So 10 days to the start of the 100th Tour de France. Time for all potential Director Sportifs out there to pick their team and join the Slaney fantasy league. Just click on http://www.velogames.com/ select your 9 riders within your allotted budget and join the Slaney mini league. When you have your team selected just use the access code below to join the Slaney mini league. You can make any changes you want to your team up to the start of stage 1. After that, like Bjarne Riis and Nicolas Roche, you’re stuck with your choice!
After each stage the Slaney league will be updated with your riders points. There’s no cost and all you need is an email address. The code you need to join the Slaney league is 19222229 and we’ve a month to come up with a winners prize!
Click on thumbnail for details. A good varied list of time trials leading up to the county TT champs. Great events suitable for A4s and novices from our recent league as well as A1-3′s. You don’t need a TT bike and can measure your own progress over the six events. And all in memory of a fantastic cyclist we miss very much, unarguably one of Wexfords finest All Ireland winning hurlers and a undoubtedly an absolute gentleman.
Wendesday nights – SERC league, 7pm start at Toss Byrnes, Inch.
“Two races in the league each night. The first race is the A1-2 group with the A3’s handicapped. The second race will be even more popular, is the A4/Novice race. A continuation of the successful Slaney league. The race distance is 40km…. so it should suit a lot of riders at this standard. Remember the results of 4 races out of 5 count, so it aint too late to get in and try for the over all win. Also note for the first time there will be a team prize, based on the top 3 riders with points from a club, so that should add an extra dimension to the racing”
For the 40+ riders who rode the recent Slaney A4 league this is an ideal opportunity to continue the good work done in Davidstown. As a separate race you don’t have the faster categories to worry about and there are three handicapped groups so everyone will be catered for on a good safe circuit. These two events should keep everyone busy for the next month or so!
National Championships
Finally, best of luck to Frank Dunne and Conchubhar O’Crualaoich who represent Slaney CC at the National Championships Vets race on Saturday in Carlingford, Co Louth.
Loftus Hall Saturday 21st Bike Week Awareness:
Discussion at Loftus Hall regarding main issues facing Cycling generally, local and global. UCI presidency, recent Rás, cleaner cycling and safety at national races and sportives. We invite your club to cycle to Loftus Hall on Sat 22nd of June. Cyclists will receive free coffee and sandwich.
If interested could you please confirm numbers.
Regards
Lynn Hayden
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The twitter feed widget is not working (again!) but you can follow the @slaneycc twitter feed here : SlaneyCC
Sunday spin from the Duffry at 10 am. All together to start with and then split into long and short tours depending on number out.
Saturday spin leaving ALDI at 9.30am. Bunclody, Ballon, Fenagh, Borris, Graiguenamanagh, (coffee if not too wet), Ferry Bridge and home thru Clonroche. Weather might not be too bad, bring a rain cape.
Great spin today. Mick B, Phil, Paddy, Peter, Murry, Corky, Andrew & Bill. One creash at 10kms (Murry) One close shave at 70kms with rain cape caughty in spokes (Corky). 115km at over 29kph. Weather OK, some sunshine and very little rain.
Just to let everyone know, it’s now 20 days to the 2013 Dragon Sportive.
We are working hard on this new route making sure everything will be ready for the 30th June.
Start / Finish will be The Duffry, Enniscorthy. (Stage 2 Start of the Tour De France 1998).
Sign on will be in the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy from 7:30-8:30 am.
Parking will be provided close by.
Our designated charity is St.Vincent De Paul. Sponsorship cards are available on request.
Update from Phil Skelton on the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign: Further to the launch of the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 cyclingcampaign in March, I am very pleased to announce the the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 cycling jersey.
This is the first effective road safety jersey of its kind in Ireland, that not only makes cyclists more visible but leaves other road users in no doubt as to their responsibility to cyclists where it really matters; On Irish roads, worn by Irish cyclists. As the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 is a non profit organisation, these jerseys are being sold at cost price as charged by top quality Irish cycling clothing firm, Spin 11. At this stage I really don’t want any advertising on the jersey as the message is much too important to have deviated away by other messages. I initially plan on an order of 50 of these jerseys with the assistance of Loftus Hall experience, but that may change depending on demand. If you would like to get your hands on one of these jerseys, you can do so by emailing stayinaliveat1.5@gmail.com with your size and requirements. I will then invoice you a Paypal docket for a non refundable €20.00 deposit as per Spin 11′s policy. The remainder is then payable before jersey is either picked up or delivered. These jerseys will be Spin 11′s top of the range ‘performance speed’- soft fabric, higher breathability,uv protection, flowing body movement and flat seems that most club riders use. The full cost of this jersey is €42.00 which in my view is a total bargain for a jersey of this quality. Overseas experience of wearing similar jerseys has been very positive, with users reporting that motorists were giving them more room, more often. If you require further information or would like to get involved, please visitwww.facebook.com/stayinaliveat1.5 and private message me.
