Beginners Group Completes its Six Week Programme

Post date: Feb 26, 2018 10:5:48 PM

(By Bob O'Ceallaigh - Sat. 24th February 2017)

Saturday 24th February was the last day of the six-week Lakeside Wheelers Beginners Induction Course. The beginners were accompanied by a number of D-Group cyclists returning from a winter of hibernation. Their return may have been somewhat premature given that Saturday, albeit sunny, was absolutely freezing! Anyway, the group of beginners who by now are starting to look like cyclists and the D Group returnees cycled out to Castletown Geoghegan Station on the Old Rail Trail and then on to Castletown Geoghegan village. This point was reached faster than in previous weeks as the progress of the beginners was very apparent. A very enjoyable spin was had by all as long as one ignored the cold pains in one’s fingers, thumbs and toes.

A very welcome coffee-stop with scones, brown bread and even sausages was had in Tyrrellspass Castle before the group turned for home. On arriving back to Mullingar the beginners had travelled 42km, an excellent achievement considering their first spin only six weeks previously had amounted to a mere 16km.

This progress in speed and distance has been accompanied by a considerable amount of learning in key areas of road safety and cycling etiquette; e.g. group cycling, road hazards, signalling, bike maintenance, clothing, safety equipment and fitness.

From now on this new group will be greeted warmly by the D-Group on the weekly spin which leaves the clubhouse at the old Army Barracks at 9.00am every Saturday morning. The Saturday morning group generally cycles about 55/65 km at this time of the year and will divide into two sub-groups to bring on the strength, endurance and speed of the beginners over the coming months. All things going well, by summertime the new beginners should be well able to contribute on the weekly spins and even attempt some sportives around the country.

A review of the Beginners Induction Programme will also shortly take place to consider how it can be improved and meet the needs of the beginner cyclist. Following that, Lakeside Wheelers members will once again volunteer their services to roll out another Beginner’s Induction Programme later in the year.

Special thanks to all the beginners for the enthusiasm, good will and willingness to learn. Hopefully we will see you all out and about regularly from now on.

Thanks also to Tom Carolan, Steve Franzoni, Gerry Wallace, Paul Daly, Janice O’Brien and Roibeard O Ceallaigh whose efforts helped make this Induction Programme a huge success and to the D-Group members who cycled with the beginners and provided great encouragement and advice over the last six weeks. More importantly, they showed how cycling can be a fun way of getting fit and meeting new friends.

Relaxing in the Castle during the coffee stop on Saturday's Begeiiner's Group Spin