Rev-up4DSI 2009
In beautiful sunshine 150+ of the great and the good of biking arrived at Joe Duffy’s BMW Dealership on Saturday May 2nd for registration for the fourth annual Rev-up4DSI annual around Ireland Motorcycle challenge in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.
Resplendent in Hi-viz vests emblazoned with DSI logo’s and after a hearty breakfast courtesy of Dave Humphreys and the team at Joe Duffy’s, the riders set off towards the sunny South East. This year in a break with tradition, check points were nominated throughout the three day route and riders were only provided with the first section at morning registration which led them to New Ross in County Wexford via the aptly named Garden of Ireland. After checking in with the DSI Marshals, riders were supplied with the second section of the route which took them through County Waterford via Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel. After Clonmel it was onto one of the best sections of biking roads that Ireland has to offer linking Clonmel, Cappoquin and Clogheen via the legendary “Vee” before arriving in Mitchelstown Co.Cork at check point two. Section three brought the bikes Northwards on the last leg to Limerick, passing through Kilfinnane, Kilmallock and Holycross before finishing at the fabulous Strand Hotel Limerick. With the Leinster versus Munster Heineken Cup semi-final being played that evening, the hotel bar was awash with a mixture of Red and Blue jerseys as the banter and craic got underway. Needless to say the Leinster lads and ladies were definitely in a minority but at the final whistle they made their voices heard which all lent to the atmosphere of the event. After an “All you can eat” Barbecue that some seemed to think was a challenge, an evening of Karaoke was had in the ballroom but most riders, saddle sore and weary had a tipple or two in the main bar as they regaled each other with tales of hairpin turns and stunning scenery. Day two arrived in beautiful sunshine and again in a further break from the norm, the decision was taken to hold a Poker Run on day 2. Jimmy Kennedy of Kennedy Motorcycles and RST Clothing generously agreed to sponsor the day with prizes for the best hands. After receiving their first two cards in the Hotel lobby, it was time to take to the roads again, this time in search of treasure (well prizes anyway).
The first check point of day 2 was in Kilkee and upon receiving their third card and shooting the breeze with each other in a way that only bikers can, it was back in the saddle as the route took them up the Atlantic Coast of County Clare. Most riders stopped off at Spanish Point (named after the unfortunate Spanish sailors who perished there in 1588 as many ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked when caught in a storm)en route to the famous surfing town of Lehinch.
Leaving Lehinch there isn’t a more obvious place to stop than the breath taking Cliffs of Moher before riding through the Limestone Moonscape that is The Majestic Burren.
After a scenery over dose it was back to the hard roads between Ballyvaghan and Craughwell as one corner rolled into the next en route to Nenagh for the final check point of day two. At this stage of the Poker Run, there was great craic and banter over the various hands of cards (or the lack of them) and there were scurrilous rumours of certain gents purchasing extra decks of cards in the shops on the way!! Upon leaving Nenagh the riders took the road for Portroe, now while Portroe may only be a wee town in County Tipperary its secret is that it holds the key to one of the most stunning views in all of Ireland. As the road winds its way Southwards through the Arra Mountains you come around a left hand bend in the road only for the skyline to quite literally open up to show a vista of Lough Derg as far as the eye can see that has to be seen to be believed. This road then led the riders to the picture postcard town of Killaloe and its famous bridge spanning the mighty Shannon, before joining the N7 for the final stretch back into Limerick. In Limerick all participants gathered at the Down Syndrome Ireland Limerick Branch’s new premises in Castletroy, where tea, coffee and biscuits were laid on by the branch for all. This was a great opportunity for the riders to meet the people they are fundraising on behalf of as well as allowing the members and their families to thank the participants for their ongoing support.
Under escort from the Limerick Garda Traffic Corps and DSI’s own dedicated team of outriders, the two mile procession wound its way from Castletroy through the City Centre, bringing Henry Street to a standstill as the people of Limerick stopped to wave as the bikes went past with lights flashing and horns blaring before crossing the Shannon once more on Sarsfield Bridge back to our base at the Strand Hotel.
