We hope you all had a nice weekend.
On Friday evening last the 6th of February we held the second night of our six week spinning class programme which is being held in Busters Bootcamp, Nenagh. Everyone is very positive about the class and its a perfect way to keep up the fitness levels when the weather is not so favorable outside. Well done to everyone who has supported the spinning class. Keep up the good work.
It was a cold start yet again to the weekend with the conditions on Saturday morning taking a favorable change for our race training group. The usual suspects were out and put in a steady 100km spin with some interval training thrown in for good measure to aid preparations for the looming racing season… This weeks route was Nenagh-Portroe-Ballina-Clonlara-Castleconnell-N7-Silvermines-Balinamona-Toomevara and back home to Nenagh.
It was a day of records in many ways on our Sunday morning cycle. Despite the sub-zero temperatures we had the largest turnout of the year so far with almost thirty hardy souls heading out into the fog. Being a totally calm morning however everyone quickly warmed up and soon forgot about the conditions. The occasional icicle falling from the helmet did remind us however that spring has not quite yet arrived. Because of the danger of icy roads it was decided to deviate from the original planned route and stick to the main roads. It seems many other cyclists had the same idea as surely this was the busiest morning to date on the cycle lanes with at least 5 other groups encountered as well as numerous individuals and pairs.
Sunday morning we had three groups on the road – racing, intermediate and leisure. The plan seemed to work very well with everyone getting a good workout and nobody left behind. The racing group cycled to Herbert’s Pub on the Nenagh side of Lisnagry, having deviated up the ramp to the Apple Green roundabout and heroically resisting the temptation of heat and fresh coffee. The remainder of the riders travelled to Daly’s Cross and back. Another welcome sight on the morning was the presence of three under 18 riders which is great to see!!
Also, Sunday was a perfect demonstration of the importance of lights at this time of the year – not because of darkness but because of fog. The photo below was taken just as our group had passed on the near side of the road. If you look closely at the far side of the road you will notice 2 cyclists in the distance (not from our group), without lights and barely visible.
Safety on the roads is paramount! There are many types of lights on the market now and they don’t cost a fortune. Be safe, be seen. We would expect all club members to be using lights on a morning like this. Please don’t be relying on others to make the group visible, everyone has a responsibility in this kind of weather to make themselves visible to traffic. Check out this video on bicycle lighting from GCN:
I will keep reminding everyone of the upcoming Quiz night that will be held in the Dapp Inn, Nenagh on Friday night the 27th of February starting at 9pm. Its a great night out and great fun. It gives everyone in the club a chance to meet and have a chat outside of cycling.
A fun night out guaranteed. A table of four is 20 euro and we would ask our members to bring along spot prizes for the night. So start getting your general knowledge training started and the thinking caps on. Please try and support your club on the night. You’ll have a great time. Everyone is welcome. Bring as many friends and family as you like.
The usual spins will continue next weekend so keep an eye out on the website and Facebook for updates during the week.
For any more information on club events or membership please contact our club chairperson Pat Bergin on 087 6744400.