Since Stayin’ Alive at 1.5′s launch, some members have received a reply from the facebook page’s letter to Minister Leo Varadkar in relation to the request to have a safe overtaking space of 1.5 metres written into our rules of the road. Currently the reference to this issue is on page 43 of the Irish rules of the road and the advise is that you ‘should’ give extra space when overtaking a cyclist. The aim of this campaign is to have this distance clearly defined as 1.5 metres and to have the word ‘should’ replaced with the word ‘must’, thereby giving a clear unambiguous definition to this. Minister Varadkar has taken the stance that this would be unenforceable and is not proposing any changes to the law at this stage. They are though proposing an awareness programme. In general, members of the cycling community have difficulties with this; stand alone education programmes in relation to road safety matters don’t seem to take full effect until they are backed up by law enforcement. For example, we all remember the shocking drink-driving ad campaigns that hit our screens and while they certainly had an impact, it was not until random breath testing was introduced that finally led to the change in drivers attitudes with the Gardai given the power to fine, charge and issue penalty points to those driving under the influence. The point is that Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 does not expect our Gardai, armed with measuring tape, to follow motorists who overtake cyclists too closely but should a Garda notice such a dangerously close manoeuvre involving less than 1.5 metres, then there would be a clear law defining this offence. This could be enforced in much the same way that our current tailgating laws are, where the ’2 second rule’ applies; This typically isn’t enforced unless there is a Garda present or when there happens to be a crash, it becomes clear when a motorist hasn’t allowed adequate space between vehicles. This particular offence carries an €80 fine and two licence penalty points. For those therefore who pass in an unsafe or malicious manner, this 1.5 metre law should provide a generic charge that should hold up in court especially if contact is made with the cyclist.
Big thank you to all who helped get it this far
Well done Phil – some of us give out & complain, some of us get off our ass and do something!!
Underage report from Peter Thatcher: Both Fionn and Adam both rode the Sean Nolan GP today in Navan. This was Adam’s first open race since his sickness.
The race stayed together for the 5 laps with Adam chasing down any attack keeping it all together. Coming into the sprint finish there was a big crash with 4 riders hitting the road, With Fionn and Adam negotiating the stricken riders Fionn taking 4th and Adam taking 5th on the line, there was a lot of riders commenting on dangerous and very poor control of group riding, Well done to Naoise Sheridan taking 6th place and Seamus Sinnott finishing 2nd.
Next weekend the boys travel to Cobh co. cork for one of Adam’s favourite race’s of the year. This race will also suit Fionn with a nice 8% climb on every lap
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Murry’s saturday spin looks great this weekend! : Meet at ALDI for 9.30am start. New Ross, Inishtoige vis Rosbercon, Graiguenamanagh, stop for coffee in St Mullins, home through Ballywilliam and Poulpeasty. 100km+ on lovely roads and in glorious sunshine. Let me know if you are in.
Good day had by all. Coffee stop in Graiguenamanagh. 105kms, super roads, no potholes, Murry, Bill, Paddy, Mark, Pat and Corky who test drove a Tonto sized bike! http://app.strava.com/activities/58982358
As you are aware UCI president Pat McQuaid is seeking a nomination from Cycling Ireland for a 3rd term as president of the world cycling governing body. As you also know he was originally nominated by the board of CI but this decision was subsequently revoked and an EGM called to allow the membership (via the clubs) vote on the issue.
Attached are details of the EGM, a press release from CI with their reasons for originally supporting his nomination and a document from the group opposing his nomination. I am not aware of an actual published manifesto from Pat McQuaid.
The club is entitled to send 4 voting delegates who must be CI members to the meeting. Can any members who have an opinion on this issue drop a short email to either mickhowe.irl@gmail.com or liamruth1@gmail.com whether they support or oppose Pat McQuaids nomination or if they wish to have a club meeting to discuss this issue. The committee can then decide if there is enough interest to warrant holding a meeting and a formal vote on the issue.
The club sends its condolences to Marie Whitney on the passing of her uncle Lar Rigley, Patrick Street and to our friends in Sacre Coure boxing club on the sudden death of Paddy Murphy, St Johns, this weekend. RIP.
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Underage Report from Bill Jordan: Great result for the boys of Wexford today in Blarney at the u16 race. Only two in the race, Seamus Sinnott from Wexford Wheelers and FionnJordan from Slaney. Seamus rode a great race to take his first win in an open race when he won a three man sprint. Fionn was disappointed to miss the winning break but persevered to take the best u15 prize. this was his first prize in an open race since last years Rs na nóg and hopefully will encourage him to work hard over the coming weeks as he tries to regain his form
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Great group out this morning for the Sunday tour. Good to see some new faces out – your all welcome lads. Route was down to the Rosssalre roundabout in Wexford, back into town and out to Curracloe for a quick coffee stop. Then up thru Blackwater and Oulart direction.
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Congratulations and well done to Davy Walsh and Frank Dunne who took the elite Silver and veterans Silver at the Leinster TT champs last night. Only two seconds off Gold for Davy and 12 secs for Frank. Fantastic ride after such a long haul to Dundalk. Frank is already looking forward to the 25mile champs!
