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CHARITY MARACYCLE 2015
50 year old Larne Rugby Coach, Davy Wilson is raising funds
for Ulster Rugby’s Charity Partner the IRFU Charitable Trust.
Davy has a home in France and also enjoys cycling.
Recently he decided to cycle from Romanshorn, Lake
Constance on the German/Austrian border through
Switzerland to Thollon in order to raise funds for the
IRFU Charitable Trust. The Trust works to help past
players who have suffered serious life changing
injuries.
His route was just over 500 kms. Davy’s motto
throughout the trek was simple: “I’m only riding a bike
– the real men are those injured ex-players who push
themselves physically and emotionally every day.” Over
£4000 has already been raised and Davy would like
your help to grow this to £6000 before the closing date
of the end of October. Hopefully sharing his story will
go a little way to help.
THE STORY OF THE JOURNEY…
The journey started on the 25th August after a night
in a Hostel in Romanshorn along the shores of Lake
Constance. The initial stages of the cycle route took
him north of St. Gallen through breathtaking farmlands
reminiscent of 70s style farming in NI with small herds
and using low intensive farming methods. Apple
orchards and sunflower crops were common in this
area but after a morning in the saddle he found the
bike route terrain too rough for a 17 stone laden Btwin
Racer so after a light lunch and advice from some
locals, (one of whom was a Swiss rugby fan wearing
an Ireland jersey), the afternoon took him onto the
busy A roads which needed full concentration despite
generous cycle lanes. After 129 km he arrived in the
wealthiest city on the globe - Zurich - for another
overnight Hostel stop.
Day 2 took Davy North of Zurich to Baden for his
first pit stop and here he decided to follow the B
roads in order to enjoy the scenery in a more relaxed
manner. The down side was that these roads were
more undulating with long difficult climbs followed by
surprisingly difficult downhills, the Paniers making the
bike quite unstable. It was another glorious day with
temperatures in the 30s and it took him through some
picturesque towns including Aarau and Olten before
arriving close to darkness in Solothurn. The local Irish
Bar (called The Shipyards) brought the traditional
Friday ‘Irish night’ forward to Thursday and following
some entertainment a generous donation to the cause
was made by Stephane (the owner) and the clientele.
Day 3 was quite an emotional one as it was the 2nd
anniversary of his mum’s passing but he was given
extra impetus by being joined by fellow ex-Larneman,
Nigel Montgomery, now based in Basle. Nigel settled
into Davy’s slipstream for another stunning cycle
from German speaking to French speaking Swiss at
Biel, skirting the Lake before cutting across to Lake
Neuchatel where snow capped peaks formed an
amazing backdrop to the perfect lake. 82 km was
very welcome after the punishing first two days and
overnight was spent in Gorgier with a local restaurant
providing much needed sustenance. Davy gave a
crash course on how to make an Irish coffee!
Day 4 saw the eagerly awaited arrival of Paul O’Connell
with many Facebook followers more excited than
Davy and Nigel. After a 7am ice bath in the Lake
watching the sunrise, breakfast was downed and P
O’C duly arrived; unfortunately, it was a Swiss based
Roscommon man – not the Irish skipper! What seemed
on paper a fairly straightforward 75 km day became
really torturous as the three Amigos chose a route
via the Spa town of Yverdon before climbing over 12
km of tough rising terrain, having lunch at the top and
a 12 km drop into Lausanne just in time for Ireland v
Wales. P O’C made his exit back to Basle – just as his
namesake was saying farewell to the Aviva.
The last day featured an initial straightforward 80
km route from Lausanne via Vevey, Montreaux,
St. Gingolph before arriving at 3pm into Evian for
afternoon tea in Davy’s favourite local Cafe Mont Delice
and some craic with owners Johan and Vero and
manager Sonia – again a donation was made by the
generous Belgian owner.
At this stage they were met by more ex-pats from Larne
– the Calverts from Geneva and their three children
who fortunately relieved them of their baggage for the
arduous 15 km climb to the finish at Thollon. The lads,
despite a second puncture, managed the climb in just
over an hour with the Calverts, adorned in Ulster and
IRFU Flags, enthusiastically singing SUFTUM at every
peak and gathering at the top, joined by several locals
(and a random Portadown chap) to cheer them over
the line.
An epic journey – what a way to see a beautiful
country! the trip finished with a lavish meal and
fine Prosecco French style in Le XV restaurant
with ex-Montpellier rugby star ‘Arno’ handing over
a donation cheered on by the locals. A late night
followed in Le Choumas where locals celebrated more
enthusiastically than the tired travellers!
Help Davy reach his £6,000 target by
visiting https:
CharityMaracycle
IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST