Martin goes well in Connacht 15/6/09

Well done to Martin Gill who took an excellent 6th place overall in Ras Connachta over the weekend,only 45 seconds behind winner Simon Coughlan of Donamon Dynnamos.That time trial bike he made by hand is paying off big time as he powered home to 8th overall in the TT on stage two which was held on a flat 4 mile course.

Well done also to Alex Williams of Slaney who took 4th overall. 

If both these riders continue their form through the summer it will be an interesting county championships next September!

A Busy Week 8/6/09

Martin Gill, appearing fresh after his competing in the Rás, became the first local winner of the third Frank O' Rourke Memorial race last Sunday week.

Martin was involved in every breakaway in the race and eventually broke clear with Murt Doyle of Slaney CC. The Rás seems to have only improved his fitness as even Murt could not stay with Martin over the final two kilometres. Frank Dunne (Slaney CC) was third.

In the Jim Whitty Memorial Race Wexford Wheelers were represented by Conchubhar O Crualaoich, Joe Rossiter, Patsy McCaffery, Eoin O' Shea, Dave Walsh and Simon Lambert.

All riders were extremely active througout the race, keeping the speed as high as possible to make it tough for any riders to escape the bunch.

Dave Walsh initiated the first attack on the long drag between Adamstown and Carrigbyrne but the strong head wind on the main road slowed him slightly and he was joined by three more riders.

These four stayed away untill the turn back to Camross were the bunch regrouped. On lap two the decisive break went clear with three Wheelers in the group of ten namely Dave Simon and Conchubhar

This group was to stay away for the remaining 40kms but with the pace hot and heavy the group was whittled down to four; Dave, Conchubhar, Rory Wylie (Dam Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) and Andre Engemann (St. Tiernans CC).

Rory Wylie attacked 6 times on the last lap before escaping to take a well deserved win. Andre Engemann was second with Dave and Conchubhar taking third and fourth respectively.

Underage prizewinners,were U12 - Michael O' Loughlin (Dan Morrissey), Ryan Orr, Caoimhe Ivory (Bray Wheelers); U14 - Craig Arrigan (Orwell Wheelers), Aidan Wall (Navan RC), Sean Hahessy (Dan Morrissey); U16 - David Boyd (Clonard RC), Luke Maguire (Wexford Wheelers), Shaun Rigley (Eurocycles)

There were many people involved in the successful running of the races and the club is grateful to The O' Rourke and Whitty families, Ferrybank Motors, An Garda Siochana, Order of Malta, Pat Clancy, Alan Rossiter, The Bike Shop, Commissaires Colm Rigley and Eddie Dawson, all the stewards/marshals, and last but not least, race organiser extraordinaire David Maguire.
 Patsy McCaffery, Johnny Gordon, Eoin O' Shea, Simon Lambert, Dave Walsh and Conchubhar O Crualoich took part in the first race of the South East Road Club Summer league on 3rd June.
The race was over two laps of a circuit from Inch through Toberduff to Arklow and Patsy, Eoin, Johnny, Simon and Dave were active in breaks but the race endedin a bunch sprint with Conchubhar taking third.
While recent attention was on the Rás in Wexford, Patsy and Conchubhar went racing in the Midlands. In terrible weather conditions, Conchubhar took seventh place in the Mullingar GP.
Conchubhar was a winner in a recent Slipstream CC race held on a circuit between Gorey and Camolin and will be looking forward to the nation vets championships at the end of the month. Martin Misgajski's good form continues and he took a fine win recently in the Waterford League.

On the touring side, David Curtis, Bobby Newport, David Maguire, John McCormack and George Ryan took part in the Wicklow 200, a 200 km (125 mile) trek over the Wicklow Mountains which includes the famous climbs of Sally Gap, Sliabh Mann and Shay Elliot.

All local cyclists are urged to consider participating a charity cycle next Sunday, 13th June, a fundraiser for Friends of Wexford Hospice.

Sign-on is at Glynn/Barntown GAA Complex at 7am with an 8am. Entry fee is EUR 30.

There are two routes, 100km (Glynn - Ferns - Bunclody - Kiltealy and back) and 160km (Glynn - Ferns - Bunclody - Kiltealy - Mt Leinster - New Ross and back).

 There will be entertainment that evening in the GAA club.

