By Brian Kilbride
The Wicklow 200 this year had 8 Tiernan's riders out on the road. This years event start point was moved to Greystones and I think it was a big success. The climbs were similar to before - Sally Gap, then round to Donard, Slieve Maan, Shay Elliot, before heading south to Rathdrum, Avoca and a 3 K climb to above Red Cross then on via Deputy's Pass to Glenealy, Ashford and on a relatively flat route back to Greystones.
It was a first view of some new members. Denis, Trevor, Senan and Kieran have obviously been training discretely, like Kazahks on doping avoidance, and they came out with showboating performances.
The first riders approaching the turn at Glencree in deceptively sunny conditions
We assembled down at Powerscourt waterfall some having come from Dublin Direction and others having come from the start in Greystones. It was mild and cloudy but rainclouds were waiting higher up. We headed up the valley to Glencree where at the first switch back, we were met by an exciting young film maker, in the Tarantino mold, making a documentary on the club. Andy conducted some brief interviews giving a welcome chance for some of us to climb off for a few minutes respite without losing too much face, all the while absorbing his well chosen words. Further up towards the top, Kevin had come out to lend support and get a few stills photos. Rain was coming down pretty solidly and the temperature was down and the wind was up.
Paul, Barry, Brian and Trevor pause briefly for interviews.
We pressed on before getting too cold, on down the descent to Manor Kilbride, a brief puncture repair, before the run round the back of the lakes to Donard. Coffee and a sandwich were had in the local shop in Donard for those of us who had missed the sign on deadline,and spirits which had been low enough with the grim weather, started to pick up. We soon built up a sizeable enough group going up and over for an hour or so on the heavy roads to the bottom of Aughavanna. After that, things broke up a little as everyone settled in to their rhythms on Slieve Maan. The general consensus on the day was that Paul needs to give up that hurling lark after his performance on the climbs. There will be no money for him in that game outside of the soft porn side of the sport, and he would be better concentrating his energies were his true vocation should lie in professional cycling.
Brian contemplates the remaining 170km, while Trevor tells Andy what he thinks his interview technique...
The last serious climb is the Shay Elliot at 120km hot on the heels of Slieve Maan. Paul again took the points on the prime followed by Barry. Latte's and toasted sandwiches from the back of the Coffee2you.com or some such named coffee vendor were magnificent and allowed us a little time to get our breath back and contemplate on what had gone before. Indeed we are supposed to feature prominently on the website and it would be great if someone could find the link.
The last 80 km end up being a much more social affair than previous years. It is less of a slog than the trip back from Rathdrum over the Callary Bog and back to UCD and hopefully will continue next year. The descent to Laragh from Shay Elliot offered superb views over the valley but everyone was focussed on the first hotspot sprint into Rathdrum. Barry was hot favourite and Denis was sandbagging on turns at the front from 6 ks out. I couldn't take a chance on either of them , and took advantage of diversion by slightly deranged elderly gentleman on a high nelly who deliberately cycled into the oncoming cyclists while shouting wildly, and I headed off down the road unnoticed to claim the 3 points. Barry came through for the 2 pointer, again protesting wildly like the old guy minutes before, but the commissaires on the road were adamant that the result should stand. The last point was not awarded due to lack of interest.
On through Rathdrum and the Meeting of the Waters to Avoca where we began the last bump of the day. It was a 3 or 4 K drag to the hill above Red Cross and gave us all cause for thought and a prolonged water stop.
The rest of the trip was spent sitting in in a group of 15 riders as we motored down briefly to the N11 before turning off at what used to be the Tap pub, for the back roads through Deputies Pass on a flattish run to Glenealy. An uncontested 1 point sprint took place in Glenealy (as all but one of the competitors were able), saw Barry draw level in the green jersey race and left it all to play for into Newcastle. Much shaping and bluffing were done on the run in as everyone was cramping a little. Barry was on home roads though and came through for the final sprint victory and leads the competition heading in to next weekend in the Burren.
