Club Notes / This weeks spins

Well folks another week has come and gone and by the looks of it so has the sun, it looks like it’s gone on it’s holidays…, 🙂 but despite the miserable weather over the week the usual spins went ahead for those who were willing to brave the elements.

Tuesday evening a few of the lads needed to shelter from the rain, we just love the brolly lads, red is definitely yer colour.

Thursday: As ever, our race course setter put in place a good tough route for our club race. Despite it being a shorter course than usual, it was not going to be any easier. It had a mix of everything flats, rolling roads and Army hill thrown into the mix. The route was Balintotty – Moneygall – Obama Plaza roundabout – Army hill – Toomevara – Balintotty finish. We had 14 out racing on the evening which is great to see. We had three groups on the night with six in group 3 who were set off first, 4 riders in group 2 and 4 riders in group 3. By Moneygall group two had caught up to group 3 so they were all together once hitting Army hill but with the high race pace the splits were forming fast. Eoin Ryan was the first to the summit but Joseph Donnelly and Joseph jnr were on his wheel in hot pursuit chased down by the oncoming group two and scratch group who were making up good time. By the drag out of Toomevara all the riders were in sight of each other chasing each other down but as it neared the finish Eoin Woods had a little extra in the tank and went for the sprint against Pat Bergin, Joseph Donnelly Jnr and John Foote taking a fine win on the night. Great going Eoin and well done to Pat Bergin who came in second and Joseph Donnelly jnr who took the third place on the podium.  Very well done to everyone who came out to race on the night it was a great effort by all on a tough course. Thanks as usual to the following people for their help,  Jan for timekeeping, Conor for Marshalling, and to Selina and Vic for the great photos from different places on the route on the night which you can see here and here. 

 

Saturday we had a few members take part in the Tour de Burren so a very well done to you all. Pictured is Cathal Hanrahan and Noel Kennedy with Sean Kelly. Great picture lads.

 

Sunday morning it was just miserable, some of us probably looked out the window and said “no I don’t think so” and turned over for another couple of hours sleep, but in fairness there were ten brave souls who took on the sunday spin. The groups split at Ardcroney and everyone completed the course. Dedicated to the cause…

Open Racing 

Sunday we had sole representation by member John Foote at the Munster championship road race M50 category in Blarney, Co. Cork. It was a miserable day for racing so it made conditions tough going, but despite this John would go on to take the Bronze medal coming in third place in his category which is fantastic going. John so far this year has been in great form on the bike, quickly adding to his growing collection of medals. Earlier this year he won a Silver medal in the Munster Team Time Trial along with his teammates and a Gold medal in the Munster TT A4 category. John very well done to you on your achievements, fantastic going!!

Club Polo Shirts

We still have a number of club T shirts in stock for anyone who may want one. These are ideal wear for after races, sportives, or just supporting the club in general and would be perfect for our upcoming Mizen to Malin trip in August. They are very comfortable to wear and light so you won’t overheat in them. They are €25 each. Also we have some of the larger sizes left of the older club gear in stock if anybody is looking for it(Still great training gear and at half price it’s a steal!), you can contact Jan on 087 1374354 if you wish to purchase.

This week’s Club Training spins are as follows:

Tuesday: Club training spin leaving from Moynans bike shop, Nenagh at 6.30pm sharp. Route decided by the group.

Tuesday: Club spin 2 leaving at 7pm from Moynans where the avg speed will be in and around 25kph mark. Short distances of 40 to 50km will be covered on the evening. Everyone is very welcome to give this spin a go.

Thursday: Road race no. 8 in the road race series. Sign on is at Moynans at 6.15 pm and depart to the start at 6.30pm and race starts at 7pm sharp. Entry €5. Route: Balintotty – Toomevara – Moneygall – Cloughjordan – Old Birr Road – Nenagh – 36km.

 

Thursday Club spin for our leisure / intermediate riders leaving at 7pm leaving from Moynans, the avg speed will be in and around 25kph mark. Short distances of 40 to 50km will be covered on the evening. Everyone is very welcome to give this spin a go.

Saturday: Intermediate cycle 40/50km in distance,  leaving Woodies at 7.30am.  Anyone who wants to is very welcome to join in on this spin. You can contact William on 086 2447888 for more details.

We have some nice routes lined up for this weekend taking us a little further afield and cycling some different roads for a change in an effort to get people out and clocking up some extra mileage in prep for Mizen to Malin. This week’s training spin will be leaving from Woodies car park at 9am. For a change from the norm, here’s the proposed route: Woodies – Roscrea – Glendine Climb – Wolftrap climb – Kinnitty – Birr – Borrisokane – Nenagh, 130km. A few have been expressing an interest in going over to the Slieve Blooms so here’s your chance…

Sunday: Route is Moynans – Four Sisters – Ballina – Ogonnelloe – Tuamgraney – Bodyke – Broadford(Nice spot for a coffee stop at 50km in) – Bridgetown – O’Briensbridge – Daly’s Cross – Nenagh, 98km. For our leisure riders or if you want a shorter loop, turn for O’Briensbridge in Killaloe and back via Daly’s cross which will make it a 60km loop.

 

Have a good week everyone…