Easy riders on High Nellie Tour to Tara

The Scurlogstown High Nellie Cycle Tour hit the Hill of Tara as part of National Bike Week (18th-26th June). Organisers Mickey Fitzsimons and John Marron took off around the route early on the Sunday morning to erect signage for bikers who came from near and far. Mickey had worked hard all week, since the Haymaking Festival, ensuring that the High Nellies were ready for their longest trip yet. The tour set out last on Sunday 26th June at 2pm from Jack Quinn's, led by Pete Matthews on his Penny Farthing, and cycled the 10 miles to Tara, via Kiltale and Dunsany. The sun shone down on the 45 participants who enjoyed a picnic on reaching their destination. Trim historian and president of the Trim Chamber of Commerce, Noel French, having got his second wind, took the riders on a history tour of Tara, as the Forester's Band, Navan, played at a religious service in the old graveyard nearby. The group then set out on the homeward journey, which was only eight miles, but it was downhill and the bikers used everything they had to slow the runaway High Nellies down. They passed the Royal Tara Golf Club and had a pitstop at Crocket's pub at Bective before arriving back safely at the Scurlogstown Olympiad Heritage Park at Jack Quinn's, Scurlogstown. Niall Cooke, ably assisted by his mother, Madge, and Bernie Sturdy, laid on a barbecue and Louise Devlin had chocolates for all. Riders had a safe passage to and from Tara, thanks to the assistance of lead cars, driven by Thomas Farrelly and Iris Douglas, who were assisted by Gordon and Charmaine Kelly, who provided the service vehicle picking up the few bike casualties. Cyclists ranged in age from eight years-old to 60-plus and the bikes had a similiar age range! Riders came from Athboy, Trim, Dunderry, Rathmolyon, Longwood, Scurlogstown, Dublin and the USA. Pete Matthews entertained all by doing tricks and stunts on his Penny Farthing and even had a volunteer climb up on the 'Boneshaker'. Many thanks go from the organisers to Meath Local Sports Partnership and the Department of Transport and its Bike Week initiative.