Notes 10/04/2022

Three Lakeside Wheelers Attend the Tour of Flanders 02/04/2022

The Tour of Flanders sportive was staged in Belgium last Saturday, April 2nd for the first time in three years following two years of cancellations due to the Covid pandemic. The Tour of Flanders is the biggest of the Spring Classics on the professional cycling calendar and the sportive gives amateur cyclists the chance to test themselves and their bikes on the dreaded cobbled hills which this area of Belgium is famous for.

Three members of Lakeside Wheelers travelled to participate in this gruelling event and to watch the professional race the following day. Jack Nugent, Robbie Kenny and Shay O’Toole had been training for this event since Christmas and clocked up several kilometres cycling the roughest and steepest roads they could find around Westmeath to prepare for the cobbled streets and hills of Flanders. Each of the lads had completed the Tour of Flanders before so they knew what lay ahead and more importantly, they knew how the cobbles would rattle them and their bikes as they rode the 145km course.

The Lakeside Wheelers lads linked up with members of the De Trudys cyling club from Belgium and the Italian based Velo Club Oggiono with whom they have a long standing connection and friendship from the first time they went to Flanders in 2011. On the morning of the event the group of eleven riders gathered at the start in Oudenaarde and by 9am they were on their way. The weather was dry and sunny but, with a biting cold wind it was always going to be a difficult day in the saddle. The route was comprised of twenty two challenging segments, eighteen of which are hills, some cobbled, ranging in length from 500m to 2km and four flat cobblestone streets from 1km to 2.5km in length with a total ascent for the day coming in just short of 2000M.

The hardship commences 10km after the start with the ascent of the Wolvenberg climb which has a maximum gradient of 17%, just what you need to get the heart rate going. From there on the climbs and cobbles came in quick succession so a stop for refreshments at the 80km mark was very welcome as the bulk of the big gradients are loaded into the final 65kms.

Refuelled with tasty Belgian honey waffles and bananas, the Mullingar trio headed back out to tackle the most feared climb of the day, the Koppenberg. This is a mere 500m in length but with a maximum gradient of 22% and an average of 10% it is a beast of a hill and to make it even more difficult, it is one of the cobbled climbs on the parcours. However, over the top we went and with the Koppenberg now behind us there was a definite increase in confidence as we cycled through the beautiful Belgian farmland but always with an eye on two more feared upcoming hills. First to be conquered is the famous Kwaremont which is a 2km stretch of cobbles with a 12% slope in the middle just to keep you focused. However, there was a treat waiting at the top as we were met by our Italian friends who had decided we needed some hydration. Due to the affection which Belgian cycling fans have for the Kwaremont climb there is a beer named after it so our hydration was probably not be what the professionals would be ingesting on race day. Refreshed and rested we departed the Kwaremont for the final big push of the day which came with just over 15kms to the finish line. The Paterberg climb is another tough cobbled hill and although it is only 400m in length, it averages 12% and tops out at a leg stinging 20% maximum gradient. The end was now definitely within reach and despite a very strong headwind for the final 10kms we rode the last flat stretch with strong legs to cross the end line under the gantry back in Oudenaarde.

A club notes 10/04/2022

The necessity to have a rear mudguard on bikes was lifted recently as we move into Spring and with the changing seasons folks tend to start bringing out their fast and fancy bikes again. We all set off in our separate groupings last Sunday and our group leader, Mossey was intent on ensuring we demonstrate our ‘latent ability’ now that we were on the good bikes. Between the efforts to keep up with his expectations and a wind which seemed to be blowing across us or into our faces all morning, the tea break in Kilbeggan couldn’t come quickly enough. Soon we were rested and back on our way having left a few minutes for the other group who were cycling the same route to get some distance on us as we don’t want to be all bunched together. This isn’t fair on other road users. From Kilbeggan we tipped up the road into Tyrellspass. Taking a right there we went into Croghan where there were lots of calls for potholes and rutted road surfaces. With the bunch working well there are no issues with riders and we made good progress into Rhode. At this stage the wind thankfully was in our backs and we fairly whizzed along into Rochfordbridge and taking a final turn for home. Checking the Garmin when I got back there was a respectful 104 Kms recorded.

C Group Notes 09/04/2022

On Saturday 9th April a few of us, 9 exactly took to the road on what was a lovely cold sunny Morning. While Ulrika and Pat, our group leaders, were away at other events Micky Hynes rose to the challenge as group leader for the day and looked after us all very well. We had the pleasure of a few A Cyclists with us today too. We also had a new recruit today from the D group, whom I'm sure will make his way in no time to the B group, well done to him today. Thanking all the group today for looking out for everyone and making sure we made it back as a group as it was a little tough at times. We did approximately 80K today with a lovely coffee stop at Tuar Ard in Moate and some great laughs too.

C Group Members Enjoying the Majorca Sunshine

Our numbers were small today due to a number of our members heading off for the sunny hills of Majorca, where they appear to be having a lot of fun without us. Well done to all who made the trip and to the organisers of this. Looking forward to seeing all the tan lines and hearing all the gossip next Saturday. Also today some of the lads headed off to take part in the Cliffs of Moher Cycle, this was 130k with nothing but hills and fabulous scenery, they too had fabulous weather and well done to each of you and what a great achievement.

Upcoming Events

• Tour Of the Lakes is on 12/06/2022 with distances to suit all cyclist available.

• Mullingar Grand Prix is on 17/07/2022 and will be based out of Multyfarnham Community Centre.

• Midland Interclub League will be hosted on 05/05/2022 and 30/06/2022. The MIL is once again being supported by Steven Franzoni from Outdoor Escape. We welcome club members who are not participating in these events to act as marshals.

• Lakeside Wheelers will be one of the clubs along with Esker cc to host the finish of stage 4 from Lisdoonvarna into Kilbeggan on June 18th.

• Wednesday evening spins will recommence for the 13th of April meeting at O’Briens Centra rolling out at 6:30. Please have lights on your bike.