Sean Kelly Tour of the Midlands

Sunday 13^th October 2013

The Irish Heart Foundation is calling on cycle enthusiasts to join Sean Kelly for his first ever Tour of the Midlands

Register now for €35 – Registration closes on Friday 4^th October

There will be three routes

120k Slieve Bloom

80k Kelly Cut

And 12k Family Spin

For additional information click Here

Cycling News Connacht

The AGM of Cycling Connacht will take place in the Dalton Inn Hotel Claremorris on Monday 4th November 2013 commencing at 8pm.

MOTIONS.

Motions for discussion at the AGM should be sent to me by e-mail or normal post to arrive not later than 6pm on Monday 7th October 2013.

DELEGATES

Each club affiliated to Cycling Connacht for more than 6 months is allowed 2 voting delegates at the AGM

Admission to the AGM is confined to persons with a current valid CI licence.

NOMINATIONS

Nominations are sought for the following positions

Chairman.  Secretary.  Treasurer. Technical Officer.  Sporting Rep.  Development Rep. Riders Rep. Mountainbike Rep.  Leisure Rep. and Underage Rep.

Nominations should be sent to me by e-mail or normal post to arrive not later than 6pm on Monday 7th. October 2013.

Nominations in order to be valid should contain the following information

1    The name of the person nominated.

2    The position that he/she is being nominated for.

3    His/her proposer

4    His/ her seconder.

5    A declaration that the person nominated is aware of the nomination and prepared to accept it

Connacht Hill Climb Championships will take place on

 Lallys Mountain Tourmakeady on

 Saturday next 14th. September

Sign on 10am to 11am

Start  11.15 am

Categories  U-12 to A1

Changing facilities at Tourmakeady GAA centre.

Time Trial courtesy of The Bike Shop

The Bike Shop Roscommon




One Cog,One Bike, One Hill
Part of the Knockcrochery fair, September 21st.
Time Trial, 100m dash up Corbooly Hill on a High Nelly.
First prize for the quickest climb is €50
There will also be spot prizes on the day

Swim Cycle Run

SwimCycleRun.com is an internet based multisport store set up in 2013 to supply sports equipment at prices to rival places like Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles. They are an Irish based company in Athy and are at present sponsoring a number of athletes. They give free next day delivery to Ireland and have contacted me offering Kilteevan Wheelers an additional 5% discount on their internet stock. All you need to avail of this discount is to contact either Kieran or myself to get the discount code. I will ask Kieran to forward the code on to everyone by email. I have had a quick look at the site and I believe I will be back to support them. I have to say I'm always up for supporting companies that give a little back to the community. For a link to their website click Here and pick up some bargains.

The Falling Leaves Tour

Takes place 22nd September in aid of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. You can get some information on their activities by clicking Here

It's hard to get rid of a bad thing

Hi All Sorry for not keeping this blog up to date. I'm afraid I have not been cycling as much as I would have liked and putting information up depends on the information feed. For those of you that might be a little slow that means you need to feed me information if you want something more that my fanciful ramblings.

First off I must apologise to a couple of cyclists that turned up for the 1130 cycle last Sunday only to find themselves all alone. I'm afraid I went out a bit early (missed the 9am cycle, someone above was obviously looking out for me). Kilteevan cycling has been up in a heap over the last few weeks (The Gathering, Church celebrations and Cemetery Sunday) That said it should not have happened and hopefully will not happen again.

I have no doubt that the usual suspects will be out and about at 9am Sunday. I on the other hand will have more sense and make the 1130. Needless to say weather permitting and hoping that some other senseless cyclists will join me for a short 100k or so (short being 40k to 60k) or whatever we can fit in.

I would like to say a big Thank You to all those involved in organising the Baby Sandra cycle today. It was a great turn out and very well provisioned. It pains me to say that either I need more time in the saddle or a softer saddle.

Well that's enough of my rambling I will put up some details of the Falling Leaves Tour in the next day or two (it's on 22^nd September)

Next to Last for this years RAS Cycle

Well all good things come to an end and so did the RAS. Just to say congratulations to all those participants of the RAS Charity cycle. Whether it was the quarter pounders or those that went the whole hog. Each and every cyclist deserves our congratulations on a job well done. But let us not leave out the organisers, sponsors, marshals and supporters who all contributed to making it such a success.

