LEISURE CYCLING NEWS
Post date: Apr 03, 2011 8:37:38 PM
MUNSTER LEISURE NEWS
Tour of Lough Derg, (North Tipp Wheelers) 5 Star Treatment.
Limerick Classic Tour Sun. 22nd May
West Clare Cycling Club, Ras Weekend, four days of cycling events,
Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive, 5th June.
The 6th Leukaemia Fund Raising Cycle, Carrigaline, Sat. 11th June
Plus ‘The Coast Run’ Series Extends into Clare.
5 Star Treatment was the order of the day, for North Tipp’s Tour of Lough Derg, even before the kick off, there was a breakfast selection, and this theme continued throughout the entire day.
It’s a pleasure to mention that this was the club’s largest attended leisure event to date.
The club had four motor bike outriders (two of which were from the Garda traffic core) ambulance, lead car to control the pace, back up and broom vehicles. Motor bikes continually went back and forth checking on cyclists and marshalling junctions, their effort deserves a special mention.
On paper the route seemed ok, no major climbs, a welcome break from the climbing of previous events for yours truly, but how that changed once we hit the road, slight drizzle at first but more importantly a headwind that seemed to increase as the day went on.
Starting from Lakeside Hotel, Ballina, towards Ogonnelloe, where the drizzle eased off and the sun attempted to break through the clouds, onwards to Mountshannon, Whitegate, and food stop at Portumna Forest Park, where all the cyclists re–grouped.
The selection of food on offer was excellent, even included Jacobs chocolate elite’s, (like these are €2 for a pack of 8, as I’ve highlighted 5 Star Treatment!!)
The forest park covers an area of almost 450 hectares, with an old abbey under the care of the OWP which dates back to the 15th century, the nearby castle dates back to the 17th century, which is presently under restoration, and 4 looped trails in the park, suitable for walkers and cyclists.
You’d think having a headwind for most of the way up to Portumna would mean an easy cycle back down to Ballina, but this was not the case. Wind started to swirl a lot, intensified and change direction. So it turned out to be a challenging day on the bike, from Portumna we headed for Terryglass, onwards to Puckane, a testing climb heading into Portroe, and finally finishing up in Ballina.
For the first time, the club included a shorter 50km route, and the numbers who participated were beyond the club’s expectations.
What was particularly encouraging, the number of new clubs and new cyclists who participated that has only just formed or taken up cycling in the last few weeks, majority indicated that they will be at Limerick’s Classic tour next weekend.
The facilities available at the Lakeside Hotel are excellent; it’s a truly scenic location overlooking the lake. After showering it was upstairs for the hotel food, and true to the club’s press release the food on offer was excellent.
Outside of the weather it was a great day and a great tour!
Full credit is due to North Tipperary Cycling Club for the tremendous effort, the tour was a huge success, and it made all their hard work worth while.
NEXT UP
Limerick Classic Tour hosted by Limerick Cycling Club
Distance: 180km OR 120 km option
THE TOUR WILL BE SPLIT IN TO TWO GROUPS:
1st GROUP 30kph (approx) STARTS AT 9am
2nd GROUP 25kph (approx.) STARTS AT 9.05am
Date: Sunday 22nd May
Sign on venue: Millennium Centre, Caherconlish, Co.Limerick
Sign on time:8am Tour Start time: 9am Sharp
Price: €15 euro with license €25 without license
Services: First Aid, Repair Van, Showers, refreshments during and after.
For Further Details see
www.Limerickcc.com
Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive Sunday 5th June.
PROBABLY IRELAND’S TOUGHEST SPORTIVE FOR 2011!!
One of the toughest cycling events ever promoted in Ireland, with a hundred mile route covering a combination of the hardest established climbs in the Carrick on Suir area, savage new climbs never raced over before, and a finishing challenge on a “road” that is the club’s version of Paris-Roubaix!!
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS FAST APPROACHING
It seems like it was only yesterday that the Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive was launched, and yet the closing date for entries, Sunday 22nd May, is fast approaching. Billed as Ireland’s toughest cycling event for 2011, this new event on the Irish cycling calendar has generated great interest among the cycling fraternity and is being widely spoken of by both the competitive racing cyclists, tri-athletes and serious leisure cyclists. Judging by the number of “hits” on the Carrick Wheelers website, the cyclists are looking up the details of the testing route and are very interested in finding out about the “new” climbs never raced on before.
The club website, www.carrickwheelers.com has all the details, with maps, route details and on-line and postal entry, and with entry strictly limited to the first 300 entries received, don’t risk being disappointed and enter right away.
