Round Ireland Electric Bike Challenge in Aid of Autism:

THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE

Donations to: Laois Autism Resource Centre, Bank Of Ireland, Portlaoise: sort code 90-18-88, A/c no. 45606700

All funds will be used to create a community organic garden with therapeutic and sensory gardens suitable for all abilities.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects all walks of life. A recent survey in the UK concluded that 1 in 60 boys have Autism. Results are awaited in Ireland but should equate. What causes Autism?... is a question many ask yet no one can answer. Is it a symptom of modern society, genetic modification, diet, chemicals in our environment or something else? Laois Autism Resource Centre aims to raise awareness of Autism and offer a nurturing environment for autistic people, family and friends. EcoHomesandGardens.ie are supporting this worthy cause.

Scroll down to see the daily report

Eco Homes and Gardens Ireland have partnered with Irish Autism Action and Laois Autism Resource Centre to organise a novel fund and awareness raising event called Round Ireland Electric Bike Challenge during July and August.

The electric bike and accessories (value €3,000) has been kindly donated by Wisper UK and goeco.ie. A team of volunteers are traversing every county in Ireland this July on the Ebike to coincide with 32marathons.com (July 2nd – Aug 2nd  2010). The electric bike is being raffled to raise funds, along with numerous other prizes, over the summer months. The winners will be announced in September. Photos of well known celebrities sitting on the electric bike are also being taken along the journey as an added bonus for the eventual winner.

The Electric Bike Challenge in Aid of Autism will be visiting sustainable development projects in Ireland during the tour and highlighting these on a blog on ElectricBikeChallenge.com and EcoHomesandGardens.ie. All support is greatly appreciated. A list of locations where raffle lines can be purchased will appear on the website as they travel through each county. Spokesperson Micheal O’Loinsigh said “we will be stopping at villages and towns around Ireland during the event and will have a colourful caravan / mobile display with us. We are looking for suitable places to overnight with the caravan and a charge point for the electric bike (standard 3 pin socket), so if any hostelries are wishing to support in kind we will include their business details on our websites supporters list. We are also looking for volunteers to sell lines for the raffle.”

If you feel you can help in any way please contact Micheal @ (087) 2827398 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Special Thanks" to Joe and D Youth Factory plus The Paint Store, Mountmellick for all the paints and a "Massive Thanks" to Pascal Kenna for the beautiful mural!

DAY 1 - LONGFORD JULY 2nd

We are having problems with our www.ElectricBikeChallenge.com site so apologies to those who have been trying to open it unsuccessfully. A daily report will be kept on this page.

32 runners turned out for the first leg of 32 marathons and the Wisper UK electric bike performed well. Did 40 miles on the ciruit route along the canal in Longford. Made some great friends today who are very supportive of our fundraising idea including Enda from Crossan Electrical who is going to get line cards for the raffle of the electric bike in every EXPERT ELECTRICAL shop in Ireland. We are wearing a jersey for their group in appreciation.

Kevin Whelan, CEO, Irish Autism Action at the Start/Finish line in Longford.

There was a great turn out for the day on the streets of Longford and the general public enjoyed the event which ran very smoothly with minimal traffic disruptions. Well done to Ken and Gerry completing their first marathon of the event. These are two amazing lads who have set themselves a unique task for a great cause. They look as fit as fiddles so it shouldn't be a problem for them. The next leg is Dublin Phoenix Park. We drove there and stayed for the night in the tranquility of Europes largest national park. Stayed in the company of lots of sika deer that are everywhere in the park ...

(Above) Horses riders 8.30am Phoenix Park, Dublin

DAY 2 - DUBLIN PHOENIX PARK JULY 3rd

The marathon started with a get together at the Aishling Hotel near Phoenix Park. We would firsly like to thank them for giving us a power point for charging the bike. Met Ronnie Whelan Irelands Italia 90 and USA World Cup legend and he endorsed Electric Bike Challenge for Autism saying "it's a brilliant idea for a great cause". Ronnie was there to wish everyone well during the marathon along with Eamonn Coughan and Michael O'Leary who was running a half marathon.

