The 31^st annual Maracycle from Belfast to Dublin was held at the weekend and nine Team Forestside riders turned out to take on the 218 mile round trip over two days.

This is the fourth Maracycle for Team Forestside, 109 miles each way with an overnight stop at Dublin University on the Saturday night and this year’s weather promised to be the best so far for the event. The Team set off in dry but windy conditions and all went well until 1 mile before their lunch stop when Jim touched wheels and hit the ground badly damaging his knee. He bravely got back up and carried on to the lunch stop and the second half of the journey but sadly took a wrong turn after lunch and rode an extra 20 miles by mistake. Unfortunately the wound on Jim’s knee started to cause some swelling and he was advised by the medical team not to ride on day two. It turned out to be great advice as, on returning home, Jim was informed that the knee injury had actually chipped a bone which would need surgery to remove. Good luck to Jim and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Team Forestside’s Sam earned himself the new name of Yo yo from this trip as he is extremely fit and enthusiastic and, at times, so quick that he leaves the other riders in his wake but at other times  would drop right down to the back of the pack leaving the others to set the pace!

The Maracycle is run by Co-operation Ireland, which is a charity working to further the peace process. Terry O’Neill, Director of Fundraising at Co-operation Ireland said “Despite the many cycling events taking place over the summer months, we are delighted so many people have taken on the Maracycle challenge. We are also thrilled that so many of the participants use the event to fundraise for Co-operation Ireland and the money raised goes to our Youth Leadership and peace-building programmes. In addition, many other charities benefit as many of the participants split the money they raise with another charity of their choice.”  

Congratulations from Team Forestside to Co-operation Ireland for their brilliant organisation of an extremely well run event and despite the more famous Giro and Gran Fondo races recently visiting Belfast, the Maracycle is a landmark event for Belfast and Dublin and it is only by our continued support and participation that Co-operation Ireland will be able to continue for hopefully many more years to come. Great job guys!