posted 27 Feb 2012 13:31 by Kevin Monaghan
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updated 27 Feb 2012 13:38
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On Sunday 26th February Lakeside Wheelers sent a nine man team to one of the early season open races - the Traders Cup Dundalk. With eight riders in the A4 Race and John Murray representing us in the A1 Traders Cup race finishing strongly in the bunch.
However, all the action was in the A4 event where we were represented by Damien O’Brien, Colm Lynch, Billy Cunnane, Gareth Butler, Colin and Barry Pierce, Ken Berry, Mossy Keane and Eoghan Kevlihan. On what was a testing 17km lap with a headwind and draggy finish and a lot of punctures from what I hear we had three puncture for different racers (I won’t name & shame don’t worry Ken, Damien & Eoghan) oops looks like I did! By all accounts the team were all riding very well and keeping their powder dry by staying near the front of the race that was until the old puncture fairy reared its ugly head.
It was Billy who stole the show, in his first race since 1988 he tells us, leading out the bunch sprint, followed closely by a strong challenge by Gareth in 3rd on his debut open race. Well done boys! It’s great to see all that hard work over the winter has really paid off. Summerhill and Navan races next week.
posted 27 Feb 2012 13:15 by Kevin Monaghan
(by Mark Horohoe) I’m sure there will be a race report from Sundays Traders Cup race in Dundalk but I could not write the A group notes without saying a big congratulations to Billy Cunnane and Gareth Butler who took 1st and 3rd places respectively in the A4 category race on Sunday. Well done lads and a great start to the season for the club.
With a good contingent of the A group racing in Dundalk there was just one A-group on Sunday. With the new World Silver Medalist joining fresh from L.A. with us we took the route of Rochfortbridge, Moate, a small loop the others side of Moate towards (but not as far as) Ballinahown, back onto the Moate road, short stop in Kilbeggan and home by Dailystown. It was Build 1 Phase, week 3 in the training plan so we included two sprint sessions and this week worked on sprint technique including bike control such as hand position on the bars, gear choice and standing while sprinting. We completed 4 threshold efforts including the run in for home, with the duration just increased slightly from two weeks ago. The side wind and the straight roads gave us the opportunity to practice echelon formations that deal with this situation.
We met many groups of cyclists during the spin today, and at the stop we even met two more “secret trainers” enjoying the good cycling weather – It would not be fair to name (Ed and Conor) so I’ll not mention your names. Hope ye enjoyed your spin! See Sundays route at: www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/71148940
A-Group members on racing duty on Sunday in Dundalk |
posted 27 Feb 2012 13:08 by Kevin Monaghan
Sunday 26 Feb 2012 A misty morning greeted us this morning, but with the Sunday spin been cancelled last week due to frost, we had yet another super turnout in the B group of approximately 48 cyclist. It was great to see so many new faces, and even poached a couple that moved up from the C group. If these guys had any nerves cycling in group formation they certainly didn’t show it.
The route brought us through Ballynacargy over the river Inny and on into Longford turning left past Abbeyshrule and then into Ballymahon to refuel, some of us breaking our lent fast to get some energy back into the legs. It was back on the saddles to head home via Ballymore, the Hill of Uisneach, Loughnavalley and home.
Dry and warm for a change, with 80km on the clock and an average speed of 28km/h, not sure what the average speed of the faster B group was, but these guys are right on your tails so be warned. Well done all.
Presentation to Damien Shaw before Sunday's spin |
posted 21 Feb 2012 11:26 by Kevin Monaghan
Lakeside Wheelers were well represented in the second race of the three part series on Sunday last in Punchestown. It was great to see everyone donning their Wheeler jackets/jerseys. You'd spot us a mile away!
As the race began the sun shone across Punchestown race course and believe me we all warmed up pretty quickly as the pace was pretty fast on the first run. Gloves etc. were abandoned! The 20 km cycle to Blessington and back caused little problems for the wheelers. All the practice with club spins paid off. (Thanks Eamon for those hilly routes you plan every Sunday for us!!). Skeagh Hill will be a doddle for us now!!! Everyone was glad to finish the 2nd 3.5km run and it made it more enjoyable to hear fellow club mates cheering you on at the finish line. Great team spirit....
Dave Fagan completed his first duathlon of the season in style, placing 5th overall in a time of 59 minutes (1st in his age category). Well done Dave, fantastic result. It was great to see Aidan Fox participating in his first competitive duathlon. Aidan ran a superb race finishing in 1hr 10mins.