The day ended up in Greystones. A few of us pressed on through a storm back through the Glen of the Downs for home. It had been a memorable day with a great turn out from the club and it was great to see so many Tiernan's jerseys on the road. Hopefully we might see some of the riders who were with us on the road on the day out with the club in the not too distant future.
By Brian Kilbride
The Ronde van Vlaanderen cyclosportive was again run the day before the pro event and reconfirmed my opinion that this is the single best cyclosportive weekend around. The routine was much the same as before. I made my way to Bruges with the family and stayed in the city centre. There was the usual last minute major malfunction with my rear block and front chain ring starting to give problems for the very first time on the tune up ride forcing me to leave the bike in for sorting in Torhout, a town 50 km away as there was nowhere in Bruges with the required gear in stock.
I did the event this year with 4 lads from the Glasgow Wheelers and Seamus McDonnell from Limerick. On Friday evening we went for the by now traditional Italian in a restaurant with Ballan’s signed jersey on the wall. The owners were saying that he was due to come for dinner after the race. I was in bed by 10:30
Grey skies, but no rain greeted us as the alarm went off at 6 am, and I began the continual process of eating that was to last the rest of the day. Half a litre of Flavahan's porridge, several yoghurts, waffles and juice and I was feeling ready. I headed off to meet Craig from GWCC who was going to do the full 260 Km with me. Seamus was doing the 140km version and was going to join us on the second hill at around the Km 160 mark.
The scene at the start of the Ronde is fantastic on both the sportive and pro-race day. Crowds meet in the main Square in the emerging light. There is the familiar cackle of cleats going into pedals, vans are parked around the square as support vehicles for the numerous clubs that ride this event. Even at 7am, 6C with darkening skies, wet roads and 260km to go there were riders with shorts on, clearly wanting to feel the part.
With the usual interviews on the stage taken care of Craig and I headed out of Brugge for Oostende, before making the turn away from the coast and heading south on a lazy S shaped route to Oudenarde http://rvv.be/rvv/elite-men/roadbook/map.rvv<http://rvv.be/rvv/elite-men/roadbook/map.rvv> where the real business awaited. We were treated to a beautiful sunrise sending the dock cranes into silhouette on the horizon over in Zeebrugge and it had the Glaswegian reminiscing about similar emotive scenes on the banks of the Clyde.
The first 130km are on flat, open country with occasional villages and farm communes dotted through them, at the worst of times we are abandoned in semi-industrial farm-land between groups, with a strong cross wind or head wind coming out of the south east. At the best of times there is a tale wind and the countryside is pleasant and well maintained, the fields are ploughed and although there is the air of World War I battlefields all around, the sun breaks through and quells the upsurge of desperation that can grip you when you consider what went on here not so long ago. Large groups form and there is a lot of fighting for position this year; the wind is strong, some people are obviously attuned to rubbing shoulders in a bunch others are new to the game and inevitably there is a clatter in front. From the back it looks as though someone has parted the curtains in a large theatre and Craig and I head to the gutter to avoid the upcoming casualties. There is a lot of shaking of heads; nerves, novices, seasoned campaigners; this will not be the last of the ‘chutes’.
There’s not a lot of chatting in the bunches this year on account of the conditions and cross winds and rain. A lot of concentration is required and the bunch is still nervous after the recent big crash. We arrive in Desselgem, this years "Village of the Ronde". At 1130 in the morning, the bars are in full flow, there is a DJ pumping out Euro beats and songs about Vlaanderens Mooiste- Flanders' Most Beautiful as the Ronde is affectionaely known and also a thumping version of a song in praise of Briek Schotte- the Last of the Flandriens. He raced in the 40's and 50's and is still revered. There is a 30x30foot billboard in the town with his image as an 80 year old man on it- magnificent.
