Well the day finally arrived. A great deal of planning had gone into the whole thing. The Touring Department were mobilised in the early hours of the morning and were in position by the time the 65 or so cyclists arrived for signing on just after 8am according to the big clock on the church in the Moy Square. The Best Chairman Ever had set the alarm clock for half six and was in the Square by 7 helping to erect the marquee. There was rope securing it to one of the historic trees and a few concrete blocks doing the job as well. Mrs Tourer was there too with lashings of spare pens, handing out the reference numbers and sign on cards which would double up as certificates of achievement. “Are you doing the 50 or 100” everyone was asking as they circulated like flies round the cowpat at the marquee. You could smell the soup from all parts of the Moy which must have encouraged the Farmer and Bev out of their beds to take part in the inaugural challenge. There were new bikes unveiled by The Rushmere Man and SYM who was hoping not to fall off it as much as the other one. The Moy Larder was warming up the teas, coffees and sandwedges as the steam poured of its door into the stiff breeze.
By 8.30 most of the cyclists had pulled out of the Square. Rumour had it that some of the faster cyclists had left before 7am trying to be back from the 100 mile cycle to see the Liverpool game or even the Paris Roubaix race. The rest of the group weren’t in as big a hurry. The Londoner was raring to go and led the group out Killyman Street trying to following the blue markings on the roads which would show us all the way to go. The 2 Schlecks were there too closely followed by the ponytail of Mrs Schleck. The Social Cyclist wasn’t far behind chatting about the forthcoming exchange trip to Italy to celebrate the Giro D’Italia. The Bramley Apple man was there too looking fit and raring to go while Big Shane made a cameo appearance straight from Saudi. The Oil Man had held the whole thing up as he arrived in to the Square later than everyone else claiming that he had forgotten where the Square was because it has been that long since he was out with the club.
As the group passed through Brocagh, the Londoner got a bit emotional as he caught a glimpse of the place of worship where he tied the knot with his current wife many moons ago. While he wanted to stop as a mark of respect, the Colnago man tutted and encouraged everyone else to plough on. Champagne Helen followed the instructions and kept the head down. SYM decided to play a game of chicken with an oncoming car but wisely decided to pull out at the last minute nearly taking everyone with him. An older and better looking version of Aircon John stamped all the cards at the half way point and was in the mood for a full scale conversation.
The soup at the break was very welcome where a younger version of Mrs Tourer dished out the gruel and floury ham and cheese baps. The Moy Larder provided the teas and coffees as Mr Tourer stamped the cards and certificates of achievement checking to confirm who was going on to do the second 50 miles and who was calling it a day.
The Marzipan Man finished off his 3rd cup of soup and decided to head home. The others headed off again towards Tullysaren and onwards to Aughnacloy and Monaghan and back to the Square again having completed the 100 miles.
It had been an epic event sure to be repeated. Mr Tourer was smiling like a Cheshire Cat as his shoulders dropped while the last of the cyclists returned to the Square with big smiles on their faces as well. The Social cyclist couldn’t get home quick enough scheming with Champagne Helen to rendezvous in a local establishment in an hour to celebrate their achievement.
There was approval all around as everyone said how much they had enjoyed the cycle vowing to do it again next year. A great day all round.
By 8.30 most of the cyclists had pulled out of the Square. Rumour had it that some of the faster cyclists had left before 7am trying to be back from the 100 mile cycle to see the Liverpool game or even the Paris Roubaix race. The rest of the group weren’t in as big a hurry. The Londoner was raring to go and led the group out Killyman Street trying to following the blue markings on the roads which would show us all the way to go. The 2 Schlecks were there too closely followed by the ponytail of Mrs Schleck. The Social Cyclist wasn’t far behind chatting about the forthcoming exchange trip to Italy to celebrate the Giro D’Italia. The Bramley Apple man was there too looking fit and raring to go while Big Shane made a cameo appearance straight from Saudi. The Oil Man had held the whole thing up as he arrived in to the Square later than everyone else claiming that he had forgotten where the Square was because it has been that long since he was out with the club.
As the group passed through Brocagh, the Londoner got a bit emotional as he caught a glimpse of the place of worship where he tied the knot with his current wife many moons ago. While he wanted to stop as a mark of respect, the Colnago man tutted and encouraged everyone else to plough on. Champagne Helen followed the instructions and kept the head down. SYM decided to play a game of chicken with an oncoming car but wisely decided to pull out at the last minute nearly taking everyone with him. An older and better looking version of Aircon John stamped all the cards at the half way point and was in the mood for a full scale conversation.
The soup at the break was very welcome where a younger version of Mrs Tourer dished out the gruel and floury ham and cheese baps. The Moy Larder provided the teas and coffees as Mr Tourer stamped the cards and certificates of achievement checking to confirm who was going on to do the second 50 miles and who was calling it a day.
The Marzipan Man finished off his 3rd cup of soup and decided to head home. The others headed off again towards Tullysaren and onwards to Aughnacloy and Monaghan and back to the Square again having completed the 100 miles.
It had been an epic event sure to be repeated. Mr Tourer was smiling like a Cheshire Cat as his shoulders dropped while the last of the cyclists returned to the Square with big smiles on their faces as well. The Social cyclist couldn’t get home quick enough scheming with Champagne Helen to rendezvous in a local establishment in an hour to celebrate their achievement.
There was approval all around as everyone said how much they had enjoyed the cycle vowing to do it again next year. A great day all round.