A group of
cyclists will set off from Edinburgh next Monday (19 September) for a
tour of Britain and Ireland to remember the volunteers from the
British Isles who joined the International Brigades.
Organised by
the National Clarion Cycling Club 1895 (NCCC), the IBMT-supported
ride will mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the
International Brigades in October 1936 to fight General Franco’s
fascist-backed revolt against the Spanish Republic.
Seven
cyclists will complete the entire 645-mile itinerary, with others
joining them for shorter parts of the route. They will call at
International Brigade memorials along the way, where wreaths will be
laid and homage paid to the 527 men and women from Britain and
Ireland who were killed in the war in Spain.
The cyclists
will arrive in London in time for the IBMT’s annual general meeting
on 1 October and the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the
Battle of Cable Street on the following day.
IBMT members
are invited to support the riders, by joining them for parts of their
route or by attending the ceremonies of remembrance at International
Brigade memorials.
19 September:
Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh; to
Glasgow via Blantyre and Rutherglen IB memorials; 60 miles.
20 September:
Assemble 9.30am at “Pasionaria” IB memorial, Custom Quay,
Glasgow; to Cairnryan; 85 miles.
21 September:
Cairnryan by ferry to Larne; onwards to Belfast; 25 miles.
22 September:
Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Saint Anne’s Square, Belfast; to
Dundalk; 55 miles.
23 September:
Dundalk to Dublin; 55 miles.
24 September:
Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Liberty Hall, Dublin; to Arklow; 62
miles.
25 September:
Arklow to Rosslare; 58 miles.
26 September:
Rosslare by ferry to Fishguard; onwards to St Clears; 33 miles.
27 September: St
Clears to Cardiff via IB memorial in Swansea; 62 miles.
28 September:
Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Cathays Park, Cardiff; to Bristol; 55
miles.
29 September:
Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Castle Park, Bristol; to Streatley;
35 miles.
30 September:
Streatley to London via Reading IB memorial (at 9.30am); join more
cyclists at Olympia at approximately 3pm; arrival at IB memorial and
mural in Cable Street at approximately 5pm; 60 miles.
MORE INFORMATION
