A Word With Brendan 'Tosh" Kiernan

Well it certainly beats cutting the grass and painting, my wife can vouch for that. It’s great for fitness and burning calories. I’ve made a lot of great friends on the group spins and enjoy the slagging and banter with everyone and it is also great for your mental health.

What is your training plan like, are you training for an event at the moment?

I never really work to a plan. I just get out and cycle my bike whenever I can. You can’t beat the Wheelers spin on a Sunday morning for bike fitness. It doesn’t matter how successful you are as a racer, you will always be judged on what you can bring to the table on a Sunday morning with the boys.

The goal for this year is the All Ireland Veterans Championships in September. A race I managed to finish 5th in last year. It would be fantastic to finish on the podium this year. I am also hoping we can put a strong team together and enter the team event too.

What has been you best and worst experience on the bike?

My best experience was winning the Mullingar G.P. in 2013 and to be the first Lakeside Wheeler to do so.

My worst experience was at the All Ireland Veterans Championship which we hosted in Multyfarnham in 2014. A 120 km race on a very hilly course. I was just 2km into the race when someone’s wheel touched mine from behind and broke a few spokes in my back wheel. I couldn’t believe it because I was after training so hard all year for this. But I didn’t give up I basically rode the bike with a buckled wheel out of pure thickness until I ran out of fuel. I was absolutely shattered. But that is bike racing you have good days and bad days and there is plenty of both.

What is your advice to someone just starting out in cycling?

Get properly fitted for your bike. Make sure you have a comfortable saddle and it is also important to learn how to fix a puncture. When you go out for a spin there are four things you should always bring, a drink, a snack, your phone and a rain mac as our weather is so unpredictable.

What’s your favourite food to bring out on the bike?

I’m very easy on diesel when on the bike! I been known to enjoy the odd Turkish Delight and slice of whiskey cake and you can’t beat the banana for instant energy.

What are your top tips for bike maintenance?

I absolutely know nothing about bike maintenance I just ride her until she falls asunder! Baby wipes are handy for wiping your hands when she breaks down and always use a bike rack on the car because sometimes when you put it in the boot it’s not always there when you arrive, speaking from experience.

When did you know you were a cyclist?

When I eventually make it home in front of Mick Reynolds on the Sunday morning spin!

And also when I won the Mullingar Criterium Race in 2012. Two monumental tasks in cycling.

If you were famous who would you be? Why?

I would be Lars Ulrich, drummer in Metallica or Robin Williams the actor.

Apart from cycling, drumming and acting are the other past-times that I love. I’ve been involved in a few plays and Oscar Nights over the last few years during the winter months when the cycling season is quieter.

Thank you for reading, stay safe, be kind to each other and don’t worry too much.

And as my late father would say “ If you don’t have something nice to say you’re better off say nothing at all”