CLUB NOTES

Post date: Oct 11, 2011 7:35:17 PM

YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 8th October 2011

Club AGM

Our Club AGM took place last Wednesday the 5th of October at the Holy Family Church and It was good to see a large attendance as numerous events for next year were discussed. On the night a new committee was elected for the club which was made up of the following: Sean Lawlor – Chairman, Jonathan Tobin – Secretary, Anthony Kenneally - Asst Secretary, John Walsh – Treasurer, Wayne Fitzgerald – PRO and Jonathan Flynn – Web Coordinator. Contacts details for all of the Committee members are available on the club website.

Following on from our Mizen to Malin head spin which took place over the June bank holiday weekend, interest was expressed about taking on an event of similar difficulty for next season. All ideas are open for consideration at this stage so bring what ever you have to the table at the next meeting as planning for same will have to start as soon as possible.

The Winter training was discussed at great length and all were in agreement about having the pace and distance lowered for the rest of the year to encourage anyone looking to step up from the 10.00am group along with any new members. The racing scene was also discussed and plans are in foot for organizing a separate training group for those speed demons.

Existing and any new club members are also reminded that membership fees are now overdue and should be paid as soon as possible as same needs to be submitted to Cycling Ireland.

Weekly Club Spin

The winter training season got underway last Sunday morning when a group of 12 gathered at Moby Dicks for a 9.00am grand depart. With a stiff wind blowing, it was decided to keep the spin to the sheltered back roads around East Cork and with that we struck off for the Bog Road and Ballymacoda. The winter training of course brought out the old winter bikes and it was nice to see so many sparkling old machines together at the one time, pity they wont be kept that way !. From Ballymacoda we looped over to Garryvoe to encounter some minor road works and two punctures in succession. A quick pit stop however sorted it all out (much quicker than the Tallow Man’s puncture repair’s!!) and we hit the road again into the ever increasing head wind. Garryvoe lead us to Shanagarry and Cloyne before we dropped down into Saleen and looped around the scenic East Ferry. With the wind now turning to our backs, we rolled nicely around East Ferry, through Ballinacurra and onto the Garage at the Midleton roundabout for my famous ‘Cup of Tea’. We all relaxed and refueled with the muffins and bars and for once I was allowed to savor my tea instead of rushing it down my neck, so relaxing was our stop, I was even encouraged to have a second cupa. That wouldn’t happen if Healy and Hill were there!! Great banter was had at the stop with a very in-lightening discussion about Carbon cycling shoe laces taking place????? Ready for road, we rolled out the main Youghal road for Castlemartyr and Killeagh. With a strong tailwind all the way, and a smooth surface on the road, it wasn’t long before we arrived back in Youghal for 12.15pm with a very easy 70km completed.

The 10.00am group also gathered at Moby Dicks and rolled out with a peleton of 11. This group also took the same sheltered route down the Bog road to Ballymacoda and then Ladysbridge. From there they hogged the back road to Ballinacurra and also stopped for coffee at the Garage at the Midleton roundabout. From there the group split up for the spin home at different speeds which followed the earlier group back the main road through Castlemartyr and Killeagh before arriving back into Youghal for 12.30 pm with a handy 50km completed. Some strong cycling within this group took place on the journey home to Youghal and one would hope that some of these staglaries could now make the jump up to the 9.00am group!!

Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails

A number of club members are planning to head to Ballyhoura for a bit of rough and tumble on the mountain bikes on Sunday 23rd October. Anyone interested in traveling should let one of us know by next week so that we can arrange times and travel. Anyone who doesn’t have a mountain bike can rent one on the day at Ballyhoura. Keep an eye on the clubs Facebook page for more details.

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 spin, which runs on various routes every week, usually takes between 3 to 4 hours ( weather permitting ). Two separate groups ride out at different levels to cater for as many cyclists as possible. The pace is comfortable 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 2 to 3 hours to complete. The pace is again very comfortable and this is an idle 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 !!.