A man who worked tirelessly at cycling sportives across the country for many years and at motorbike charity events; Aidan Lynam, right, has lost his life in a motorcycling crash.
Tributes have been paid to Aidan Lynam, the popular charity fundraiser who was well known in the Irish cycling community as a marshal at sportive events.
The 44-year-old father of three from Dublin was killed on a charity motorbike rally in Co Clare around midday yesterday.
From Lucan, Co Dublin, Aidan was taking part in the 'Rev-up4DSI' event for Down Syndrome Ireland, behind which he was the driving force. His bike was in collision with a car at Kilkee.
Aidan was very closely associated with the Down Syndrome Ireland charity and the events he was involved in, and often led, had raised €1.6 million down the years.
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His daughter Robyn was born with Down Syndrome in 2005 and he had spoken of his own parenting experience in a bid to raise awareness and help the events he was involved in.
Aside from organising motorcycle fundraisers, Aidan also helped many charity cycles; acting as a motorcycle marshal and rallying others to assist him in providing the escorts needed to keep cyclists safe.
Lovely morning for a wee spin pic.twitter.com/xpW9ECWMmu
— Aidan Lynam (@Aidan34) November 23, 2014
As well as the Cycle4DSI Lap de Gaps Sportive in Wicklow every May, Aidan was also involved in the four-day Tour de Munster sportive, the Equinox Charity Cycle, Tour de Leinster, The Galway Cycle and many more.
He was also a cyclist himself but motorbikes where his main obsession on two wheels and he was a road tester and columnist with Road Racing Ireland and the Bike Buyers Guide magazines.
Recently he had been working with the Wheelworx triathlon and cycling team towards its participation in the An Post Rás.
Wheelworx owner Rob Cummins took to social media yesterday to pay tribute to Aidan’s generosity and expressed how stunned he and everyone who knew Aidan was to hear of his sad passing.
He said Aidan had only been in his shop a couple of days ago “laughing and joking” as always. “I can't believe someone so young and good is gone,” he added.
A great 4 days helping out on the inaugural @TourdeLeinster , today will be spent catching up on the weekends racing pic.twitter.com/0AX0jjC1dS — Aidan Lynam (@Aidan34) September 22, 2014
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“Aidan was loyal from the first day I met him and he's been a part of our Rás project from the start; helping out on training days through the wet and cold winter. Helping out when he had nothing to gain.
“He would show up on the motorbike on cold, wet, miserable mornings for pacing sessions to help us prepare for the demands of the Rás. He offered his help and I was grateful of it. “
Rob Cummins said his immediate reaction on hearing the news of Aidan’s death was to withdraw from the Kanturk Three Day, where his Wheelworx team mate Alan Ryan was leading the A4 event going into the final stage having won yesterday morning’s time trial.
However, he said having spoken to the others on the team, they decided to continue in the race.
“We believe Aidan would want us to ride,” he said.
“I don't think he would want me to quit. I don't imagine Aidan quit on anyone or anything.
“This weekend was a critical part of the build to the Rás and Aidan was an integral part of us getting this far.”
This guy only ever called me to help other people. I'm gonna miss you buddy. Wish there was more like you. pic.twitter.com/fnJqpMBo8X
— PJ Gallagher (@pjgallagher) May 3, 2015
Down Syndrome Ireland, for whom Aidan worked as a fundraiser, said it was devastated to lose such a valued colleague.
"It is with inexpressible grief that we learned of the death today of our dear friend and colleague Aidan Lynam,” it said.
"Aidan’s untimely death occurred in Clare while participating in our annual motorcycle fundraiser Rev-up4DSI.
"Rev-up4DSI was the brainchild of Aidan’s, and poignantly this year marked the 10th anniversary of this event, which through Aidan and his fellow motorcyclists has raised over €1.6 million for Down Syndrome Ireland.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our dear friend and colleague, his wife Nikki and their three children, Robyn, Jake and Harry and all his loved ones.
"Aidan was a much loved and valued senior member of our team at Down Syndrome Ireland; committed to his family and his work and all of our hearts are simply broken as we struggle to come to terms with this great loss."
From all at stickybottle, we would like to extend our deep sympathy to Aidan’s wife and children, as well as his other family members and friends, not to mention the huge number of people in the motorcycling and cycling community whose lives Aidan had touched.
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