The two girls - Muirna and Louise - were delighted with their times, both shaving 7minutes off their previous results in January. They finished 7th and 8th respectively overall and placed 2nd (Muirna) and 1st (Louise) in their age categories. All that running after turbo sessions has paid off Louise! Well done to all participants in what was a great achievement for everyone. We look forward to the next race on the 25th March. Aidan Fox rips through the field in Punchestown |
posted 21 Feb 2012 11:12 by Kevin Monaghan
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updated 22 Feb 2012 10:46
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(By UCI Communication Services) Here's an article about a new world record that was recently set in Switzerland. It just goes to prove to people that you can achieve anything you want to no matter what age you are as long as you are fit and healthy, so come on people (of all ages) let’s get out and ride those bicycles. You don’t have to be out for hours upon hours just little by little and soon you’ll see the difference it can make to your life! Hope you enjoy the article I know I did!
"At the age of 14 he entered his first cycling event under a false name because he was too young: yesterday he established the first-ever best hour performance…. in the category over 100 years! Robert Marchand
And that pretty much sums up the personage of Robert Marchand. Full of energy and in possession of a huge motivation, when he has an idea in his head, nothing will stop him. “But I’m not playing at being a champion,” assures this lightweight (1m51 for 51kg) but far from frail man whose world performance stands at 24.251km. “I just wanted to do something for my 100th birthday.” Well why not?
 Which is one of the reasons why, less than three months after his birthday, he made the trip from his studio in Mitry-Mory (near Paris) to the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, to attempt the world hour performance on the centre’s velodrome. The request to make the attempt came from Gérard Mistler, President of the Ardéchoise Cyclo-Promotion – annual cyclo-sportif event that Robert Marchand never misses. “I think he is a human example of the benefits of cycling,” enthuses Mistler. “The fact that this performance is achieved at the WCC, headquarters of the International Cycling Union, is truly symbolic.” With Gérard Mistler taking care of the administrative side of this record attempt, the athlete himself was able to concentrate on his preparation, which included familiarising himself with the centre’s track during the four days directly preceding the official date. While his ability to cycle non-stop for an hour was never going to pose a problem, Robert Marchand had to dig deep into his personal cycling history to retrieve the sensations of riding on the track. “I haven’t cycled on a track for 80 years. You have to get used to the fixed gear! I prefer cycling outside but that is impossible at the moment,” he complained as he watched the snow fall in bucketsful outside the WCC. “I don’t want to catch the flu. So I am short on training.”
 His build-up at the WCC included a first initiation under the watchful eye and guidance of Magali Humbert, former World Juniors Champion in the sprint and mu ltiple French Champion. The following days, he rode round the track accompanied by his “coach” Magali, increasing his time in the saddle as the day of his challenge approached. “The track is small. You just turn round and round,” he commented after one of the training sessions. “I could keep going for another hour. I’ve been told not to raise my pulse too high so I’m not even tired.” For all his physical exploits, this amazing pint-sized personality is obedient and follows medical advice. He has been told not to go raise his pulse over 110, and it is a rule he respects with reverence. Well, most of the time: “I did climb a steep hill not long ago and went up to 134 but it’s best to avoid that,” he admits with a mischievous chuckle. “But I would be very surprised if I had heart attack,” he offers spontaneously. His optimism would appear well-founded: his first ever cardiograph last week revealed that his heart was in excellent condition. Optimism aside, he knows his limits and remains cautious. “For the last five years I have decided not to go for rides of more than 100km. There is no point going overboard. I want to keep cycling for some time yet.” These words of wisdom come from a man who last competed in the Bordeaux – Paris race at nearly 90 years of age, completing the 600km in 36 hours! His name can be found in the results list of France’s mythic cyclo-sportif events and even has a mountain pass named after him. Now to the question on everyone’s lips…. what is his secret? How is it possible to be in such frighteningly good physical, and mental, health at 100 years old?
