LOURDES TO KNOCK

2,000km | 5 Days | 2019

The weeks that followed the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle were dedicated to much needed rest and recovery. For their monumental achievement, the group was awarded a Western People Sports Award. They had earned their status of celebrity and respect, but it was not long until the restless ambition began to burn in each of them once more as the group turned their eyes towards Europe and most particularly, France. With the completion of Lands End to John O’Groats behind them, the group felt conditioned towards the extreme hardship of ultra-cycling and were as ready as they ever were for the next challenge. That challenge was the colossal 2,000 km journey, Lourdes to Knock.

The amounts raised from this cycle would be donated to Down Syndrome Ireland West and towards a combined effort of the Irish Farming Association and Pieta House, which hopes to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention among farmers in rural Ireland.

Lourdes to Knock would present many of the same challenges the group had faced in their previous venture, however the logistics of this journey would vary significantly. Starting at Lourdes in France, the intention was to land in Knock, Co. Mayo five days later visiting England and Wales along the way. On top of different countries, languages, cultures, ferry crossings etc. to achieve this, the group would have to accomplish no less than another gruelling 400km per day cycle, which of course again meant minimal sleep for maximum time on the road. Despite the best efforts to prepare the routes, the designated stops, the roles of everyone involved, and even the flights now involved, the language barrier and difference in culture would be a constant obstacle in the groups journey.

For this cycle, the group would welcome Maurice Dore, a native of Mullingar whose mother hails from Bohola. Instead of seven men cycling as it was with Lands End to John O’Groats, this venture would consist of only five; Alan Heaney, Maurice Dore, Gary Bigley, Johnathan Verry and Gerry Boots. The support group would welcome Liam Filan of Mayo and Kevin Morgan of Galway, Martin Conlon would return to the helm along with Seamus McDonagh and Elizabeth Conlon who would document the groups progress and let the public know how they’re doing via social media. Michael Maloney, a native of Swinford now living Brighton, England would also join the support team. Michael’s unwavering words of encouragement and backing of the group throughout the whole journey would prove to be a necessary element for their success.

The group began their cycle on the 18th of June 2019; however, it was not enough that they endure the difficulty of a 400km per day cycle with minimal comforts, but instances of bad luck would be peppered into their journey even before the start. Alan Heaney set off for France with a jeep and trailer load of bikes, gear and food only to break down on the Mullingar bypass until Mullingar Autos came to the rescue withing minutes with a brand new 18 seater van. Needless to say, after all the gear was transferred from one vehicle to the other, we almost missed the boat in Rosslare. Ryan Prendergast would no longer be joining the support group due to insurance details. The weather in France would vary from intense heat the first day to stormy weather on the second day, Gerry Boots would lose a front wheel to the value of €1500, there would be numerous mistakes with the route, meaning time and energy would be lost on off-course ventures. Nonetheless, the group would push forth and journey on as they always have, determined, dedicated and hell-bent on their own holy pilgrimage.

The venture’s up through France and England over the course of this journey would not only test the group physically, but a great strain was placed on their ability to focus and concentrate on the task at hand as a result the logistical errors that they encountered along the way. Each man would soon once again fall into their own silent commitment, their raisond’etre during the cycle would be to get closer and closer to the finish line no matter the challenge ahead. Fatigue had begun to tighten its old familiar grip on everyone involved, and the hourly battle with exhaustion was fought. The support crew would often notice the cyclists with their heads down on the bike, but the legs still working hard and breathing in heavy rhythm, it was as if they had entered some sleep-cycle state.

Social media had begun to spin again with tributes being paid by people all over the world to the men giving their all on the bike’s. Videos and messages were posted with people wishing the crew luck in their undertaking, with donations beginning to follow suite. People from all aspects of life, from farmers to politicians, sports stars to business owners, ultra athletes etc. were all paying respect to the men on a seemingly impossible undertaking. IFA President Joe Healy expressed thanks and well wishes for the team. Sean Kelly, ex-pro cyclist and winner of 7 different stages in the Tour-de-France gave words of encouragement on Facebook and even members of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness and Sean Kelly gave strong support and praise in their posts. The amounts raised on the GoFundMe website climbed higher and higher as more publicity was gained. Never one to shy away from multi-tasking or lose time on the road, Alan even participated in radio-interviews while on the bike with Tommy Marren of Midwest radio, Castlebar Community Radio, Ocean FM, Shannon side and Midlands 103 while also chatting to journalists in the Farmers Journal, Agri Land, That’s Farming, Farming Independent, Westmeath Examiner, Sligo Champion and all our local and regional Mayo newspapers.

On the last day of the journey, the exhausted group would arrive in Dublin port at 4:30am for the final push towards the West. It would no longer be the five to make this journey, as members of the Agri-Industry, enthusiasts from Swinford and surrounding Mayo cycling clubs, farmers and old friends would come out in support of the group and their worthy cause and join them in the last day on their homeward journey to Knock. With the sun on their backs, the exhausted men departed Dublin at 5:30am with the support of their new members as they journeyed towards Knock in Mayo. Laughter and encouragement would fill the hours of the morning as everyone realised the worst was now behind them. Maurice Dore was welcomed by his family as they neared his hometown of Mullingar, and one of the most significant moments of the Lourdes to Knock cycle was when he was joined by his daughter Rachel for the final tour.

As they stopped for rest at various service stations on the way home, the group met more and more people that were inspired by their efforts and what they were so close to achieving. With a complimentary Garda Escort all the way home, the group finally entered into Knock.

A sweeping realisation had come upon them as they had realised how far they had come from the 3-day Mizen to Malin which seemed to be so long ago. They were not only just friends with a shared passion, they were now partners in history. After all the photographs and the warm welcomes, they still had one more journey to make, towards the welcome at home in Swinford. A community came together to see the cyclists and crew that had given so much out of their own spare time to those who are so very deserving. The homecoming saw hundreds of friends, families, supporters, school children line the street of Swinford cheering the team home and embracing the celebrations which lasted long into the night.

In November of 2019, the Lourdes-Knock 2000km ultra cycle participants were awarded The Connacht Telegraph’s ‘Mayo People of the Year’ at their awards ceremony in Breaffy House, Castlebar. Such an achievement was warmly welcomed by the group as it brought to a final close, the mammoth cycle that was Lourdes to Knock.