Not a Tour of the Foot of the Hills
A number of years ago, when a big news story broke, I heard the Director of Radio say to her programme editors.: “We know the story; I want you to focus on the human interest side of the event."
‘The Story’ was as follows: over 500 cyclists set off at 09:30 am last Sunday morning; choosing to cycle the 65km or the 110 km route. No big deal to the average Orwell cyclists, you would think!!! If I was sentenced to do a community service Sportive – give me the Wicklow 200 as an alternative to the lumpy feet of these West Wicklow Hills. So what was the human interest side? All funds collected goes directly to Saplings School for Children with Autism & Special Needs, Kill, Co. Kildare. I met one of the family members. She, a very glamorous granny; was buttering her lovely home- made scones at the start of the day, and was there again at the end; dishing out lots of: cake, apples and oranges. She gave great praise to their sponsors. I’m sure I saw a few of promotion people for the sponsors, one dressed up in orange, standing beside a guy promoting Swiss Army Knives!
Our own Eamonn and Sinead, offered to lead Orange and Yellow groups. I think it eventually settled at four groups. Rare, medium, well done and burnt categories come to mind. You can decide which one you were in! It also might have described the state of your posterior after the lumpy 110 km trip over those Foothills.
Before the cycle began there was, ironically, an accident caused by a First Aid person. One of them bumped into a participant and spilled the cyclist’s hot cup of coffee over his hand. Neither hand cream nor a hug was offered; to soothe the pain as I looked on at the tears of coffee dripped down from my paw. It was still stinging me as I typed this report.
A big ‘shout out’ goes to Nass Cycling Club, who organised the Tour De Foothills. Also, well done to the marshals and the clarity of the road signage.
The day began very cold with some rain and by the time we arrived at the food stop, in Donard at 60km, it was dry and bright. At the food stop we could see the lovely snow covered Lugnaquilla, the Highest Mountain in Leinster, however, a different welcome awaited some of the following cyclists. There was disappointment for those to discover all the food was gone. It seems that while nearly 200 signed up for the event online; but over 500 turned up on the day. The organisers had planned one sandwich for each cyclist, but no miracle of loaves and the fishes awaited the hungry cyclists.
Leonard during the tough Tour de Foothills (photograph with thanks to Adrian McLeavey of Irish Cycle Sport).
The 110km route contained 1,115mts of lumpy climbing. For me it was a very tough day’s cycling. When I finished the route I enjoyed the generous refreshments offered to the tired cyclists. I can tell you I was very careful with my cup of coffee. I joked with the lady behind the counter at the steam rising out of their Burco boilers covering the Sportive poster on the wall behind. I said to her, “The name of the Sportive is very deceiving, i.e. Tour De Foothills. It is definitely not a tour of the foot of the hills”. She offered a new title. I can still see her broad smile and hear her convulse laughter as she suggested… the Tour of the F*****g Hills. Not a bad description of my day’s cycling.
Cheers, Leonard
Here are a few pictures of the Food of DE Foothills’ Sportive
PS, maybe we were meant to fill up our free RSA yellow back-pack with generous variety of grub offered at the start; before we set off on the cycle!
