Winter Training Continues with Combined Hilly Endurance Spin

Post date: Nov 06, 2016 9:16:3 PM

(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 6th November 2016)

Today was, despite some early morning frost, another gloriously sunny autumn day. As the numbers swelled at the clubhouse for the weekly 9am spin it was great to see so many members fit and ready to continue the winter activity programme.

This new approach open to all members got underway last Wednesday evening with almost 20 riders turning up for the 6.30pm return spin to Moate. The enthusiasm was showing no signs of waning on Sunday with the announcement of a hilly 80km spin at a steady pace. The A and B groups combined and then divided into four different sections before rolling out of Columb Barracks for some endurance training.

The route chosen for this week’s spin focused mostly on the narrow, hilly roads around Multy, Crookedwood and Castlepollard. The reason behind this decision is because it is hoped that these roads will form the back-end of the club sportive planned for April 2nd 2017 to coincide with the Tour of Flanders. On leaving the clubhouse the groups headed towards Ballynacarrigy before turning right for Bunbrosna. Crossing the road at Tormey’s pub the groups cycled to Crookedwood via Mornington. The next series of hills came as the riders headed for Castlepollard via Gartlandstown where they turned right and rode along a nice back-road just north of Whitehall. The well deserved coffee and bars were had in ‘Pollard before departing for base retracing the route before going over Whitehall Hill and on to Crookedwood, Turin and home along the N52.

All said and done this was an extremely testing route and great credit is due to everyone for taking part in this early season training run. The feedback from the B Group riders was that they are delighted to be part of the structure which the activity programme is providing so hopefully the numbers willing to participate will even increase as the Christmas period draws nearer.

Well done to all leaders who managed to keep their groups together across 900m of climbing. It is hoped that the leader role will be shared out over the coming weeks with the A Group lads taking it in turns to escort the B Group riders.

Lakeside Wheelers members enjoying a mid-spin break during today's hilly North-Westmeath cycle.