(By Shay O'Toole - Sun 8th July 2018)   

(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 10th June 2018)   

It was a case of riding roads less travelled last Sunday as most groups headed towards North Longford and Cavan for a hilly spin. From the clubhouse the groups cycled to Multy, Coole, Abbeylara, Mount Nugent, Oldcastle, Collinstown and home via Crookedwood. 

This proved to be a tough 100km spin but with some new roads and hills it was a very enjoyable day in the saddle. Thanks to all group leaders for marshalling the spin and well done to all who took part.

You can follow the route taken by the groups HERE .

The good weather of late has guaranteed big crowds for all of the club spins. Last Sunday morning was a perfect example with four separate groups departing the clubhouse at 9am. The main route of the day was Killucan, Ballivor, Summerhill, Enfield and then straight home along the N4. While mostly flat in nature this route resulted in high speeds and everyone enjoyed the day out.  Check their World Bike Day cycle here https://www.relive.cc/view/1614200956 .

The Wednesday evening 6.30pm spin continues to be very successful. This is a mixed ability spin as most lads and lassies will have raced at the weekend or at the MiL so, the midweek ride is a little more leisurely. If you have not yet tried it, this is a great way to get more mileage in and improve fitness levels for sportives or racing.  

The Wednesday evening spins are now in full flow with good numbers turning up each week. These midweek cycles are an excellent way to improve both your endurance and fitness as they are an invaluable top up to the Sunday cycle. Routes are varied and duration is usually two to three hours. The midweek cycle is not leader led but there is always someone on hand to choose a route and lead the way so if you have not yet joined the summer spins now is your chance. 

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.