Roscommon Pink Ribbon Cycle

From all reports so far the Pink Ribbon Cycle was an outstanding success. Danny and Doreen put together an event in two months that would normally take a year to plan. They pulled together help and advice from all over. On the day it showed and I believe all had a great time. On their behalf let me thank all that contributed with sponsorship, help and advice over the two months. Hopefully this is only the start and next year will be bigger and better. Thanks to a couple of photographers I have some photos and I will get them up over the coming days, but for now I would like to thank Mick Nolan for stepping in for me.  

The Cycle Show

TV show on cycling and its various formats. Might be worth a look, ITV4 8pm on Mondays

Chain Gang Cycling Club September 15

The Chain Gang are hosting a sportive on September 15^th. The Chain Gang CC, Tralee is happy to announce the 2012 edition of the Chain Gang Sportives: the Conor Pass Challenge and Blasket Blast - Kerrys Premier challenge/sportive cycles. 

These 110km and 150km routes traverse the Dingle Peninsula taking on Irelands highest mountain pass – the Conor Pass – as riders make their way through some of the most scenic, challenging and rewarding countryside in Ireland.

Entry for this years’ event has been set at a recession friendly online fees of €20 for Cycling Ireland members and €25 for non-members. There will also be registration available on the morning of the event but at a cost of €30.

Basic route and start/sign on details for each route are on the event flyer (attached here) but for more information and for online entry check out our event website www.thechaingangsportives.com. While every effort has been made to include as much information as possible, if you have any queries about your route of interest don’t hesitate to drop a line atinfo@thechaingang.cc and we will do our utmost to answer your question.

We hope to put on a great set of cycles this year, with all the stops being pulled out to put on what we endeavour to make a brilliant day on the bike. So come to Tralee and take on what we feel are some of the best challenge cycles, in some of the most spectacular countryside both Kerry and Ireland has to offer.

Sunday Cycle 22/7/12

Well once again thanks for the effort made by everyone to get on their bikes. Make no mistake for some it does take more effort than for others. A few weeks ago I could shoot ahead of the pack to get a few photos. This is getting harder and harder. Isn’t it suppressing how in a few weeks of effort so many can go from struggling through a 10k cycle to powering through a 40k+ cycle? All I can say is that I hope everyone keeps it up (including me). Unfortunately cycling is weather dependant, but we have been relatively lucky and managed to get out more often than not. Fear not for the winter months though. We will not let you down. All the good work you have put in getting cycle fit will be put to good use. There is one among us, whose name I will not mention (for fear of the agony he will put me through). Let me say that no doubt CC will drive us through the dark winter nights with even more relish and pain than he does on these early morning cycles. Will it be worth it? Only you can say. Till then let us encourage even more to get on their bikes and join us for these Sunday outings. Now when do we head to Athlone for morning coffee?

Pink Ribbon Cycle Sunday 29th

Just a little reminder for everyone to get their bikes ready. It’s a great cause and gives everyone something to aim for. Remember registration starts at 8am for the 100k cycle and 9am for the 60k cycle. It will cost you the princely sum of €20 but on the other hand you will be helping towards the cost of research that may benefit you or someone close to you. Don’t forget the family cycle in the afternoon. This is at least as important as it gets the kids out with Mam & Dad and everyone has s great time. We will need to be around to chaperone this cycle as well. Remember registration for this will be 2pm with the off at 3pm (10k €10 per family)

Lotto Syndicate

Those wishing to join in the fortunes to be made in our Lotto Syndicate should contact John Dolan by Saturday 21^st July to renew their subscription, change their numbers (if they have a better selection) Or indeed join up if they missed the previous opportunity to donate to this great cause ( The Irish Government slush fund)

Tuesday cycle

Well thanks to all that turned up for this evening’s cycle. Fortunately for me the majority of cyclists were of the not so fit variety and the pace was kept to a nice 26k average. I have to say Conor’s initial txt suggesting it was a bit wet fell on a hopeful mind (never mind the body). But some bright spark decided it was worth a try and so we all headed into the west and it was a grand spin. Yes it did rain but then what else would you expect these days. At least it waited till we were on the home run. Thanks to everyone for the evening and especially John who suggested there might be a more modest pace set for some of us.

Kilteevan to the Reek

To answer a comment on a previous blog. The trip is for club members. However anyone that wants to tag along is most welcome. You do need to have your own insurance and arrange accommodation. I would suggest you contact Pat or Conor to see what arrangements are in place and to let them know your intentions. Just to let the lads know some of your better halves are thinking of joining the club just to keep an eye on your behaviour.