Looking at the race route you can see that Peter Van Petegem had back loaded the route this year and the last 100km are non-stop bergs or cobbled sections for our enjoyment http://rvv.be/rvv/elite-men/roadbook/profile.rvv<http://rvv.be/rvv/elite-men/roadbook/profile.rvv>. A new hill – Den Aast is thrown in at the start, then the old familiars appear the Kluisberg, asphalt with a nasty steep section in the middle and a baying crowd at the top. Seamus has joined us as we are fixing a puncture after the Kruisberg. He is riding one legged. The threads on his cranks have given way . His left pedal is hanging on barely and it looks terminal. We have the benefit of the Mavic service vehicle which is parked atop one of the climbs and even they shake their heads. Seamus will hobble along for a couple of hills before taking the road for Ninhove. He descibed it as like the route home from the battlefield by a defeated army. He is not alone, joined by other mechanical though mainly biomechanical failures.
Next the Knokteberg; asphalt again – don’t worry there have been the cobbles of Varentstraat to contend with in between. Now there is the critical section for the pros; Oude Kwaremont, Paterburg and Koppenburg. You realise why this section is so crucial to the pros. As soon as you finish the Oude Kwaremont there is a fast descent on dual carriageway followed by a drag up and a sharp left onto a farm road that narrows and drops off the side of the hill that you’ve just climbed. It gets steeper and more winding the further you go down, so any gaps increase and then there is a sudden right angle turn into the Paterburg. Did I mention it has been raining for the last 3hours?
The Paterburg is 20 % and nasty cobbles which this year with the heavy winter have had alot of the grit and grouting between them washed away, thus enhancing their jarring effects. Many have to walk though I was fortunately able to steer clear of any trouble.
On the Koppenburg I was forced to walk as were 90 % of the participants. There was absolutely no traction on the soaked cobbles and at 22% , there is no way back on once you climb off. I was disappointed not to have to walk sooner, but people kept on getting out of my way. You either get up these two bergs or not. They are the two hardest on the course.
Between the two hills you pass under the 75km to go banner. It is demoralising. Experience tells you no matter how well you are going, you are 4 hours from home. Do you have the legs, have you been eating enough, mental fatigue starts to take its toll and more than anything the pave rattles the life out of you. The new route this year although containing 15 climbs as opposed to 17 or 18 in recent years, has them situated so that they are separated by some of the most devilish sections of cobbles and all much later in the race. The Mater Kerkgate section is now at 200 Km mark as opposed to being at the 120km mark in previous years. This explains why when Cancellara and Boonen went on the Molenburg , they were not going to be caught, whereas previous winning attacks in recent years have been much later.
Craig and I plod on awaiting the prospect of the primes on the Muur-Kapelmuur and the Bosberg. Last year it was a close run thing on the Muur, and there was a full range of Belgian tactics employed, the commissaries were consulted, and relations were sour between Celtic nations for a period. This year Craig decided to attack from the bottom on both climbs and it prevented any chance that his superior fitness would lose out to cunning and foul play. A new sprint prime was introduced to the 100m to go mark on the finishing straight –Craig leads out safe in the knowledge that he has been the stronger all day but like Sean Kelly a few years before, over-rated his strength and I was able to come by him and salvage a little pride and was able to cross the finish with arms raised in an overly triumphant salute.
The reward –straight into the bar at the finish line for a well earned refreshment and discussion of a memorable days cycling. 10hrs45 minutes of cycling at 23 and a bit kph. for 260km. As Craig enters the bar, a middle aged woman asks him is really from Glasgow (wearing the club colours). He expects her to ask about Robert Millar. Do you know Susan Boyle she asks, such a beautiful singer!
Brian literally takes the biscuit after a hard day.
The following day we travel again to the Muur in Gerardsbergen for the race. Former winner Jan Ras is in the bar with us watching. He has finally changed his eyewear. For the arrival of the leaders, we head to the corner on the top of the Kapelmuur where the wall of noise and excitement that greets the riders has to be experienced to be believed. We are able to see Cancellara speed by soon after dropping Boonen on the steepest section just before the pub.
There are beers, bratwurst and 10,000 fans on the hill to discuss the racing with. All the action is nearly finished in 10 minutes with a trail of spent domestiques making their way over the top, unable to hide their day's toil as they roll back to Ninhove and the finish.
