“I would wholeheartedly recommend participating in the Cycle4Haiti. I found the entire event from training cycles and fundraising events in advance, to road safety, catering and accommodation on the weekend itself to be first class. The Cycle4Haiti is a really rewarding and enjoyable experience in aid of a very worthy cause.”
Michael Moore – LANDWELL Solicitors
I heard about Cycle4Haiti through some friends who took part and helped organise the 2010 cycle. It sounded like a serious personal challenge as well as great craic so I signed up for the 2011 cycle with a group of friends. The whole experience was brilliant from start to finish – from buying my first bike in years, rediscovering a love for cycling (despite the odd tumble…), fundraising & training to the actual cycle itself. The organisers, volunteers and cyclists were a great bunch of people and made the whole experience a really special weekend. And knowing all proceeds went to such a great cause was the icing on the cake!
Aileen Bourke
“It was my first Cycle4Haiti in 2011 but it won’t be my last. Obviously it is a great cause, and not one anyone would easily say no to and the brilliant thing about Cycle4Haiti is that while you are contributing to a great cause, you are also completing an incredibly rewarding, fun challenge. The organisation from the training rides to the (very good) night out in Galway is flawless. A great experience, meticulously run, enjoyed by everyone.”
James Gilbert - Kellogg’s
“Cycle for Haiti was one of the most challenging yet rewarding events that I have had the pleasure taking part in. I and a load of friends from work and home formed teams and decided to put our Bike to Work Scheme bikes to the ultimate test whilst raising much deserved funds from sceptical friends and family!! Training sessions were organised to keep everyone on track for the main event and when the weekend arrived we had one of the best weekends ever while knowing we were doing something really great for an amazing charity. The guys that ran the event were superb- the organisation skills and volunteers were immense supplying cyclists with all you would ever need on this kind of event from jerseys to food and drinks at every stop and the banter was unreal. When we arrived in Galway we had a great welcome into the city and a massive night out to celebrate- definitely signing up again this year!!!”
Elaine O’Donnell – Telefónica/O2
Cycle for Haiti for me seemed such a fantastic cause and also a challenge for someone who enjoyed recreational cycling however had never been inclined to attempt a ‘coast to coast’ ride over just two days. I have to say that it was a fantastic time for me and my two team colleagues. We trained for a couple of months beforehand both by ourselves and on the official weekend C4H training sessions
The actual event in April was very special, from the excitement of the start on O’Connell Street (spurred on by a bit of a rallying call from George Hook), through two days of cycling and eventually culminating in an emotional arrival in Galway’s Eyre’s Square.
The comradery was excellent with everyone supporting each other, being reminded that this was an ‘event’ and not a ‘race’, the aim of which was to get everyone safely to Galway. The technical support from the outriders, support teams, caterers, medics (St Johns), bike experts (Halfords) and even the Guards was of the highest order ensuring all of the riders needs were amply met. In summary a fantastic and hugely inspiring few days
Andy Heyes – Kellogg
The Cycle4Haiti event was particularly well organised, both prior to and during the actual cycle. Guidance on fund raising and preparatory training for the cycle were particularly useful, while issues like food stops, road safety escorts and hotel accommodation were very well planned and executed, leaving participants to concentrate fully on enjoying the cycle.
Damian Riordan Ernst & Young
Team Ernst & Young
Here’s how it felt to 6 pilgrims from Ernst & Young, Cork. Number of people who’d ever done such a thing before – one, once. Number who’d ever ridden more than 60km at a time before – one, the same once. Number who knew what to expect – None. Number who came away from the event tired but happy, impressed (with themselves) and amazed at how smoothly everything went and how much fun the whole weekend was – six.
From the moment of arrival to register and pick up the swag bag, and offer up the money raised for the Soul of Haiti, to the mass start from the GPO, to the Garda outriders smoothing passage through junctions etc, to the food stops (chapeau to Cully and Sully and all the other contributors and helpers) to the First aid and mechanics vans, to the hotel accommodation and entertainment, the organisation was outstanding. Even the weather had been cleverly arranged in advance, providing 2 clear days, with a mild breeze from the East (we were heading west). This is clearly a growing event. This year the snake of cyclists on the road was a full kilometre long. If it keeps growing roads might need to be closed!
Team Aerogen – Galway
“Taking part in the Cycle4Haiti was a 100% positive experience. It started off with an email in work to see who would be up for the challenge. After a few weeks Team Aerogen was born! As a group of four reluctant cyclists, we managed to raise funding (and our fitness levels!) to take part in the big spin. As we’re a Galway company, we organised our own training sessions over the Connemara Mountains and slowly watched our fitness levels increase. With a bit of training in our legs, we were ready to go.
As the Cycle4Haiti weekend approached Team Aerogen headed to Dublin to join up with the group. From the off it was clear this was going to be a fun and friendly experience. With the wind at our backs, we started the adventure. The organisers made it as easy as possible with lots of breaks, and a steady pace, ensuring everyone stayed together.
Despite the plethora of pit stops and refuelling on Saturday, we were still glad to see Athlone come into view, where we would rest up for Saturday night before the home straight the next day. Some clear thinking souls took the rest, others decided to test their athleticism with a night on the town before the final leg home! Sore head or not, it was up early Sunday for the 90km into Galway.
As we came into Eyre’s Square to cheers and medals, the sense of achievement was overwhelming. There’s no denying that cycling 225km isn’t easy, but with the group spirit, the friendship and the fundraising for Haiti, it was clear that the Cycle4Haiti was worth every second.”
Silver Hill Foods – Monaghan
“Silver Hill Foods set up a team of 4 people to take part in the Cycle for Haiti. These employees had availed of bikes through the bike to work scheme and thought this was the perfect opportunity to put the bikes to good use and raise some much needed money for Haiti. We tried to stick to the training guidelines, and we felt pretty well prepared for the cycle from Dublin to Galway.
It was a daunting challenge but from we set off in O Connell Street we knew it was going to be an enjoyable weekend. Apart from a few punctures we had a very smooth cycle. Time went very fast, weather conditions were perfect, and knowing we had the support team with us all the way alleviated any anxiety. The regular breaks really made it a lot easier and the food and drinks available at each break was more than sufficient. We really were so well looked after. At our half way point on day one (Athlone) all the cyclists had an opportunity to have a proper chat with people we had met briefly throughout the day. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of achievement and optimism for the next day. Day two was a little tougher as we were tired from day one but again with regular breaks and the main aim to complete the cycle for the people of Haiti we were not giving up! When we arrived in Galway we were delighted, tired, hungry but very proud. We had a great night at the presentations and raffle draw. Overall it was a really enjoyable experience and because it was for a worthwhile cause it made the weekend even better.”
