The Galway Cycle collector is an integral part of the cycle. They are vital for the success of the cycle. Cycling is all about endurance, so is collecting. Collectors are out in the freezing cold on the streets of Moate, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Galway or wherever shaking a bucket in an attempt to raise money for the GC charity. It can be tough standing outside, braving whatever the elements may throw at you, but it is all in the name of FUN! That is the most important word of the weekend. Everyone has loads of fun on the cycle, whether on the road trying to peddle against a gale force wind or on the streets of the towns collecting money and wishing people a good day.

The collector has many responsibilities. That is a word not to be taken too seriously. The responsibilities are not that big. We leave the Union at about 9am, when the legendary bus driver Mick picks us up. We load the bus with all the cyclists bags left behind and whatever food and drinks that have to be brought to Galway for the weekend. Of course we also pack our own bags onto the bus as well. We then depart the union and head westward to Galway. One of the longest bus journeys from Maynooth to Galway to be undertaken for the year, but with good cause. Once on the bus, the fun begins and every member of the GC family introduces themselves. There are so many people on the cycle that it is impossible to know everyone’s name. That’s why the hoodies are so great, and there is one for everybody on the cycle! That’s a big reason for so many people coming on the cycle. When on the bus, you can stuff yourself with an amount of rubbish. You will never eat so many Double Deckers in your life and probably won’t eat one again after the weekend!

On the way down, we pull into the side of the road and wait for the cyclists to pass. There, we cheer them on in an attempt to boost their spirits. They are out on the road and some of them feel dejected and tired, so it is vital that we raise their spirits by cheering them on as much as possible. Our first stop is Moate and there we go collecting for about an hour. The cyclists have a bit to eat and a rest, well earned no doubt. After the cyclists leave Moate, we all pile back on the bus again and stop off in Athlone and collect there for half an hour or so. Then back onto the bus and we reach Ballinasloe. A Mecca of many sorts: an oasis in the desert that is the midlands of Ireland. There the Staunton family and all the staff of the Creagh Training Centre give everyone a great feed. We have a break of an hour there and you can all say hi to friends that come there to see us all. Unfortunately, we are not collecting in Ballinasloe this year. Next stop Loughrea and the same story there again.

Off to Galway now and to Sleepzone hostel. We have the entire hostel to ourselves this year. There we get all the bags and food and stuff off the bus and basically get the place ready for when the cyclists arrive. Then we hit Eyre Square as the cyclists make their triumphant entrance. Friday night, Seamus and his staff in the Quays give us a great meal and a drink to wash it down, and then we bogey the night away. The morning after the night before is Saturday at the lovely time of 9 am. I know some people reading this have never seen that time on a Saturday morning, but it does exist. We hit the mean streets of Galway with the mission to raise as much money as possible. The people of Galway are known for their generosity towards the cycle and we are remembered year after year. We inject life and fun into Galway for the day no matter what the weather. It is all about having fun and providing entertainment for the people and importantly putting smiles on their faces as the coins they give us hit the bottom of the bucket.

It is a great time and whatever inhibitions you may have had before leaving Maynooth, they all go out the window once you collect on the streets. It is a long day collecting, but it is so worthwhile, knowing that the hard work you put in will go to something that will benefit so many people. We then return to the hostel about 5pm and put on our dancing shoes for Saturday night in the Quays. There is usually a great band playing that night and everyone is in such great form. The place goes mad with all these Maynooth people on the loose! Sunday and back up early again, return to Maynooth. If there are matches, some people go to them. Sunday back to Maynooth is a nice relaxing trip, with nothing much going on. We then arrive back in Maynooth awaiting the cyclists on the return leg. Paddy welcomes us with open arms to the Roost and we celebrate the weekend and swap our stories of the weekend and raise a glass or two to a job well done!

Contributed by Brian Casey, Galway Cycle President 2006