This is only the second Memorial Run which the Club has organised in it 67 year history in Dublin. The first is the Con Collins Liffey Run that has been held every year for a decade now. That we are organising a second event is at the one time a tragedy and also a tribute to a fellow cyclist. Pat Gallagher was only in his very early forties when he died on 20 July 1999 just before his birthday. This run is to be held each year on the July Sunday between those two dates.
He worked in Arnotts and for this reason the run starts outside the Henry Street entrance to the shop at 10:00 sharp. It will then winds its way gently through the maze of lanes that make cycling in North County Dublin so enjoyable. The route has been organised by Anne Keenan and takes us along the attractive escape routes that exist from the city centre to the surrounding countryside. There will be a drum up (picnic) at an appropriate spot along the way and it will make for a very enjoyable day out.
The entire route will be less than 50 miles and well within the capabilities of anyone who does even a modest amount of regular cycling. The pace will be easy so you need have no fear of not being able to keep up. Do try it and you might discover, as Pat did, a unique route close to home that you can always retrace in whole or in part at your leisure either to keep fit or to enjoy a pleasant evening cycling in Dublin.
It will be a good day out, the cycling will be at an enjoyable pace, and there will be plenty of time for conversation and to admire the countryside along the way.
Pat would have it no other way.
We remember.