Chain Reaction Cycle Club takes to the roads

Cyclists, Ian O'Driscoll, Fearghal Hogan, Mary Fogarty, Trevor O'Neill, Billy Gallagher, Jerry Crowley, and Michael Broderick.

Cyclists, Ian O’Driscoll, Fearghal Hogan, Mary Fogarty, Trevor O’Neill, Billy Gallagher, Jerry Crowley, and Michael Broderick.

The Chain Reaction Cycle Club was founded in April of this year by Jerry Mullane and people supported by Cope Foundation Quartertown. The initial goal of the club members was to develop skills to enable them to cycle with safety and enjoyment.
Mallow Cycling Club in conjunction with Mallow G.A.A. undertook a fundraising cycle from Mallow to Kenmare in April and they kindly donated eight bikes. Blackwater Engineering bought three trikes for the club. We are most grateful for these very generous purchases which enabled our gang to get on their bikes. Cork Sports Partnership sponsored six weeks of safety training. This was undertaken by John Clancy of Safety School of Cycling. John was very generous with his time and created a sense of confidence among our cyclists. The group set themselves a new goal and this was to cycle from Kanturk to Mallow, and this major task was undertaken on Thursday, October 8th.
Blackwater Cycle Club Killavullen provided three cyclists, Fearghal Hogan, Trevor O’Neill and Ian O’Driscoll to cycle with the group. This group was backed up by five more cyclists, Tom O’Neill, Julie O’Dwyer, William Cronin, Mary Fogarty and Jerry Mullane. This provided one-to-one back-up for each of the cyclists.
The Chain Reaction Cycle Club members who undertook the cycle with great dignity, enjoyment and complete success were as follows: Billy Gallagher, Timmy Sheehan, Patrick Crowley, Jerry Crowley, Simon Broderick, Michael Broderick, Don Carroll and Mark Twomey.  Our very sincere congratulations to each and every one who undertook this major task with great vigour and flair and who never relented until the task was complete.
We wish to thank the Garda Siochana in Mallow under the directorship of Sergeant John Foley who provided vital road control and words of support along the route. Our very sincere thanks also to Garda Eilish Hayes and Garda Pat O’Connell. Thanks also to EMC staff for their support on the day, and the Oaklands Garden Centre Kanturk staff, William Cronin (manager) and Daniel who provided transport of bikes and their generous support for the event. Thanks also to Catherine and Steven of the Gallery in Mallow, who sponsored sandwiches, and the management and people supported by Cope for their support. Thanks also to Michael Twohig of Twohig’s Supervalu Kanturk for storing the bicycles and Claire O’Dwyer for providing great photos and keeping us smiling all day.
Last but by no means least, thanks to Dairygold Mill Lombardstown for their very generous reception and the heartfelt support we got from all the staff and management who made us feel so welcome. A very special thank you to Anne, John and Liam for all their work in making this a memorable occasion, and indeed to Tony Mannix, Milling and Grain Operations Manager, for the welcome.