Club notes

On Friday night last the 27th of February we held week five of our six week spinning class that is being held in Busters Bootcamp over Moynans Bike shop. The class was held a little earlier on the evening to accomodate the lads who wanted to make it to the NTW table quiz on time. Due to the popularity of this spinning session we are thinking of continuing with the sessions for a few extra weeks, so well done to everyone taking part. Keep up the good work.

Also on Friday Night last we had our annual Table Quiz which was held in the Dapp Inn.  We had a very good turn out on the evening and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Table quiz winners Liam Callaghan, Mike O’Keeffe, Selina Hynes, and Owen Hynes.

With all quiz nights the questions were by no means easy and sure enough tested our knowledge.  I’m sure I can speak for everyone who was at the quiz that we will all forever remember where Spongebob Sqarepants lives…By the way we actually knew about Shaun the sheep

There is always that one or two questions thrown in to catch you out but there was one team who proved victorious on the night and it was members Liam Callaghan, Mike O’Keeffe, Selina Hynes and Owen Hynes so very well done guys. We have so many people to thank who made our night a great success and donated prizes that were very generous indeed.

O’Connor’s of Kenyon Street

Tom Talbot.

James Kelly of Una Powell’s.

JKC.

Walsh’s Stationery.

Peter and David Moynan.

Ger Ryan of the Enterprise Centre.

Pat Bergin of Nenagh Picture Framing.

Buster’s Bootcamp.

Frank and Susan Maloney of the Dapp Inn.

Selina Hynes of Select Catering.

Ryan’s Chemist.

Dermot Dolan of Ger Gavin’s.

We also have to thank Tom and Ann Butler our Quiz-masters on the evening and who set out some very testing questions. We also want to thank the NTW Committee who put alot of time and effort into organizing the event, to Frank and Susan Maloney for hosting our quiz in their premises The Dapp Inn and finally the biggest thanks goes to all of our club members who turned up on the evening and brought with them their family and friends and also gave great prizes for the raffle. We do hope you all had a great night and thanks again 🙂

Instead of the race training spin on Saturday morning 28th of February the lads decided to head over to Co. Clare to take part in the Seven Springs CC sportive that began in whitegate. Gary Rowan, Nanno Vuyk and Kevin Byrne took part in the 100 km sportive which was organised to raise funds for the Junior Tour of Ireland and followed the route of Stage 4 of last year’s junior tour. From Whitegate the route took the lads over rolling hills to Scariff on to Kilanena towards Tulla back to Feakle on to Tuamgraney and back to Whitegate. Sean Kelly cycled the route also to lend his support to the fund raising efforts and the event was very well organised by Seven Springs CC. Weather conditions stayed dry but the wind increased as the day went on making it challenging for everyone.  Gary and Nanno finished the event comfortably but a broken saddle meant an early end to Kevin’s day after only 32 km into the sportive. Many thanks go out to Martin from Seven Springs CC for the rescue and lift back to the finish. There was hot soup and sandwiches for everyone at the finish which was very welcome indeed.

Nanno Vuyk with Sean Kelly and Kevin Byrne at the Seven Springs CC spin in Whitegate, Co.Clare.

For the Sunday morning spin it was yet another challenging affair.  The weather was just awful!! It was cold and rain was pouring out of the heavens. Four hardy souls actually braved the elements, good on ye!! It started off with Malachy and Kevin who were waiting patiently in the carpark for the weather to improve and had between them decided that the conditions were too rough for cycling but then just at that moment two more of the group Tommy and Mikey arrived in on their bikes and persuaded two very reluctant cyclists to get out of their nice warm cars and head out into the elements… and they did! The route this week was altered and they left from Nenagh headed to Toomevara – Balinamona cross on to the Silvermines – Ballina – Birdhill and back home to Nenagh, 65km.  The rain eased off for the middle part of today’s spin but finished in another downpour of biblical proportions which include hailstones with Kevin saying at least they finished before the snow shower started! It was definitely a spin for the hardy but the lads are delighted they got out and they have Tommy and Mikey to thank for persuading them to go. Well done lads…

Broadford race report

We had representation from two club members, David Kyle and Eoin Woods, who were in action last Sunday week 1st of March in Broadford for the A4 Race, consisting of 3 laps of a 20km course with a 2.3km climb in each lap. It was very windy and wet before the start but thankfully the rain moved off for most of the race and the wind also died down a bit. Eoin had a very good race and was doing more than his fair share of work at the front of the bunch during the race, finishing in a very respectable 9th place for a second week running so a huge well done to Eoin! All of your hard winter training is paying dividends and you will be bringing home plenty of points for yourself and the club very soon the way you are going!!

Eoin in action in the A4 race in Broadford

David also took part in the A4 event, his first race of the season. The first lap was fairly tame with 2 or 3 riders going off the front before the climb was reached and the bunch was happy to let them stay out there. However, after the 1st ascent the word got around that a young rider had gone solo and was out of sight and it looked like he was gone for the day.  The second time up the climb David moved to the front and pulled a few riders clear, but the group was unwilling to work together on the descent and were quickly back in the chase group again.  After several more unsuccessful attempts to gap the bunch, those who had been trying to establish a break sat up on the front of the bunch causing the race to stall to a leisure pace for a few km with nobody willing to do anything. Then 3 riders made a strong attack on the right-hand side and immediately made a gap of a few hundred meters. When it looked like sticking another rider went to get across to them and David waited until this rider was about half way between the bunch and the break, over 500m up the road, and then went for it and they successfully bridged across to the break. The group worked together to maintain the break, and although never much out of sight, they managed to stay clear until the start of the last climb. Once the road went up David found himself starting to pull away from the break and before the half-way point of the climb a marshal pointed out that there were only 2 riders up ahead by about 30 seconds. He pressed on up the rest of the climb and caught the leader shortly after cresting the climb. After being away on his own for so long David could see the tiredness in him as he passed but encouraged him to work so they would stay away from the chasing bunch on the descent which he did and took turns driving it down the descent and back into Broadford. The finish had a fairly sharp right hander onto the main street about 400 meters from the line so with about 300 meters to the turn David made his attack and it stuck as he crossed the line alone for the win and 8 points in the bag while his break-away companion managed to hold out for 2nd place after a valiant 40km solo effort. What a way to start the season!!

David crossing the finish line for the win

 

And the winner is David Kyle doing the club proud

A huge congratulations David, very well done from all here in the club. All those hard winter miles and lonely evenings on the Turbo are after paying off straight away this season and you now find yourself on the 1st of March only 2 points away from promotion to A3.

Next week sees the always tough Rás Luimní taking place and we hope to see a big turnout from our racers here as it’s so local. It’s good to support our neighbours! We wish you all the very best of luck and stay safe on the roads.

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.