Results 31/5/09

More pictures by Alan Rossiter here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishwonkafan/

Full results of the 3rd annual Frank O' Rourke memorial race:

Senior B race:

1st:Martin Gill Wexford Wheelers

2nd:Murt Doyle  Slaney CC

3rd:Frank Dunne Slaney CC

4th:Ciain O' Conchumhair UCD

5th:Mark Dunne Orwell Wheelers

6th:Shem Cullen Worldwide Cycles

Vet/Jun/C race:

1st:Rory Wiley Dan Morrisey

2nd:Andre Engemen St.Tiernans

3rd:David Walsh Wexford Wheelers

4th: Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich Wexford Wheelers

5th:David Coppinger Usher IRC

6th:John Maguire SERC

1st unplaced Junior:Axel O' Connor Laois

1st unplaced vet.:Jason Stack Usher IRC

1st unplaced Wexford Wheelers rider:Eoin O'Shea

Under 12

1st:Michael O'Loughlin Dan Morrissey

2nd:Ryan Orr ?

3rd:Caoimhe Ivory Bray Wheelers

Under 14 race

1st:Craig Arrigan Orwell Wheelers

2nd:Aidan Wall Navan RC

3rd:Sean Hahessy Dan Morrissey

Under 16 race

1st:David Boyd Clonard RC

2nd:Luke Maguire Wexford Wheelers

3rd:Shaun Rigley Eurocycles 

John McCormicks weekly touring report

The sun brought out the cyclists in numbers today and a larger group than usual set off on the wheels of George who looked tanned and fresh after his fortnight's training - I mean holiday - in Lanzarote. We were joined today by Aurelien Lamasson from Brittany who last cycled with the club two years ago while working as a teaching assistant at Curracloe National School. Aurelien had just fulfilled his ambition of cycling across Ireland from the Atlantic Ocean to the Irish sea; having flown into Cork airport he took the train to Tralee and pedalled out to Dingle over the Conor Pass and back the next day to Tralee; the following days saw him overnight in Adare in  Co.  Limerick and Cashel Co Tipperary; his final stop before Wexford was Kilkenny from where he entered the county through the Scullogue Gap taking in the climb over Mount Leinster on the way.

            As usual George didn't stay too long on the N25 before turning off for Newbawn and places south of there including the spectacular Taylorstown Viaduct which was blown up by the IRA during the Civil War! The Duncannon Line was crossed at St.Leonards and we headed towards Saltmills and Fethard as the unusual sunshine grew warmer or perhaps the sense of warmth was due to the sprightly pace that was being set! The route took us around Tintern demesne and over the picturesque bridge at Saltmills.

           Turning north we skirted Duncannon and crossed the Duncannon Line for a rest stop in  Campile. The route home took us on back roads through Newbawn and Taghmon and on towards home. In all , a very satisfying 100k through pleasant countryside with not too many hills, excellent company and quite a few calories burned!

FRANK O’ROURKE MEMORIAL CYCLING RACE - SUNDAY 31/5/09

SPONSORED BY FERRYBANK MOTORS & THE O'ROURKE FAMILY

Details
SIGN-0N :      OPEN AT 10:45 CAMAROSS HALL
CATEGORIES:  S2,S3,J,V,YOUTH
START  TIME : YOUTH @ 11:15 AND S2,S3,J,V AT 12:00
CONTACT :     MARTIN GILL @ 086 0400229 FOR MORE INFO.

Directions
Coming from Dublin.
Travel along the n11 to Wexford, in Co Wexford  you will pass through Eniscorthy town ,  then  Oilgate village , then you will come to a  big roundabout (apox 9 km after Oilgate) take a right  (n25 exit to Cork ) ,8.2 KM aprox . after this roundabout  turn right  for Camross , Adamstown  (you are now on a section of the course ) , stay on this road for Camross.

Coming from Cork.
Travel along the n25 to Rosslare , in Co Wexford you will pass through Newross town , Ballynabola village , 8.2km km aprox from this village turn left for Camross , after this you will quickly come to a staggered cross roads turn right then left , go 0.5 km and you will be in Camross .

Safe journey!

Map

FBD Ras

Martin Gill is Wexford Wheelers' Club Secretary, he is also an engineer, a farmer and all > '> round good guy. His great sporting claim is that he is now one of the Men of the Rás, a special band of cyclists who have taken part in Ireland> '> s greatest cycle race.

