Our annual cycle takes us to an exciting new destination every year. Cuba in 2001, Thailand in 2002 and Vietnam in 2003. We've included a story about our Cuba Trip in 2001 below to give you an idea of what's involved in a sponsored cycle. Reproduced with permission from the southside people.

Southsiders get saddle sore in Cuba

Southsiders helped raise £45,000 for medical research projects at Beaumont Hospital by cycling across Cuba. Tony McCullagh saddled up for the event.

A number of Southsiders recently participated in an ambitious 350km cycle across sun-drenched Cuba to raise money for research projects at Beaumont Hospital. The Cuban Cycle Challenge rounded off a highly successful year for the Beaumont Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Dublin hospital. A total of 45 cyclists ­ ranging from budding Sean Kelly's to self-confessed couch potatoes ­ returned to Dublin last week after 10 memorable days in the Caribbean. The brought home with them memories to last a lifetime and newly formed friendships. But above all ­ they raised an estimated £45,000 for a great cause. Each participant had to achieve a minimum of £3,000 in sponsorship to participate in the challenge, which was co-ordinated by Paula Chapman of the Beaumont Hospital Foundation.

Arriving in Havana after a grueling nine and a half-hour flight from Paris, participants had two days in the Cuban capital to find their feet ­ and sample the delights of this charming and lively city. A walking tour familiarised us with the crumbling beauty of Havana, with paint peeling from the buildings and vintage cars cruising down the streets. In Havana you don't have to go looking for music ­ it finds you! It's on the streets, in restaurants and damn well all over your dinner table. Still, the irresistible charm of the musicians is infectious and almost impossible to avoid.

From Havana we were transferred to Varadero, a popular holiday resort about two hours outside the capital. This was the last free day before the start of the cycle and we made the most of our hotel's proximity to the beach with a few hours' swimming and sunbathing. But make no mistake ­ this was no holiday; merely the calm before the storm.

On Saturday we commenced the five-day cycle with a relatively easy 32km stretch taking us from Varadero to Matanzas. We felt like minor celebrities as Cubans stared in bemusement at the sight of 45 milk white bodies whizzing through their towns and villages. Our celebrity status was further enhanced by a police escort, with the two motorcycle cops earning the affectionate nickname of 'Chips'. At all times we were accompanied by a team of doctors, physiotherapists, bike mechanics and back up vans ­ just in case anyone needed to take a breather. Preventing dehydration or heat exhaustion was uppermost on the organisers' minds, with water stops arranged at regular intervals, along with snack breaks in the shade.

Sunday began with a two hour transfer before the start of the day's cycle, which would take us through picturesque Cuban countryside to our next destination, Santa Clara. One leg of the journey involved cycling 'offroad' down a meandering dirt-track. This was one of the most unforgettable journeys as we were offered a valuable insight into rural Cuban life. Arriving in historic Santa Clara, we were disappointed to find the Che Guevara monument closed. However, our guide, Rene, more than compensated for this minor setback by giving the group his own personal commentary on the world-famous revolutionary.

Monday saw the greatest challenge yet ­ a daunting 95km cycle, which would take us to Cienfuegos. As luck would have it, a strong tail wind behind us made for an easy day's ride, despite increased undulations (a euphemism for bloody big hill, as we learned to our cost) on the last stretch. There was a celebratory atmosphere in the hotel that night, as musicians from the Beaumont entourage took over from the local Cuban band and partied into the small hours. This was ill advised as we had our toughest day's cycle to come, the last section comprising of a solid 7km uphill struggle. Having conquered the hill ­ and our own personal demons and cycling limitations in the process ­ eyes glistened with tears of joy as we arrived at the Hotel Hanabanilla.

Day five brought us to our final destination of Trinidad, Cuba's second city. Before our arrival we regrouped to allow the 'slower' cyclists to lead the pack on the final leg of the challenge. There were scenes of unrestrained euphoria as we dismounted at the hotel and congratulated each other. Predictably, we then repaired to the hotel bar. Participants on the cycle came from all walks of life and were drawn from various parts of the country. Needless to say, Southsiders were there to play their part.

John O'Neill, from Sandyford Road, Dundrum, first learned of the cycle challenge when he read an article about Beaumont Hospital's fundraising programme in The Southside People earlier this year. John had taken early retirement the previous year and had been diagnosed with diabetes. However, spurred on by endless encouragement from his wife and four children, he began a rigorous training schedule in March to prepare for the Cuban challenge. John completed the challenge effortlessly, despite occasional hilly terrain and strong headwinds. On his return, he learned that he had undertaken the cycle with a broken rib, having sustained the injury two days before departing for Cuba. Despite the pain, he soldiered on regardless! Like his fellow participants, he was taken aback by the beauty of the Cuban countryside and the enthusiastic locals who lined the cycle route to cheer on the Beaumont bunch. John is grateful to everyone who contributed to his fundraising efforts and would particularly like to thank Jackie and her staff at Spar in Monkstown who sponsored his cycling kit.

Other Southsiders completing the challenge included Matthew Ling, from Milltown, who was the undisputed George Clooney of the group in the eyes of the female participants. Filmmaker Philip Rogan was in Cuba to capture the event. He is currently seeking postproduction funding to complete a short film on the cycle challenge and can be contacted on 087-9197314 or e-mail phil_photo@yahoo.com

:: Find out more about our cycle challenge