ACCORDING to the Times' occasionally useful Dictionary of Slang, a "bicycle face" is a strained expression worn by cyclists, caused by nervous tension in traffic.

In physiological contrast "bicycle bum", perhaps more predictably, is what you get when you spend too long straddling the saddle, and sufferers traditionally end up walking like John Wayne for a couple of hours until the after effects wear off.

At least 25 Maynooth students are likely to have intense personal experience of both bicycle face and bicycle bum by this Friday evening after engaging in the annual charity cycle from Dublin to Galway. This event has raised over £40,000 since its inception in the mid 1980s, mainly for child related charities and projects. This year, the money raised will go to a GOAL project for street children in Calcutta.

"Usually some people have little or no training and struggle a bit," says students' union president and cycle co ordinator John McGrath, a little alarmingly.

"Those who are fitter push them on and encourage them. Sometimes we might stop for a hot whiskey to warm us up as well."

The cyclists, who will leave Maynooth at 5.30 a.m. in order to ensure a same day finish, will be aided and abetted by a bus load of supporters who will stop in various towns along the route to collect money and urge on their saddle sore peers. The good citizens of Kinnegad, Moate, Athlone and Ballinasloe can expect to receive flying visits from the students before they arrive in Galway, presumably triumphant if a little the worse for wear.

After all, there are some fierce potholes on that road.