T SHIRTS
One of the main reasons for the early closing date is to ensure that each cyclist will receive a specially commissioned T shirt in the correct size at the finish. Carrick Wheelers are very pleased with the design and quality of the shirt, as it is made from the highest quality “ dry – fit” material, and they are confident that all the finishers will make great use of it for both training and racing in the weeks and months after the event.
So get in your entry as soon as possible, and don’t forget to select your correct T shirt size with your entry, then all you have to do is get fit enough to complete the Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive !! For Further Details see,
The 6th Leukaemia Fund Raising Cycle
Carrigaline RFC Supporting
Friends of Leukaemia Patients Cork
Sat 11th Jun 2011
Event Co-ordinator:
Carrigaline RFC
Ph: 087-9983785 or 086-8588466
The Cycle will commence from the back of the Carrigaline Car Park – Sign On from 9.00am on 11th Jun 2011.
Route:
Carrigaline –– Ballygarvan– Fivemile Bridge – Ballinhassig – Halfway– Inishannon – Kinsale –Riverstick – Carrigaline
Total Mileage -60 kilometres
Cyclists will have to sign on before the starting time of 10.30am. A €40 entry fee must be paid on 11th Jun at the sign in or a sponsorship card can be issued prior to the 11th Jun to cover the required entry fee.
Further details and updates available from
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196436070395698
CyKILRUSH – Ras Weekend
Four days of cycling events and fun for all the family
23rd MAY - 1 -5pm AN POST RAS Stage Finish
Stage Finish – FRANCES STREET, Ireland’s Premier Cycling Event
EVENTS INCLUDE – Family Cycle; Trails ride; Cycle Treasure Hunt: Fun Duathlon: ‘Discover West Clare’ Leisure Cycle; ‘Crotty Cup’ Time Trial Competition; Children’s Cycle Sport event; ‘Ride The Stage Finish’ cycle.
FRIDAY 20th
7pm TRAIL RIDE (Mountain Bikes advised) – KILRUSH WOOD
SATURDAY 21st
10am FAMILY CYCLE – MILLENNIUM PARK – CAPPA
2pm FAMILY / TEAM CYCLE TREASURE HUNT – KILRUSH WOOD
5pm FUN MINI-DUATHLON – THE MARINA
SUNDAY 22nd
10am ‘DISCOVER WEST CLARE’ LEISURE CYCLE – THE SQUARE
2pm ‘CROTTY CUP’ TIME TRIAL COMPETITION – FRANCES STREET
For the first time in its 77-year history the Crotty Cup will be run as a Time-Trial event. Run over a 20km course along the Kildysert Road.
5pm CHILDREN’S RACES/ACTIVITIES – THE MARINA
MONDAY 23rd
10am RIDE THE AN POST RAS STAGE FINISH - THE SQUARE
3-5pm AN POST RAS STAGE FINISH – FRANCES STREET
Evening CEOL AGUS CRAIC – around the town
TUESDAY 24TH
10am AN POST RAS DEPARTS – FRANCES STREET
For Further Details See
www.westclarecc.com
MUNSTER LEISURE TOURS 2011
Dingle Peninsula Challenge, (We’ve Got The Cheque, Its Five Figures)
Cumann Rothaíochta Chorca Dhuibhne. Dingle Cycling Club
Dingle Peninsula Challenge – Approx. 110km – figure of 8 route
An impressive and challenging event.
The cycle included the infamous Connor Pass Hill and took in the Scenic Slea Head whilst passing through Dingle town.
Simply put it’s a classic course and appealed to all levels of cycling enthusiasts, allowing them to conquer the Connor Pass, or simply experience a fantastic day out on the roads of beautiful West Kerry.
For some there was an additional challenge!!
A bit of a late start for yours truly, (Last minute bike repair, time for an upgrade I think!!) meant it was a 8km dash to catch up to the broom vehicle, headwind was tough as we headed towards Annascaul, 225 meter climb, and into the first cloud of the day!! Fast decent to the main Tralee / Camp road to the food / water stop.
From here its 17km to the base of the Connor Pass, the infamous 475 meter climb and the second batch of clouds, again quick food / water stop at the summit.
Word of advice to cyclists, road conditions is good on this downhill section to Dingle, but you can hit a few strong gusts of wind at certain points, so be careful.
From here majority of cyclists took in the 44km Slea Head, which is just magic on a sunny day, its one of the most scenic routes in Kerry.
Overall an excellent tour, everything that is great about cycling, this has it, testing climbs, brilliant scenery, plenty of food, a challenge or two, and fun to boot. Full credit is due to Dingle Cycling Club, for the tremendous effort, and by the way the Tee-Shirts are excellent.
The Dingle Peninsula, ‘The most beautiful place on Earth’ – National Geographic, tripadvisor.com rated in its Top 20 ‘Places in the world to visit’.
Proceeds from the event went towards Dingle’s youth café An Moncaí Ocrach.