Another great day out.
Anyone for next year?
SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORD
By Brian Kilbride
The much anticipated Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 2009 did not disappoint. Kevin Ray, Brendan and myself made the trip and a welcome return from the North German plain from Stefan Rohde who was making the most of his trip back, having also been out for the saturday morning spin the day before. 3,400 cyclists were participating making it the largest cycling event in Ireland. Seamus and David from the training weekend were lingering around the start so we had to invite them along and potential new recruit Denis was hoping to put on a good show.
Ray, Brendan, Kevin, Brian and The Mighty Stefan
The course was the by now familiar loop out of Dungarvan to Carrick, Seskin Hill, Clonmel, Ballymacarbry, Nire Valley to Powers the Pot , Rathgormuck, mahon Falls and the Maum before finishing back in Dungarvan. The weather was drizzly and 18 degrees and overcast but was actually quite pleasant and only necessitated raingear at the feedstops. Otherwise it was just a jersey and gilet .
We managed to assemble at the very back of the 1000 strong group doing the 160k route. There was a mass start which was let off all at once rather than staggered so it was a little slow for the first 5 K untill we got out of town and on to the climb of the Pike. The slow pace had left a few of us gagging to get to the front and myself , Brendan, Stefan and Ray hared off up the climb. The adrenaline was flowing and by the top we could look on 300 yards down the road and realise that we were only 500 riders away from the front of the group. Unfortunately the 500 riders behind also noted this and there was a charge down the hill along the right hand side of the road to make up ground. The pace car was holding the group in check till the Great Man himself was brought to the front , having been tending to ceremonial duties back at the start. Once He got to the front,half way to Carrick the pace shot up to near race pace. I found myself wishing to show off my recent imagined good form and felt obliged to follow the big German every time he stretched his legs ( all that racing into the wind in Hamburg by the North Sea has lead to Stef having thighes like the Duchess of York).
It wasn't all sunshine and laughter on the road
It was all great fun to be in such a large group motoring along with the likes of Phil Cassidy and Brian Kenneally- sure weren't we all just happy to be out cycling with fellow enthusiasts of above average ability.
Seskin Hill was managed after an hour in reasonable fashion then on to Clonmel and the first feed station,where after initially planning to scoff quickly and head on, ended up sitting down for a nice cup of tea and sandwiches,which we stretched out to 30 minutes.It was wet and we were getting chilly and Brendan was entertaining us with his Angus Young impressions.
The Nire Valley and Powers the Pot followed - a nice long drag in white-out for the upper section adding considerably to the psychological distress being endured by those who had burned their matches too early . Down then to Rathgormuck for a shorter stop . Stef and Ray dragged us through the undulating roads to the foot of Mahon Falls . And then like Kayser Sauzee, they were gone - more correctly I was gone, out the back at a considerable pace. I stopped off 3/4 of the way to the top as my tire pressure was feeling a little low. Denis also was experiencing pressure difficulties and Brendan wanted to check and see what that squeeking noise was. After 5 minutes we were able to set out for the final grueling 15% ramp up the last 30 metres. Any remaining aspirations I had at being able to keep up with group pace were completely shattered at this stage- complete blow up . The last 35 K over the Maum and then on home were a struggle. It was payback for an early morning of cycling like a lunatic. The Maum was done at just below cramping pace- 7-8 KPH all the while shovelling dextrose sweets and drinks into myself.
Plenty of time on the hills for reflection
The last 10 K were down hill but I was unable to hold any wheels - on the positive side though I had plenty of time to contemplate the days spin and take on board the lessons. No doubt these mistakes will not be repeated for some time .
The finish is a lovely run in down through the harbour and around the sea to the sports hall. Hundreds were gathered for a final feed and copious teas and coffees . Kevin,Stef and Ray along with Seamus and Denis were on to dessert and wondering had I gone through all my tubes.
This is a superbly organised event yet again with the County Council providing alot of the Marshals and staff manning the feed stations. It was also another great social day on the bike and conversations were being struck up all around the course with cyclists from all over the country. I would imagine most of us have pencilled it in again for next year.
BK
ETAPE DU TOUR 2009
By Ray Jordan
The Etape du Tour has been on my list of to-dos for years after watching the professional cyclists in many of the last decade’s Tours de France. When the route was announced this year, I felt it was the right time to go as such an iconic climb as Mont Ventoux only comes around every few years. As the scene of many historic Tour dramas, it seduced me and riders from all over the world for the event. This easily-recognisable mountain, standing out in isolation in the Provence region, has been the scene of triumphs, tragedies and talking points over the years. Ventoux has witnessed the triumphs of great cyclists like Merckx and Thevenet, the tragedy of Tom Simpson losing his life and the controversy of Armstrong gifting Pantani the win in 2000. I hoped my visit would be one of triumph.
My trip began meeting a group of about 60 cyclists 4 days before the main event. These days were spent training in the hills around Loriol near the host town of Montélimar, famous for nougat. My introduction to the French mountains was swift and cruel, as part of a peloton of 40 riders, we made our way up an 8km climb with an 8% average gradient. As I began to be overtaken as the climb steepened, it was here that I realised my 39x23 would be too tough a gear to grind up Ventoux and decided that the next day I would have to visit a bike mechanic to get a better gear system for my bike. After 105km of hills on the first training day, the next days were not as tiring as we decreased the distance and just kept the legs spinning, keen not to overdo it before the main event. The host village in Montélimar was an exhibition of bike porn, with all of the main brands displaying their top bikes, and I was glad I had left my credit card at the hotel as it was difficult to restrain myself from buying a new bike.
The afternoons were filled with bike repairs and adjustments, relaxing in the sun by the pool, and dinner and a few drinks in the evenings. Most nights were early, partly due to the €6 drinks and the tired legs from the day’s spin.
At 4am in the morning on July 20th, we woke and stocked up on a carbohydrate-loaded breakfast. Water bottles were filled and my St Tiernan’s jersey stuffed with energy gels and power bars. It seemed strange applying on suncream when it was pitch dark outside the bus window, but we all knew that we had a long day ahead of us. There was a mixture of excitement, nervousness and anticipation in the air, as talks of the heat, crowds and the dreaded broomwagon filled the journey time.
When we arrived at the start, we made our way into our start pens. I was No 7500 and we were let off in groups of 1000. I made the decision to try to cover a lot of distance in the next 2 hours so that I could get away from the crowds, and joined trains of riders in the extreme left hand lane, as we quickly made our way through the 6000s, 5000s, and 4000s right through to the 100s.
The three Categorie 3 & 4 climbs of the day over the Cote de Citelle, the Col d’Ey and the Col de Fontaube were pleasant as the temperatures remained low and they felt more like drags rather than alpine climbs with my new 39x27 cassette. The descents were fast as we snaked around the hairpins from one small town to the next, being applauded and cheered by spectators whose encouraging cries of “Bonne chance” brought a festival-like atmosphere to the event. We all still knew that we had to keep something in reserve as we continued toward the last climb of the day to Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence”.
After about 4 hours of cycling, Ventoux appeared on the horizon, it’s moon-like surface shining in the sun with the observatory standing out on top against the clear blue sky. It seemed so close by, but everyone knew that there were a few more hours riding before we would conquer it.
The 17km descent from the top of the Categorie 3 Col de Notre-Dame des Abeilles brought us from 996m to the town of Bédoin at just 296m in the shadows of the hors categorie climb to Mont Ventoux at 1912m. With wide roads and a smooth surface, I reached speeds of 77.4kmh, and was even braking occasionally to stop myself from going any faster.
A short flat section gave us the opportunity to have some food before we rounded the right-hand bend in Bédoin and saw the yellow sign which read Sommet 21km. Both sides of the road were thronged with spectators from all over the world waving flags and banners as the road began to ascend gradually for the first 3-4km.
