Sean Kelly teams up with Madigan lads
Pictured along
with Sean Kelly during the 2000 Wicklow 200K Challenge are L to R
George McMillan,
Michael Chements, Irwin Hamilton and Davy Ross.
We could
not believe our luck when we met up with cycling superstar Sean Kelly
during the tough Wicklow Challenge on the 18th of June 2000. Sean made
us feel very welcome, he signed autographs and was very willing to allow
us to be pictured alongside himself. He then accompanied us for some
20 miles leading to and halfway up the mountain to the Sally Gap.
Although now retired from professional
cycling Sean is still in great shape, he glided up the steep climb, which
came at around 110 miles. Our other three riders who completed
the event and not pictured were Jim Crothers, Alan Welsh and Ronnie McKeegan.
The
Wicklow 200K Challenge is the toughest leisure cycling event in Ireland.
The organisers (Irish Veteran Cycling Association) claim it to be equivalent
to a mountain stage of the Tour de France. Indeed part of the course
over Wicklow Gap was used during the Irish Stage of the Tour de France
in 1998. Some 700 competitors took part on what was the hottest day
recorded for many years in the area - 30 C, melting road surfaces and loose
chippings made cycling very difficult over the final third of the course.
The 4 big climbs were over Sally Gap from the north side, Wicklow Gap,
Lugnaquilla Mountain and Sally Gap from the south side. The event
was certainly very challenging and we were glad to reach the finish. Although
it goes without saying, that meeting and riding with Sean Kelly (arguably
one of the best cyclists of our times), was the icing on the cake for us
all.