Nissan Kilmacud Crokes / Breast Cancer Ireland M2M 2026 Donie's Blog The Final Day - Day 5
Well we made it....again.
After all the efforts of the last 5 days we finally got there. We left the hotel in Letterkenny around 9 in all our groups,great buzz around the place because it's the last day and you know whatever happens you're going to finish it today. We're joined by Prof Arnie Hill from Breast Cancer Ireland today who's become part of the family at this stage,and is cycling the final stage with us all. We all headed down the road in our groups at intervals, meeting up in Buncranna at 11 for coffee and scones. Then it was on from here to Malin village,13k from Malin head,where we all met up on the green for ice creams ...and a little yoga,photo attached.
I had a little buckle in my rear wheel, tiny crack in the rim, not good but should make last few km. So off we all headed in our groups,7k in my back tyre exploded , not looking good for me. Blue team headed on to the finish and I rang the support crew,Ciarán and Mick arrived with a spare bike they had,wrong cleats but I'll give it a go,traveled about another 4k but couldn't operate the electric gears as no power. Then Kevin Foley arrived with 2 bikes from lads who had already finished,grabbed one with correct cleats for my shoes and headed off,saddle was too low but I managed to get to the finish . Someone asked me if I'd gotten it from a clown in the circus !! As it turned out, it was Mark ,the snorer's bike,so we both actually finished the challenge on the same bike !!photo 1.
Great celebrations at the top and all 4 groups finished successfully
Myself and Mark are part of only 5 people who have completed all 7 M2M Challenges since 2012,very proud. Photo 3
After the celebrations we headed down to The Sea View Tavern to put bikes in the lorry and enjoy a few well earned pints,then we had a bus back to Letterkenny and had a great night.
Said in M2M Day 4 there was more to follow about Blue team.
Gentleman John was my first pick when we sorted the teams last week, he was on my team 2 years ago and is a pleasure to deal with.
Phil,Phil just completed his 4th M2M his 3rd since being diagnosed with Parkinsons....he's some boyo !! Praise to Kevin the navigator and co leader of the group,he acts as Phil's "minder"not that he needs any,but if there is a problem medication wise he knows what to do. Phil was surprised by his 2 daughters up at Malin head...see photo.
Muireann, this young lady has stage 4 breast cancer which is being managed/maintained by fabulous new medication. She never cycled in a group before,is married with a 2yr old and has a day job....what can I say !! You'll know which photo is Muireann.
It's been an absolutely hectic 6 days and I've loved every minute of it all. There's something about M2M that make you keep coming back. Some people are saying "not again" but not me. I've never doubted our support crew but it was nice to be on the receiving end....they brought me 3 bikes !!
Wasn't a snort out of Mark, the snorer this week,I think he's had work done secretly
I hope you've all enjoyed the mails when you eventually got them and sure maybe you'll sign up for next time. I feel privileged to be healthy enough to do it,so bring on 2028 !!
Charity Link if you have a few bob please donate,2 very good causes - The Nissan M2M Challenge Fundraising Campaign 2026
Regards Donie.