Last Sundays first stage was from Kilcullen, Co. Kildare to Hill St., Wexford, a distance of 125km. Martin lost mere seconds to the race leaders, a fantastic achievement when you consider that many of the riders are fulltime, professional cyclists and others are on international teams. Martin has to fit in his training and rest between fixing the roads in Waterford and lugging hay bales!

While Sunday's was a relative short stage, Martins' average speed was 26.3mph. Some of us struggle to reach that speed on the downhills!

While he is riding as a guest on the Tipperary-Clonmel CC team, he proudly donned his Wexford Wheelers jacket at stage-end for all to see.

 Eoin O'Shea recently represented the club at the Orwell Wheelers, Kieran Hammond Memorial Race in North Dublin, where a technical, tough circuit, and poor roads combined with a very fast pace, touching over 85kph in places, inevitably this took it's toll on the field resulting in a much smaller bunch at the finish.

 Eoin however rode strongly and despite the loss of both of his water bottles and a buckled front wheel after a
close encounter with a massive pot-hole on one of the faster sections early on in the race, finished comfortably in the main bunch.

Rumour has it that ropes and ladders were required to rescue a number of riders who were lost into some of the larger craters on the circuit.
On the touring side, John McCormack, Mark Gurhy and Bobby Newport abandoned the well trodden routes around the county last Sunday week for pastures new when they took themselves to Carlow for the annual Slieve Bloom Challenge, a 150k route which takes the participants over the Slieve Bloom mountains twice and through territory which for many of the cyclists is the "hidden Ireland" that the Bord Failte advertisement used to rave about!

The route began to climb from the start as the group of over 100 cyclists made their way through exotically names villages such as The Swan, The Spink, and on through Abbeyleix to the first feeding station at Mountrath where the back up crew from the Holy Angels Day Care Centre in Carlow who were the beneficiaries of the funds raised on the day, provided sandwiches, tea ,coffee and the moistest fruit cake to inject some fuel into legs that faced two climbs totalling 1700 metres.
>
The first climb of the Slieve Blooms was made into a very strong headwind that called for all the concentration a touring cyclist can muster and left little energy for admiring the wonderful scenery on a pleasantly dry day.

A quick descent brought the cyclists into Co. Offaly and a right turn meant the wind now provided much welcome assistance on a bit of a gallop to Clonaslee where another right turn took the tour up "The Cut" and over the mountains again and back to Mountrath. The return run to Carlow was via Ballyfin and Portlaoise and onto the familiar N80 through Stradbally to the starting point at the Holy Angels Day Care Centre. Some of the tourers, who were very proud of their ability to mix it at the front with the speedier cyclists, had to admit defeat on the long climb out of Stradbally and one of the Wexford Wheelers took so much time to make his way around that the second feeding station had closed but there was a great welcome and more tea and sandwiches waiting at the finish!

This race has been re-scheduled to take place on the 24th  May and NOT on the 12th July as printed in the calender.

More info on the SERC website.

Martin Gill is ready for the biggest race in Ireland,but is the biggest race in Ireland ready for him.All the many hours he has put in over the last few months will hopefully stand to Martin next week.When asked to comment on the tough route he replied " Ah sure thats only a bump in the road".It takes a true hero to attempt let alone finish the Ras,we reckon however that the Ferrycarrig flyer can fulfil every cyclists dream.

The 160 participants are due to finish at 3pm at the the top of Hill Street Sunday 17th.DON'T MISS IT!

Mount Leinster Challenge

Entry fee for the day is €20. Sign on from 8.00am at Bellefield GAA complex in Enniscorthy. Event starts at 9.30am. Free parking, showers, food stops and commemorative medal for all participants.

A perfect ride for anyone gearing up for the Wicklow 200! 

Full and updated details of the event including maps, accommodation links are available at http://www.slaneycyclingclub.com/?page_id=33

Ras in Wexford - 29/4/09

Stewards required for stage end of FBD Insurance Ras on Hill Street, Wexford on Sunday 17th May.  If anyone is available on the day, please contact Keith Cullen (086 3185517) before Friday 8th May with names.  Club jerseys/jackets to be worn by all stewards on the day.

At least ten will be needed just to restrain Marrtin Gill after the finish!

