Winter Mountain Bike League Round 2

Post date: Jan 09, 2012 11:48:55 PM

(By Richie Lenehan)

January 2nd was finally here and it was far from a picturesque morning, the very dark clouds over Castletown made me think that LSW faithful might decide to roll over and grab a few extra winks, but for that it was too late. I arrived at Adrian’s to find everybody busy lighting fires and getting the club house prepared for our days racing. As the clouds stated to clear the first man to arrive was George Bell to help out in any way he could, it was game on!

By 1 o’clock the paddock and church car-park were full to the brim with eager M.T.B riders of all different levels. First up we set the youth off for their 25 min race all 15 plus of then, some getting slightly lost on the first lap but the errors of their ways were quickly rectified and another great race unfolded. Shane Hughes took first place, with Cian Humphries second and Thomas Kilmurray third, well done lads and to everyone who took part.

With an added urgency, due to the cold weather, we got the adult race underway. All twenty competitors set off with a handicap of about thirty seconds for the main field on the stronger riders. Early on we had few broken chains put thankfully we had no visits from the puncture fairy! The going got tough and tougher as the laps went by as the ground got more and more but that did not deter our senior riders, Martin Eighan, John Culligan, Paul McCool and Jim Marshal as the all powered on with great determination. Carmel Buckley and Vera McCool once again flew the flag for the ladies and also put some pressure on the men! As the race unfolded Steve Franzoni took first place, followed by Damien Shaw and Richie Lenehan in third.Then for some refreshments and a bit of a thaw out, we all made our way to Adrian’s “Club house” for some well deserved hot drinks and some delicious food, it was only then it hit me how many people had come a long for the day out, as the buzz of people chatting and having the craic made it all worth while.I would like to thank Adrian Deidre and all the Murphy Family for all their work and the use of their unique Grounds.