 “I’ve never abused anything. I don’t smoke, I never drank much. The only thing I did in excess was work. I retired at 89 years old!” Retired? But of course, Robert Marchand was no professional cyclist. Besides his favourite sport, he has lived a myriad of experiences. He could talk for hours about the wars, his first job as a boy looking after cattle, his time as a gymnastics monitor with the Paris Fire Department, his eight years in Venezuela as a driver, his three years in Canada where he was a woodcutter… “I have to try to resume everything or we’ll be here all night.” It would certainly be worth staying up all night to listen to this man who has a memory that would put anyone to shame and stories to keep any audience captivated. Then we get onto the subject of the other sports he was involved in when he was younger: boxing, gymnastics (French champion in the pyramid – he was the lightweight at the top), weightlifting (“I was good. I could have been a champion”). “But basically, I am like everybody. I am lucky that I haven’t had any major health problems. My advice to anyone, young or old, is to keep moving. I do ‘physical culture’ every day. It works out my whole body and keeps me supple. Some people when they reach 80 years old, start playing cards and they stay immobile. Not me. I’ve never been able to keep still…”
Robert Marchand In Action On The Track |
posted 13 Feb 2012 13:31 by Kevin Monaghan
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updated 13 Feb 2012 13:31
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(By Eamon Hogan & Carmel Dolan) Another Sunday morning and the yellow, red and blue club gear of the Lakeside Wheelers were out in force putting in the miles around the surrounding counties. In the B group we had approximately 45 cyclists which split into 3 groups. Colm Yeats took out the first group, Conor Isdell took the second group and myself and Bob took the third group. The route today took us towards County Longford. Groups 2 and 3 were averaging 28km/h for the 80km spin with Skeagh Hill thrown into the mix with only myself to blame for that, not bad lads not bad at all. Thanks to Carmel Dolan for the update on how the first group (faster B’s) got on today. (Eamon)
Blessed Art Thou Amongst Men  A predominantly male group of fast B's departed ORS at 9am Sunday morning with myself the only lady among them to try and keep some manners on the group. A steady pace ensued down the N4 main road as we headed to Edgeworthstown and turned left and across to Carrickboy, except when Robbie Kenny (on day release from the A group) went to the front where it was noted that the pace increased by at least 5 km/h!!
After a quick tea stop in Carrickboy and general chit chat and talk about our fellow club mate Damien Shaw’s excellent achievement in the UCI Paracycling World Championships in LA, we headed for Ballynacargy where we turned right and headed across to the Ballymahon road. There, we took a sharp left at the crossroads to head up Skeagh Hill. The crunching of gears changing could be heard as we all tried to get the gearing right to tackle the mighty hill. Once all were over the hill, we re-grouped and then the pace livened up considerably and we progressed very swiftly along the lovely rolling hills on the Ballymahon road all the way to Mullingar with the group all working very well and kept pretty much together all the way. Everybody arrived safe and sound back into ORS with 75 k under our belt and averaging 31km/h! Well done everyone! (Carmel)
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posted 13 Feb 2012 13:12 by Kevin Monaghan
(By Mark Horohoe) After 15 weeks of base training with all riders now having a very good general fitness and strength we are beginning to move to race specific training. We really have one of the best group training roads in the country with the old N6 on our door step which is ideal for this type of training. So the route was Rochfortbridge, Moate (tea!), Clara, Horseleap, Tyrrellspass and home by Dalystown.
We took a few minutes to warm up after leaving ORS, then we rode a steady “tempo” pace (Tempo heart rare target is 79 to 82% of maximum heart rate) to Tyrellspass. Then we did some paired sprints to work on explosive power. In a two by two formation, in turn the two riders at the front agreed a sprint end point up the road and sprinted to it – as a guide many used the distance of two telephone poles ahead. Typically the gear used was the big ring and at least the middle of the rear cassette or harder so it took a few pedal revolutions of hard out of the saddle pedaling to get the gear rolling and then the sprint continued to the agreed point. The group pedaled at a speed of 20km so the starting speed was low requiring extra effort to get the gear going. This slower rolling speed also meant that when the two riders finished their sprint and reformed in regular group formation up the road and then rode at a speed of 28kmh they were maintaining the gap to the group behind for riders still to complete their sprints. We continued these paired sprints, with 3 or 4 minutes of rest in between each one, to Kilbeggan.
Between Kilbeggan and Moate we did two Threshold efforts (above lactate threshold, typical heart rate of 88% to 90%). We divided into two groups of about 7 riders in each and used a single pace line with riders doing about 30 second work on the front before peeling off. The trick for good group threshold work is that there is smooth pace maintained throughout. If a steady pace is maintained, only changed by effect of down/up hills, then riders can ride close together and recover while they are not at the front. To achieve this, each rider moves over from the position at the front of the group before they begin to slow down and the next rider continues at the same pace.
After the tea stop, and some time to warm up we fitted in one more threshold effort taking us to Kilbeggan. A nice calm pace followed for about 10km. Then past Dalystown the dial on the heart rate monitor was getting a hammering again as we made our way back to ORS.
Two reminders for A-group members. If there is anyone who has not paid their membership please do so as soon as possible so you are insured. And finally please remember your rear mudguard on Sundays, it important now as we try to do faster efforts where we need to have full concentration. If a rider does not have a mudguard fitted it causes the rider behind to ride out of line to avoid the wheel spray and can upset a safe group formation.
