Group Cycles
Autumn Sunday Spins
( 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.  |
A Group - Winter miles equal Summer Smiles
( By Mark Monaghan ) It certainly was a case “winter miles equals summer smiles” today (Sunday 7 July 2019) for the A group. With a group of eighteen and slight northerly wind for company we set off to roads more akin to our winter training plan. The group quickly got into perfect formation as we headed to Collinstown via Crookedwood and Castlepollard taking in the fantastic views on a perfect day for cycling. After a quick pit stop in Collinstown where the dreaded puncture fairy struck we made our way in earnest to tackle Lough Crew stopping briefly on the top to regroup and to get a team photo. Coffee was calling, so it was time to enjoy the long descent into Oldcastle to refuel and enjoy the banter. Refuelled and watered the undulating and scenic road to Castlepollard kept the group honest, where we joined up onto the Mullingar GP route into Coole and onto Mulyfarnham, collecting the many sods of turf strewn over the roads, Summer miles equals warm winters!. Piggery hill took its toll on a few of us lesser climbers as the race for began and on to home via the N4. Well done to all for an excellent day on the bike which I for one really enjoyed. The 100km certainly flew by with great views, strong riding and plenty of craic!  |
Saturday Morning Cycling
(By Shay O'Toole) Most
cycling clubs treat the Sunday spin as the big spin of the week but Lakeside
Wheelers now has a very dedicated and determined group of cyclists who leave
the clubhouse every Saturday morning. Regardless of weather, these hardy lads
and lassies head off at 9am for the “Saturday” spin and since this group got up
and running a few years ago, it has gone from strength to strength. The
Saturday crew emerged from a beginners course similar to the one referred to in
the previous paragraphs and now there are several different abilities enjoying
group cycling over various distances. The main focus of the Saturday crew is
social cycling and friendship so, the coffee stop and having banter are vital. Another
very positive feature of the Saturday crew is the fact that the members are
always up for a good sportive which they showed last weekend by travelling to
Kerry for the SRAC Atlantic Challenge. This event is a 135km sportive which
runs from Tralee to the Dingle Peninsula via the famous and very steep, Conor
Pass. It was also a great opportunity to cycle with some famous Irish sporting
personalities such as Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and Sonia O’Sullivan as well as members of the
Team Novo Nordisk professional cycling team who amazingly, are all diabetics. Joe Duncan |
Tough 100km Longford Outing
(By Shay O'Toole - Sun 11th November 2018) Last Sunday was another beautiful sunny morning which resulted in a great turnout for the weekly spin. The route for the day was certainly a testing one with the hilly north Longford village of Ballinalee selected for the coffee stop. The groups departed the clubhouse via the N4 turning for the hills at Rathowen and then took what could definitely be described as roads less traveled. Thankfully the Garmin was fully charged because most lads hadn’t a clue where we were for most of the spin as we traversed laneways and narrow roads around Edgeworthstown, Granard, Ballinalee and Aughnacliffe. The aim of this trek into the wilds of Longford was to climb Corn Hill which is a nice 7km drag well known to most Wheelers. After the effort on the hill everybody was glad to return to Ballinalee for coffee and a snack before hitting the road again for the homeward journey via Edgeworthstown, Legan and Ballinacarrigy. Back at base just before the heavy rain with a tough 100km in the legs is not bad going for November. Well done to all who completed this hilly circuit.  |
Sunday Spins
(By Shay O'Toole - Sunday 4th November 2018) With the exception of one Sunday, the weather has been practically perfect for Sunday morning cycling in recent weeks. Last weekend there were five groups out including one which contained several of the youths who are enjoying their spins with the “elder” lemons of the club. The winter training plan is now well underway and proving to be very popular with all groups. Last Sunday the route and plan was for a rolling circuit totalling 95kms. The riders left the clubhouse and headed north to Castlepollard where they did a loop of Lough Lene via Collinstown and Fore before heading to Coole, Lismacaffery and Lisryan en route to Edgeworthstown for refreshments. Once refueled, all groups traveled back to base via the N4. As is usual when the younger members join the Sunday morning cycle there was vehicle support and spare wheels on hand to ensure the group is kept rolling. Thanks to John Farrell and Eamon Hogan for helping out in this regard.  Sunday's Route Map - Click image for details. |
Sunday Spin for the Ducks