Reminder-5ml Time trial tuesday night(28/4/09).Carrigbyrne,first rider off 7.00.

Bill Hyland Memorial 26/4/09

Another succesful days racing for Wexford Wheelers today in Clonmel.Luke Maguire came 1st in the under 16 race while Dave Walsh took 4th in the combined event.Martin Gill rode very purposefully in the A/B race leading the pace for most of the race,Martin is heading north  next weekend and is in great condition heading ino the Tour of Ulster next weekend.Martin is planning to taper off a bit now though,and will only do 8/900 miles this week.

Meanwhile Wexford Wheelers  newly crowned "A" cat Martin Mizgajyski had plans of his own this afternoon .Martin was up in the breakaway early on but found the going tough against some of the best riders in Ireland including race winner Brian Kenneally.

Albert Walsh showed good form also,and lead his group around the hilly 10 mile course (secret training Albert?) Johnny Gordon also rode well to finish in this group .

Simon Lambert showed he is regaining form with a good 12th place finish,this is a great result considering he puntured 3 times and crashed twice only.Cronchubhar's chain coudn't handle the power of "the gaeilgeoir" as the watts piled up and snapped on the first lap (p.s. there is a brand new 50 euro chain lying in some ditch outside Clonmel if your interested) Eoin O' Shea was involved in a crash on the first lap which is a shame as he was feeling strong (his words not mine!).

Due to the absence of any racing next weekend the racing section has decided to organise a fast 3/4 hour training spin next Sunday morning for all those interested.Meet at the bullring 9.30. All welcome.

Tracie Lawlor Trust charity spin

Sat 18th April 09: MONIE NOLAN MEMORIAL IN BALSCADDEN - North County Dublin. Sign-on in Balscadden.Senior Race (53k) - Start at 3 O’clock, 1st (2) Unp .‘B’, ‘C’, ’J’, ’V’, ’L’.

Stamullen Grand Prix
Leinster Sun 19-Apr RR STAMULLEN GRAND PRIX RACES -sign-on is in Gormanston College, opening at 10:30. Racing for S1 S2 S3 J V youth.Race start 12.30.

Copper Coast Sportif

The Comeragh Cycling Club are hosting the “Copper Coast Sportif” on SATURDAY 18th April. A 50km / 100km Sportif around the scenic Copper Coast in support of the RAS Waterford County team. Full details available at http://www.comeraghcc.com/DisplayArticle.php?newsID=216 Venue: Butlerstown GAA Grounds, Holy Cross, Co. Waterford. Start: 10.00am (Sign on from 9.00am). Entry: €20 Queries: sineadpower@comeraghcc.com or patbrennan@comeraghcc.com 

Kanturk 3-day

With "the gorey" only completed days ago,several members are already setting new goals.One of these is the Corkman 3-day which is to be held on the May bank holiday weekend.All of those interested in participating should contact Patsy Mcafferry on 087 2384625 to arrange accomodation etc. 

After such a good showing in Gorey last weekend lets not rule out a team for the Ras next year!!!

Gorey 3 day- 14/3/09

Congradulations to all the lads who were brave enough to compete in "the Gorey" this weekend.The lads came away with some excellent results and a great weekend was had by all.A special word of congradulations to Martin Mizgayski who won the time-trial and got 3rd place overall.Only the beginning for what is set to be the most succesful seasons for years.

Report and photos to follow..

Overall GC

3 Martin Mizgayski @ 2'08

11 Conchubhar O' Crualaoich @ 2'29

16 Martin Gill 2'46

80 David Walsh @ 6'15

135 Eoin  O' Shea @ 1h 14'40 

Simon Lambert DNF Johnny Gordon DNF Mick O'Flaherty DNF Patsy Mcafferry DNF Joe Rossitter DNF

Team Classification

3 Wexford Wheelers @ 3'10

"Gorey is mine" says Conchubhar

The benefits of all their Winter training will be put to the test as an eleven-man Wexford Wheelers team takes part in the annual Gorey 3 Day race this Easter weekend.

The 'Gorey' is a four stage race over three days. The first stage is from Tallaght to Gorey on Saturday.

On Easter Sunday morning, rather than scoffing chocolate eggs, the lads will be taking part in a time trial from Camolin to Gorey followed by a race on the Gorey-Craanford-Camolin circuit.

