Thursday, June 25, 2009

Bull Goose Looney Bike Club announces guest rider

The BGLBC is pleased to announce a guest will be riding with the lads on 1 August. Mike Fitzgerald, formerly of West Seneca, will be in town for the wedding of his cousin, Jack Fitzgerald. Mike is pictured here with provisional member, Ed McGrath. Hopefully, all past and future members will be on hand to ride with the legendary marathoner currently from Boston.

Saturday, June 20, 2009



Probationary member John Curran tries to sway nominating committee of BGLBC with press in Buffalo News
Here are this year’s Outstanding Citizens: State Supreme Court Justice John M. Curran, R
us Thompson, Jordan A. Levy, Michelle Stiles, Demeris Johnson and James Nowicki. They deserve this community’s gratitude.

John M. Curran

Kaleida Health and Erie County Medical Center reached a historic agreement last year on how to combine their institutions.

There were many people who made it happen, but State Supreme Court Justice John M. Curran, who oversaw a legal case related to the deal, certainly stands out among them.

The agreement created a once-in-a- generation opportunity to remake Buffalo’s inefficient health care system, settled a lawsuit brought by ECMC against the state and preserved $65 million in state aid to close Kaleida’s Millard Fillmore Hospital on Gates Circle and to merge its operations into Buffalo General Hospital.

In the bigger picture, it also paved the way for long-sought changes in hospital care in the region.

The judge’s role was especially crucial, considering he had stepped into an acrimonious situation with groups that were at war with each other and that seemed headed for disaster.

But Curran encouraged mediation and, even after talks broke down, he pushed again and again for a resolution he and others believed was in the best interests of the community.

Like a diplomat, he shuttled from group to group during eight hours of negotiations that involved almost 60 people, including all of the hospitals’ key officials, County Executive Chris Collins, University at Buffalo President John Simpson, the leaders of the UB Medical School, a committee of physicians from ECMC and Kaleida Health and an array of lawyers.

In the end, the parties resolved key differences and found common ground.

“This is the most complex thing I have ever been involved with,” Curran said at the time, adding that it also was the most rewarding thing he had ever done.


The recent application of Ned McGrath '08 CHS has been denied by the BGLBC Review Committee.  Although McGrath met the ethnicity requirements, his commitment to the pursuit of excellence was questioned by Doc Fitz, "We have not given up on Ned, but we need to see a hunger that the other members exude"
Patrick McGrath ponders joining the Bull Goose Bike Club.  He meets most of the qualifications, but there is a question about the purity of his ethnicity based on his mothers' heritage.  The beard does not have any red or blonde hair, if you know what I mean.
Doctor Barry Fitzgerald took the boys on a nostalgic tour through the old "First Ward" where many of the boys' ancestors first started their new lives in the US after leaving the 'ol sod.  Fitzs' bike came to a sudden stop when the boys were passing the famous "McCarthys" pub.  Believe it or not, it was Ed McGrath, of all people who persuaded the club members that 7:35 was too early to frequent the great establishment.  Doc Fitz swears we will enjoy a pint or two before the snow flies.
The bull Goose Looney Bike Club was honored to have the Legendary Dick Donovan lead the club through a great ride through North Tonawanda. The Loones clocked about 16 miles that day.

The founding members of many other clubs that subsequently failed pose proudly in downtown Buffalo, confident that the BGLBC will be a success

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I'm leanin' to the right. Fatal perhaps for bicyclist making mother of all left turns. Stovia!

Monday, June 15, 2009

June 13th Ride


The boys of the BGLBC (John Curran, Dennis McGrath, Ed McGrath, Joe McGrath and John McGrath) took their longest ride this past Sunday.  21.2 miles along the towpath of the Erie Canal, starting in Lockport going through Gasport and back to Lockport.  There were several breakaways, but Dennis and Ed McGrath reeled each breakaway in.  They missed the conviviality of Doc Fitz.  alng the road they saw two turkey vultures, one deer, and a dead ringer for Ernest Hemingway.  Next week the boys will be doing Canada.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

looneys ride again

                                 Joe McGrath        Dennis McGrath      Neil Farrell

The Bull Goose Looney Bike Club has recently been established by Neil Farrell and Dennis McGrath (no relation) and Ed McGrath.  The boys decided that the club shouldn't have any rules, except regarding the nationalities of prospective members and there wouldn't be any meetings or officers of the club.  At the first meeting, Dr Barry Fitzgerald was elected President.
   The first ride, 2May, started at the Hatch on the waterfront, followed the flow of the Niagara River, backtracked against the flow on the breakwall to the Peace Bridge, circled the Aud demolition and finally paid our respects at the memorial of the "Irish Famine".  The inaugural ride of the club was at a moderate  pace, as the boys brainstormed who they would consider inviting to the club.