Martin Titch Carroll

Day one to day 5 we have travelled halve ways round our route by now. And it’s been emotional. I do cycle against suicide events, because I enjoy cycling, and I have an unhealthy need to help people. I guess that stems from being number 8 in a family of 9 kids. We have moved from Dublin, navan, Carrickmacross, Newry, Dromore, Belfast, Lurgan, Dungannon, Cookstown and now to Omagh tonight. As well as a host of small villages and communities. On that journey we have encountered so much. The usual hills bad weather etc…etc… but more than that I have enjoyed the efforts people go to, to stay off the bus. I have witnessed men and woman going well beyond there fitness pushing themselves to stay on two wheels. This is the first year we CANNOT push someone over a hill, and that has been heart breaking for me. I see someone trying so Hard to keep themselves afloat and I can’t give them that 2% they need to make the finish line on two wheels. And even though I totally understand the reasoning. It takes a little bit out of me everytime I have to say “sorry we’re too far off you need to get on the bus” this is my third year as a Marshall and fourth year in the cycle. I have made so many friends for life and every year I make a few more cycle against suicide is so different to any other cycle event for a start talking ranks on a level with cycling. And getting there together is paramount. As I say no one wants to get on the bus, but Eduardo on the paddy paddywaggon is an absolute gentlemen as well as the lovely driver there are other cyclist whom choose to take a short break and most importantly a number of counselors to help us through dealing with our demons. And although they are lovely I hope I never have to get on the bus.

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Day 5