The final stage is from Gorey back to Tallaght on Monday. Total race distance is 340km.

The Wheelers team is Martin Gill, Paul Flynn, Johnny Gordon, Simon Lambert, Martin Mizgajski, Patsy McCaffery, Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich, Mick O'Flaherty, Eoin O'Shea, Joe Rossiter and David Walsh.

With a ten-man team entered by Slaney Cycling Club and riders representing Barrow Wheelers, South East Road Club and Slipstream Cycling Club, chances of local success are good and it is indicative of a renewed interest in the great sport of cycling.

"The Gorey is mine" replied Conchubhar when asked his predictions.Martin Gill and Martin Mizgajski both had the same answer!

"Were ready" nodded Patsy."We have the speed" agreed Mick.Hopefully we'll hear more from the lads in the coming days.

Everyone at Wexford wheelers would finally like to wish the lads the best of luck in what is sure to be a enjoyable weekend .

Gorey 3 day press launch 5/4/09

Some photos taken by Alan Rossiter at the press launch in Ferrybank motors last Friday.

Wheelers Duo Appointed to Top Cycling Positions in France

Two of the stalwarts of local cycling and of Wexford Wheelers Cycling Club, Billy Roche and David Maguire, will shortly be departing these shores for sunnier climes and the professional cycling business in France.

Billy will shortly take up his post as Youth Development Officer with the Paris-based Club des Enfants Biciclettes. His work in nurturing young cycling talent in Wexford has not gone unnoticed and he has been rewarded with a five year contract. Many of the current crop of professional riders have come through this club and it is a great honour for Billy to be the first non-native to be appointed to such an esteemed position in the French cycling academy.

As a former painter, Billy is also looking forward to realising artistic fulfilment while he resides in one of the world's great cultural cities.

David's work as Race Secretary for Wexford Wheelers has also been appreciated internationally and he has been snapped up by the Tour de France organisation to assist in the running of this year's great race. While he will assist the tour commissaire throughout the race, he will have special responsibility for stage 14 from La Blague to a mountain-top finish at L'Alpe de la Chimere.

His other responsibilities will be fiscal, such as organising the loan of a few euro for any of the riders who might need to replace tyres, chains, brakes etc. during the race. His experience in this area also not having gone unnoticed.

'We are grateful to everyone associated with Wexford Wheelers who have helped us on the road to our cycling dream.' Billy and David responded together, in unison, at the same time when asked to reflect on their years in the club.

Tonight (Wednesday), in the Restaurant de la Vie, Billy and David will be partaking of a glass or two of vin and all of their friends from the Wexford cycling fraternity are invited to join them and to bid them au revoir. And sure with the day that's in it, why wouldn't they?

Racing in full swing as Gorey looms

Denis McCarthy and Declan Kinch (both Slipstream CC) took first and second places in the first local competitive race of the year, the first round of the Liam Bennett Memorial Time Trial League, a five mile time trial from Carrigbyrne to Barntown held last Saturday. Wexford Wheelers' Martin Gill was third.
 
Another good result for Conchubhar O Crualaoich as he took second place in the combined race at the Des Hanlon Memorial Races in Carlow at the weekend.

Last Sunday four Wheelers travelled to Bohermeen for the Waller Cup race.
Johnny Gordon took part in the vets race, riding well at the front most of the race but missing the break. He rode on to finish well up in the bunch sprint.

Luke Maguire rode strongly in the u16 race finishing well in a race
that came down to a bunch sprint and he was just outside the prizes.

Eoin O'Shea and Patsy McCaffery rode the S3 race which was over 4 laps
of a 15km circuit . Eoin rode strongly in the bunch finishing well up
while Patsy was involved in a break on lap 1 and again on lap 2 before
puncturing at the start of the final lap. (Someone should tell Patsy that mechanical excuses are fine for race and rally drivers but not for cyclists!).

For touring cyclists, another 'grand tour' has been added to the list with the Stephen Roche 'Tour de Cure' Charity Cycle Sportif on Saturday 9th May. This is a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society and the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. It is being run by Midleton Cycling Club and there is a choice of routes. More details can be found on www.stephenrochetourdecure.com <http://www.stephenrochetourdecure.com>.

