CLUB NOTES

Post date: Jul 08, 2011 9:28:48 PM

YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 3RD JULY 2011

Team Youghal RAAM

Team Youghal made a triumphant return to Town last Friday after their fantastic accomplishment in The Race Across America in aid of the Emer Casey Foundation. Team Youghal made history by becoming the first Irish Team to complete the RAAM. The route covered over 3,000 miles, climbing over 170,000 ft., crossing 12 states and passing through 88 counties. They cycled for 24 hrs a day, every day until it was completed with teams and riders covering an average of between 350 to 500 miles a day. 7 riders and 10 support staff completed this mammoth challenge in aid of The Emer Casey Foundation whose aim it is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Ovarian / Uterine Cancer. The 7 rider team, that put their bodies on the line for the event, are all members of Youghal C.C. and Midleton Cycling & Triathlon Club who were namely, Ger Flanagan, Christy McCarthy, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Groeger, Brian Hehir, Alan Sheehan and Mike Hines. Unfortunately Tommy Roche was injured by car in America just days before the start of the event and was unable to take part but we believe he has been making a good recovery and should be rearing to go for the Race Around Ireland later this year. All at Youghal Cycling Club would like to congratulate Team Youghal and their crew on completing this unbelievably tough sporting challenge. Watch this space for a more detailed report in the coming weeks.

Ring Of Kerry 2011

20 Members of Youghal CC made the annual trip to Killarney last weekend to take part in the Ring Of Kerry Cycle. The majority of the group headed off on Friday afternoon with the remaining two early birds leaving Youghal early Saturday morning for our planned 7.00am Grand Depart. Two groups hit the road on the day with the first group of 14 eventually departing at 7.15am and the second group of 6 hitting the road for 8.00am.

The first group enjoyed a brisk start and rolled well to Killorglin & Cahersiveen with some slick overtaking maneuvers due to the large amount of bike traffic encountered. Fed and watered at Cahersiveen with a little chuckle from the Taoiseach, we rolled off again for our first big accent of the day rode well together up the climb as a group before they went at it again for the bragging rights. For the first time in a long time, it wasn’t raining at the top of ‘Molls Gap’ so our decent was taken with a lot less caution, especially since the busses are no longer allowed over the gap !. From atWaterville up the Coomatloukane. All rode the climb true and strong within our groups but as always, the usual suspects, took off near the top to claim the bragging rights. From there we turned for Sneem and with the wind on our backs, we rode the bumpy road back to Kenmare for the second food stop of the day. Fully refreshed all departed with our relevant groups from Kenmare to tackle our second major climb of the day ‘Molls Gap’. Again all the bottom of the climb each group re-grouped and rode back to Killarney in the Sun for around 2.15pm. A total of 178km was completed on the day by the two different groups.

A special well done to Paddy Corkry, Patrick Keating and Colm Stack who completed their first Ring Of Kerry like through Pro’s.

The second group also enjoyed their spin in the sun on the day with no punctures encountered and enough food and coffee devoured to feed an army. From what I have heard id say some few might have actually gained a few pounds as opposed to burning off a few. The group covered the same parcours as the first group and all returned safely for 5.00pm. A fine ride by all who participated with the other confirmed 7000 + cyclists.

My Sister Zoe Appeal Charity Cycle September 2011

YCC are aiming to do a charity cycle in aid of little 1 year old Zoe Lehane Lavarde who has a rare type of AT/RT cancer and needs treatment in the USA. It is planned to do the cycle in mid September 2011. Dates are yet to be finalized so watch this space for further details. Please check out her FB page My sister Zoe for this worthy cause.

Monthly Club Meeting

Our July Monthly Club Meeting was held early last week on Wednesday 29^th June. Again there was a lot to discuss with the pending trip to the Ring Of Kerry and more importantly with the soon approaching Vee Challenge on the 7^th August 2011. An additional meeting will be held in mid July to tidy up the final arrangements for the Vee Challenge and all club members are been asked to attend. Details of the meeting will shortly be texted via teamer in the coming weeks.

Midweek Spins.

Midweek spins are now in full flow and take place every Tuesday and Thursday evenings with a 7.00pm SHARP depart time. These spins usually take between 1.5hrs and 2 hrs to complete and are run off at a very high tempo to bring on everyone’s top end speed and get the heart rate pumping. A second group will shortly be organized to roll off at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday, but at a much more comfortable pace, so watch this space for details.

Weekend Spins.

As you are all well aware by now, there is a weekly spin every Sunday morning at 8.00 am sharp leaving from Moby Dicks Pub by the Clock Gate and covers on average of between 100 to 130km. A second group also departs at 8.00am for a 4 - 5 hour spin, and covers a 100 to 120km distance. A third group also goes on a weekly spin every Sunday morning at 10.00am sharp leaving from Moby Dicks Pub by the Clock Gate. This spin which runs on various routes every week usually takes around 3 hours to complete and covers on average between 30 to 40km. The pace is again very comfortable. This is an ideal group for anyone interested in taking up the sport. The Ladies group has also now kicked off for the year with a weekly spin departing from Moby Dicks every Saturday at 9.00am. New members or visitors to the area are always welcome to any of the groups. If you have any questions about the club or attending one of our weekend spins, please contact our Club Secretary Jonathan at 086-8563292 for details. Until next week, safe cycling!