Wow at WaW Cycle! - Culligan does Crokes proud

Coupled with his Management Duties with the Junior A Hurlers, Michael (Mick) Culligan also does some cycling;
To supplement his recent participation in the Mizen to Malin 2016 Michael modestly announced his participation in the Audax Wild Atlantic Way Cycle (WAW) - Apart from the 2100km coastal route from Kinsale round to Derry - the intent is to do it in 7 days - to do so in a car would be taxing but to do so 'a bicylette' is mind boggling.

All his M2M colleagues were able to track his and his fellow participants fascinating itinerary up the west coast.Michael ,who offered assistance and organized some training detours during M2M, won a big following and appreciates  all the encouragement received.

Just as a  measure having made a 30km wrong turn he did circa 350kms on his first day travelling over the Healy Pass at midnight - Returning to his native clare he again benefitted from (Pat) Burke family hospitality in Quilty (a holy grail for all crokes cyclists!) 2 really tough days in Galway & Mayo into the wind & rain - greatly bolstered by the encounter with Vinnie & Gerry throughout - Kevin Coakley also rode alongside him in the Clifden section. Still 2 days of tough cycling to go - now enjoying some familiarity in the NW with his M2M ride - the whole club and his friends applaud and wish him a safe passage back to Derry. 

Epilogue

Mick battled through those last few days, saddle sore and sleep deprived.
This correspondent tracked  down  our intrepid traveller on roadside about 15km south of Buncrana - a case of  'Doctor Culliigan, I presume' - Almost clever concussed he resolutely forged his way around the beautiful inishowen peninsula -
both of us rewarded with the view from the Mamore Gap - onto Malin Head and its sting in the tail climbs - and even the mishap of a 10km detour of 2 more unscheduled climbs.

On the last leg but not on his last legs ...
For as twilight descended. there would be no stopping him as he pumped along the smooth tarmac from Moville against the backdrop of the  Foyle coastline.

One week on from his Kinsale Departure, On the evening of Fri June 26th Mick Culligan crossed the Derry Peace bridge and completed his Audax Wide Atlantic Way Cycle , capturing the imagination and admiration of all who know him.

Special Correspondent

Read Gerry Park's confabulous account   culligans_waw.pdf

Rough Cut Stats

Circa 2200 km (including detours!), 21000 m of Climbs , Ave 21 kmh