The plan was to head north for the hills around Oldcastle and Lough Crew which is a rolling road from start to finish. There was a good turnout on what was a slightly foggy/damp morning but all groups were happy to head in the same direction.

Taking the main road to Crookedwood and then veering off at Gartlandstown the legs were tested from the off and as the riders continued on to Oldcastle via Collinstown, Ankerland, Dromone and Lough Crew there was no let up. The approach to the climb of Lough Crew was very delicate as most lads (and lassies) were unsure of how their winter training was going to hold up. With everybody over the top of this short but steep ascent it was full speed ahead to the coffee stop in the village. 

The road home was no less painful with the wind doing a U-Turn and giving up no assistance. After a couple of stops for puncture repairs the group eventually got going in a steady pace which kept everybody honest until the double “kicker” at Crookedwood. From here to base it was every man for himself and all arrived back in time to get home for “the Dinner”.

(By Shay O'Toole - Sun 25th February 2018)   

Despite the extremely cold conditions last Sunday was a beautiful sunny morning and perfect for a good long spin. The big crowd gathered at the clubhouse at 9am clearly showed the Wheelers are “mad for road” this year and determined to not let the weather interfere with the cycling.

The A-Group headed for Edenderry via Tyrrellspass, Croughn Hill and Daingean. Fitness levels are decent enough for this time of year and this was evident by the lively pace set during the first half of the spin. Arriving at Edenderry everybody was ready for a hot coffee and a snack but with the ever-present chill it wasn’t long before the group was back on the road. 

A slight change to the itinerary saw the riders lengthen the spin by diverting to Enfield where it was hoped the easterly wind would blow us home. Unfortunately the puncture fairy struck a couple of times which led to a somewhat disjointed group but nevertheless all riders had a good 110kms in the legs on arrival back to base which is good going for February.

(By Bob O'Ceallaigh - Sat. 24th February 2017)   

Saturday 24th February was the last day of the six-week Lakeside Wheelers Beginners Induction Course. The beginners were accompanied by a number of D-Group cyclists returning from a winter of hibernation. Their return may have been somewhat premature given that Saturday, albeit sunny, was absolutely freezing! Anyway, the group of beginners who by now are starting to look like cyclists and the D Group returnees cycled out to Castletown Geoghegan Station on the Old Rail Trail and then on to Castletown Geoghegan village. This point was reached faster than in previous weeks as the progress of the beginners was very apparent. A very enjoyable spin was had by all as long as one ignored the cold pains in one’s fingers, thumbs and toes.

A very welcome coffee-stop with scones, brown bread and even sausages was had in Tyrrellspass Castle before the group turned for home. On arriving back to Mullingar the beginners had travelled 42km, an excellent achievement considering their first spin only six weeks previously had amounted to a mere 16km.

This progress in speed and distance has been accompanied by a considerable amount of learning in key areas of road safety and cycling etiquette; e.g. group cycling, road hazards, signalling, bike maintenance, clothing, safety equipment and fitness.

From now on this new group will be greeted warmly by the D-Group on the weekly spin which leaves the clubhouse at the old Army Barracks at 9.00am every Saturday morning. The Saturday morning group generally cycles about 55/65 km at this time of the year and will divide into two sub-groups to bring on the strength, endurance and speed of the beginners over the coming months. All things going well, by summertime the new beginners should be well able to contribute on the weekly spins and even attempt some sportives around the country.

A review of the Beginners Induction Programme will also shortly take place to consider how it can be improved and meet the needs of the beginner cyclist. Following that, Lakeside Wheelers members will once again volunteer their services to roll out another Beginner’s Induction Programme later in the year.  

Special thanks to all the beginners for the enthusiasm, good will and willingness to learn. Hopefully we will see you all out and about regularly from now on.

 Thanks also to Tom Carolan, Steve Franzoni, Gerry Wallace, Paul Daly, Janice O’Brien and Roibeard O Ceallaigh whose efforts helped make this Induction Programme a huge success and to the D-Group members who cycled with the beginners and provided great encouragement and advice over the last six weeks. More importantly, they showed how cycling can be a fun way of getting fit and meeting new friends.

(By Bob O'Ceallaigh - Sunday 18th February 2018)   

Last Saturday the Beginners group was greeted with sunshine and mild weather, just rewards for all the hard work over the previous four weeks. 

The progress achieved during the last few weeks encouraged all concerned to attempt Tyrrellspass and back and aim for an increase in both speed and distance. Some of the club’s D Group turned up to lend an encouraging ear and to partake in the tea and scone later.

All the beginners accompanied by the D Group soon felt a little pain as we climbed up the first drag on the old Tullamore Road to Belvedere. With all novices safely over this “climb” it wasn’t long before the brave band of beginners was sitting down enjoying the tea, coffee and scones in Tyrrellspass Castle. The coffee-break chat focused on how to cope with traffic on the road when starting out in cycling and valuable lessons were learned. The value of such briefings along with the demonstration of cycling skills since the Beginners programme commenced has allowed this group to improve whilst learning the key skills associated with safe cycling on Irish roads. 

A leisurely pace on the way home via the Old Rail Trail was enjoyed by everybody under the bright spring sunshine and before lunchtime the group completed the day with a total of 34 kms clocked up.  Saturday next, the 24th of February is the last day of the Beginners Programme. It is planned to cycle 40 - 45kms on this occasion. The progress of the participants has been remarkable upping the distances cycled from 15kms up to 34km last Saturday with more to follow. Hopefully all will move on to the D Group which starts its spins form the clubhouse at Columb Barracke every Saturday morning at 9 am.