As we entered the forest, it really kicked up. The next 10-12km would prove to be the toughest of the day. By now it was shortly after mid-day and the mercury had risen above 30˚C. Perspiration began to pour out more steadily and there was not much of a breeze as the tree density increased in the forest. We snaked from one side of the road to the other for the shadows of the trees, however short-lived this respite was.
By this stage there were riders walking their bikes uphill, lying in the shade of trees and looking generally exhausted. I was sipping water every 250m to maintain hydration levels, yet eager not to run out. In advance of the professionals arriving the following Saturday, there were camper vans of Dutch, Belgian, French, Spanish tourists lining the roads on this Monday afternoon. Generously, some even set up water stations to give water away. The pompiers, fire brigade even turned up with spray machines to cool us down as we continued up the climb.
We exited the forest and took our first close-up view of the famous lunar-like-landscape of Mont Ventoux. It was time to take a few pictures and as I looked through the lens I saw a ribbon of cyclists lining the rest of the hairpins all the way up to the summit. Fortunately there didn’t seem to be any evidence of the wind which Ventoux is famous for, venteux means windy in french.
At Chalet Rénard there was a water stop and I pulled over to re-fill my bottles which were almost empty again by now. I found a few biscuits in my pockets, which I gorged to fight off the knock. Encouraged by the Sommet 6km sign I got back on my bike, and thought I had a slow puncture as I pedalled away! I couldn’t believe it and decided that I would try and get to the top before the air would run out. By this stage I was quite tired and did not want to have to replace a tube. I increased my cadence and flew through the 5km barrier…another 100m up the road and I was exhausted; it was back to grinding away again.
The last few kilometres were easier than the mid-mountain, yet the observatory still seemed so far away. Going under the flame rouge it continued to tower above, and I realised there must be a difficult last 1km to go. I could look back down the mountain and see cyclists continuing to toil their way up. Yet, as we rounded each hairpin, the summit gradually got nearer until I recognised the final right-hander and went for it up the inside. I almost kept my sprint going until the line but just rode over casually in the end. There were no arms aloft, just a feeling of relief and satisfaction as I rolled over after 6h55 mins in the saddle. Juan Manuel Garate would complete it in 4h39 six days later.
It turns out my tyres were rock solid when I reached the top; I think it was my mind beginning to suffer with delirium. I also put this down to taking a small crash into a barrier as I came down the other side, suffering some cuts and road rash.
The crowds of spectators on the road are testament to the popularity of the Tour de France. There were people from all over the world there to witness it. Over the next few days, at Lake Annecy and on the sides of la Col de la Colombiere, I also experienced this, as I marvelled at the peloton’s talent and saw their suffering first hand. It was a privilege to watch Contador and the Schleck brothers climb up the mountain at the tête de la course and to see Armstrong drop Nibali and Wiggins 1km from the summit top, right before my eyes. Nicolas Roche gave me a finger-wave as he came up in about 25th place and Cancellara put on a great show as he sat up in his saddle with both hands in the air high-fiving the crowd after he was dropped off the back of the bus.
Overall, I would highly recommend a trip to the Etape du Tour for any amateur cyclist. In fact, it has even encouraged me to do this again. It just won’t be the same watching it on television next year, without the hype, the passion and the captivation of La Grande Boucle.
Ray
TOUR OF ULSTER 2nd - 4th MAY 2009
By Andy Lakes
On Saturday in Omagh, 100 riders set off on the 3-Day Tour of Ulster. Denise and myself were there to help out seven riders, split between a St. Tiernan's and an Orwell Wheelers team. Cian and Eamon were representing our club while the Orwell group had Stephen Surdival, Odhran Connors, Brian Aherne and the two Hurley brothers, Graham and Shane.