Ronnie Whelan supporting the ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE in Aid of Autism.

Michael O'Leary getting ready to have his first go on an electric bike

Michael O'Leary having a laugh!

Test run complete... Cleared for landing.

Michael signing the ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE caravan mural. He thought the mural was a work of art.

Dana shows her support for ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE.

Pictured with Maggie and Darragh, Laois Autism Resource Centre.

Special thanks to Anthony who helped us so much when we got to Bray (Anthony was out cycling his bike with his daughter Orla when we met them). Also special thanks to John of the Martello Hotel on the promenade ... a very lively spot overlooking the sea if you are ever visiting Bray. Great food too!

Bray seafront start/finish location for 32 marathons Wicklow.

And they're off!... Runners start their run around bray seafront doing a loop around the town.

Gerry Duffy speaks to the other runners at Bagnelstown GAA grounds before start of 32 marathons CARLOW leg.

Runners enjoying the canal route.

The canal route that connect Bagnelstown and Loughleinstown.

DAY 5 JP McManus Golf Classic at Adare

Hi Folks,

We broke away from 32 marathons for a few days to attend the JP McManus Invitational Golf Classic at Adare and see what celebs would have their photo taken with the bike. It was a good idea. A number of celebs were supportive of the Electric Bike Challenge for Autism and our project at Laois Autism Resource Centre. The rain did not dampen the spirits of the 40,000 people who visited day 2 of the event. We will be uploading photos over the next couple of days of this event and Willie Clancy Week in Miltown Malbay County Clare(have been having problems with our 3 mobile broadband reception of late?)

Michael Flatley on the Electric Bike at the JP McManus Golf Classic, Adare

Lots more photos and info on 32marathons Ballyvaughan, Clonmel and Emo, Laois to come...

Top jockey Johnny Murtagh showing his support for Autism.

Racehorse trainer Tom Taffe trying out the 'electric horse'.

Keith Woods Triple crown rugby player showing his support.

Actor Kyle Maclachlan (Twin Peaks and Desperate Housewives) was the first to lend his support for Electric Bike Challenge in Aid of Autism. He thought it was a fantastic idea.

DAY 6-10 Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay, County Clare.

We continued on to Clare after the JP McManus Invitational Golf Classic to visit Willie Clancy week celebrating its 38th year as a school of music. Although the weather was wet, their were great crowds at the event and it was a joy to witness young and old playing music together in the pubs and on the streets.

Mural of Willie Clancy at The Central Hotel, by Uli Wolf.

Raffle Lines can be purchased at Clancy's Bar, Malone's Pub, The Westbridge, Soap and Suds Laundrette, Kelly's Newsagents, Ocean View 'Peadar O'Loughlin's', Lynchs Pub 'Jonathon and Micky Wilson's' and Pick of the Crop, Fruit and Veg Store (Noirín Sullivan). Thanks to everyone in Miltown for supporting Autism.

DAY 11 Ballyvaughan, 32 Marathons Clare

Drove from Miltown Malbay to Ballyvaughan through the Burren and down 'Corkscrew Hill' to get to the venue for the 32 Marathons Clare. Beautiful location, cycling a 26.2 mile loop along the coast road. Did a little extra as started from Aillwee Cave where an old school friend Nuala Mulqueeney allowed us to display the caravan for the day and collect for Autism. Go raibh míle maith agaibh Nuala, Micheál (muinteoir!) agus gach duine sa Aillwee Cave!

Gerry Duffy (front) and Ken Whitelaw (No.11) set their stopwatches along with other runners in 32 marathons.

Model Vivenne Connolly at Aillwee Cave, showing her support for Autism.

Pauline O'Holloran, from Miltown Malbay who's 11 year old son Liam has Autism completed a half marathon with 3 of her sisters and 5 other friends. Pictured outside Logue's Lodge, start of the Clare marathon.

Pauline and the Miltown girls after completing their half marathon. Well done to all of you!

The Electric Bike ready for the Clare marathon.

