CLUB NOTES
Post date: Aug 31, 2011 8:49:2 PM
YOUGHAL CYCLING CLUB NOTES 28th August 2011
Again this year, two large groups from Youghal C.C. headed to Dungarvan last weekend for Irelands biggest Sportive of the year and one of this clubs main objectives for the year. Long and hard training spins were put in over the last few weeks by all in the club. 12 club men & women lined up for the 160km Comeragh Challenge within a peleton of over 2700 people with a further 12 club men and women lining up for the 90km Kelly Coast within a peleton of 2500 people. A further 2800 people participated in the remaining 50km and 10km routes. Wow, that’s a total of over 8000 cyclists. The biggest ever in Ireland.
The Kelly Comeragh Challenge is the tough, tough part of the tour and not for the fainthearted. Over 160 km (105 miles) in length, it includes two Category One climbs ( Seskin Hill and Mahon Falls) and is suitable only for very experienced and very fit full-time cyclists. Taking the N25 out of Dungarvan, the route veers to the left in Lemybrien along the R676 as far as Carrick-on-Suir. Here there is a loop which takes in Seskin Hill, made famous by the Nissan Classic.
This is Kelly country. But it is also gruelling country. The route continues along the R680 as far as Clonmel where it swings to the left and heads along the R671 as far as Ballymacarbry. Here it veers to the left along the gorgeous Nire Valley before again swinging left over the Nire River and heading into the heart of the Comeraghs. The route climbs to over 400 meters altitude at the wonderfully-named Powers the Pot, whence it descends through enchanting uplands to the lovely village of Rathgormack. Soon it rejoins the R676, heading southwards as far as Mahon Bridge where it once again heads into the mountains via the Mahon Falls, once more at over 400m altitude.
The descent from Mahon Falls deserves and demands real care. Then through Kilrossanty Village and along the Mauma Road as far as Kilbrien before joining the R672 at Beary’s Cross. Here, riders can breathe a sigh of relief. Though it is still over 13km back to Dungarvan, it is almost completely downhill. 13km which should be devoted to enjoying the sense of achievement that can only come from surviving the Kelly Comeragh.
A great day was had by all who participated and we are already looking forward to next year. Except for John Bulman who has again retired as he does every year. You can’t be doing that now John with those new Carbon’s !!!. A special well done to Paddy & Ollie. Paddy rode the event with the flu coming on and in the company of a banging headache while Ollie completed the event after only 1.5hrs sleep the night before !! Id say they both slept last Sunday night !!!
The Kelly Coast exits the start area close to Dungarvan Sports Centre and heads for Abbeyside, Barnawee Bridge and the open road. Even though this route is slightly shorter than the Kelly Legacy (the route which it replaces) it is designed for the touring cyclist who has possibly decided to step up the training regime from having participated in the Kelly Cruise in previous years. It is an extremely scenic route, but covers quite hilly terrain and your training programme should reflect this.
Waterford’s railway heritage is on display over the first 20 kilometres of the route, before riders reach the first water stop of the day in Bunmahon (the first of two visits to this seaside village!). After Bunmahon riders head inland and northwards for a time towards the villages of Kill and Dunhill where the ‘Waterford Welcome’ will be evident! After approximately 50 kilometres participants reach Tramore and the main food stop of the day in the fabulous surrounds of the town’s Racecourse. After taking a trip through the streets of this wonderful seaside resort riders will hug the coast for the remainder of the return journey.
Breathtaking scenery is guaranteed for this leg of the route through the villages of Fenor and Annestown with Kilmurrin Cove and Dunabrattin Head worth a rest stop from where to simply admire Waterford’s wonderful coastline. Riders are now at the heart of the Copper Coast UNESCO Geo Park and nowhere is Waterford’s mining heritage brought to life more vividly than at the old Tankardstown copper mining complex which cyclists will pass shortly before the return visit to Bunmahon.
The final village of the day is Stradbally at the 70 kilometre mark and this will be the ideal place to take a well earned rest and a drop of Tipperary Natural mineral Water before getting back into the saddle and tackling the final stretch to the finish at Dungarvan Sports Centre.
A great day was again had by all who participated and a particular well done to Christine O’ Riordan and Nessa Rochford for completing there first ever Cycling Sportive, Chapeau !!.
The Kelly Ten Family Cycle - 10k
Again this year, this event took place the day before the main events. Again the club was well represented with the Fitzgerald, Tobin, Flynn, Sanders and Hill family’s all traveling to this fantastic family event. This was an event for all the family, kids and parents, (for independent cyclists aged seven and over) along the wonderful traffic free recreational trail that is the Old Railway Line, Dungarvan. 2010 saw the inaugural running of this event and it proved very popular with over 700 people of all ages taking part and this turned out to be even more popular with over 1800 people turning up blaze along the road just the ‘KING KELLY’ himself.
Again, a great day was had by all who participated
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Youghal Triathlon 2011
Unfortunately, the annual Youghal Triathlon will not take place this year. Road works on the Killeagh – Youghal road has recently commenced and will last until the end of October. As a result, the event had to be postponed but efforts are being made to see if it can be re-arranged. Hopefully it can as this has been a very successful event for the town of Youghal, it has been very well organized and a very enjoyable experience for all those who take part and in particular the organizing committee.