D Group Spin Saturday 29/02/2020

4 hardy souls ventured out for a spin on Saturday. The safest route was down the Greenway. With a strong wind in our face, we knew we would have the comfort of a tail wind on the way home.

Just before Castletown, two of our regular members with an extensive background in farming noticed a "damsel in distress".  Actually it was a ewe on her back. With lightning precision they dismounted and before long had the animal back on her feet and back with her flock. The names of the cyclist's will remain a closely guarded secret. 

Claffey's in Castletown was a welcome stop for a well deserved coffee. 

Once the hands and feet were thawed the group proceeded back to town with a nice tail wind.

Hopefully, weather permitting we will have more of our regular group out next Saturday..

A Group back on the road...Sunday 23-02-2020

    After two weeks of no club spins thanks to storms Ciara & Dennis it was back to the grind for all groups on Sunday last February 23rd.

With our resident google maps expert taking a break from route design. It was down to yours truly to come up with a route to ease us all back out onto the roads and off the turbo trainers. To avoid excuses and no shows we put the route up a little later this week (I promise it had nothing to do with me forgetting to do it 😉).

Upon arrival at headquarters we quickly split into two groups with ten plus in each group and set out on our way to Athlone on a very often used route via Loughnavalley and Ballymore. As we all know this is a very challenging road at the best of times but with a strong head wind and the visit of the puncture fairy on number of occasions to the second group, the coffee and treats were hard earned and well deserved in Athlone.

With a tailwind for company the pace increased as we returned home via Moate, Kilbeggan & Dalystown. As is often the case when we hit the N52 the race for home begins in earnest and judging by the pace and how well the group stayed together a lot of members are putting in the work in the gym and on the turbo trainers. Well done to all on what turned out to be an excellent morning for a 100km spin!

Photo: Paul Crowley, PJ Carey.

D Group spin Saturday 22-02-2020

The Brave Six...

"Saturday proved to be a very windy day and only six hardy boys and girls braved the conditions. The initial plan was to cycle to Moate by road vie Streamstown and Rosemount. But as the conditions seemed to be dis-improving we felt it would be safer to go to Moate via the greenway. The greenway was very busy with lots of people getting ready to do the Park run for operation transformation. So we weren't the only one’s braving the windy conditions. We went at a steady pace to Moate but faced a very strong headwind. By the time we reached Moate we were really looking forward to the coffee and scones, we'd worked hard for them. The return spin proved to be somewhat easier as we had a tail wind for most of the way. By the time we'd reached the barracks we were all happy to be home. Well done to all those who went out in such tough conditions and especially to those who are fairly new to cycling it was a tough day.

Photo left to right: Pat Liddy, Ger Hannon, Jim Murray, Pat Morrissey, Tom Sweeney and Mary Morrissey. 

D Group Saturday  (1st February 2020)

The D group set out from the Barracks last Saturday morning, accompanied by a strong westerly gale force wind. Eighteen hardy souls made their way out along the Old Rail Track to Castletown and down the lake road to Tyrrellspass Castle, chattering away to their heart's content.

Not one bit deterred by the inclement weather, the 18 or so hardy bucks discussed everything from Brexit to b** sizes. It has to be said, that is one great trait among the group, there’s at least one expert present for almost any topic imaginable.

The stop for coffee and scones was much appreciated and, as one of the girls (a Meath woman) stated, “ya can’t bate yer owl Tyrrellspass scon”.

On the way back via Dalystown, someone shouted “car down” and we all singled out and lo and behold, it wasn’t a car at all but Ulrika Mahar going like the clappers with something stuck in her wheel. Always the gentleman,  Liam Loughman offered to fix the problem and Ulrika accepted gracefully.

On towards the Barracks with the wind at our back, we all agreed that it was a lovely spin in great company and all present wished each other a wonderful weekend.

( By Shay O'Toole )

Last Sunday was flagged as a very nice sunny morning so the A Group planned to hit the “Flakanders” route for one last bash around the hilly byroads near Mullingar. At this stage there are a few versions of this route which is a tribute to the famous Spring Classics race held in Belgium at the beginning of April each year.

The 8.30am start did not deter lads as a large group gathered to complete the circuit which is usually held over 120kms. Starting from the clubhouse the riders head out on the first 60kms which runs through Galmoylestown, Crookedwood, Castlepollard, Collinstown and Whitehall before a refreshments break in Multy. From here the group ride to Bunbrosna, Sonna, Milltown and Skeagh before turning for Ballymore and home via Uisneach. Despite a few punctures which are to be expected on a route such as this, it was a very enjoyable spin that left most lads well worn out on returning to base.

Pete Rimmer, Paul Crowley and Richie Lenihan in good spirits at the Flakanders spin.