The Connor Pass / Dingle Peninsula has to be included on any cyclists must do list!!
Yes, The Munster Branch Cheque, Has Five Figures, But Ladies there’s a decimal point before the last two zero’s!! Anyway Who Said Pub!! Mines a ……
The Etape Rás Mumhan provided leisure & sportive riders a rare opportunity to ride a classic stage of a domestic road stage race, 2nd stage of the 2011 Kerry Group Ras Mumhan, with a summit finish on the Conor Pass, the highest mountain Pass in Ireland.
Simply put it’s a classic course and appealed to all levels of cycling enthusiasts, allowing them to test themselves against the racing best, conquer the Conor Pass, or simply experience a fantastic day out on the roads of beautiful West Kerry.
A few route options were available, 128km being the full stage, and 64km the shorter version, both included the 225 meter Slieve East and 475 meter Conor Pass climbs.
Based on the number of cyclists who participated, general feedback, envisage that this will become an annual event, and perhaps extended further to incorporate other road race events.
A few route options were available, 128km being the full stage, and 64km the shorter version, both included the 225 meter Slieve East and 475 meter Conor Pass climbs.
Based on the number of cyclists who participated, general feedback, envisage that this will become an annual event, and perhaps extended further to incorporate other road race events.
PHOTO’S SAYS IT ALL!!
CURROW’S FRONT ROW – John Breen, Mick Galway, Tom Kenny.
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Kilmallock’s Cycling Hub Tour, (Ticks All the Right Boxes!!)
Kilmallock’s Second Cycling Hub Tour, was a tremendous success, numbers were up on last year, perfect conditions for cycling, simply put, a brilliant day! Majority of cyclists opted for ‘The Hub Challenge’ a 125km Sportive. Leaving Kilmallock the riders headed towards Ardpatrick, into the first climb of the day up through Glenenaar then towards the main Kildorrery to Ardpatrick road over the second climb, then a tester through the village of Ballyorgan, into Ballintubber, to the fourth climb of the day, followed by a long decent, into Ballylanders, heading for Galbally, through the Glen of Aherlow, crossing into Tipperary with the Galtee mountains on the right hand side, and up over the fifth and last climb of the day, Christ the King, all this before the food stop in Lattin!!.
The club really looked the part on the day, wearing their new gear that incorporates the traditional Kilmallock colours.
The Hub Experience, a 60km Leisure Spin, left Kilmallock heading for Kilfinane, whilst the club’s web site mentions that the route is mostly flat terrain, gentle drags, (but folks Kilfinane is a testing 160 meter climb!!) Here the group split up a bit, overall road conditions to Lattin aren’t great, but admittedly after the food stop, they improve significantly.
No sign of the Lisdoon Lady (Long black hair and a smile that would melt countless hearts, see last weeks edition)
Anyway back to the cycling, 10km from Kilmallock, fell in with a group of three riders, two of which were from SWW, (Southside Wheeley Wheelers) straight away had a hunch, this could be interesting, nearly all of us are vets!!
First off a share of good natured bantering, then a train, followed by a bit of sizing up, once yours truly hit the front, the comments started flying, speed picked up a bit, 5km to go, the attacks started, each one was hauled back, 1km to go, no sooner had the water bottle raised another attack, again hauled back, as to what happened at the finish, I’m claiming Null and Void, others may differ, but at least we all agreed that it was thourably enjoyable.
Overall an excellent tour, everything that is great about cycling, this has it by the bucket full!! testing climbs, brilliant scenery, plenty of food, and camaraderie.
Full credit is due to Kilmallock Cycling Club, for the tremendous effort, (Marking all the potholes, road turns, tee-shirts, pig on spit etc.) not forgetting of course, marshals on motor bikes, plus everyone else who helped out on the day.
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Dolmen’s ‘Mid Coastal and Burren Tour’ Report.
Numbers Well Up, But U-Turns May Have Been Applicable!!
Weather smiled again for Dolmen’s, Mid Coastal and Burren Tour, in ideal cycling conditions; we headed off from the Lee Road Sports Complex, in Ennis.
The wind was with us for the climb up to Poulanine, from here to Ballyallban is one of the best downhill sectionse of teh e best downhill stretch signing On in the country, good twists and turns, Simply Put Brilliant, but there’s nearly always a catch, and in this case, for the leisure group, facing the Corkscrew Climb against the wind, whilst the Sportive headed for Ballyvaughan and onwards to Lisdoonvarna via the coastal route.
Killorglin CC have the ‘Humpy Hundred’’ on the 15th May, but there’s no lack of Humps in Dolmen’s ‘Mid Costal and Burren Tour’, no sooner your going down, you’re back up climbing again, don’t recall any 5km flat stretch on the route.