Just a few photos to be getting on with. Over the next few days I will try to get another set of photos up and for those unlucky cyclists not in the Kilteevan Wheelers Cycling club, if I have any photos of you I will include them in the next set or two

RAS Stage 5 May 23rd

Well the trip is starting to take its toll. 739k behind them and I suspect it’s their most painful part. The thoughts of sitting even in a SOFT armchair must at this stage bring tears to their eyes. The good news though is that they are all still going strong even if the cycle is starting to tire them. They had a long hard cycle today with a couple of big climbs and wind to contend with. Still they made it and without doubt they will mount their bikes tomorrow and continue the cycle.

Three days to go and 441k, it’s still a long way but once they get tomorrow out of the way they will feel like they are on the home run. Saturday will hopefully bring out some more supporters to cheer them on and Sunday will see some of our own lads join and encourage them over the last stage.

Tomorrow will be no joke though. They have 145k and 5 category 3 hills to climb. 4 of the hills are in the last 40k of the cycle. Let’s hope that if there is any wind tomorrow it will be behind them, I’m sure they could do with a bit of a push.

RAS May 22nd Stage 4

Just to let everyone know, the lads are still hanging in there. A couple of big climbs throughout the day but everyone managed to survive. I hear that Adrian is pushing hard and is 3^rd man to the top for the day. That was 8 climbs and none of them easy. For my part I think I’ll go back to walking. Though I did hear there are good deals to be had on electric bikes. That’s about the only I’m doing one of those climbs never mind eight.

Well that’s 589k down and only 591k to go. Should be a doddle for these lads they are on the home straight now. How about we arrange a trip on Sunday to support them on the last leg?

In case anyone thinks me remiss I should also point out that there are some ladies among these intrepid cyclists. All I can do is offer my sympathy to them for having to put up with the lads for eight days.

RAS Tuesday 21st

Well from what I hear Tuesday went well. All the lads are in good form and looking forward to today’s climbs. As one wise cyclist said the best part of climbing a hill is that you get to come down it on the other side. However after 4 category 3’s, 3 category 2’s and a category 1 today I wonder if he will feel the same way about hills and I almost forgot its only 153k. I hope someone bought a LARGE tub of sudocrem.

One thing I forgot to mention in a previous blog. Each and every one of these lads & ladies, have put in significant efforts to get fit for this. That’s long hours on bikes and trainers, they could only do this with the help and support of their partners and families. So on their behalf I would like to say THANKS.

While I’m in the mood for giving thanks. I would like to mention an incident I witnessed on the journey into Granard on Sunday. One of the cyclists having obviously put in great effort earlier in the day was running out of steam on a hill. Low and behold two other cyclists, one to either side put their hands to his back and gave him a helping hand. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a photo as I was driving but just to witness the help given without request or compliment shows the generosity of the majority of cyclists. They have big hearts, they are willing to help, they are willing to put in the effort and we should be offering them all the support we can.

Now on a lighter note can anyone identify the legs in the photo? I will give you one hint. They do not belong to a lady.

RAS Day 2

Well from what I hear the lads all made it in good shape. 160k today and they were still ready to carry on to the pub. Just not on the bikes. I suspect armchairs (SOFT ONES) are the order of the evening. The turbo training is already paying its way as is the sudocrem. Tomorrow they start into the first of the real hills. That’s when they will really see the benefits of all the hard work over the winter months.

I have also been asked to thank everyone for the support today. The organisers couldn’t believe the turnout and I have to say it was great to see all the support for the lads they well deserve it. I’m only sorry that we couldn’t be there for the eight days.

Next Sunday they get to finish up the cycle and I’m sure they would be delighted to see some friendly faces at the finish line

RAS Cycle for Kilteevan Wheelers

Yes some of our “boys” are off cycling the RAS. What a way to go, when you consider the club only started in October 2010 and now we have five members cycling a professional course over eight days all for charity. That’s 1180k and a lot of pain. OK they might not be quite as fast as the pros but what the heck there is always next year. These “lads” are not all necessarily in the prime of their youth so let’s give them another year to go up a gear.

The day started off in good spirits if not a little apprehensively for some. After all it is a long way and there are some tough climbs ahead. But all the lads made it to the finish in good form. I did overhear someone say that one of the lads either was or had a pain in the a--. I think the Roscommon water supply has some answers to give. Just to compound matters I heard on the grapevine that some of the lads had one or two too many in the Hatch. I’m sure the first hour on the bike will cure any problems.

