(By Shay O'Toole)   

Today was nice and sunny as we left Dunboyne in a group of 60 riders, with the pace well controlled by the lead car driver. All went well  as we rode out through Kilcock and  on towards KIldare town. About 30 miles in we were heading for the Hill of Allen when the pace car moved out and caused a natural split in the group. The Wheelers were left looking at each other wondering would we go with the "A"  group or sit in for a handy spin. Our minds were soon made up for us when Jack came along side me and said Robbie was shouting in his earpiece telling us to go with the break so what were we tob do but follow the orders of our Directeur  Sportif. Off we went in chase and stayed at full tilt as we rode across the Curragh Plains and on to Athy for the food stop.

After we were fed and watered it was back to the road and with the two main climbs of the day to come the chatting soon stopped. First up was Farnon's Hill which caused a slight gap but it wasn't until we hit the Category 2 climb of Glenmaloo that the elastic snapped. All Wheelers stayed well in contention and the descent was welcome after the 5km climb through Castlecomer. With speeds of 40mph it was fast and furious but kept us all the way to Kilkenny city where we crossed the official Ras finish line with good crowds lining the streets.  

Day one over and all safely back in our hotel after 140kms of good cycling. Day 2 is looking very lumpy  with 157kms to be negotiated across Tipperary, Clare and up to Gort.

 

What a day from hell we had today on the longest stage of this year's Race the Rás. As everybody gathered for breakfast it was clear to see from facial expressions that the event was taking its toll and lads were just interested in churning out the miles to get home. However, with 110 miles to do today, it was always going to be a mental as well as a physical test due to the full on headwind we had for 109.5 miles of this spin. The departure from Donegal was comfortable as we had fabulous road surfaces to whisk us to Bundoran at speed which at one stage hit 22.5mph uphill before we veered left for Kinlough and the start of what turned out to be one of the most difficult stretches of the entire event. The wind hit us flat in the face and between that and the never ending rollercoaster-like roads it was absolute torture. Lads were cursing Leitrim and Cavan, two counties which we seemed to be entering and exiting all day and not a half mile of flat tarmac to be found. I am not talking Bun hill here, each hill was either Piggery of Skeagh and if not as long or longer they were steeper and what we couldn't understand was that they were not even categorised. Our only saving grace was the fantastic views as we rode alongside Lough Melvin which straddles the border and looked as big as the ocean.

After 50 odd miles we hit the Cat 2 climb which, with the head wind, was easily a Cat 1 and seemed to go on for ever as it wound its way upwards to the KOM banners where we eventually saw Joe Duffy and his trusty camera ready to capture our tortured faces. From here we got some respite on the descent before we hit the town land of Redhills whose name only meant one thing and by God does it have hills. One after the other they came like a factory production line with each one depleting our energy and filling the legs with the dreaded lactate causing an almighty stinging sensation, especially in the quads.

The last Categorised climb was a Cat 3 which we crested out of pure thickness. There were some huge positives though as we approached Cootehill around a very dangerous and gravely corner we spotted the Horohoe family decked in their Lakeside Wheelers colours clapping us on and then in the town itself we were met by one of the biggest crowds so far, which also included more of the Lakeside Wheelers family, Mick and Jason Reynolds, Cathy O'Toole and by this time the Horohoes who were back to catch the Rás finish.

The sight of familiar faces at the stage ends was fantastic and proves once again the quality and depth which we have in our club. Another positive was the standard of accommodation which we had in Cootehill as we retired to some luxury and rest with the ever present Doreen weaving some magic on our tired limbs as she massaged away the day's pain. With only one more day to we decided to treat ourselves to a pint and toast a job almost well done and before you think it was an event that would drive you to drink, Pairic did not partake!!! Sleep was no problem and made all the easier knowing that tomorrow was the last day.

Although we all arrived down to breakfast once again weary and tired, we knew it was as good as over with the organisers having decided on a leisurely/ceremonial ride to the finish in Skerries. All we were short of was the champagne en route but leisurely or not we still had some more hills to climb as we travelled cross the Cavan drumlins which made for some beautiful scenery. I know we have probably had one of the best week's weather in the history of the Ràs but the scenery and landscape we witnessed in the last 8 days has been nothing short of breathtaking.

 

Unfortunately the calmness was soon came to a sudden halt as with less than 20 miles cycled the sound of carbon scraping concrete ran through the peloton and with 5 or 6 bodies lying in the middle of the road things did not look good. Thankfully it was not as bad as it initially appeared but we did lose two riders with nasty road rash and suspect neck injuries. Our own Dermot Hogan was lucky to escape with just a puncture as he collided with the falling bodies and to be honest I personally don't know how I stayed upright as my front wheel clipped a bike frame and then the shoulder of one faller. This accident naturally led to a short delay but once back rolling we settled again and very soon the Polar showed the miles slipping away and the signposts became more familiar.

For a Westmeath man I was never as glad to see one that read "Welcome to Co. Meath" as we had our fill of Cavan and it's hills. However the work was not yet over as we had four Categorised climbs to contend with but at this stage they were ONLY Cat 3's and with the finish line in sight they were less painful. Another gloriously sunny day was on the cards and as we approached our 5KM rendezvous point the spirits were high. Our run into Skerries was fantastic with huge crowds out enjoying the end of Ràs festival and once again the Wheelers were out in force. Libby, Jonathan and Rachel Nugent, Cathy, Dan and Martina O'Toole and Carmel Dolan all turned up to welcome us home and how satisfying it was to cross that line.

Would you believe our team manager resumed contact again during the week and apologised for abandoning us mid tour and asked if we would take him back so after a brief discussion we agreed to revert to our 1-1-1 formation with him looking after our racing tactics, Doreen concentrating on massage and Joe Joe managing logistics. Someone said he was only back as there would be no need for him at the "coalface" due to the soaring temperatures but we decided in the interests of club harmony to resume his contract. Alls well that ends well and there is no doubt that the four of us had a fantastic week and an experience we will never forget. I was told by one of the main organisers when I signed up that I would make friends for life and without doubt the camaraderie on tour was excellent, from the "Donegal Boys" who were great fun to "Dungarvan John" whose name is actually Mark but much to Jack Nugent's amusement I just kept calling him John. I know we will definitely cycle with these lads again and hopefully our clubs will benefit too.

On behalf of Dermot, Pairc, Jack and I, I would like to say a huge thank you to all our fellow Wheelers for your messages of support and for coming along to the stage ends, it was a great boost to us knowing we were in your thoughts. To Joe Duffy, who gave us extra special attention each day just because we were Wheelers we also say thanks and last but not least to our families who have put up with us thinking we were pro riders over the last few months when training.

Finally, I would like to include a include a piece form our manager who thought it would be a good idea from a sports psychology perspective to pick four riders from the professional ranks both past and present and twin them with us for inspiration purposes. I have to stress these are his words and his selections. Thanks for reading each day and hopefully you enjoyed the view of Race the Rás from inside the peloton!

Jack Nugent....Pippo Pozzato- darling of the Tifosi and also King of Bling.

Pairic Devine.....George Hincapie- steady as a rock, oldest pro in the peloton and sticks rigidly to a no drugs, energy drinks or gels policy.

Dermot Hogan....Jens Voigt- organised and wily East German pro who loves to give it a gingin.

Shay O'Toole.....Mario Cippolini- tall, elegant, handsome, undisputed team leader and sprinting supremo but full of drugs.