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The Kerryman, 25th June 2008
GEAROID Pierse's epic 3,200-mile cycle all the way from Istanbul to Listowel came to a fittingly grand end in John B Keane's Bar on Thursday where family and friends had gathered to await his arrival.
It's probably the furthest anyone has travelled on their own steam for a pint in the famous bar and Mr Pierse certainly made the most of the occasion, catching up with all after his six week journey. "The rehydration in John B's was very welcome I can tell you," Gearoid laughed.
Vitally-needed too, given that he marries sweetheart Linda Rothwell (who also accompanied him on a great part of the trek) from Wexford this week. Given this circumstance, the 38-year-old was describing his undertaking as the 'last hurrah'.
It was a last hurrah, however, that did much good – the aim of the trip being to raise funds for GOAL'S work in India, where Gearoid's cousin, Richard Pierse, happens to be the charity's head on the subcontinent. While the raised funds continue to pour in, Gearoid now attempts to wind down before winding-up again for the big day.
"Well Linda came as far as Paris with me and we said the journey would be a great test of whether or not we're fit enough for each other.
It's a bit of an extreme measure in that regard, but we're quite satisfied we both passed with flying colours," he laughed.
It's some precursor to the honeymoon at any rate. Starting on May 2 in Istanbul, Gearoid and Linda set out with a couple of other friends from Istanbul bound for the West on a journey that would take them through the heart of the Balkans, Italy, the Alps, France, England and home. "Of all the places we passed through I would have to say Kosovo was the most amazing.
"It only got its independence on St Patrick's Day and, because of that, we're pretty sure we were the first to cycle through all seven states from the former Yugoslavia. But Kosovo was just fascinating. The landscape was beautiful and the people wonderful, despite all the horrors they've been through in the past 20 years. Being Irish though, we managed to get on with all.
"There was one instance where we were stopped by Serbian police in Kosovo who were quite aggressive with us at first. They presumed we were English, but when we said we were Irish their manner changed completely and they welcomed us right in. It's a great passport."
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