How to make your cycle racing debut

YOU'VE done the training, researched the course, set up your bike, packed your kit and now the morning of your first cycle race has arrived, writes John Malone, racing secretary. This is where it all gets interesting and you're one missed toilet break from ruining your chance at glory. Here's your checklist, schedule ... More

How to choose and prepare for your first cycle race

AT some point, every old and weathered smart-arse racer was facing into their first cycling race - and may not have been so smart-arsed, but perhaps just as old and weathered, writes John Malone, racing secretary. Your first race can be quite intimidating, but hopefully I can provide some pointers to ease the path ... More

Inside track on 2016’s races to note

THE best advice comes from someone who has experienced what you want to know about, so take note as new racing manager John Malone reveals his recommended races for 2016 AS promised, I’ve picked out a few races at different times of the year that I have enjoyed, or other club racers have enjoyed, to get you thinking ... More

Setting racing goals for 2016

New racing manager John Malone believes targets are the greatest motivator, and that it is never too soon to get motivated. Here he introduces the beginning of a series that will put you on that track: the fast track to success. THE 2015 season may barely be behind us, but now is the time to start thinking about your ... More

Corr new Chair after Committee shake up

CONGRATULATIONS to David Corr who was elected our new Club Chair at our AGM last Tuesday night in St. Tiernan's Community School. He takes over from Barry Doyle, who is also stepping down from his place at the head of the Friends First Laragh Classic Committee, and will double as Touring Secretary - a position he has ... More

Laragh Classic up for Cycling Ireland Award

OUR Friends First Laragh Classic has been nominated for a prestigious Cycling Ireland Award. Having risen from an A3/A4 event in 2013 to a fully-fledged end-of-season championship in 2015, the Friends First Laragh Classic is rightly among the eight-strong shortlist for the Cycling Ireland Awards' Best Competitive ... More

Mark Dowling dominates in epic Laragh Classic

DID Dunboyne’s Mark Dowling finished the season with a commanding victory in Sunday’s Friends First Laragh Classic, earning himself a Leinster Championships Gold Medal in a sodden County Wicklow. Dowling, who is now aiming for a valuable race in Taiwan, was clear of the main pack in a five-man breakaway when ... More

Ice Cream win primes Quinn for Laragh Classic

JAMES QUINN primed himself to represent St. Tiernan's in Sunday's Friends First Laragh Classic with victory in the ParcelZone Ice Cream Hill Climb on Friday night. The course took the riders up from Kilternan to Glencullen, a short pedal away from reward at the Ice Cream Van - and hot whiskeys in Johnnie Foxes. Alan ... More