John McCormick's weekly touring report

In near ideal conditions (well as near ideal for late March in Ireland)  a group of twelve tourers set off to follow George's trail to Irishtown in New Ross. The initial climb to Larkin's Cross from Ardcandrisk is always testing especially for those who have also been turning the pedals on the previous day and Sunday was no different! Billy Roche had one new recruit to his Junior tour , namely Padraig Clancy who stayed with Billy on the round trip to Taghmon and back.

           The N25 was quickly abandoned for the back road to Adamstown around Camross Hill: a few words  of the Gospel reading could be heard on the loudspeaker system of the church of St. Abban as we passed! Travelling due west towards Raheen we passed the site of the 1798 massacre at Scullabogue where  rebels  massacred 100-200 loyalists , both Catholic  and Protestant, held prisoner in a barn.

       A short stop was made in Raheen while Alan Hinchey made a quick tube change - welcome back Alan after the winter hibernation ! The stop also gave us an opportunity to welcome back Ciara, an occasional visitor  from London,  who cycles with the Greenwich Tritons ( http://www.greenwichtritons.org.uk/ )  - a triathlon club. Ciara travels over on Fridays to visit relatives in Wexford , brings her bicycle on the train and boat and joins us in the Bullring at 9.30 on Sunday.

    By  this stage three cyclists  had decided to cut short their Sunday morning spin - one of whom being an expectant dad had every excuse ...... I'm not certain why the other two abandoned what was a most pleasant spin in light winds and watery sunshine!

          The outward journey continued through Old Ross with its overgrown motte (http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/212310) and up the side of Lacken Hill with its view of New Ross in the distance and a welcome stop at the shop in New Ross for refreshments.
A number of the peleton admitted to not having been over this route previously despite many years in the saddle

          The route back was on the N25 with some assistance from the south westerly breeze and an increase in the pace ; although some of the group decided a stop at the Horse and Hound for coffee and another rest would only add to the pleasure of the day !

Results- Liam Bennett TT league

Another great week for the wheelers 23/3/09

Wexford Wheelers racing contingent travelled to Carrick on Suir on St.
Patrick's Day for the Carrick Cabs Cup. The club was represented by
Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich, Dave Walsh, Albert Walsh, Patsy McCaffery, Johnny
Gordan, Martin Gill and Keith Cullen.

Conchubhar grabbed a brilliant second place, only just beaten to the line by
twice nationalvets champion Martin O'Loughlin.

On Sunday last a lack of local competition gave Slipstream CC the incentive
to organise a training race of 80km on the Arklow bypass.

Wheelers were very well represented with ten riders and it brought the
maiden win of the season for the club when Dave Walsh out-sprinted the rest
of the three-man breakaway riders after a very strong ride.

Local club competitions begin next Saturday when Wexford Wheelers host the
first round of the Liam Bennett Memorial Time Trial League for 2009.

This will be a 10 mile tt from Carrickbyrne and travelling towards Wexford on
the N25. Sign on will be at 10am with the first rider off at 10.30. All
categories of riders are eligible to compete.

Racing on Sunday will be in Carlow for the Des Hanlon Memorial and in Navan for the Waller Cup.

John McCormicks weekly history lesson 23/3/09

Congrats to David Walsh from the tourers on his victory in Gorey today. Spring must have arrived since Billy Roche has returned for the Sunday morning tour from his winter hibernation!  Meanwhile the tourers headed west into the moderate breeze out to Ferrycarrig via Carcur and up to the N25 through Ardcandrisk, passing the sadly dilapidated entrance to Ardcandrisk House which is now demolished but where the last public pistol duel in County Wexford was fought in 1807 between William  Alcock of Wilton Castle and John Colclough of Tintern Abbey - Colclough came off worst! The front door of the house was installed in the premises of Celtic Laundry in the 1930s!

     The N25 was left at the turnoff to the old N25 that went through Camross; the group split at Adamstown - appropriately at the monument to Free State troops who died during the Civil War -  with the more athletic going on to Raheen and home via Ballinaboola and the N25; the genuine tourers took the road to the N25 and the pleasant spin home was aided by the appearance of the sun and the following wind!

Training Race 19/3/09

Due to lack of racing next weekend Slipstream cycling club have kindly decided to host a training race this coming Sunday 22/3/09.

