CLUB NOTES

Post date: Jul 27, 2011 6:55:31 PM

YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 24^th JULY 2011

Sunday Club Spins

Sunday training spins continue every Sunday morning along with the midweek spins on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for a lot of the club members in preparation for the upcoming Vee Challenge, The Sean Kelly Tour Of Waterford and the Rebel Tour in Cork.

Last Sunday, the first group of 16 departed from Moby Dicks at 8.00am sharp with a planned trip into West Waterford on the cards. The group rode steady out the Dungarvan road and turned left for Clashmore and Villarstown before arriving at the main Dungarvan Cappoquin road where we headed for Inch and climbed to Ballymacarbry. From there we travelled to Newcastle and Clougheen which was the planned coffee stop for the day, Well from some anyway !!. With Fabian wolfing down the roll, team Bull – Hill, make a break for it up the VEE. Clearly caught out by this un-expected breakaway, the Secretary and Fabian were on the war-path and took off in hot pursuit with THE TONY on the heels but alas, they didn’t have the legs and CRAWLED over the top of the Vee while the rest of the peloton cruised up the climb while enjoying the scenery. At the top we re-grouped and made the hard effort down the decent into Lismore, climbed, and descended again to Tallow before the final climb of the day up the Tallow road to Youghal. Gel packs galore, the climb was complete and we coasted down the hill back into Youghal for 12.30pm with a good 125km in the legs.

The second group of 9 departed from Moby Dicks at 10.00am with a trip around East Cork to be undertaken. From Youghal, the group travelled down the bog road and onto Ladysbridge, Garryvoe before hitting the coast road to Cloyne and Saleen. From there , they took in the loop around East Ferry and then onto Midleton for their usual coffee stop at the garage beside the roundabout. Fully fed and watered, lay off those cream buns Sean !, the departed again back the main road to Youghal via Castlemartyr and Killeagh. The group arrived back in town for 1.00pm with another 80km spin comfortably completed.

The Vee Challenge – 7^th August 2011

It’s almost that time of year again when Youghal C.C. hold their annual sportif cycle. The Vee Challenge will again take place this year on the 7^th August and will again be held in conjunction with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind ( Youghal Branch ) with the support of Club man Seamus Kelly who is also a member IGDB. The IGDB is a national charity dedicated to helping persons who are blind or vision impaired or families of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence. The IGDB receive over 85% of their income through voluntary donations and fundraising through a network of volunteers across the country. The remaining 15% is provided through statutory bodied and government agencies. It will cost just over €4 million to run the organisation this year.

This year the Club has gladly secured COGNEX CORPORATION as our main sportif sponsor. This will greatly improve the experience for all the participating cyclists with better road signage, food stops and a Souvenir T-Shirt for all the riders participating in the 130km & 90km routes.

Again this year the two main events are the 130km Vee Challenge and the 90km Vee Ascent. Both routes are the same as last year as detailed below. The event is due to depart at 10.00am from Youghal GAA Sporting Complex, Magners Hill, Youghal with Car parking available at the complex and the adjoining Church car park. Changing facilities, toilets & showers will all be available at the GAA Sporting Complex from 9.00am onward. There will be Food stops en route and refreshments available post event. All Major junctions will be well marshaled and both route's signposted. Lead car and support for both routes will also be present. A HARD SHELL HELMET IS COMPULSORY FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT. THE VEE CHALLENGE IS A LEISURE CYCLE AND NOT A RACE

The Vee Challenge - 130km Route

Youghal to Tallow and Lismore covers the start of the Tour before taking in the ascent of the Vee from Lismore and descending into Clogheen before climbing the Vee again up through the woods, then heading for the food stop on the road to Cappoquin. Refueled the route will pass by the Blackwater taking in the beautiful Dromana drive before heading for the coast and the final sting in the tail around Monatray offering spectacular views of Youghal town. A route suitable for the regular cyclist with a good standard of fitness. A challenging route with several climbs offering some fantastic scenery along the way.

The Vee Ascent - 90km Route

This route covers most of the roads that the Vee Challenge incorporates with participants climbing the Vee as far as Glenaknockaun before turning back for the R669 and the welcome food stop along this gentle descent into the town of Cappoquin. This route is ideal for those looking for a moderate challenge with the scenic climb of the Vee, along with the beautiful Dromana drive part of the route. A reasonable level of fitness would be required to enjoy your day in the saddle and the fantastic scenery that the area offers.