Youths Racing Season Upon Us

Post date: Mar 06, 2019 9:58:3 PM

(By Shay O'Toole)

With the open racing season almost upon us, the Lakeside Wheelers Youths have been back in the full swing of training since Christmas. The first race of 2019 will take place in March so the younger Wheelers are already chomping at the bit to get going.

Pre-season preparation is very structured and meticulously planned by the youth officers and club coach, Damien Shaw. The week is basically divided between on- and off-bike training sessions. For example, on Mondays the lads and girls are doing strength and conditioning, Wednesdays and Thursdays are turbo evenings while the weekend is taken up with road spins with Damien who is now retired from his full-time cycling career.

In recognition of the vast improvements made by the Youths over the last five years the committee recently agreed to allow some of them join the A group on Sunday mornings. This development came about as a result of some excellent performances by the younger riders and is facilitated by some parents who must be present and follow the group in a vehicle in case of a mechanical or physical mishap. So far these spins have been going very well with the mix of youth and experience benefiting everybody.

The Club's Youth Squad have put in a good winter training regime which will stand to them

in the season ahead.