Day by day across Europe — from Dublin's quays to Gdansk's Baltic waterfront. 1,500 km, 14 days, 11 cyclists, and one unforgettable mission.
From the departure in Dublin to the arrival in Gdansk, here's how the journey unfolded across 5 countries.
The 11 cyclists departed Dublin to massive fanfare, featured on RTE's main evening news. Ferry crossing to Holyhead, Wales — the adventure begins. The first podcast diary was recorded as they left Irish shores behind.
~120 km + FerryCycling through the Welsh countryside and English midlands, the team pushed south towards London. After a brief stop in the capital, they headed for the White Cliffs of Dover and the Channel crossing to continental Europe.
~400 kmCrossing into France at Calais, the team rode through Flanders and into the Netherlands. Flat terrain and excellent cycling infrastructure provided welcome relief after the hills of Wales and England. The famous Dutch headwinds, however, proved another challenge entirely.
~300 kmThe longest stretch of the journey: across the North German Plain from the Dutch border through Hanover to Berlin. Endless roads, small towns, and the growing excitement of nearing Poland. Audio diaries from Wittenburg on Day 11 captured the team's anticipation as Gdansk came into sight.
~500 kmCrossing the Polish border was an emotional moment. The final push through Wielkopolska and Pomerania to the Baltic coast — and Gdansk. The team arrived just in time for Ireland's first Euro 2012 match. 1,500 km complete. Mission accomplished.
~350 km • FINISH!A group of friends from Dublin who shared a love of cycling, football, and doing something meaningful. Each had a personal connection to the charities they were riding for.
Co-founder & route planner
Team captain
Arthritis Ireland & Headstrong advocate
Later volunteered with Renewable World in Kenya
Podcast coordinator
Social media & logistics
Fundraising lead
Wrote campaign anthem "Peddling To Poland"
Plus 3 additional team members, support crew, and media team including DCTV's Susan Jackson and Karen Donoghue
Three charities chosen for deeply personal reasons by members of the team.
Arthritis Ireland supports over 900,000 people in Ireland living with arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions. They fund research, provide information and support services, and campaign for better healthcare policies.
Headstrong (now Jigsaw) works to transform mental health support for young people aged 12–25 in Ireland. Their community-based model provides free, early-intervention services and aims to change how Ireland thinks about youth mental health.
Renewable World delivers clean energy access to communities in the developing world through solar, wind and micro-hydro projects. They believe energy access is a fundamental right and the foundation for development.
Pedal to Poland captured media attention across Ireland, from national television to radio and online.
A 2-minute newsreel on Ireland's main evening news covered the team's departure from Dublin and the scale of the challenge ahead.
Interview with Alison Curtis on Phantom FM, plus regular podcast updates from the road as the team cycled through Europe.
Susan Jackson of DCTV produced a mini documentary filmed at the launch night and Euro-Eurovision song contest at The Grand Social.
The signed Irish jersey auction was hosted live on the Pat Kenny Show, raising €1,700 when Captain Americas placed the winning bid.
The Football Association of Ireland announced a unique charity partnership, officially backing the team's Euro 2012 cycling mission.
A night of football songs at The Grand Social, where Warren Donoghue's "Peddling To Poland" won the clapometer to become the campaign anthem.
Pedal to Poland was a one-off charity cycle that took place in June 2012. While the ride is complete, the impact lives on through the charities we supported.
If you'd like to learn more about our journey, discuss a similar charity cycle, or get in touch with any of the team members, feel free to reach out through our social channels or the email below.
For information about the charities we supported, please visit their websites directly: Arthritis Ireland, Jigsaw (formerly Headstrong), and Renewable World.
Thank you to everyone who supported Pedal to Poland — the cyclists, the donors, the supporters, and the charities themselves.