Besides the normal calls of ’Braking, ‘Hole(s)’, Car Up’, there were no shouts of ‘Cows Up’ or, ‘Bull Up’, like last year, but there were a few distractions, one in particular coming against us half way up on the Corkscrew Climb.
Like a vision, there’s she was, flying down the hill, her long black hair tied up in a ponytail, that was floating in the wind, and a smile that would melt countless hearts, clearly she enjoys her cycling.
Shouts of U-Turn, U-Turn, could be heard, looked back and she was long gone, the prospect of doing the Corkscrew twice in the one day wasn’t very appealing, easier option, phone Mick Daly, (Lisdoonvarna) and enquire about said lady!!
Anyway back to the cycling, on a climb, you’d often get a few good natured exchanges, but in this case on the Corkscrew nearly everybody was at it, also when you think the climb is over, nope there’s another leg to it. On a positive note, it’s a good workout for next weekends Kilmallock Hub Tour, with its five testing climbs, including ‘The Glen of Aherlow’, all of which are before the food stop!!
A few Cyclists on the Sportive route commented that the 7 km leading into Lisdoonvarna was particularly tough, as the wind speed increased significantly. A number of them opted to join the Lesiure group and head for Kilfenora, and Corofin whilst the Sportive (125km riders) went by the coast to Miltown Malbay, with everybody finishing up in Ennis.
Overall an excellent tour, full credit is due to Dolmen CC and to all who helped out on the day.
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2010 LEISURE REPORTS
Cumann Rothaíochta Corca Dhuibhne, Dingle Penninsulsa. The event covered an extended 110km course comprising two loops – Dingle Marina to Camp Junction, returning via the Conor Pass followed by a loop comprising Slea Head before returning via Ballyferriter to finish at Dingle Marina.
The course was certainly challenging; Annascaul to Camp was a tough steady climb, heavy shower came down in this section, but the sky cleared up as we headed towards Deelis, and turned out a fabulous day for a spin. The real test was the gruelling 460m ride over Conor Pass, now if there was any place for ‘OUTCH’ Road markings, (see Kilmallock CC’s article below) it was about one mile from the top of the Pass, where the road narrows. Here’s a tip for anyone planning to do the climb at some stage, make sure all your low gears are working properly, otherwise you’ll be peddling off the saddle most of the way!!”.
The Dingle Peninsula, ‘The most beautiful place on Earth’ – National Geographic, tripadvisor.com rated in its Top 20 ‘Places in the world to visit’.
Proceeds from the event went towards Dingle’s youth café An Moncaí Ocrach.
The Conor Pass / Dingle Penninsula has to be included on any cyclists must do list!!
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Kilmallock’s Cycling Hub Tour Sunday 25th April 2010, excellent routes, three options, 120km Sportif, (Five Climbs in beautiful scenery with posed a real challenge), 60km Hub Experience and a 10km Family Spin.
First off were the 120km cyclists, and as the club’s web site mentioned not for the faint harted!! Five testing climbs, Glenenaar, followed by Ardpatrick, Ballyorgan, Ballintubber, and ‘The Glen of Aherlow’, all of which was before the food stop!!, which couldn’t come a moment too soon for some cyclists.
Besides the normal shouts of ’Braking, ‘Hole(s)’, Car Up’, an unusual road marking was the RED ‘OUTCH’ at the grotto turn, up the Glen of Aherlow, a few cyclists commented to the marshalls at the top of the climb, ‘Outch is an Understatment!!
The Club must be congratulated for their extensive effort in running the event, for example the time taken up for route directions, and marking all the pot holes on the 200km of roads was just something else. Throw in the Starting Sign, Roast Pig and Tee shirts, its going to be difficult for any event to top it.
‘Roast Pig’
Showers, refreshments and a some finely Roasted Pig was available at the finish in Kilmallock.
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The First Munster Leisure League Event was Dolmen’s, Mid West Coastal and Burren Tour on Saturday 10th April 210, starting from Lee Road Sports Complex, Ennis, over 100 cyclists participated in glorious weather conditions, excellent route, incorporating the scenic coastal stretch from Ballyvaghan towards Lisdoonvarna.
Besides the normal shouts of ’Braking, ‘Hole(s)’, Car Up’, a few unusual ones were to be heard, like ‘Cows Up’ and even, ‘Bull Up’, thankfully no accidents, or injuries to report.
Very well organised event, credit is due to the club and all who helped on the day.
A few Cyclists commented that the 5 miles leading into the food stop at Lisdoonvarna was particularly tough, wind didn’t help.
From here the Sportif (125km riders) went to Miltown Malbay, and the Leisure (100km) to Kilfenora, Corofin, all finishing up in Ennis.