Location:Toss Byrnes,Inch

Sign-on:10am

Fee:€5

 When men were men 11/3/09

Last Sunday saw some of our clubmates head north for what could only be described as a miserable weekend of racing.The lads had travelled up on Saturday for the race in Dublin and stayed overnight for the Newbridge GP the following day.This event was cancelled however due to heavy sleet and snow.Best result of the weekend went to David Walsh who got an excellent 7th place in the combined race.This from a man who has only been back on his bike for a couple of months.No bother to you Dave!This weekend see's the lads go to Banteer to which should be a dry weekend of racing.

Calender 2009 11/3/09

A full list of Wexford Wheelers events can be found in the "club events" section under "Calender 09'"..

Congradulations 8/3/09

A big congrats to club member Ian Doyle whose wife gave birth to twins (boy and girl) last Friday! We wish them all the best of luck.Latest reports have confirmed however that an order on a tandem has been made in Johnny's!

Twin Peaks Cycle Challenge 8/3/09

Date:Saturday 13th June

Sponsor: Friends of Wexford Hospice.

Sign On: Glynn/Barntown GAA Complex at 7am. Start 8am.

Cost: 30 Euro

2 Routes:100k and 160k with 2 food stops.

100k Route
Glynn - Ferns - Bunclody - Kiltealy and back

160k Route
Glynn - Ferns - Bunclody - Kiltealy - Mt Lenister - New Ross and back

Entertainment that night provided in the GAA Club

For details contact:
Willie Walsh 087 9598206
Catherine Walsh 087 9379912
Joe Kennedy 087 2492799

Tracie Lawlor Challenge 2009 8/3/09

Last years event was a massive success and great support was given by local clubs.Here are the details for the 2009 edition:

 It will be held on the 25th April 2009.  Proposed route is; start at ferrybank, travelling the coast road (R741) to Ballyedmond.  From here it travel through the Harrow to Ferns, Askamore, up the climb of Sliabh Bhui and back into Camolin and home to Wexford, finishing at the Talbot Hotel.  In all approx 100km.  There is a shorter 70k route which will turn left in Ferns avoiding Sliabh Bhui.  Proposed start time is 10 am.  They are also running a triathlon on the same day.More details will be posted in the coming weeks.They also have a website www.tracielawlortrust.com for further info.

A large group assembled at the Bullring on the first Sunday in March for what promised to be a tour with at least some welcome sunshine and not too strong a breeze; thankfully those who aspire to race left ahead of the tour and the remainder followed in the wheelmarks of the indomitable George Ryan who took us in a south easterly direction to Rosslare Strand where we had a view across the bay to Rosslare Harbour and the large boat docked there in the now quite bright sunshine.

Onwards then to Tagoat where some of the younger riders took the shortcut back to town and the more mature pedalled onwards to Carne where a stop was made at the Pier to admire the view northwards towards Ballytrent and the woods surrounding the former home of John Redmond leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party in the turbulent years of the early twentieth century.(http://www.actionireland.com/Ballytrent/large.htm).

       The journey back took us past the churchgoers at Ballymore near Killinick to Ballycogley and onwards to Wexford Town - in total a very pleasant spin of just under 40 miles

John McCormick's weekly turing report 22/2/09

A group of about twenty cyclists turned up in the Bullring this morning for the weekly Wheelers tour, including two new faces, John and Pat, both of whom had no difficulty keeping with the group! With a slight north westerly breeze the tour headed out to Ferrycarrig and up the N25 to Enniscorthy and on to Bunclody  and back again to town. Some of the more adventurous bypassed Enniscorthy by taking a route via Monart – they did not stop for coffee at Monart House (www.monart.ie) : they do like you to ring ahead! – and emerging onto the N25 again at Edermine. No doubt they took breath as they prepared for the climb to Oylegate by admiring the Edermine House built by Sir John Power of whiskey fame and featuring a church designed by Pugin and a conservatory designed by Richard Turner who also built the glasshouses in the Botanic Gardens and at Kew in London; but of course whiskey was the last thing on their minds as the final climb on a 90k cycle loomed ahead!

Weekly people column-Brendan Ennis-25/2/09

Fine Spring weather saw another great turnout in the Bullring for last Sunday's tour which took the cyclists on the N11 and N30 to Bunclody. After a coffee-stop they returned to Wexford by a hilly route through Monart and rejoined the N11 at Edermine for a final uphill drag.