Thanks to all riders for making it a very positive spin. Despite there being some difficult drills the spin ran very smoothly – well done. We will now be shortening the tea stop, so that we don’t get cold when stopping after hard efforts. There might just be time for a toilet stop! The spin was 93km covered in exactly 3 hours, resulting in an average speed of 31km/h. See this week’s route at www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/68753746 |
posted 13 Feb 2012 12:43 by Kevin Monaghan
Friday night last Caffrey's bar saw the holding our 2nd annual Valentines Social Night. With D.J mossie spinning the tunes the night was a great success and with the Wheelers, tearing themselves away from their bikes for one night, coming out in force to do their bit in helping raise much needed funds for youth and senior racing teams.
One of the highlights of the night, as well as the raffle, was getting to watch Damien Shaw & James Brown take part in the 1k.m tandem time-trial on the big screen via a web connection, thanks to Ronan McNamara & Mark Monaghan. The organising committee would like to thank Dinny Caffery & all the staff at Caffreys Bar for holding the event, all the sponsors of spot prizes Outdoor Escape, Fagan Office Supplies & Oscars Restaurant and of course to everybody that bought and sold tickets. |
posted 9 Feb 2012 17:01 by Kevin Monaghan
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updated 14 Feb 2012 12:49
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Breaking News! Lakeside Wheelers own Damien Shaw and his tandem partner James Brown, representing Ireland in the UCI Paracycling World Championships being held in the Home Depot Veledrome in Los Angeles, have taken silver medals in the men's 4km tandem pursuit event. The were up against a very strong Australian duo, regarded in the event as "untouchable". Unfortunately the Aussies proved just too strong for Damien and James, taking gold by just over 2 seconds. Congratulations to both DAmien and James - what an amazing achievement.
Just beforehand, Ireland took gold in the women's 3km tandem pursuit event. The Irish team was piloted by Tullamore's Francine Meehan. Well done to you both also on a fantastic start to the 2012 paracycling world championships.
Damien and James in Silver World Champions Francine & Catherine |
posted 6 Feb 2012 14:23 by Kevin Monaghan
(By Mark Horohoe) As week 4 of Base 3 training phase in the A-group approached there were suggestions that maybe a trip to the Sliabh Blooms would be the ideal place to finish of what was four very solid weeks of strength and endurance training. When discussing the prospect of our trip on the Sunday club spin the week previous we concluded that as there was a risk of frost mid week we should pencil in the spin and check the forecast again closer to the weekend. After checking the forecast it was apparent that the frost would not be an issue it was decided it was full speed ahead for the trip. The rain pelting the window on Saturday night did not deter 12 riders making the trip. The rain eased a little as we tackled the cut from Clonaslee. After the steady 7km climb to the top we were all well warmed up so after a quick stop to put on rain jackets for the decent we headed for the Wolftrap which has the challenge of variations changes in gradient which upset your pedalling rhythm. We descended the Wolftrap down to Kinnity where a marathon puncture fixing session ensued following a mine field type twenty meters of road near the bottom. But it was good to get so many punctured completed in one stop and out of the way! The plan had been to climb the Glendine, which people who have ridden before know is very steep on one side with “goodish” surface and longer but shallower climb on the other side with a poor surface, but as conditions were not improving it was decided to go back the way we came. Ascending the Wolftrap from Kinnity we had the opportunity to appreciate the newly resurfaced middle section of the climb. While I don’t know if we climbed the hill any faster the smooth finish, apart from the rain, made it feel like we were ascending an alpine pass in the southeast of France. A final assent of the Cut followed and then back to Clonaslee where superman like changing from wet gear to dry clothes took place. Despite the overall spin length being shortened because of the weather conditions all seemed satisfied to get 4 good climb completed, especially when many there were so close to staying bed earlier in the morning! Well done to the dozen who made the trip and also to Richie Farrell from the “Team 9:05” club in Edenderry for his company. Richie joined us for the spin and explained the reason for their unusual club name. Richie, who many will know from the Midland League events, told us the story of how his club in their formation meeting had difficult choosing a club name. Ritchie detailed how one of the suggestions from the floor was that as the club meeting time was 9:00am on a Sunday morning but that it was always 9:05 before people arrived that the club name could be “9:05” club. The name was duly adopted. There were some suggestions of A group members, before becoming reformed characters, would have warranted a 9:15 or even 9:25 in some cases so bad so bad was their time keeping. On Top Of The Cut
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