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Mick Byrne Randonee Phil Skelton sent us this report on last Sundays event.
When I took up cycling a little over 3 years ago, I remember asking club stalwart, Mick Byrne, what the toughest sportive, he had done was. His answer was the Mick Byrne Randonnee. On closer scrutiny I discovered that this was 200km in length with 3200metres of climbing done mostly on roughly surfaced back roads. Being a sucker for a challenge, I resolved to do it one day….
As I am a shift-worker, the day this was on, clashed with work each year…until today.
Got to Dalkey for sign on at 7:30 and readied the Ridley. There was a lovely atmosphere at the start buoyed by nice weather and nervous anticipation. Almost immediately after roll out, the climbs began, starting with the spectacular vista that is coastal Dalkey.
(I always hear Bill Jordan’s words in my ear at the early part of sportives, ‘get towards the front early because there, you’ll be less likely to encounter careless riding’).
Got chatting to a few cyclists who had done ‘the Gorey’, others were top of the range endurance athletes and some A3s. The company was really good and great conversations struck up. We worked really well as a group and kept each others spirits up. The climbing though was relentless with very few flat sections to speak of. The food stops (3) along the way, while not Kiltealyesque were well placed and the good humoured banter prevailed.
Rounding the Gap pub near Hollyfort a friendly light southerly helped our journey back to Dalkey. Lots more climbing awaited us including Sliabh Mann and Sally Gap. The final sting comes with 195kms in the legs with Vico rd. past Bono’s house on with some 10% gradient and of course the customary moment capturing photographer to record your pain.
I’ve done the Wicklow 200 twice and I think it’s a bit of a rip-off, trading on its name with a fairly hefty entry fee. Sign on for the Mick Byrne by contrast was €15 and is a tougher more challenging and better organised route altogether.
Keep it in mind for next year..
Phil
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Details of another local sportif for those of you not signed up for the Wicklow 200
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Two great pictures of Paul Nolan in the neutral service car at the An Post Rás. Paul is servicing Mehall Fitzgerald from Visit Nenagh in these shots. At first I thought he was just pulling up his socks but on second viewing I think he’s extracting a gel wrapper stuck in his rear derailleur!
The photos were taken by Paul Mohan from Sportsfile, one of the pro photogs on the race.
To complete a Rás is to join an exclusive group of cyclists who have earned the respect of their peers. Its part of Irish cycling history. A rite of passage that only the strongmen can pass. To compete for eight days against professionals, semi professionals & full time amateurs, and against the elements over heavy roads and mountain stages is a unique achievement. To be a “Man of the Rás” is an honour hard won.
It’s a daily fight for survival over distances you never normally race and at speeds you can only dream of. Every one suffers at the Rás from first to last. Maybe it’s that ability to sustain the suffering that separates the top 10 from the bottom 10.
To take this challenge on for a clubman, a county rider or an A3 or A2 is to take on a world of pain. Committing eight or nine months of your life to training, preparing, putting you life and family on hold. Building up slowly and steadily to a week in May. Knowing that even on your best day your going to be struggling in the gutter just to survive against the competition. Suffering.
For riders to take on this challenge and then to be eliminated from the race after a stage which included eight categorised climbs and in which you finish just 81 seconds outside the time limit seems like cruelty in the extreme. For the officials to overlook the extenuating circumstances and exclude these riders seems to go against the whole ethos and history of the Rás.
Hugh, Dave, Brian, Greg & Nick, and their superb support team took on the challenge. Not as talented or highly ranked as the competition but equally committed and well prepared. Leaving the race in this manner must have been as hard as any stage. Still suffering. Respect.
Well done to the 49 adults, 16 underage and all our brilliant marshals who took part tonight in the final round. We had great, fast, safe racing in all groups and a worthy final night winner in Martin O’Connor SERC who also takes the overall league victory. Seamus Sinnott Wex Whls completed a clean sweep of five straight victories in the U16 group. Charlie O’Hagan Slaney had his first win in U14 and what a race in U12. Elliott Young, Slaney, attacking at The Leap to take a commanding lead only for Shane Gallagher, Barrow to claw his way back on the main road and a superb 300m sprint to the finish with Shane just edging it.
The prize presentation for the league will be after a final one off race in Davidstown on Wens week June 5th. (Maybe someone from SERC can confirm this date doesn’t clash with their league start) Hopefully I’ll get a chance to upload photos of this race and last weeks in the next day or two.
As an extra innovation on this years Mount Leinster we put up a KOM jersey for the fastest ascent of the Corrobutt Gap with the winner chosen from the fastest time uploaded to Strava from the event. There were some seriously fast climbers on the day with our own Paul Bolger clocking 7 mins 28 secs, Mick McLean 7.40 and Phil Skelton 8.26.
However the fastest time uploaded to date is another local man, Derrick Evans from SERC, in a super time of 6 minutes 48 seconds. And he even was able to smile for the camera! How fast is that? Well only Ryan Sherlock has ridden it faster. All the times are on the stava link below. (At this time I don’t see any woman posting times although we had quite a few on the event)
