Ras Naomh Finian

By Shay O'Toole

On Saturday March 9^th, our neighbours in Clonard Road Club hosted the annual Ras Naomh Finian on a very windy day which also brought hail, rain and snow, just for good measure. Lakeside Wheelers was represented in the A2, A3 A4 and Ladies categories with many members donning race numbers for the first time this year.

The Clonard race is a big favourite with Lakeside Wheelers racers and usually signals the start of the season after a winter spent indoors on the turbo. The race is run over a straightforward out and back route from Moyvalley to Kilbeggan and back to the finish near Clonard. The stormy weather definitely impacted all riders with most races breaking up into small bunches before the turnaround in Kilbeggan. Unfortunately, some members fell victim to the crashes which are inevitable in bike racing, especially in the early season events.

Well done to all members who took part and congratulations to Caoimhe O’Brien who claimed her first podium finish of 2019 in the Ladies race. This proved to be a pure battle culminating in a sprint finish aided by a savage tail wind. Caoimhe and younger sister, Aoife were right up there in the final metres but they were just pipped as the bunch crossed the line with Caoimhe hanging on for a great 3^rd place.