Profiles
Maghnus Collins Smyth
Age – 25
School – Crescent College Comprehensive
Why I’m cycling home?
The last six months have been the most incredible of my life and the only thing more amazing than the experience of waking everyday not knowing where i will sleep that night is the idea of getting off my bike, leaning it against a wall, and knocking on a door and knowing who will answer.
David Burns
Age – 26
School – Coleraine.A.I
Why im going?
“The swahili word safari means journey, it has nothing to do with animals, someone ‘on safari’ is just away and unobtainable and out of touch.”
It was a quote like that above in Paul Theroux’s book “Dark Star Safari”that first aroused my interest in Africa. He describes the continent as one brimming with mystery and adventure and since reading it, it has been my desire to embark on my own safari and discover it for myself.
Although I would make the journey alone its always going to be better with friends; the problem was none of mine have ever had the slightest interest in coming along.
So when Maghnus mentioned that himself and O’Shea were planning a charity cycle I was immediately onboard. The charity aspect is now a massive motivation and although I have never had more than a passing interest in bikes, the opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause whilst undertaking this amazing journey was too good a chance to miss.
Brian O’Shea
Age – 25
School – Crescent College Comprehensive
College – UCD –BA in Economics
Sporting Interests – Rugby, football, golf and more recently cycling!
Other Interests – Travelling, keeping fit and socialising.
Why I’m going?
I have always wanted to get involved in aid work abroad. However between college and work I never really had the opportunity to look in to it properly until now. BikeAfrica2009 has given me the chance to do this in a really unique way. The cycle itself will no doubt prove to be a stern test of endurance but it’s also a once in a lifetime opportunity to take in the landscapes, to meet new people and learn about the different cultures that Africa has to offer.
The planning of the trip alone is a challenge in itself before we even begin pedalling. But we know that this is for a great cause and we are delighted that both children in Ireland and Africa will benefit from the cycle.
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.”John F Kennedy.
Alan O’Dwyer
Profile on website: www.alanodwyer.com
Why I’m going?
I heard of Bike Africa 2009 from Maghnus early in the New Year. His description of the venture and the idea of a cycle through Africa immediately captured my imagination.
I felt that I could identify with the concept of Bike Africa 2009 in some ways. I was fortunate to be able to walk the ‘Camino De Santiago’ in Spain in 2004. The trip is similar in duration, over three months, and in nature to the ‘Camino’ where the emphasis is on the journey and its pace rather than the eventual destination. Initially, I was due to drive a support vehicle for the cycle and I didn’t think twice when the opportunity arose. However, when the logistics and expense of the vehicle became a prohibitive factor, I looked at the possibility of taking part in the cycle itself. This decision was a big relief to both the lads and myself.
This cycle is a great opportunity for me in terms of drawing and painting, combined with the fact that a number of charities will benefit and the opportunity to experience Africa and its people in such a hands-on way makes this an adventure of a lifetime.
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Hello here from Cork! Trip, and the whole venture sounds great! Heard about it from Alan, and now have a special interest in it as he is my brother. Hope all your preparations go well. We’ll be watching the space with interest over the coming months, and hopefully get along to some of your fundraisers too.
Best wishes,
Anne
hey lads iv been to a few of the areas your heading to this summer and i am returning again this summer. if i could be of any help or you would like me to get involved let me know. i am also driving to cape town from limerick in 2011.
Damien Ryan.
Great to hear of the venture Alan. Heard about it from Clare.
looking forward to seeing its effect on your artwork.
safe trip and fun to you and the lads
Eileen
Information on places to avoid ……………………. Mullangar
Hard to imagine that its over a week since the early (very early) start from here.I’m sure that at this stage you (alan) are leaving an impression on the saddle! Enjoyed the updates so far, looking forward to more, they will be a great log of the trip when ye return. Keep safe.
Clare
wel magnus its keith ere how you getting on over there we all missing you back ere make shue you get back in 1 piece haha talk cha soon kid
Well Alan, we beat Cork again, that’s three in a row……..Neil
Maghnus:
Greetings to you …………………….hope it is everything you expected and more.
Safari njema
May the Force be with you ( your bike) and the lads.
Well done guys – this looks amazing!!! Keep us the peddling – looking forward to all the stories on your return
))
Dee & Bryn xx
Hello Maghnus & co,
Gearóid here from UCG (NUIG) RFC, I met your dad last week and he gave me the web address.. Well done on a fantastic adventure plus worthy cause to which I will contribute a few bob. Having got married in 1986 we spent two years in Malawi working with Price Waterhouse Coopers (then Coopers & Lybrand). It was a fantastic introduction to Africa, and we managed to visit most of the surrounding countries. It’s a pity ye are not dropping into Malawi as I could get you to call on some old mates in Blantyre. You wont be too far away as you pass down through Mozambique.