Needless to say this blog is based around the Kilteevan Wheelers. Still I would like to say THANK YOU to all the cyclists that have given up so much and raised so much for Breast Cancer Research. It is a credit to all those taking part whether it is for one day or all eight days. I should also say thanks to the organisers, support staff and sponsors without whom it would not be possible.

I hope I have a mole in the team and that he will keep some photos and information coming in. If so I will post any information I have as I get it. I will get some photos and hopefully video up in the next few days.

RAS Photos

Just something to get you started

St. Michael’s Special School Castlerea

St Michaels Special School Castlerea will be holding a sponsored cycle on the 16th of June. They are trying to fund a new therapy and sports complex for Autism and Multiple Disabilities. It's for a great cause and all we have to do as cyclists is to turn up and for a small fee enjoy ourselves. There will be 3 cycles, 100k leisure, 40k scenic and 10k fun. At the rate I'm going I just might make the 10k. Hope to see everyone there.

Cycle4Haiti

There is a bowling night on the 22^nd March. The proceeds are going to fund two cyclists from Roscommon to participate in the Cycle 4 Haiti challenge. Its a cycle from Dublin to Galway on the 4^th and 5^th of May to raise funds for Haiti. Teams of 4 only €40 and €20 for youth teams. Danny Doyle and Patrick Mulligan are both trying to raise €500 to participate. You can register your team on Face Book or by calling 0894948115.

Cycling Show

 The Irish Cycling Show 2013 takes place at City West Dublin March 9^th & 10^th with a little something for everyone. For more information click here

Irish Guide Dogs

Mizen to Malin cycle May 25^th to June 1^st in Support of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway Sligo and Donegal what more could you ask for. Well a soft saddle would be nice. Anyway the target is fundraising of €1250 per cyclist which covers all accommodation and meals for the week. Monies raised will go to supporting Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. You can get more information  here

Cycle in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation

As promised a little outing for those of you that might be interested in the Jack & Jill Foundation. The Ronan McCormack Charity Cycle, Saturday March 2^nd. There will be two runs depending on your preference. Roscommon – Mountbellew – Roscommon or Galway – Mountbellew – Galway.

Registration fee €25 and there are sponsorship cards available. For those of you contemplating the Roscommon cycle contact Jacqueline through the website  here. Registration at the Hyde 8 - 9 am, cycle starts at 9:15am. For registration form click here and for an information pack click on INFO

Sprocket Rocket Coach Training Day

Saturday 16^th March, Sneem Hotel Sneem, Co Kerry 10am till 4:30 pm Cost €25 This training day is for individuals from Clubs, Schools and Community Organisations wishing to become a Sprocket Rocket Coach. The Sprocket Rocket Program teaches children aged 5-11 the basic skills required to become a confident and competent cyclist. Details can be obtained from the committee if anyone is interested  

Cycling Ireland Workshop

A workshop is being held on Saturday, 16^th February, starting at 10:30 am and finishing at 1:30pm at the Red Cow Hotel, Dublin to outline the requirements under Cycling Ireland's Event Safety and Safeguarding/Child Protection Codes

It's short notice but if there is any one with some time and interest please let one of the committee know. It would be great to get the official low down on some of these rules and regulations. Clich here to get more information

Happy Valentines

Thank God someone had sense enough to cancel the training tonight. Just the thought of trying to explain why you might prefer to don some Lycra and spend your time heating up a cold room by the sheer volume of exercise performed. I had visions of many dogs sleeping out tonight while their owners borrowed their houses for the evening. I have no doubt but that some will find other uses for their bikes tonight but let that not deter those of you who had sense enough to appreciate the early morning breakfast, the hot bath, dinner all ready for your Sunday bike ride (not to mention the Sudocrem, Deep Heat and SOFT CUSION). Just to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day and to say THANK YOU to those we leave behind to keep the home fires burning. Oh and thank you to Eileen for a wonderful Valentines present. The Lemsip will go down a treat

Clip art by iStockphoto.com

I'm BACK

Sorry All

But I'm back and looking for more mug shots. In the past couple of weeks I have managed to wreck a couple of computers and enjoy a short break down under. Of course you do know what that means. I will not only be the proverbial pain in the posterior but will most likely have one so please don't expect me to be in good humor. I am after all going to try ease back into the joys of balancing on a narrow piece of leather while doing my utmost to propel myself at speed while all the time balancing on two pieces of rubber. Did someone say I need my head examined. Oh by the way I think I spotted a poster indicating that there will be a cycle soon for the Jack & Jill foundation. I'll check it out and post the information