Maggie, Darragh and Micheal, Laois Autism Resource Centre, outside Monk's Pub and Restaurant, Ballyvaughan.

Special thanks to Noeleen and her husband at Monk's for their hospitality and support!

A lovely example of an organic garden outside Ballyvaughan. The haggarts are returning!

DAY 12 Clonmel

The Tipperary marathon was held in Clonmel starting in the town. The route then went out the Cahir road and cut cross country to return via a road parallel with the river Suir. Rain started to descend in the afternoon so as soon as we were finished the marathon we headed for Laois for the next marathon at Emo Court.

We would like to express a BIG THANKS at this stage to Enda Crossan and EXPERT chain of electrical stores who have kindly volunteered to sell raffle tickets for the Electric Bike Challenge in every EXPERT store in Ireland July thru September. You may have noticed we are sporting Expert tops in appreciation!

At the start of Galway 32 marathons.

Members of Connaught Rugby team supporting the Electric Bike Challenge in Aid of Autism

Terry Wogan giving his support for Laois Austism Resource Centre. Terry said " a lot more needs to be done to help Autism". He is in Ireland filming a series called Terry Wogan's Ireland that will be on BBC in the Autumn.

After the Galway Marathon it was time to hit the open road and traverse some counties. I really wanted to push this bike to the limits and see how really good it was as a touring bike. The weight of the bike with panier containing a spare battery and a family tent is about 50kgs now so it is carrying a lot of weight. Lets see how she handles it... on the roads and by-roads of Ireland. The plan over the next week is to traverse 12 counties in 7 days travelling around 8 counties in Ulster and zig zagging my way across the country as far as County Laois.

Ballybofey, Donegal

Cycled from Ballybofey via Letterkenny to Derry city. Rained for part of the day so took shelter in Letterkenny for a couple of hours.

Derry City is such a clean and friendly city steeped in history. The old city walls remain intact and are a nice place for a leisurely stroll.

Derry Walled City

Thank you to Kylie at The Independent Hostel on Great James Street for her hospitality and support.

Was raining in Derry next day and didn't look like easing up so got set for 4 hours cycling in the rain. It was tough and by the time i got to Limavaddy everything was soaked. I stopped at the local salvation army shop and met a wonderful couple called Captains Eddie and Joan Archibald who fitted me out with dry clothes that would help complete the 2nd half of my journey to Portstewart. A storm was brewing and the cup of tea and biscuits that Eddie and Joan provided was truly appreciated. Their shop was left with a puddle of water in the floor from the drenched clothes i arrived in. Thank you both for helping out! It would have been difficult to reach Portstewart that evening and i would have almost certainly caught a cold from cycling in waterlogged clothes and shoes.

Captains Eddie and Joan Archibald.

Ricks Hostel (yellow building), Port Stewart, a great family run business with a homely atmosphere. Thanks Rick for your support.

An amazing couple, Alan and Judy from England who are cycling around Ireland via the coastal roads and islands. Their adventure is taking 9 weeks to complete. They have already 'circumnavigated' the coastal roads of Great Britain by tandem. An inspirational retired couple who will remain young forever!

Bike at Giants Causeway, County Antrim

Bushmills Distillery, County Antrim

Cycled from Portstewart to Giant's Causeway via Busmills. A beautiful sunny day it was too so i decided to Go for a 100mile cycle traversing Down near Banbridge and cutting across to Armagh city.

Saint Patricks Cathedral, Armagh. Burial place of Brian Boru.

The An Oige hostel warden in Armagh, John Crowley, suggested that i visit Patrick Kavanagh's homeplace in Inniskeen in County Monaghan which fitted in with the route i had planned starting in Armagh and cycling to Louth and then turning back to Crossmaglen, Cavan and Monaghan. Inishkeen was a couple of extra miles but it was worth it. It is a quiet picturesque little village and Patrick Kavanagh's House is a mile and a bit from the village. I understood the homestead was a centre and was surprised to find a family living there. They were very friendly when i explained. There is a centre in the village. I was invited for lunch and the family explained all about Patrick, the highs and lows. When i mentioned the 32 counties in 32 days with the electric bike they suggested we take a photo of the bike with 'Auld Quinn', Patrick's bike that is an antique high nellie, still working. It is taken out for a Patrick Kavanagh week that is held each year in the village. Auld Quinn was given to Patrick after a neighbour named Auld Quinn, who owned the bike, passed away.