Thanks again to Steve, Gerry, Paul and Tom for their help so far and also to the D Group members who gave great encouragement to the new cyclists.

(By Bob O'Ceallaigh - Sunday 18th February 2018)

A wet and drizzly morning greeted the thirty or so Wheelers who braved the elements for the Sunday spin last weekend. Two groups of A’s departed before the thirteen B’s who, despite the falling mist left the clubhouse in good spirits. The large turnout on such a miserable morning was, according to the club experts in this field, down to the determination, or desperation, of some to get out after a long period of inclement weather. 

A reasonably short route promised a quick pace and a chance to get warm. The pace increased even more as the drizzle turned into rain. Thankfully, no incidents marred our speedy passage to Horseleap where the group took a brief but welcome pause to clean glasses before setting off to Clara and Tullamore with the promise of hot tea or coffee.

The coffee stop in Tulllamore was all that it promised; hot tea and coffee and a healthy snack! A group decision quickly determined that the shortest and quickest way home was the most appropriate given the rain outside. A profound discussion on the effectiveness of mudguards helped ease the uncomfortable conditions on the way home. This scribe was embarrassed to be informed that he was the only member of the group without one of these essential tools of the trade. Mea Culpa colleagues!

Anyway, to make a long story a little shorter we flew home, motivated by the welcoming thought of a hot shower.  And, on completion of this very wet 75km we all fully understood the importance of mudguards, some more than others!

(By Shay O'Toole - 11th February 2018)

The induction training is a new initiative driven by regular members Bob O’Ceallaigh, Gerry Wallace, Tom Carolan and Steve Franzoni. The following is a report which details some of the work undertaken by this new group.

Lakeside Wheelers cycling club Beginner’s Course has reached its fourth week. Around 12 beginners have attended each of the weekly sessions to date. The weather has not been totally kind with the first and third Saturday’s being particularly cold. However, we were rewarded with a beautiful mild and sunny Saturday on February 10th.

Each session begins with a briefing and a practical demonstration of various cycling skills after which, the participants are given the opportunity to perfect these skills. Following this demo the cyclists are taken out on the Old Rail Trail for a spin. Over the last month the distance has been gradually extended to about 35km with all participants coming through with flying colours. Of course, there is always a coffee stop along the way to give any aching legs a welcome break.

 

To date, the course participants have learned about road safety, cycling etiquette, bike maintenance, clothing, safety equipment and fitness.

Next week the group leaders hope to extend the distance even further to about 40km which will be a big step up for the newbies. The main aim is for all participants to be able to progress to the D Group which meets at our clubhouse in the Army Barracks at 9.00am on Saturday mornings. 

Any member who thinks they may be able to help out with the beginners training is most welcome and should contact Bob O’Ceallaigh or Gerry Wallace.

(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 11th February 2018)   

Over the last few weeks the committee have been busy getting the 2018 group leaders in place. Most of the groups are now restructured thanks to the many volunteers who came forward to assist. 

The new A group leaders are Mark Horohoe, David Lally, Mark Monaghan and Moss Keane. 

The B group will be led by Karl Moran, Bob O’Ceallaigh, Carmel Buckley and Louise McCarra. 

The C group leaders will be announced in the next couple of weeks and as the season gets going all members are asked to work with and assist these new leaders. 

A memo regarding group leaders will be issued to all paid up members by Chairman, Henry Whitson in the coming days.

(By Bob O’Ceallaigh - Sun. 14th January 2018)   

Sixteen brave souls left the clubhouse on Sunday morning to venture out into a cold and foggy morning. Some were on their bikes for their first real spin of the year. The cobwebs were quickly scattered as the group “spinned” down the Greenway to Moate as the fog was brushed aside by some welcome sunshine. 

A tea stop in Tullamore was planned, however the arrival was delayed by the intervention of the puncture gremlins. Just shy of Clara one of our number was stopped, a couple of attempts to rectify the situation later the group was about to recommence on its way towards the welcome coffee fumes when it was delayed by another puncture. Thankfully this was cleared up quickly and the arrival of the last of the group in Tullamore was not delayed further. Hot tea, coffee and buns made up for the cold outside as the chat increased in intensity. 

No sooner that we were comfortable than we were off again towards Tyrrellspass via Rahugh. This time we had the wind on our backs and the speed rose perceptively. Quickly through Tyrrellspass we sped on home. Most got home without any further hitches but once more another cyclist was infected by the stubborn puncture gremlins. 

Thankfully home was nearby and we all got back into the comfort and warmth of home without any more adventures.

Last Sunday saw almost record numbers gathering at the clubhouse in lovely sunshine for the weekly spin. There were at least 5 groups and at a “guesstimate” roughly a hundred riders rolled out just after 9am. 

(By Mark Monaghan - Sun. 21st May 2017)   

According to the weather gurus in Met Eireann, it was looking like the best direction for Sunday’s spin was to head in a southerly direction. With two "A”  groups leaving within a few minutes of each other we set off for Rochfortbridge with a strong headwind for company and on to Tyrellspass via Gneevebawn. 

From there it was over to Croghan Hill and then on to another berg that was unknown to many in the group! From there the group headed for Daingean and with the wind whipping up everybody worked tirelessly to share the workload. The kilometres ticked by and before long we were on the road to Tullamore via the lumpy pave-esque road to Killeigh. Tea, Coffee and all kinds of pastries were consumed in abundance to re-charge the double A batteries in our favourite watering hole in Tullamore! 

With a few substitutes between the group's and the now tailwind for company we made our way home via Kilbeggan and Tyrellspass where we were greeted by the puncture fairy and the rain. All home a little soggy but with 110km in the legs.