CLUB NOTES
Post date: Jun 27, 2011 9:20:1 PM
YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 12th JUNE 2011
MIZEN HEAD TO MALIN HEAD 2011 RIDE REPORT
On Thursday the 2nd June, 17 members of Youghal C.C. undertook their biggest challenge on a bike and for some, their biggest challenge on a bike, ever !!. Over the June bank holiday weekend the group came together to cycle from Mizen Head in Co. Kerry to Malin Head in Co. Donegal which in lay mans terms, from the most southerly part of Ireland to the most northerly part of Ireland. The group was led over the weekend by Team Captain, John Bulman and Vice Captain, Ina Walsh who were both suitably supported by Wayne “Fonda” Fitzgerald, Jonathan Tobin, Pat O’ Brien, Jim Wyse, Michael O’ Mahoney, Eoin Wyte, Brian Sanders, Tony Walsh, Jason Collins & Ross prentice ( aka Jedward ), John Healy, John Walsh, Marty O’Keeffe, Mark O’ Riordan and Anthony Kenneally.
Stage 1 of this event departed Mizen Head, Co. Kerry and covered a mountainous 158km route through Bantry, Glengarriff, Kenmare, Killarney and finished in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Dry but overcast weather accompanied the peleton for this stage which took in the climb over the Caha Pass and Molls Gap.
Stage 2 was a long and sometimes hilly 200km route which departed Tralee for Listowel, Tarbert and the ferry crossing, Kilrush, Lisdoonvarna, Lehinch, The Cliffs of Moher and finishing in Oranmore, Co. Galway. This was to be a tough stage on the bike for all with a block headwind off the coast blowing into the peleton’s face for the entire stage however it was a very sunny and scenic day on the bike for all with plenty of sunburn and smiles on show at the end of the stage in conjunction with the ever becoming popular Wayne “ Fonda Workout ”.
Stage 3 was another long 192km in the saddle which traveled mostly along the Saw Doctors famous N17. The peloton departed Oranmore for Tuam, Claremorris, Sligo and finished in Bundoran, Co. Donegal. This was again to be a long tough stage on the bike for all with the continuing block headwind blowing into the peleton’s face for the entire stage. The day in general was fairly overcast for the majority of the spin but the Sun came out again as we hit the coast in Sligo and we all enjoyed the scenic views on the run into Bundoran, a seaside resort that was packed for the weekend along with our accommodation in “Fawlty Towers”.
The 4th and final stage of this challenge, was a mountainous 162km route to Malin Head. The day however was not going to go to plan. We departed Bundoran in heavy rain for Donegal & Ballybofey which took 5 hours of very tough miles on the bike in the driving rain and the usual block head wind.
6 punctures had to be repaired in the first 35km which was a pity as we only had 2 in total during the previous 3 days cycling and to top it off the cold rain had us soaked and frozen to the bones. With the road conditions and weather continuing to worsen, safety was becoming of great concern with some of the group unable to break or even change gears due to the cold and wet. It was decided by all to cut the stage short so we all completely changed our wet gear for dry and departed for Leterkenny where we held up for the night, after getting a further 2 punctures of course. It was certainly the coldest, wettest and hardest day on a bike for this scribe as well as everyone else. All was not lost however as the forecast for the following morning was dry so with some swift logistical changes the stage was to be completed the following day. Long hot showers were very welcome the day and spirits picked up quickly that evening were the local hospitality was enjoyed by some and really enjoyed by others.
An early start was organized for the following morning to complete the final 80km of this challenge and so the peleton departed Letterkenny for Buncrana, Carndongh and finally Malin Head, Co. Donegal where we all completed the event on the last steep climb to the finish.
In total, a distance of 712km was clocked on the computers for this event which will certainly be long and fondly remembered by those who took part as well as the remainder of the club. A special mention however must be given to the two ladies who took part in this event, Ina Walsh & Mairead Walsh.
Ina Walsh ( O’ Reilly ) I believe is the first woman from Youghal to complete this event. She was the perfect example for any cyclist, Male or Female, on how one should train and take part in such an event. Well done to you Ina from all your companions that weekend.
Finally, the biggest thank you and round of applause must go to Mairead Walsh, wife of John Walsh of the Village Greengrocer, Castlemartyr. Mairead gave up her own time to support all of us cyclists during this entire challenge. In her Village Greengrocer Van, she was the one that got the bikes to the start and from the finish of the event, she transported all the baggage and supplies, kept us fed and watered every day, navigated the parcours during the event, was always there with the spare wheels when we punctured and most importantly, kept a watchful and supportive eye on us all, particularly on the last day. From all of us at the club Mairead, we sincerely thank you for your part in this challenge as with out your help and more importantly, your support, none of us would have completed this challenge and we look forward to your support when we cycle the Tour de France next year !!LOL.
Quote of the week however has to go to one very special lad who informed us all on the eve of the final stage that “ it only rains when the tide is fully in”. Well is must have been in all day of the final stage after the soaking we got !!
For all those interested, there are some fantastic photographs of the event up on the club’s Facebook page as well as on the Club Website at www.youghalcyclingclub.com.
TEAM YOUGHAL RAAM
Last Monday the 13th of June, Team Youghal departed for America to be the first Irish Team to take part in the prestigious Race Across America. Unlike other famous races, like the Tour De France, RAAM is not a stage race; it is a race of truth. The race is one stage live to the very end which starts on the 18th of June at Oceanside, California and finishes on the 26th of June at Annapolis, Maryland. The route will cover over 3,000 miles, climbing over 170,000 ft., crossing 12 states and passing through 88 counties. Once the race starts it will run for 24 hrs a day, every day until it is completed with teams and riders covering an average of between 350 to 500 miles a day. 8 riders and 10 support staff will be taking up this mammoth challenge and will again do so in aid of The Emer Casey Foundation whose aim it is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Ovarian / Uterine Cancer. The 8 rider team, putting their bodies on the line for the event, are all members of Youghal C.C. and Midleton Cycling & Triathlon Club who are namely, Ger Flanagan, Tommy Roche, Christy McCarthy, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Groeger, Brian Hehir, Alan Sheehan and Mike Hines. To all taking part, all at Youghal Cycling Club wish you the very best of luck in this unbelievably tough sporting challenge and remember “To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain....at cycling's core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for an Olympic medal, a town sign, the top of a climb, or the garage with the homemade cakes. If you never confront pain, you're missing the essence of the sport. Without pain, there's no adversity, Without adversity, no challenge, Without challenge, no improvement. No improvement, no sense of accomplishment and no deep-down joy. And remember, Without passion, without a mission, you'll always be just another rider in the peloton”.
YOUGHAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP CHARITY RIDE – Sunday 12th June
Unfortunately, due to bad weather, this event had to be postponed until next Sunday.
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!