Patrick Kavanagh's House, Inniskeen.

Wisper 906 Alpino meets 'Auld Quinn'. Friends for life!

Patrick Kavanagh's writing desk at his home in Inniskeen.

Brian and Ann Adamson, who have a pub in Clones called Adamson's (for a great pint!) offered me accommodation for a night when my batteries ran low and i was on my way to Enniskillen. Took them up on their offer and had a lovely evening talking with them. Thank you and your family for helping out! Brian reminded me that Marcus McCabe an ecological builder lived just a few fields away from his house. I have known Marcus, and his work to promote hemp and lime as a sustainable ecological building material, for a number of years. I decided to call in and see how he was doing. Unfortunately Marcus was away on business but his sons Todo and Casper were happy to let me view and photograph the buildings and gardens there. Todo explained they produce nearly all the household vegetables they need as a family using two polyunnels.The development is known as the The Ark and it is a lifetime experience for Marcus and his family. Located in Burdautien, Clones.

Marcus McCabes place. Wow! What a nice home. Two storey round house super-insulated with hemp and lime plaster.

The Grianan (Sunroom) where vegetables and herbs are grown inside as part of the home environment. The house is a hardwood, hemp and lime interior finish with circular hardwood staircase leading to the second floor. For more info on the work of Marcus McCabe and hemp and lime plaster click this link www.hempirebuilding.net. Marcus has developed an amazing natural product that is becoming increasingly popular in new builds and renovations. Hemp is also sequesters carbon (the fibre is carbon drawn from the atmosphere).One of Prince Charles homes was recently built using Hempire building materials. "Thanks Todo and Casper."

Enniskillen (Fermanagh), Tyrone, Leirim, and Sligo to follow ...

Fermanagh, lakelands.

Glencar Waterfall, County Leitrim

Strandhill, County Sligo

Arrived at Strandhill after 6 days cycling straight and had covered 13 counties during that time so was tired after spending 5 to 7 hours on the bike each day.

Was surprised that evening to meet a friend whom i knew in mBaile an Fheirtearaigh, Co. Chiarrai, called Bernard, now living in Strandhill. I stayed with him and his wife Suzie for the next couple of days. It was good fun catching up and meeting his friends from Strandhill in a great pub called The Dunes. Bernard is organising what looks like a really cool festival in Temple House, Ballymote, County Sligo this September 10-12th. A festival with a difference is how it is being labelled. Check it out at www.templehousefestival.com. Thanks Bernard and Suzie for a wonderful weekend in Sligo. Where i was able to cycle to Ballina in County Mayo on the Sunday too and return to strandhill in the evening for a 'hat' party at The Dunes (everyone wears a hat in the bar for the evening ... mad hatters!

32 Marathons Westmeath August 2nd - The Final Marathon!

A huge crowd turned out at Mullingar the home town of Gerry and Ken who were about to complete 32 marathons in 32 days. Over 200 runners and walkers turned out to join them. 

The start of the final 32 marathons in Mullingar.

Belvedere Estate and Lough Ennell (Land of Narnia)

The route ran along by the canal and through Belvedere Estate back the main road to the town park. everyone was in high spirits and celebratory mood as the runners neared the finish line. Gerry and Ken even did two extra loops of the park with around 30children running along with them. There were tears of joy from everyone involved when they crossed the line and completed their momumental task of running 32 marathons in 32 counties in 32 days. Everyone involved in the event was crying aswell as everyone realised this would be the last time they would be together after being on the road as a family of runners and co-ordinators for over a month.

Gerry and Ken along with Expert Ireland team at the finish of 32 marathons in Mullingar.