CLUB NOTES

Post date: Mar 04, 2012 8:50:16 PM

YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 26th February 2012

What a weekend for Youghal Cycling Club last weekend with numerous groups taking to the road on Saturday and Sunday in Cork, Kerry, Waterford & Tipperary.

On Saturday a group of 10 riders departed from Lidl at 10am and took in one of the clubs favorite’s routes in East Cork around East Ferry. Leaving Youghal, we rode to Gortroe, Ballymacoda, Ladysbridge, Shanagarry, Ballycotton and Cloyne before we decided to split the group in two for a faster paced group and a steadier paced group. Needless to say, Hill was driving it on like a greyhound chasing the hare around Youghal Dog Track. Both groups rode to Saleen, looped around East Ferry and stopped in Midleton for the usual cup of Tea. A long pit stop ensued before we departed again for the main road home and the Greyhound was at it again all the way home. The first group rode the main road home via Castlemartyr and Killeagh with the second group taking the back road via Mogeely, Killeagh and home. Both groups made it comfortably home with 85km in the legs. A good start to the weekend EXCEPT FOR HILL, who id say is still wound up from all the juice he was on !!!

On Sunday, three different groups hit the road. The 9.00am group, the 10.00am group and of course, the racing group who headed to Kerry for the day for the opening race of the season and probably on one of the hardest circuits in the country !!

The racing team of Eoin Whyte and new boys, Jonathan Tobin and Wayne Fitzgerald had an early start to Kerry with both Jonathan and Wayne pinning on their race numbers for the first time. Eoin rode in the A3 category with JT and WF both lining out in the A4 category. As usual, a blistering pace ensued on the mountainious parcours but both JT and WF held their own in the peloton. Eoin on the other hand was sticking it to the big boys in the A3 group. As the race progressed the groups were decimated on the climbs. Both JT and WF found their own rhythm and groups while Eoin made the selection with the A1 and A2 groups over the last climb. Two riders went clear on the final run with Sean Lacey making it four wins out of four. Eoin followed shortly in the next group to finish a fine 15th overall and both Jonathan and Wayne followed a few minutes later in the next groups. All three in fact were showered and changed while there was still riders crossing the line as well as cresting the final climb. Well done to all who represented themselves and their club proudly on the day.

The 9.00am group of 10 decided to venture to new ground with a challenging spin through Cork, Waterford and Tipperary. With wet conditions ahead, we departed up the Tallow road to Tallow and Lismore before diverting up to Ballysaggart via Lismore Golf Club. From there we climbed on to Araglin and climbed again to Ballypooreen before diverting back to Clogheen for the cup of Tea and Birthday cake for our Honoree Club Captain, Johnny Bulman. When he refused to share his birthday gift, we quickly set off for our final climb of the day up the VEE. Saturated to the bone by this stage, we climbed steady as the conditions worsened but cleared the top and made the long decent to Cappoquin while pushing Paddy Merckx, as his free wheel decided to pack it in. With Paddy collected in Cappoquin, we headed for Dromania Drive, Villarstown, Aglish, Clashmore and finally home to Youghal with a challenging 125km completed. Our longest, hilliest and wettest spin of the year so well done to all on the day.

At 10.00am a group of ten riders met on a damp morning for their weekly spin. Route agreed they headed out the N25 with a brisk pace being set by Scobie, he knew there was no going to Kilcredan to day so he was only too pleased to set the pace all the way to Killeagh by which time he had enough and was flapping his elbow looking for some one to come through, sadly he found no takers so had stay out in front until they turned left for Ladysbridge and Garryvoe. With a change up front, the speed went up by the time they got on to the Midleton road by which time they were dying for coffee or just any excuse to stop at the lake view filling station. Well refreshed they headed for home back the main road where Maurice set a very fast pace and he was left out on his own as there were no takers for this mad gallop, not even Ber on her new trek bike. Well wear Ber. The group made it back to Youghal with a nice 68kms done.

A word about the Ring of Kerry cycle for those heading, John has got the bargain of the year in a four star hotel in the town center for 25euro per person sharing per night, we must have numbers and a deposit of 20/25 euro next Sunday.

Club Website

Information about the club, cycling in the area and cycling in general, can be viewed at our club website. It has to be seen by all at www.youghalcyclingclub.com.

Weekend Spins.

As you are all well aware by now, there is a weekly spin every Sunday morning at 9.00 am sharp leaving from Moby Dicks Pub by the Clock Gate. This group is usually split into two groups with both covering a similar distance of 80 to 100km but at different speeds. This spin which runs on various routes every week usually takes between 4 to 5 hours ( weather permitting ).The pace is comfortable for each group and we usually stop half way around for a coffee or tea.

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.

New members or visitors to the area are always welcome. 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. See you all Sunday Morning !!. Until next week, safe cycling !!.