Club notes

Friday night last the 13th of February saw week three of our six week club spinning classes which was held in Busters bootcamp over Moynans Bike shop in Kenyon street carpark. It is proving popular and glad to see so many members taking part each week.

For the Saturday morning race training spin, the weather gods were finally kind to us!! The usual suspects were out and ended up taking on this years proposed Visit Nenagh Classic A3 route along with a couple of extra cyclists that joined them en route. One club member commented saying this years Classic race was going to be grueling and very challenging. There was even time for a little respite when they ran into a few other club members out spinning and stopped briefly to chat. This weeks route was more like a scenic tour of North Tipperary with a total of 115km and lots of climbs and drags thrown in for good measure! The route took the lads from Nenagh to Portroe, on to Ballina and Birdhill. This was followed by a leg (and heart/lungs) tester up chapel hill heading back on to limerick road via a little loop through some very narrow roads and over train tracks. This was followed by a hard push over Coum and then there was a little recovery time back to Portroe. There was another hard interval from Portroe back to Nenagh where the lads then continued out to Dolla and then another tough drag to Templederry. There was a little more recovery to Curabaha cross on the Thurles road followed by another hard push back to the rugby club where they then rode steadily back together to town. It was just over four hours in the saddle on the morning. Very well done to all involved in this spin and the very best of luck in the race season ahead.

The weather on Sunday morning was the best we have had for cycling in recent weeks: No Fog, Ice, Rain or Wind to worry about.  The high participation in the Sunday spin in recent weeks has continued with almost twenty riders leaving Nenagh just after 9am. (Valentines Day is obviously over rated 🙂 ).

 

 

 

Continuing with the club’s efforts to ensure that all riders get a good workout it was decided to further fine tune the three group strategy. All riders rode together in a tight group as far as Toomevara but on this occasion the club racers set out two minutes ahead of the intermediate and leisure riders. This worked out well and avoided individuals being stranded between the groups as a result of being unsure as to which group they were a part of. The full route was undertaken by the remaining riders who rode well together with the distance of 65km being covered in a very respectable time. Despite one puncture the group made it home just ahead of the rain.

Today saw the start of the open race season which kicked off in Monastrevin with the Ned Flanagan memorial race. We had two club members in action today, Tony Maher in the A4 race and Tommy Hanrahan in the A3 race. Here is a summary of each of the races from both riders.

Tony’s report:

There were 242 starters at the first race of the season with over 80 of them in my race the A4. Conditions were dry but windy and a headwind for the first 30km making it difficult.  Lots of fresh legs and enthusiasm made for a hectic start, where I was in totally the wrong position. However, it was head down and motor on and try to get back to the bunch. As stated earlier, the headwind was a problem. After 20 k into Portlaoise it was on to Ballyroan and a few who were dropped were picked up. Turning in Ballyroan  the wind was thankfully now on our backs and on to Stradbally .
This part of the course was flat…ish with just a few small drags. Turning in Stradbally for the Heath sorted things out a bit with a few “lumpy” bits but nothing major, and another straggler or two joined our group. Across the Heath and a sharp right down the main road, 12k to the finish, made for a fast spin home. All in all, a learning experience.

Tommy’s report:

It was a hectic start with the race averaging 40kph. A break got away for about 20km but was soon closed down by myself and a few more. One guy was on his own for about 50km but was caught with 2 to 3km to go.  It came down to a fast bunch sprint. My wheel got clipped near the line and the guy who clipped it got a very heavy spill and in turn took out a spectator as well. I came 7th in the end which is ok but there is still plenty of room for improvement but at least came away with a handful of points.

Well done to Tommy and to Tony on competing today and for representing the club. Well done to Tommy who takes away some valuable points after placing 7th in his A3 race.

 

We also have a few club members who are racing next weekend in Loughrea, Co. Galway and we wish them all the very best of luck.  Keeping the club colours flying high lads 🙂

A little reminder everyone of the upcoming Quiz night that will be held in the Dapp Inn, Nenagh on Friday night the 27th of February starting at 9pm. Its a great night out and great fun. It gives everyone in the club a chance to meet and have a chat outside of cycling.

A fun night out guaranteed. A table of four is 20 euro and we would ask our members to bring along spot prizes for the night.  So start getting your general knowledge training started and the thinking caps on. Please try and support your club on the night. You’ll have a great time. Everyone is welcome. Bring as many friends and family as you like.

The usual spins will continue next weekend so keep an eye out on the website and Facebook for updates during the week.

For any more information on club events or membership please contact our club chairperson Pat Bergin on 087 6744400.