Louisville to Keeneland, Lexington, Kentucky
In memory of the late Tracie Lawlor
Last summer Ruairi Culleton, John Morrissey and their dear friend Tracie were walking down Eden Quay in Dublin not long after Tracie had finished one of her regular stays in hospital. Out of the blue Ruairi and John, thought about organising a cycle from Dublin to Wexford to raise funds to provide better facilities for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. Issues such as the fact that CF patients are required to go through A&E before going on to an open ward, where they are subject to cross infection, would be central to their cause. Tracie thought it would be a great way to raise awareness for CF in Ireland and was on board to provide all the necessary information and contacts within the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.
Essentially, the cycle was organised in order to raise awareness about CF and how the inadequate facilities within the Irish Health Service effect its patients. In conjunction with this all sponsorship raised by the cycle and it's cyclists will go towards helping the CF patients in County Wexford. Ireland has the highest proportion of CF sufferers in the world. CF is a disease which affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas and digestive tract. CF sufferers undergo a daily routine of medication and physical therapy. In Ireland CF life expectancy is in the mid twenties, far below that of most of the developed world. This is illustrated by the fact that life expectancy for CF sufferers in Northern Ireland exceeds 32.
Ireland has no dedicated CF units.
In November Tracie's health rapidly deteriorated and heartbreakingly Tracie passed away on 10th November at her home in Castlebridge. This came as quite a shock to anyone who was lucky enough to have met her and consequently the cycle is dedicated to Tracie's memory. Tracie did so much work for CF (among many many other things) and was such an inspiration to anyone who met her. The cycle now gives people an opportunity, no matter how small, to express how much Tracie meant to them and how much they respected what Tracie stood for.
Since then the cycle has 'grown wings', with many of Tracie's friends taking part in organising and participating in the cycle. Not to mention Tracie's family who have been rigorously campaigning for years for at least a minimal standard of facilities for CF patients, and without whom this cycle would not have reached the heights it has so far. Tracie's brother, Joseph, who also has CF, is taking part in the cycle (and I can guarantee you he'll leave the rest of us in his tracks) along with Tracie's older brother Brian.
There has been much coverage about CF in the national and local media since Tracie's death with Joseph heading the campaign. As Joseph said "much has been promised in the past and still the same problems and of lack of resources and facilities still exist."
The Wexford Cycle is taking place on the 5th of April, leaving from UCD and ending in Castlebridge, Co. Wexford, covering a distance of approximately 135km. The cyclists will be leaving Dublin at approximately 9am and cycling along the N11 before finishing at The Porter House in Castlebridge.
Cathal Beale, another of Tracie's dearest friends, along with Sara Murphy have organised a parallel cycle in Kentucky. This is a huge achievement by Cathal as he does not have access to the same support in America that the organisers of the Wexford cycle have had. The Kentucky cycle is based on the same principles as those of the Wexford cycle. This parallel event will take place on the 27th of April.
Eamon Culleton of The Porter House, Castlebridge has arranged refreshments on the day for the cyclists and has also supplied The Porter House for meetings and refreshments after the cycle. Eamon will also, along with Walter Morrissey, be Chief Marshal's for the day.
Seamus Flood has organised motorcycle support for the day.
John Pigett, owner of the Bike Rack in Cabinteely, has offered to perform maintenance on the day and his van and engineer will follow en route to provide help where necessary, as will The Order of Malta.
Dr. Philip Nolan of UCD has allowed for the use UCD's campus and facilities to start the race.
Tracie's family, who have been instrumental in helping the cycle reach the heights that is has so far.
Main Sponsors:
The Bike shop, Selskar who sponsored Joseph Lawlor's bike.
The Centenary Stores who sponsored Brian's bike.
John & Nadine Roche of Minstrel Music, Peter Street, Wexford, J. J. Byrne Car Sales and Noel and Helen Ashdown of ////////////// who sponsored the cycle gear for the boys.
Noel and Helen Ashdown of Palace
Signs, Clonleigh, Co. Wexfod.
Boland's Car Sales who are supplying a van on the day.
Anthony Neville who is bringing the bikes to and from Dublin.
Joe O'Brien who is supplying a bus to bring the cyclists to Dublin on the morning of the race and back to Dublin the following day.
As for the route:
Start at UCD Belfield,
Join N11, Stillorgan Road.
Continue South to Loughlinstown Roundabout.
Turn Left, signposted Shankhill.
Take 3rd exit at the first roundabout entering Shankhill.
Take second exit at next roundabout.
Straight through Wilford roundabout.
Turn right at the second set of traffic lights.
Take 3rd exit at the next roundabout.
Rejoin N11 and continue South towards Wexford.
First Refreshment point - The Bee Hive Pub.
Continue on N11 along Arklow and Gorey bypass.
Second Refreshment point - The lay-by on the new Gorey bypass.
Continue on N11 through Camolin and Ferns.
Third and final Refreshment point - Between Ferns and Enniscorthy.
Continue through Enniscorthy and Oylegate.
Turn left at Kyle Cross.
Continue into Castlebridge Village.
