CLUB NOTES
Post date: May 09, 2010 2:47:24 PM
YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 8th May 2010
Midleton Tour De Cure 8th May 2010
Midleton Cycling & Tri Club held their 2nd Annual “Stephen Roche TOUR DE CURE in association with MyHome.ie" Charity Cycle Sportif last Saturday, the 8th of May 2010. On the day over 1200 cyclists took part over the various routes with 15 members of the Youghal Club taking part in either the 160km route or 100km route.
The day started out well with Marty O’ Keeffe getting value for his €40 registration fee by getting the man himself, Stephen Roche, to pump up the front wheel on his Bianchi Bike. Stephen later said that he would do the back wheel at next year’s event. Jason Collins also got his tupance worth by standing in for every photograph with Stephen Roche at the start line. Nice one lad's !!
We eventually rolled off around 9.00 am and rode a brisk pace to Castlmartyr and on through Killeagh to Youghal where members of the club took to the front to bring the large group through Youghal. From their, we rode out to Clashmore and on to Aglish where the group split for the two different routes.
The 100km group rode on to Villarstown and Cappoquin before turning back the main road to Lismore for the food stop. Re-fueled, they rode on to Tallow and climbed up to Dungourney before dropping down into Midleton for the finish and some refreshments in the GAA Club. They completed the testing route at 12.30 pm and some headed straight to the pub for a steak and a large bottle.
The 160km group rode onto Ballymacarbry from Aglish for their first food stop where they quickly re-fueled and took off for Clonmel. From Clonmel they rolled onto Clogheen before winding it up the Vee and hammering it down into Lismore for the second food stop. Fed up of listening to Wayne moaning about the sandwiches all been eaten by they 100km group, they moved off towards Tallow. From Tallow they also crested the climb up to Dungourney, dodged the minefield of potholes through Dungourney and dropped down hard into Midleton for the finish at around 3.30 pm. Everyone satisfied with their first 160km spin of the year.
The Sunday Spin, 9th May 2010
With a lot of the Club on duty the day before, a group of 4 from Youghal C.C. headed off for a relaxing spin last Sunday morning at 9.00 am with another group of 5 heading off at 10.00 am from the Clock Gate. The early group covered a testing 80 km route while the later group covered a sheltered 50km route. Both groups had a very enjoyable spin in the warm sun and strong wind and returned back into Youghal for around 12.15 pm. Good to see Brian Fiztgerald back on the bike after he recent injury.
Monthly Meeting.
Our May monthly Club meeting took place last Wednesday the 5th of May in the Holy family church hall. Much discussion took place over recent events of crashes, the pace of the peleton and in particular our riding formation. It was unanimously agreed that the Sunday spins pace was to be cut back slightly in favour of getting some extra time and endurance miles on the bike and the Tuesday and Thursday night spins were to be kept together with a fast but comfortable pace for all for the entire spin. Attacking is not to be encouraged as this only break's up the group and makes it more dangerous for others. The new club kit will also be arriving in the next 3 to 4 weeks so all members are being asked to forward the balance of money due to Jonathan or Brian as soon as possible. We were also given bad news about the Muintir Na Tire Charity Cycle not going ahead this year due to Insurance reasons but it was agreed that we may do the route anyway that weekend on the Sunday as a Club spin as most of us had been planning for it as a good training spin. Next meeting will be the first Wednesday of June where hopefully we will have our new Club Kit.
Road Safety
What fun we had on our Thursday night spin last week on our approach to Killeagh from Castlemartyr when a motorist tried to over take us on a bend, over a double white line, with on coming traffic. To say things got heated between ourselves and the motorist would be putting it mildly but the simple mater is that we were on our side of the road and were in control of same. There was no room to over take and any attempt to do so was both illegal and very dangerous. If an accident had occurred, it is we the cyclists that would have been hurt and not the motorist. If someone is pulling a boat or a trailer behind a car the following motorist would have to wait until it is safe to overtake. The same rule applies to cyclists. Some motorists however don’t see it that way and consider cyclists to be both a nuisance and a danger to motorists who are in a hurry. At the end of the day, we cyclists, who are also motorists, like the majority of motorists, respect other road users, but there is always that minority who do not and they are the ones who cause the accidents with cyclists. Cork County Council is currently giving out a leaflet on road safety for cyclists when you renew your motor tax. Advice to all would be to read same and at least consider what is says.
Remember - The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. - Iris Murdoch
Midweek Spins.
The midweek spins have now commenced until the end of the summer with the group gathering as usual at Moby Dicks for a 7.00pm sharp starting time. Spins will take place every Tuesday & Thursday night and will normally last for 2hrs per spin ( weather permitting ). These spins are idle for anyone looking to get the heart rate up a little and bring on their fitness level.
Weekend Spins.
As you are all well aware by now, there is a weekly spin every Sunday morning at 8.00am sharp leaving from Moby Dicks Pub by the Clock Gate. This spin which runs on various routes every week usually takes between 2 to 3 hours ( weather permitting ) and covers on average between 50 to 70km ( 35 to 50 miles ). The pace is comfortable and we usually stop half way around for a coffee or tea.
A second 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 hours to complete and covers on average between 40 to 50km ( 25 to 35 miles ). The pace is again very comfortable. 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 !!.