Bromley Rugby Club

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A number of the BRFC cycling community were convinced, foolishly, by Paul Collins that it would be great fun if we cycled the length of Ireland, in five days, from Malin Head to Mizen Head. which turned out to be 410 miles. As our rides are for charity we joined forces with The Cicely Foundation who agreed to match any money we raised. The link being Tony James who played for the club for many years and an old school friend of his Steve Cliffen who manage/run the foundation. Amazingly,so far, we have raised approximately £13,000 which will double to £26,000. The main recipients of this money will be Demelza House and Julia's House who work with terminally ill children and their families. All of us who took pa rt would like to thank everyone who donated money and rest assured it is going to be used very wisely. The online donation site: http://www.justgiving.com/irishcyclechallenge does not close until 9th July 2009 so we you want to contribute feel free.

As for the cycling itself well it was not a stroll in the park as we were led to believe. The weather decided to throw everything at us and what the elements didn't get the local dog population tried to feed off the left over scraps. The first day was a lot of fun and at least one of us peaked too early (that would be the Irish passport holder needless to say who got a serious case of wine flu) and then reality the second day when we actually started cycling. For the anoraks we went from Donegal to Enniskillen then Athlone and on to Adare (very posh), climbed to Killarney and on the last day more climbing To Mizen Head. The sign that says 3 km to Mizen is a typical Irish sign - total fabrication. It was the quietest but most satisfying last evening of a cycle trip we all can remember. A nice meal , a few drinks, bed and deep joy a lie in and no bike riding the next day.
 
For the record the following members of the club completed all five days - Glen Ralph, Ron Arnold, Paul Collins and Peter Simpson. We were joined by Tim Bacon (2 days)  and Brian McElhinney and John Dolan for one day each. Special mention must go to Mick Murphy who drove the van and dealt with all our medical, cycling and whinging problems with great fortitude and humour and without whom the trip would not have been possible. Needless to say Paul is not in charge of the route for next year.