I don’t have to tell anyone who knew him that this trip was Jim’s pride and joy. He started planning it as soon as we got home from our Fall 2015 tour of Ireland and France with Jiff and Elaine Reid. Sometime during that fabulous two weeks Jiff explained to Jim that it is a “thing” for cyclers, hikers, runners, etc. to complete the journey from Mizen, the south-western most lighthouse in Ireland to Malin, the north-easternmost! Such stories intrigued my husband.
Very recent example: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30788159.html
Or: ed-mcgroarty-sets-new-mizen-to-malin
Jim immediately decided he must make the trip (with no intention of doing it as a race!) And set himself to the task. He decided on the cities he wanted to go through and began to map out his course. He also began recruiting riders. From left to right they are: Steve Gade, Bones (Colin) Miller, Claudia Divis, (support), Tim Divis, Anne Ferguson, (support), Tractor (Lionel) Ferguson, Vince Egan, Joy Egan, (support), Nancy Gade, Jim (Reject) Cunningham, Jonathan Alexander, Ruthie Weems Alexander, (support). This is the official first day of the ride photo, June 15, 2017, Cork. Jiff and Elaine hadn’t quite caught up to us yet!
Jim plotted his ride very diligently testing several different variations on Google Maps. He said he literally road the trip four or five times over the two years it took to bring it to fruition. I am pretty sure the Railroad paid for some of those Google rides!
My only request was that one of the two rest days he allowed for was spent in LaHinch, a small seaside village that I had fallen in love with on our previous trip. There is a grand hotel and Spa and a huge golf course and it is a stone’s throw from The Cliffs of Moher, but I couldn’t get enough of the light and the sea. I found the atmosphere magical.
We ended in Mizen June 29th, one of the coldest days of the ride!. Actually, the day before it rained on our last three riders all day. BRRRR! Many of the riders had to stop after the first week. They had jobs to go back to in the US. Only three finished, Elaine Reid, Jim Cunningham and Lionel Ferguson, who, by the time we were making them pose for this photo were ready for some warmth and a pint!
Look at that smile on Jim’s face. He did it!
BTW: As we were ending our hilltop celebration a young couple were preparing to begin their trek south to Malin. I took their photo facing the other direction!
