrow-browed calls were made to steel oneself for what lay ahead.
Today would be hard. Very, very hard.
And so, through the blasting rain, to Magilligan the team went.
Before reaching Castlerock’s village limits, all riders were saturated. Yet on they pushed, ferry-wards, a meaty 10k through headwinds and driving downpours.
It would be a light skip across for the Greencastle ferry, with our six riders its only cargo. The mood was downbeat. Another 100k loomed at the oncoming shore, and the riders were already carrying an excessive load of rainwater in their socks and shorts, made yet colder by the whipping winds.
But then a phone call.
Lough Swilly Marina had a rib boat – three, in fact – to take riders and bikes across the lough to Rathmullan, cutting their journey to an achievable 70k.
The ferry’s lower deck was filled with a roar or relief from the sodden cyclists.
After navigating the slippery off-ramp, the team took refuge from the rain in the Jetty Café. A couple enjoying their breakfast approached and handed the team a generous donation; unprompted and unexpected but another boost to the team’s mood.
And as the ride ahead looked a little brighter, the skies did too. The sun now peaking through the grey, the remaining 60k across Inishowen felt a little easier – despite the fourth puncture.
Within a few hours the team had reached the marina where they were greeted warmly by boatman Gary and a fleet of three impressive rib boats.
Loaded up, the team were within sight of day two’s destination – but enjoyed some time on the water, treated to a quick tour of the lough and a close-up look at the Derek Bullivant Lifeboat – a Shannon-class all-weather giant.
Buoyed by the second crossing, the team were in high spirits from the generosity they had again encountered.
And with just a kilometre and half from their Rathmullan lodgings… puncture five.
Once again, an act of generosity would aid the journey; landlord of The White Harte bar, Collette, ferrying Damien and his stricken bike the remaining distance, along with handing over a generous donation to the charity.
That night, too, while recovering in view of Europe’s second-day Ryder Cup domination, the team were provided with another donation from a generous JJ McGettigan, who, as part of a 30-strong cycle team, had raised over £30k for charity some 10 years hence.
Two others joined the party, Niall Boyle and Justine Baylon, making the trip from Letterkenny to wish the team well and restock their supply of sugar-packed sweets.
The gang were now just one day and 90km from home.
But there was a problem. The team were again short on spares. Another puncture and the trip could be ended permanently.
And, just outside Moville, puncture six arrived.
After a roadside bodge, the team somehow made good time through the Sunday’s sunlit Inishowen roads, landing in Letterkenny before noon.
All that lay between the team and the finish were the rollercoaster roads of Convoy and Liscooley, one medium sized mountain, and almost 10 kilometres of climbing. Oh, and thorns. Lots of tyre-hungry thorns.
Just on the other side of Castlederg, it happens. Puncture seven.
Another bodge would get them going. But with no tubes remaining and puncture repair kit almost expended everyone switched to high alert.
Energy stores too were depleted. The undulations of north Fermanagh’s hills had taken a pound and a half of flesh.
The final stop of Manor House was achingly close. With legs surrendering to the lactic acid, only 30 minutes riding remained.
Puncture eight.
There were no remaining tubes or repair kit. The ride was over for Damien with seven kilometres to go and legs of stone.
A chance. A small chance. The puncture was slow and there were a few air canisters still on board his bike.
Michael and Damien, some distance behind the faster group took that chance. They’d blast the rear tyre with air and try and fluke the final stretch.
With five kilometres to go, another canister was needed. The same at kilometre three.
Every wheel turn was now twice as hard as Damien’s energy-depleted system pushed a variously deflated tyre through the final winding roads.
Two kilometres and the final cannister went in.
Then the turning for The Manor House came into view, Damien’s tyre almost completely flat.
The threshold of the finish line was met with a punch of elation, maybe even a tear.
As the riders rested and reflected, it was clear that away from the desk, and the issues, and problems, that all that was accomplished was for something else, something bigger.
They felt part of a team more numerous than their six. Part, indeed, of a collective effort.
A huge thank you to all those who donated. We can’t thank you enough:
Joe Kennedy
Peter Alexander
N McG
Leanne and Barry
Jj McGettigan
Kim K
David hinds
Collette at The White Harte Rathmullan
Katie McConn
John weir
The couple in The Jetty Cafe
Natasha
Stuart
Tomás
Steens
Adam cuthbert
Clara
Paul Rogan
Emma Bradshaw
Alex
Denis
Ian Savage
Dallan
V&O
Ali Smyth
Esther McCook
Eoin Treacy
Barry Ditty
Sophie Conn
Harry Doak
J Stevenson
Nicola McIlhagger
Pooven Maduramuthu
Andy Shek
Toby Black
Claude code
Katie Murray
Damo (non cycling one)
Rosemary & Jim x x
Lindsey Trowbridge
Carol & Billy Johnston with Trinity Stephenson
Michael Shorten
Mark Stephenson
Yaz
James Bell
Robert Shorten
Adam
Rebecca & Ollie
Ava, Rowan, Rachel & Chris
Éadaoin norris
Mowgli
Steven, Helen & Theo
Joe O’Lochlainn
EAMONN FINN
Ó Sioradáins
Orlagh, Emma & Oisín McGrath
George & Máire
Fidanka McGrarh
Bella Bonucci
Fort Roaders
Eamon McHugh
Pam Smyth
Eddie Felix
Colin S
Lindsay McNeill
Rick Bingham
Stuart Campbell
Nuno Granada
Lindsey Patrick
Stavrosthegreat
Richard Smyth
Ivan
Andrew V
Nigel X
John F
Terry, Caroline, Charlotte and Bosun
Glenn X
Justine Baylon
Tim Clark
Rob (Ark X)
Ross
Hig x
Stuart
John X
Janet Barnes
Grant X
Rory Higgins
Lynsay Smyth
Ryan Morrison
Sarah Minnis
James McKay
John Withers
Thanks also to Ryan and his van, Gary and the crew at Lough Swilly, to all the anonymous donors, and to Action for Children for their incredible work.
