Irish club cyclist Donal Gleeson has very sadly died while on a trip away with his club mates for Mallorca 312. Donal was a married man with children and a member of Dublin club Blanch Wheelies.
He had completed the Mallorca 312 event around the island on Saturday before he and his three club mates then decided to take a recovery day on Sunday. They planned to go out cycling again on the island on Monday morning.
However, Donal passed away in his sleep on Sunday night into Monday morning. Blanch Wheelies has confirmed the tragic news and paid tribute to him.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our friend and clubmate Donal Gleeson,” the club said. “Donal was in Majorca with three other Blanch Wheelies where they had completed the Majorca 312 on Saturday.
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“They took a day off the bikes on Sunday to recover, and that evening at 11pm Donal sent out a route for the following day, heading to the famous Sa Colabra climb. Sadly that was not to be. Donal was found in his bed on Monday morning having passed away peacefully in his sleep.
"Donal was a legend in the club. He lived life to the full and inspired us all to believe that we had more to give on the bike. He was an Ironman, a father, a husband, a brother, a colleague and a friend.
“We have lost a beloved clubmate, but his memory will live on when we think of his mischievous smile and the fun and energy he brought to everyone who was with him. As Donal would say ‘kudos’ to a life well-lived.”
The club extended its condolences to Donal’s wife Grace and the couple’s children as well as Donal’s brother Liam, who is also in the club. We echo those sentiments and we are sure a lot of people in the cycling community will be thinking of Donal and his family at such a sad and difficult time.