While I’m at it and to ensure everyone is up to speed. For the foreseeable future there will be two speeds on a Tuesday and Thursday night. So if you are not up to 40k+ then come along anyway, some of the rest of us will be going considerably slower. It’s time to put some extra time in on the saddle as there will be a trip to Athlone one of these Sundays just to give everyone something to aim for. 

Sunday Cycle

Thanks to those who left the GAA to its own devices and braved the weather. Not as large a group as last week but hopefully that was just the day that was in it. I have been cycling for the last couple of months and I am as fit as I have been in years. However this family cycling business is putting me to the pin of my collar to keep up. All I can say is congratulations to all, your cycle fitness and ability has improved immensely. One thing that needs to be said and in saying it I know that we can’t always plan for everything (punctures etc.). Today was grand there was only a small group but if we had visitors then they would expect us to be off at 11:30 not 11:50. In future maybe we can arrange that if the early cycle is running late we start off in a direction that will meet up with them. In case I have put the cat among the pidgins, I suggest everyone get’s their piggy banks out again. Lanzarote is a great place to cycle and who knows where next year’s party will be.

Glenamaddy Summer Fest Cycle

Cycle from Glenamaddy Community Centre on Sunday 12^th of August. Just like last years there is a 20k leisurely cycle and a new addition to this years program is a 40k cycle for those wanting a greater challenge! This is a cycling event for all abilities. So get on your bike and cycle for fun! All proceeds are going to two worthy causes that aim to enhance the lives of people in the community. All participants must wear a cycle helmet. You can check out their website by clicking Here 

MS Cycle 2012

Well it’s on again, Longford to Carrick on Shannon and back. It’s all in aid of the North West M.S. Therapy centre in Sligo. This is another great cause and from all reports it was a great success last year. So put it in your diary for the 13^th of October and let’s hope the weather improves. For more information check out their facebook page Here

Kilteevan to the Reek

August 25^th and 26^th : It’s on and if you wish to participate in what should be at least an interesting if not painful experience, then get your name and a deposit to Pat by Tuesday 17^th July. The hotel will need to be booked and food stops arranged. You know what they say “If you’re not in you can’t win”. However in this case it may have more to do with the ability to make the return cycle. 

Understanding Fashion

Well let’s pretend. There will be a meeting after the 8pm cycle on Tuesday night to discuss the ins and outs of cycle shorts. Frank has an offer that has to be heard to be believed. Also anyone interested in ordering additional club kit should attend and place their order now. There is a promise that we will have it for next year (or there abouts). If you want to have a look at what’s on offer clickhere 

Sunday 8th July

It was great to see so many out cycling today. It was even better to see not only some old faces but a few new ones as well. I don’t know what some of the younger cyclists are being fed at home. But I could do with some of it myself. A number of times I went ahead as fast as I could only to find youngsters passing me before I could get off the bike. Gone, not a hope of getting a photo. I think I will have to put some breaks on their bikes. It’s getting to a stage where we will have to have two cycles. One for the younger cyclists and the other starting out ½ an hour before they do for the rest of us. Well done to everyone and thank you for joining us on the cycle. I have little doubt but that you will all manage the Pink Ribbon Cycle. I will get some photos up today and maybe a video later in the week.

Pink Ribbon Cycle 29th July

Don’t forget the Pink Ribbon Cycle is on the 29^th of this month. Please encourage everyone to support it. There will be a 100k cycle starting from the convent gym at 9am with registration from 8am. This will be followed by a 60k cycle leaving at 10am, registration from 9am. The family cycle will be from the convent primary school at 3pm with registration from 2pm. The cost will be €20 for the 9am and 10am cycles. The family cycle will be €10 per family.

Sunday 1130 Cycle

Now that I’m getting this site back up I would just like to say thanks to all those who came on the 1130 cycle last week. I have not put in as much time in the saddle as I would like and have missed a couple of Sundays. However the ability and cycle fitness of everyone has improved greatly. The younger cyclists especially are not only catching up on the rest of us but they will soon be showing us how it’s done. On my own and on behalf of the club let me say thanks to everyone that joins us on the 1130 trip. It’s your efforts that make it so enjoyable. Cycling should be for everyone and should be enjoyed by everyone without needing to be elite athletes. See you all on Sunday and if you are reading this and have not joined us for a trip, why not come along and give it a try next Sunday.