CLUB NOTES

Post date: Dec 18, 2011 9:5:14 PM

Youghal Cycling Club Notes – Sunday 11th December 2011

On a frosty Saturday morning the group of 15 met as usual in Lidl carpark. Worried that some of the back roads might be too icy, the group stuck to the N25 and did a fast spin to Little Island, where they grabbed a cup of coffee, before turning back to Youghal with a nice 90km done before lunch.

Next up was the Sunday morning crew of 23 riders. They were met with the wet as opposed to icy roads. Not to be deterred they also headed out the N25, swung a left at Castlemartyr down towards Garryvoe, and onto Ballycotton via Shanagarry. The fun finished after Ballycotton where they took the coast roads to Whitegate via Churchtown & Trabolgan. I love the way the seasoned cyclists refer to this section of road as “a little lumpy”. All I can say is that this is like calling the Col de Tourmalet “a wee pinch”!! After we rolled into Whitegate for tea, the general consensus of the group was that this road was evil! Heart rates were pumping, there were fellas even sweating, how did this happen in the leisure season? We were looking for the blood of the person that proposed it, when we found him he was in worse state than us. Disappointed we let him off the hook, a big bunch of softies we are! Nicely refuelled with coffee and mince pies we rolled out of Whitegate for the final leg home. Only a mile on the road we realised that we were missing one, Paddy C again, we reckon he went back for another mince pie. After getting him back on the peleton, the call of the herd all the way home was “STEADY”….who could have that been I wonder? Rolling back into Youghal we had a nice 95km loop complete at an average speed of 28kph and total vertical climb of 600m. Have a look on the facebook site for the photos.

The 10am group also had a steady crew of 8 riders on Sunday morning. East Cork was their chosen route this week as well. Rumour has it that Mr Hickey was plugging to go West towards his home turf in the Deise but he was overruled. They took the Bog Road and just before Ballyamacoda we had a puncture as the bike came out 2nd place with a pothole. “This wouldn’t happen in Waterford” was heard to be mumbled from Mr Hickey! As most of the group assisted with the puncture repair job there was surprise as we spotted our golden oldie find a comfy spot in the hedging and tuck into his goddie bag, we know his priorities!! Repairs done and oldies filled up we rolled onto Ladysbridge, Shanagarry and on towards Midleton for the official food stop. We were in the middle of the cha when Brooder spotted the 9am group passing, without a word he jumped on the bike to catch up with them. He didn’t half feel a plonker when he could not catch them and had to settle with going back to the oldies for the ride home. They were true friends and did not slag him off at all!

December schedule as follows (weather dependent):

Wednesday’s at 10am from Lidl Carpark – Intermediate cycling

Thursday’s at 7.45pm from Lidl Carpark – Intermediate Cycling

Saturday’s at 10am from Lidl Carpark – Beginner Cycling

Sunday at 9am from Moby Dicks – Intermediate Cycling

Sunday at 10am from Moby Dicks – Beginner (& Golden) Cycling

Please note that all riders are expected to have road bikes (racer type) of good repair for scheduled spins. Riders must wear helmets, bring a spare tube & pump.