Club Notes Weekend 26th May 2014
At the Grand Depart
The annual North Tipperary Wheelers Tour of Lough Derg took place on Sunday last (pictured). Over 130 riders took part in this 120km route which offered a great day’s cycling and some amazing vistas of the Lough Derg from counties Tipperary, Clare and Galway. This tour is a popular event on the sportive calendar reflected by the high turnout of club riders from the leisure, faster and racing groups and the usual large draw of riders from other clubs and counties who are always welcome. After setting off up along the Clare side from Ballina, the surrounds of Portumna Forest Park provided the mid point feed stop and a welcomed opportunity to rest tired legs before the return route via Terrglass, Puckane and Portroe. The draw for the €100 ‘Bike Fit’ was won by Trevor Shehan, Corbally, Limerick. More pictures to follow.
A special recognition to all members, individuals and organisations who provided their assistance and support on the day including the Garda traffic unit, The Order of Malta, motorcycle marshals (Mike Sheedy, Owen Butler and Eamon Stack), lead car and broom wagon drivers (David Forde, Pauline Bevans and Eamon Spillane), and Olive Cuddihey.
Well done to Liam Callaghan who rode as support with the Visit Nenagh.ie Team and John Foote who assisted as team masseuse at the Rás last week. A small group ventured out in the rain on Saturday for a training ride whilst reports indicate that Brian O’Neill was doing some secret (100 mile) training in Connemara! Weekly club training rides continue this week – 6pm from Moynan’s Bike Shop, Nenagh; 9am Saturday from Woodies Car Park (Streame retail park) for the race training ride; and 9am on Sunday from Moynan’s for both the leisure and faster rides. Club members are asked to support these rides.
Last weeks club race saw Pat Bergin take his first win of the season on the short hill climb road-race between Ballina and Portroe. Despite the poor weather, this was a hotly contested race with much competition for secondary positions and valuable league points. Full details of the race including league standings are posted on the Results Page. This weeks club race will depart from the Five Alley and finish at Dolla via the old N7. Sign on is available from Moynan’s Bike Shop at 6.15pm with a 6.30pm depart for the start line. Sign-on is also available at the start line.