After a well organised departure from Omagh Leisure Centre, the race soon headed onto narrow country lanes and the first riders began to get shelled as the attacks went off the front. A large break got away early in the stage and throughout the day, riders darted across from the main bunch. With many of the bigger teams represented in the lead group, the chase didn’t get organised quickly enough to reel them back. Odhran punctured in a difficult section but held his nerve to pace himself back into the cavalcade before impressively rejoining the bunch on a difficult drag. Eamon punctured with a few kilometers to go and was unable to get a wheel as we had moved up to the group in front. He rimmed it to the finish. Both Eamon and Stephen were still trying to shake off recent illnesses with Cian struggling with a back problem, but all three heroically finished the stage and headed off with us to watch Leinster beat Munster in the big rugby match that evening. We all joined up again for a great Italian meal before heading back to the B&B and bed.
Stage 2 was a very tough one indeed. The combination of strengthening winds and very difficult terrain made the riding particularly gruesome. Eamon was an unfortunate casualty during the stage when his recent chest infection returned with a vengeance. He battled on over the five big climbs of the day but it was clear he was too unwell to continue much further. Brian got away in a small group and Cian infiltrated another chase group but they were both eventually brought back. Stephen, Graham, Shane and Odhran rode strongly in the bunch. The Winning Solutions team had everyone suffering as they chased the break. This had devastating consequences once the bunch hit the last climb of the day. The bunch splintered on the very steep slopes and in the few miles from there to the finish, many riders lost contact. Cian suffered a broken spoke with 3km to go and waited for a following group to catch him as he got moving again. After the stage, Graham revealed that he had a lucky escape himself when he hit a pothole during the stage and cracked both rims. Eamon had yet another puncture and had to complete most of the stage with a slowly deflating wheel. Before we set out for the evening’s Time Trial stage we suffered a lot of casualties from our riders. Eamon and Stephen (relapses of recent colds), Cian (hip/back/left leg) and Odhran (both kneecaps fell off, or something equally awful) were unable to continue, leaving just Brian, Graham and Shane left in the race. We bade farewell to the four lads as we set off to cheer the three survivors in the 2.3 mile evening Time Trial. A blistering winning ride by Martin Irvine left a number of riders perilously close to elimination. Luckily, common sense would prevail, and this rule wasn’t enforced by the organisers. With the four lads leaving the race and heading home, only five of us sat down for dinner in the B&B on Sunday evening. We were treated to an amazing meal which lifted our spirits as we reflected on all the misfortune which befell our riders. It was just what the doctor ordered and spirits in the camp were high as we headed off to bed.
Rain greeted us as we peered out the window on Monday morning. What had begun as a light drizzle, got heavier as the riders set off. A miner glitch saw the bunch head out on the wrong road, but quick thinking on the race Organiser’s behalf, saw the error corrected very efficiently. Once we got underway, the attacks blasted off immediately. Brian was again in a dangerous break which was eventually brought back by the yellow jersey. As soon as he was brought back into the bunch, another group jumped away and stayed away for the day. Ray Clarke took the stage victory on what must be the toughest day’s racing I’ve ever witnessed. The near gale force winds and speeds of 60kmh in the bunch absolutely blasted the race apart, leaving shattered riders strewn along the race route. We were kept busy in the cavalcade as we tried to nurse many riders home. Our three brave warriors all made it safely to the finish with Graham taking third in the bunch sprint.
Sean Downey from Banbridge CC was the well deserved overall winner in what was an incredibly tough race. Special thanks must go to the race organisers, the commissaries and the excellent motorcycle riders from the PSNI for ensuring a smooth and safe edition of this fantastic race.
We had the pleasure of supporting a fine bunch of lads who were great company and even through blood, sweat and tears always had time for a smile and a chat. We went to the race with a few sets of wheels and came back with a group of new friends. Now THAT’S what I call cycling!