Sunday Evening on Rev-up weekend is the Gala Dinner and awards night and this year was no different. The Strand Hotel Management and Staff truly outdid themselves, with the room set out as if for Royalty and food definitely fit for a King but I dare say with the generosity and dedication of the Rev-up4DSI riders it was only fitting! After dinner Rev-up4DSI co-founder Michael McCormick introduced DSI President Mary O’Reilly who thanked all the participants, sponsors and the staff of the Hotel. Mary also explained that the funds raised will go towards the further development of the National Resource Team and their ongoing work for and on behalf of DSI’s members and their families.Michael then said a few words himself about how Rev-up4DSI came about and how much he had enjoyed sharing the roads with each and every participant before handing over proceedings to Aidan for the awards.
First up was the Kennedy Motorcycles/RST Clothing Poker Run which was won by Matthew Quinn with Sean Tracey second and Ciaran Scanlon third and they all collected vouchers presented by Jimmy Kennedy himself.
Every year any participant who raises in excess of €3,000 goes into a separate draw for a VIP trip for two to the Valencia round of Moto GP kindly sponsored by Gordon Howell of Pole Position Travel and the name to come out of the hat was a Mr. Brian Marsh but before the applause had even stopped, Brian’s son Sam had made his way to the stage and told Aidan that as Brian had won the trip the previous year (unbelievably lucky or what!!) he insisted that the draw be redone which brought the whole room to its feet in appreciation of such a fine gesture! Sam pulled the next ticket and Ray Brennan’s name came out and so Ray and a guest will find themselves wined and dined in true VIP style courtesy of Pole Position Travel as they enjoy the spectacle that Moto Gp is.
After the free to enter raffle which had prizes donated by , BMW Motorrad Ireland Toyota Ireland, Malcolm Ashley Racing, Tallaght Superbikes, Liffey Valley Opel, Paul Greaney Motorcycles, Aaron Rider Training and Meteor amongst others, a special prize was given to Derek O’Neill who completed the whole route on an Aprillia RS 250!!! Derek left with a big grin on his face and a €500 euro voucher from Nevis Marketing and Cotters Motorcycles.
Awards were also given in the following categories. Youngest Rider: Owen Gibson.(Nine years old).Veteran Rider: Ian Halliday (Over 21!!)
Furthest Travelled: Ian Halliday (Scotland).Oldest Bike: Andrew Dunne (1987 Goldwing).Best Bike: Kevin O’H anlon (TTS Honda Fireblade/Blackbird 1200)Most funds raised by an individual: Ciaran Scanlon.Special Recognition Award: Jimmy Kennedy (Kennedy Motorcycles).Biggest Corporate Sponsor: Pole Position Travel. Another night of merciless mutilation of innocent songs followed in the karaoke and the photo’s will tell the story better than mere words can! Day 3 arrived all too soon and in damp and gloomy conditions, Rev-up4DSI bid a fond farewell to Limerick as via Killaloe once more, the riders travelled up the West Coast of Lough Derg through Tuamgraney and Scariff before meeting the Shannon again at Portumna.
With the mighty waterway firmly behind them the participants took the scenic route to Mullingar where the late great Joe Dolan joined in the spirit of Rev-up4DSI as participants and local DSI members posed for photo’s with the statue erected in memory of the “Mullingar Mojo”. Onwards to Edgeworthstown and Granard before arriving in the ancient seat of Irish Royalty, County Meath! Passing through Oldcastle and on through the historic town of Kells, before taking to the N3, which after three full days of twisties was an almost welcome relief for those weary bodies and minds. Arriving back in Dublin, all participants congregated at the Spawell complex in Templeogue where the motorcycle out-riders of the Garda Traffic Corps expertly guided the procession through the streets of Templeogue, en route to Terenure Rugby Club where sandwiches, tea & coffee awaited all.
And so the final curtain fell on Rev-up4DSI 2009 and with approximately €150,000 raised in much needed funds (not to mention the awareness raised throughout the country) it was a great success and all participants left with grins on their faces.
Special thanks to: Kate Short and BMW Motorrad Ireland, Dave Humphreys and Joe Duffy BMW, Gordon Howell, Brett Murphy and Pole Position Travel, HB Ice Cream, Louise, Olivia and all the staff at The Strand Hotel, all at the Limerick Riverfest and Noel & Gemma at Access Trucks. Extra special thanks to all participants and all who sponsored them, thank you one and all for “Sharing the Journey” once more. See you in 2010.
