As most of you are aware, the An Post Ràs is Ireland’s premier international cycle race and started from Dunboyne on Sunday 20th May, destined to finish in the north county Dublin town of Skerries, eight days later.

Last year saw the launch of “Race the Rás”, a charity cycle event which is the brainchild of Eamon O’Muircheartaigh, son of well-known TV commentator Michael, and is run in tandem with the official race. “Race the Ràs” riders will cycle each and every stage of the An Post Rás, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary and in doing so takes a predominately westerly/northerly route to take in some of the most hilly roads around Galway, Mayo and especially Donegal. The nominated charities for the 2012 event are The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and Aware, the organisation supporting people with depression.

The Lakeside Wheelers “team” comprises four experienced club members, Padraic Devine, Jack Nugent, club Chairman Dermot Hogan and Shay O’Toole. All four are no strangers to endurance cycling with each of them having at least one Marmotte under their belts as well as several other long distance events, both at home and abroad. The training for “Race the Ràs” started last February and will hopefully pay dividends as the lads go into unknown territory with daily rides of 90 and 100 miles through thirteen counties, covering 1,168kms over the 8 days. With fellow Wheeler, Joe Duffy being one of the main organisers of this year’s event, the lads can be assured of good back-up and with other members promising to show up for one and two day stages, there should be a big Lakeside Wheelers contingent on the road each day.

Shay will be keeping a diary of the event, which he intends to post online, stage by stage.  As the stages progress, you'll be able to monitor the progress of Shay and his three team-mates below.