Andy
Carrigbyrne Training Weekend 7th & 8th March 2009
By Brian Kilbride
A great training weekend was had down in Carrigbyrne, Co. Wexford on 7th and 8th of March. Six of us, lead, after a much awaited return to action, by our chairman, Brian Hayden, set off early from Dublin and were down in Wexford by 10. We were greeted by Bart Curtis, our kind host and noted patron of cycling in the south east who is always willing to take a chance that he could discover a real nugget of a cyclist who could then be guided to the very highest level of the sport. Sadly he was disappointed this weekend as there was Brian, Andy, Rob, Brendan, Dave and myself. After a cup of tea and a general talk about the day's itinerary,we were on the road for Hook Head, at a surprisingly punctual 10:59. It was milder than elsewhere in the country and we were getting reports of snow back in Tallaght. It was into a moderate southwest breeze down country lanes that we set out and made our way through Campile, Arthurstown and Duncannon on the Nore/Barrow Estuary and then on to the Hook Lighthouse where you could see the narrowing penninsula with the crashing Atlantic on either side. You could just see across over to Dunmore East through the low cloud cover.
After brief refuelling we headed back north then to Fethard on Sea , where Brian said his farewells and left for the house to set up his plinth for the post trip rub downs. Wellingtonbridge was next then down to Bannow, Carrick on Bannow, along the coast and heading for a sentimental trip for Andy back to the site of his wedding at Kilmore Quay. We had 80K done into and out of the wind, were hungry, the weather was overcast and spirits were sagging. We were about to make a series of bad decisions taking us further and further away from lunch. We could see the wind turbines right next to our intended destination slip further and further into the distance as we took wrong turn after wrong turn . Finally we got to Kehoes where a warm pub and ham and cheese toasties and creamy pints of guinness finally managed to get Andy reminiscing about his wedding night ( the reception stories that is). We had 100 k on the clock, as we finally dragged ourselves into the wind and increasingly cold weather for a trip due north, blown by a gale. We finally got to pass through the field of wind turbines that we had so studiously avoided earlier, for the ascent back to Carrigbyrne through Taghmon .We completed 130km at 25 kph as we pulled in at 5.15 in the fading light.
A bowl or two of soup a hot shower and a pummelling from Brian as he got many knots out of much knotted muscles and we were feeling like doing it all again. A few pre-dinner drinks by the fire and a relaxing meal,and a few barely credible stories of previous cycling daring do and we were ready for an early bed.
Everyone was up and breakfasted and ready to go by 0930. We were joined by my brother in law David from the Wexford Wheelers and Seamus from the LimerickCC who has spent many a long hour benefiting from Tiernan's rear wheels. It was a good bit colder - about 5 degrees and a cold northwesterly was blowing , there were intermittent showers and snow flurries. We were to set off for New Ross again through country farm tracks . Andy, Rob Brian decided that they needed to stick closely to their own individual training programs and looped off at Old Ross for what they told us was 2 solid hours of hill climbs and intervals.
Dave, Brendan and myself headed on with David and Seamus through New Ross and then up a reasonable drag for 3 km to Rower and along the west bank of the Barrow. Unfortunately a small blizzard closed in and views of the river below and across to to the Blackstairs and the snow covered slopes of Mount Leinster were obscured. Rider safety was uppermost in our minds, so we decided to forego the potentially snowy (and steep) roads of Mount Leinster, so we progressed down in to Graiguenamanagh and on to Borris before looping back down the eastern banks of the Barrow and before heading back into the Tinnahinch-Graiguenamanagh conurbation and on to Brandon Hill. It is a steady 4 percent drag for 7km which we did in flurries of snow with a strong crosswind on the lower slopes and a headwind on the upper slopes. Brendan ,Dave and myself went up like a smoothly oiled machine. We stopped for brief photos and then descended again into the wind with David and Seamus finally coming into their own and doing strong turns on the front for the 9 km into Thomastown. We finally turned to the south for the 40 K run home knowing we would finally have a tailwind nearly all of the way home. We headed for Inistioge, Bennetts Bridge down the very picturesque Nore Valley, and on back to New Ross and home. Some of us were beginning to flag but we finally got in to Carrigbyrne at 1430, 105k on the day at 24.8kph, 235km for the weekend.
A quick bite to eat and a quick clean up of the house and we were on our way home.
It was a great weekend of cycling and general craic which hopefully will be repeated at some stage in the near future.
Brian Kilbride