(By Shay O'Toole - Sunday 21st October 2018) For the first time in several weeks, last Sunday morning’s ride felt the full force of Mother Nature as the rain and wind battered those who turned up for the spin. Group leaders had planned a rolling route via Crookedwood , Collinstown, Castlepollard, Coole, Edgeworthstown and returning via Carrickboy and Ballynacarrigy. In total a good 90kms with lots of hills to keep everybody honest. On arriving to the clubhouse it seemed that the worst of the overnight rain had passed and the promised clearance from the west had begun. However, the three groups had hardly reached the Gartlandstown turn for Collinstown when the rain started again and the wind lifted. Driving on through the thick mist, dodging the falling leaves and trying to stay warm the group arrived in Castlepollard where it was decided for “health and safety” reasons to cut the spin short. Nobody put up too much resistance as the diversion to Multyfarnham after Coole was agreed upon. Riding acros the bog road towards Multy the skies began to clear and the rain eased so the diversion was reviewed with Ballinea via Slanemore and “Col de Coolnahay” being the latest destination. In the heel of the hunt the group completed a mostly wet and cold 80kms which wasn’t too bad for a Sunday in late October considering the conditions.  If Carlsberg did scenic puncture sites! Group leader Mark Horohoe in the pits overlooking Lough Owel near Bunbrosna. |
Large Turnout for Week Two of Winter Training Programme
(By Mark Monaghan - Sun. 14th October 2018) With the rain from yesterday clearing over night we were greeted by clear skies and cool conditions for our weekly spin. A large number of Wheelers gathered at the clubhouse for week two of the club winter training plan. After a quick discussion of the plan and the route we had 5 groups on the road, three A group's, one B and one C group respectively. As per "The Plan" the route was to be relatively flat and not longer than 90km. Off we set to Moate via Ballymore and Mount Temple for one group ;-)! From there we took the scenic route to Kilbeggan through Clara where we had our tax and insurance check by the local Gardaí. Hitting Kilbeggan sustenance was required and was aplenty in the M6 service station on the Tullamore road in glorious Autumnal sunshine. Before long we were back on the road for home via Tyrellspass and Rochfortbridge covering just under 90km. With the winter plan now in place it is the ideal time for any of the members that have taken a break off the bike to get back out on the club Sunday spins. All spins are controlled and nobody will be left behind and you are more than welcome to join us. Sunday's route can be viewed on the link below.  Lakeside Wheelers A group pictured during a break from the road in Kilbeggan. |
D Group Beginner Turbo Sessions Launched
(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 7th October 2018)  Last Thursday the D group and beginners commenced a series of turbo sessions in the clubhouse under the guidance of Mossy Keane and Gerry Wallace. Hopefully some of these novice Wheelers will progress to the Sunday morning spins but for now, enjoy the turbo training. For more information regarding these sessions contact Gerry Wallace. |
Winter Training Programme Gets Under Way
(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 7th October 2018) Last Sunday saw the start of the winter training plan for the A and B groups. This plan will be in place throughout the off-season and is aimed at all riders who wish to improve their fitness and endurance for racing and sportive riding next year. The plan has been prepared by Mark Horohoe with input from fellow group leaders Mark Monaghan, Bob O’Ceallaigh, Eugene Duffy and David Lally. From now until next April the group spins will be structured and focus on long slow rides, hilly terrain and after Christmas the intensity will increase and rides will include harder efforts. With a cool but dry morning there were several members in attendance last Sunday for the 85km spin to Edenderry via Kinnegad and home vie Rhode and Tyrrellspass. It was great to see a few of the club’s Youths and Junior riders out on the spin and if the truth be known, they were putting it up to the “elder lemons”! Thanks to Damien O’Brien for providing back-up to the younger brigade.  Route Map of SUnday's A/B Group Cycle. |
Great Weather & Great Leaders Contribute to Great Club Spins
(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 5th August 2018) The Wednesday evening spins have been a great success so far this summer with the lovely warm weather adding a continental feel to this mid-week session. On occasion it was too warm to complete the spin without an extra “hydration” stop which brought a great social aspect to the ride and resulted in many new members getting to know the more established crew. These spins will continue for as long as daylight hours permit safe cycling so keep an eye on notes and emails for notification of changes in the coming weeks. The Sunday morning spins continue to be very well attended as always and as with the midweek sessions, the great weather has made them so much more enjoyable. Last weekend the route took the majority of riders westwards to Athlone via Ballymore and home via Moate, Kilbeggan and Tyrellspass. Thanks to all group leaders who are doing an excellent job marshalling the troops all summer. Best wishes to David Lally who was unlucky recently and came out the wrong end of a bad fall so hopefully it won’t be too long before he is back on his bike. The Sat  The Saturday Morning crew enjoying a coffee break in Kinnegad last weekend |
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