Day 5: Kinvara – Listowel

Day 5: Kinvara – Listowel

‘We have concored all mountains put in front of us & now we cross the mighty Shannon’, Daniel Bedford 23-6-2010.
Asking any of the lads before we boarded the ferry crossing today they would have told you it was the toughest day they have faced so far. Everything had started smoothly enough @ Kinvara and the scenery going through The Burren was absolutely amazing, pictures to follow. Peter had joined the group as replacement for Barry who did a sterling job throughout the week. As we approached Lahinch for our lunch stop news broke once again that Ken was in bother. Nightmare problem was back again, the replacement spoke had barely lasted a couple of days. For a few moments panic set in as to where we were going to find a bicycle repair shop, never knew bike shops were so few and far between! Business idea for ye lads! Tierney’s bike shop in Ennis was the closest one to us and thanks to all there for their help.
Danny’s brother Jonathan, paid the lads a visit in Lahinch on their lunch stop to boost moral and after a quick bite we were on our way again. As Maureen was out of action taking Ken to bike hospital myself & my co-drivers took over following the crew. Two minutes out of Lahinch and just after the turn to Spanish Point we noticed the blue jersey of one of the lads. Who was it? What had happened now? On our arrival @ the scene we saw it was Robbie. Couldn’t believe it when he told me what had happened. If I gave ya one guess what would ya say? Whatever Ken had it was rubbing off on the rest of the team, namely Robbie! The ‘Spoke’!! Ok phone calls had to be made to get the logistics of this right. Albert was called and he took Robbie to Ennis to get it fixed. Ourselves Tony and new arrival Peter were now in charge of following the team to Killimer. If I tried to describe the wind conditions the lads & Valerie were facing words couldn’t do it justice. Not alone were there quite a few hills the wind also slowed things down considerably.
Robbie had been fixed up and was making his way with Albert, I’m sure he did his best to keep up with the jeep but his yellow jersey was under serious threat! Down two men we arrived @ Killimer in time for the 4.30 crossing to Talbert. On arrival we were met by Tadhg. After a lovely photo with our previous leader saddles were boarded for the final run into Listowel.
A beautiful dinner was prepared for the hungry troops and once again an early night will be had by all.
With the donations flowing in from all the locals we have met on our stop offs the target for Barnardos is well on its way to being achieved, thanks again guys!