CYCLE / VINTAGE AGAINST SUICIDE

21.04.13

Filed Under: News

VINTAGE AGAINST SUICIDE

Welcome to a new branch of Cycle Against Suicide – Vintage Against Suicide!

Since we began this journey, we have been inundated with offers of help from celebrities, corporates and especially the general public. One such person that got in touch with us with something a little different, is Tom Richardson.

Background

Tom Richardson is involved with vintage shows in both East Limerick and West Tipperary. He approached us with the novel idea of marrying vintage cars with cyclists! Tom wanted to use his background with vintage cars to help us raise awareness of the systems that are in place to support those who are in need of help.

How?

Knowing the generosity of the vintage community and their record with good causes, Tom knew that the idea of a nationwide vintage themed initiative for awareness raising would go down well with his colleagues. Then he saw the Cycle Against Suicide initiative and thought; “Why don’t we have mini vintage shows and vintage runs at and between all of the same stops as the cyclists?” We were sold!

Why?

Tom’s argument is that you can’t have too much awareness – so if the vintage vibe adds to the overall spectacle of the nationwide cycle – then fantastic! The vintage community’s role would be to add something novel, something that has never been done before, something unexpected. Also, if you’re not a cyclist then this will be a great way to partake -between people providing refreshments, volunteering and homestays for the Cycle Against Suicide adventure – the vintage route is simply offering people another way to get involved.

What Next?

The Vintage Against Suicide organisers now want to hear from vintage and car clubs (for stewarding, entries, routes etc…) to take part in as many days of the Cycle Against Suicide as possible. For more details contact: info@cycleagainstsuicide.com

Instructions from Tom

General

Everyone is responsible for themselves so you must have e.g. insurance and tax in order.
Unlike a club organised run where you have registrations, this is a non-club type activity with no registrations. It is an invitation to vintage people as individuals to show up at the stops and go for a spin!
Those of you who have been on club runs will be used to the safety first and foremost idea and this will involve normal things like fully obeying the stewards and most importantly, the Gardaí.
Normal club procedures and common sense please! No over-taking or speeding – the Gardaí can and will ask anybody to leave who is not acting appropriately.
The Gardaí can also penalise you as if you were in normal traffic for any traffic offences.
The Gardaí will have overall discretion on absolutely everything. The run can be shut down immediately if necessary.

Specifics

Cars over 30 years qualifying for vintage tax are what we are aiming for i.e. We don’t want modern cars, it’s the novelty of vintage that we want for the cyclists.
Please make your own arrangements in general, for accommodation, food etc…
Volunteers are providing food and accommodation for the cyclists. They may have too little or too much but just in case, bring a sandwich or have lunch somewhere. Some vintage clubs on route may have some arrangements of their own.
We envisage, in line with advice from the Gardaí, cars may go ahead of the bunch of cyclists but not too far ahead.
The front group’s job is to enter villages and towns and get attention by “beeping” their horns. This hopefully will bring the public out onto the streets so that they can show their appreciation for the cyclists’ efforts.
Organisers may pick out cars to go in – for any other cars we will go by the Gardaí instructions. That may involve taking off intermittently so as to become part of the normal traffic, so that the slower cycling associated bunch doesn’t t get too big to cause a hazard to normal traffic. Alternatively local clubs may arrange alternatives drives etc…
Some more vintage cars will come after the bunch of cyclists. They might give some encouragement to any cyclist that is struggling or even offer them a lift to the next stop!

Starting off in the mornings

Start time for the cycling every morning is 9.30am (keep an eye here for updates and routes).
Vintage people wanting to gather earlier in the morning can do so from 8 a.m onwards.
We will attempt to get parking close to where the cyclists take off but follow signs if local clubs have designated areas set up.
Others may want to join in at the lunch time stop, however we have to be flexible about when exactly the cyclists arrive but again you can park up beforehand and follow instructions.
We will have some celebrities involved so weather permitting we might put them in open tops!
Instructions will be given 15 minutes before take off, including some mobile numbers which you might put into your phones for contacting organisers with any problems on the day and especially for calling in any hazards, breakdowns or safety concerns.

Final words from Tom

As always common sense safety is first, last and in between everything. Be safe, follow the Gardaí’s instructions and report any concerns to the nearest Garda or Cycle Against Suicide Team member.

Enjoy yourselves!

Tom Richardson

Day 1 – Monday 22nd April 2013

RTÉ to Bray Bray to Gorey

Day 2 – Tuesday 23rd April 2013

Gorey to Wexford Wexford to Waterford

Day 3 – Wednesday 24th April 2013

Waterford to Dungarvan Dungarvan to Cork

Day 4 – Thursday 25th April 2013

Cork to Mallow Mallow to Killarney

Day 5 – Friday 26th April 2013

Killarney to Tralee Tralee to Limerick