Keep up the good work and drop into the College when next in Galway – there are exciting developments in the Rugby Club this year!
All the best,
Gearóid
O’Shea!
I finally got onto the site and scoped out the blogs. What a life experience to have!
Best of luck to all of you pedalling thru the various countries. No doubt you’ll learn a lot about the different cultures and yourself as well. A stern test of mind and body for sure.
-John Beatty-
Boston, MA, United States
p.s.- bad haircut Brian. With that ‘do, you’re most certainly Harvard material. HAHA!
Hi Brian – we met you in Mercury’s restaurant in Stone Town last week. We’re back home now in N Wales – it’s cloudy and grey, and we wish we were still over there! Hope it’s still going well, and all the best. Sarah & Conor
Hi boys,I am very impressed with everything to do with bikeafrica. Brian,I wasn’t aware of the importance of those sessions in the gym. Alan, I am married to Marie Leeney,daughter of Breda. I did not know that you were on the trip until we saw the article on the Limerick Leader. http://www.limerickleader.ie/features/Freewheeling-in-Africa.5534347.jp.
Mike gave me a full rundown on his meeting with you. Keep up the good work. A lot of people are proud of you and what you are doing.
Billy Maloney,
Castletroy Limerick.
P.S. Tipp to beat Limerick on Sunday!
It was a rewarding experience to meet you chaps and invite you to join us for breakfast in the Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo, South Africa. You guys are an inspiration to us lesser, lazier motals. Good luck with your adventure, may w meet again.
May the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye’ll ivver see.
May the moose ne’er lea’ yer girnal wi a tear-drap in its ee.
May ye aye keep hail an hertie till ye’r auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye juist be sae happie as A wuss ye aye tae be.
Hello Guys,
It was good to meet you last night in Pretoria. Thanks for sharing your jugs of fanta with us!
Let us know when you are in Cape Town!
Hello…..
Thank you very much for the insight and inspiration you guys gave me on our short but well deserved interaction…. You have really made a difference in my life, as you will do with the charities you are doing this for… We are buying that book Endurance and im looking forward to see what had you all so excited…. Have a safe journey further and keep in touch …..
If you have any need with routes and what roads to take please let us know.. My dad travels a few hundred km’s through the country everyday and he knows this country like the palm of his hand….
Strongs
Whiskey Girl
Hi Guys
I had the privilege of hosting you guys for one night in Johannesburg, I would strongly recommend this to anyone reading this blog.
You guys are a credit to your home county Ireland. May you stay safe and travel well.
All our best regards
Corrie Mandy and Kids
Just wondering if you are on schedule to catch the weekly boat crossing from Sudan to Egypt………..good luck and keep the camera rolling, photography fantastic, well done, I almost wish I was with you guys !!
Hi Maghnus,
Christmas Greetings from Limerick. Hope my ‘little piece of Ireland’ reaches you in time for Christmas.
Keep well and travel safely.
Warmest wishes
Geraldine
It was great spending time with you in Jerusalem, it was a welcome relief from writting my thesis. Still kickin the hat I bought with you guys. Hope all is well on your end. Many blessings, a safe and relatively warm journey back home. May you find the Europeans as hospitable as the Africans. You guys are doing a great work, keep on riding.
Aaron
Hello Alan,
I ‘m the turkish, spanish girl you met in Istanbul.
How are you? Did you finish your tour?
I went quickly on your site which is very nice… good thing what you’ve done!Very courageous.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Bye, Dana.
It’s Aine from the internet cafe in Chamonix-Mont Blanc, France, I’ve just been reading through the website, it’s fantastic; I’m sure the snow here in the Alps wont get the better of you and you’ll return to a hero’s welcome in Ireland! Best of luck with all your future adventures and keep living the dream;
Aine
Hope you get up to Troyes alright just too bad that you got that very cold head winds going up there. Hope those coffee and croissant warn you up. We wish you best of luck on your way home and we happy for you to come back and stay any time you want to.
All the best
Simon from Saint-Marc sur Seine
Hello Alan,
Being following your trip from the start sounds and look’s amazing. Looking foward to hearing all the other stories.
Best of luck for the remaining miles
Jerry
hey! hope by now that you’ve reached the ferry! and that yo’ve enjoyed the creme brule pyramids!! your website is brilliant, i cant imagine how you’ve actually done this for 11 months! the worlds need more people like you who get up and do something for a very good cause! i’ve posted your link on my facebook page as well, hope that will help. Hope the interview went ahead, and enjoy sleeping in your own bed for the first time!! all the best, and you certainly are an inspiration.
Gwenno
cant wait to see you tomoro! congrats on ye finishing it!! well done!!!:] love you maghnus and miss you so much!!!:D xxxxxxx
hello i would like to say hi! hi!