Club notes
Well the new year has arrived and we hope you all had a lovely break. On Saturday there were 6 dedicated members out for the training spin despite the miserable and bitterly cold conditions. This week took the lads on a 112km spin from Nenagh to Ballina via the four sisters, Birdhill, N7 towards Nenagh where they took a right turn and on to the Silvermines, Dolla, Ballinamona cross, Toomevara, Moneygall, Cloughjordan, Borrisokane, and back to Nenagh. According to one of the lads the Turkey has well and truly been worked off! Well done to everyone who took the time to go out on this weeks training spin. It is not that long until the racing season starts again so its very important to start getting out and make time to get into training mode and concentrate on building up the fitness levels again after all the indulgences over the past couple of weeks. The effort will be worth it.
The groups rolling out at the start of the Sunday spin
On Sunday morning there was a great turn out for the usual morning spin with 22 in total. We had 14 leisure/intermediate members and 8 of the faster group. The weather was alot kinder for the group this time and it was a nice calm but cold day with the sun peeping trough on occasions. Ideal weather for cycling. Everyone cycled to Dolla where the groups went their separate ways.
group heading off for the Sunday spin
The leisure/intermediate group did the planned route which was Nenagh, Dolla, Shalee, Newport, Dalys cross and back to Nenagh on the N7. They all stayed together and had an average of 25km/h so well done all! The group worked well together on the route home from Dalys cross where there was a good “rolling over” session in action. It makes the spin easier when everyone works together.
The groups on the Sunday morning spin
While some of the faster group did the same loop as the leisure group some others extended the spin by going on to Castleconnell, O’Brien’s Bridge, Killaloe, Ballina, and back to Nenagh via the four sisters.
It has been one of the best seasons for leisure cycling in many years with the numbers of people increasing every week and long may it continue. Its great that so many made the effort to come out for the weekend spins and we hope to see even more out next weekend.
On an aside note we have been asked to mention the use of mudguards on group spins. With the advent of clip on style mudguards you do not need special mounting points on your frame or even much clearance space to fit them. Some good popular sets would be either the “Crud Road Racer mk2” or the “SKS Race Blades” that will fit pretty much any race bike. We should all be making the effort to fit a set during these winter months. They are not expensive and if you are benefiting from sitting behind someone who has made the effort and taken the time to fit a set it is only common courtesy to return the complement by giving the same shelter back… It will also payback on several levels. Not only will they keep you drier and consequently warmer it will also reduce wear and corrosion to the frame and drive-train. Winter cycling is simply more enjoyable with them than without and you can be assured that anyone cycling with you will appreciate that you have made the effort…
The usual spins will continue next weekend so keep an eye on the website and Facebook for updates.
For any more information on club events or membership please contact our club chairperson Pat Bergin on 087 6744400