The feel-good factor
Most people who ride a bike do it to feel good. Getting out into the fresh air, releasing endorphins, makes you feel good, both physically and mentally. However, if you really want to intensify this feeling and multiply it, then you must take part in the Tour de Munster. It truly is a life-changing experience.
Although the ‘Tour’ is a very challenging cycling event, which takes you on some of Ireland’s most iconic climbs and scenic routes, the main aim and reason for being there is to raise funds and awareness for people with Down syndrome. You also get to know them and their families and that’s where the magic happens.
Paul Sheridan, the legendary figure behind the whole event, once again rallied his troops outside Cork’s English Market last Thursday morning. Surrounded by hundreds of well-wishers, we left. There are more than 600 km to cover in four days. The sun was shining and the rain was falling, but nothing could dampen the kindness and good humor of every person I came in contact with, on and off the bike.
Sean Kelly was there and has now matched his Tour de France and Tour de Munster participation figures. He may have won the Tour de France green jersey 4 times, but he seems to enjoy the Tour de Munster more.
The food stops followed by hammer blows. Tired legs and sore butts were quickly forgotten as the children and their families clapped, hugged each other and thanked us for doing what we love to do. They had spent hours baking scones and rolls, making sandwiches, and arranging as much food and tea and coffee as was humanly possible to feed us, and yet they thanked us. It’s a bit surreal until you understand what the event is about.
We are all born with different talents and abilities. No two people are the same, but for the most part, the vast majority learn to walk, talk, sing, and dance quite easily and naturally as they develop throughout childhood. Children with Down syndrome have to work much harder to progress and often need a lot of help along the way. Speech therapy, physiotherapy, early childhood development and education are all necessary aspects and directly financed by the funds raised during the Tour de Munster. Each rider pays for all their meals and accommodation so that every penny goes directly to where it can do the most good.
Sunday morning, as we left Gougane Barra, I was next to a fellow cyclist who was telling me about his sister and his daughter with Down syndrome. When her daughter was born, she found herself slightly estranged from some of her friends. Due to lack of understanding, they did not know what to say. Then, over time, her daughter was sometimes excluded from certain birthday parties because the other parents weren’t sure what to expect. This highlighted another very important aspect of the tour. As you get to know the children and their families, you will see first-hand how much each child with DS has to offer us all. They have no ego and are incredibly open and friendly. They represent the best of what we should all strive to be. And when it came to parties, a few of us ended up at a nightclub in Kenmare at 1am on a Saturday night, simply because Ritchie, a friend of ours who is a young man with DS, insisted that we all had to go dancing.
The Tour de Munster is like an antidote to much of what bombards us in the world today. Looking at social media and listening to radio, television, or podcasts, it seems like the world has become a scary place, full of not-so-nice people who only care about themselves. However, for 4 days I found myself in the middle of an incredible group of very friendly people. Good people. In every town, village and crossroads we passed, people on the side of the road were clapping and cheering us on. Cars beeped to say hello and well done. We saw so many flags waving and posters held that it looked like an Olympic homecoming, but it was just people supporting the Tour de Munster. As I drove home Sunday evening, there were dark rain clouds above us that cleared to reveal a clear blue sky behind, which was very similar to the effect of TdM on people .
How does the event change you?
You let go of some of your ego when you are immersed in the pure joy and honesty of children and their families and you begin to realize what the most important thing in life is, people.
You’re inspired when you see Conor O’Dea being lifted from his wheelchair onto his tricycle and then seeing him climb St. Patricks Hill in Cork. You no longer complain about the rain or the wind, or how tired you are, because it never does.
You gain perspective on what is possible and that the biggest limiting factor to achieving anything we want to do is only ourselves.
You recognize that the vast majority of people are actually really good and kind and kind and want to help others. It really is.
If you are interested in attending next year’s event, you can find more details as they become available here: http://tourdemunster.com/
If you would like to make a donation that will directly benefit a child with Down syndrome, and for example pay for a speech therapy session, you can make a donation of any amount which will be greatly appreciated here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/BarryMeehan1
Thank you so much,
Barry