The tour appeared to end up as a race between the current and former chairmen. Because they powered up Edermine Hill, away from the group, no-one knows who actually arrived home first!

Fáilte chuig rothaí nua, Pádraig Mac Fhlannchaid. Gaeilgeor eile sa chumann. Is deartháir le Seán é, na 'Clancy Brothers' nua!

Last Friday in the Riverbank House Hotel ,Wexford Wheelers held a well attended launch of the first stage of the 2009 FBD Insurance Rás which will finish in Wexford.

Wexford cycling great, Dermot Byrne, was presented with a new Wheelers jersey to commemorate his stage win in the Rás 50 years ago.

This weeks training race was again run by Slipstream CC. Starting at
the monument in Gorey it went to the Clough roundabout before turning
onto the Gorey/Arklow bypass, taking in the whole of the bypass before finishing just outside Gorey. A total of 70kms.

Wheelers Simon Lambert, Dave Walsh, Albert Walsh, Eoin O'Shea and Patsy McCaffery took part in the race which was won by Alex Williams of Slaney CC. Fellow Slaney CC rider Murt Doyle was second with Simon Lambert and Dave Walsh third and fourth respectively.

Simon and Dave joined the early break that was never caught. The remaining Wheelers finished in the bunch.

Luke Maguire was in West at the weekend training with the Leinster and Ireland underage squads.

Luke is also the club's webmaster supreme and is responsible for the updating of the website.
 A new feature on the site, bringing some culture, knowledge and the benefit of an education is John McCormick's Historical Cycling Tours of Wexford.

Weekly people column -Brendan Ennis 16/2/09

With all the talk of how it fits, colour schemes, contrasts, black being the new purple (and gold), 'Does my bum look big in this?', 'Is it too clingy?', one could be forgiven for thinking they were backstage among the supermodels before they graced the catwalk or that they were suddenly one of the teenage girls discussing their attire before attending the disco in Dún Mhuire. However, this was the scene as Wexford Wheelers new club gear was unveiled at the launch night, last Friday, in the Riverbank House Hotel.
With a new, up to date design with strong Gallic influence (thanks Aurelien!), the kit was well worth the wait and the effort. Well done to everyone involved.

The jersey has more names and logos on it than a Formula 1 car and the club is grateful to all its sponsors; Ferrybank Motors, Ulster Bank, Wastepal, McCaffery Tools, The Bike Shop, Kinsella's of Killeens, Kinsella's of Rocklands and Celtic Ferries.

2009 promises to be a good year for the Wheelers with the racers stepping up their training for early season races. It is expected that the club will have its biggest team for many years competing in the Gorey 3 Day race at Easter.

Simon Lambert, Dave Walsh, Johnny Gordon, Eoin O'Shea, Martin Gill, Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich, Luke Maguire and Patsy McCaffery took part in last Sunday's training race organised by Slipstream Cycling Club over 3 laps of a 17km circuit.

A crash on the second lap brought down eight riders but thankfully there was no serious injuries. The race was won by Hugh Byrne of Barrow Wheelers. Conchubhar was third, Dave finished seventh and the other Wheelers finished in the bunch.

Another training race is planned for next weekend, see our website www.wexfordwheelers.com <http://www.wexfordwheelers.com> for details.

The touring year got off to a great start with Barrow Wheelers hosting their first Sportif 100 on February 1st. This was a resounding success enjoyed by a large group from Wexford Wheelers. A very well organised event, it was attended by around 100 cyclists despite the cold easterly wind. Some of the those who took part apparently used it as preparation for the Ras. While it is a new event on the cycling calendar, let's hope it becomes an annual feature.

International, professional cycle racing is coming to Wexford as the first stage of the FBD Insurance Rás will finish in Wexford Town on Sunday, 18th May. Wexford Wheelers will be involved with the organisation and all are welcome to the launch next Friday at 7pm in the Riverbank House Hotel.

The new gear will be available to purchase that evening.

Thanks again to Martin O'Loughlin for his valuable and informative coaching session with the club last weekend.

Spring seemed to have arrived for this morning's spin.... along with some younger cyclists who may have been in hibernation during the winter : a big welcome was extended to Eddie Macken, John Clancy and James Lacey who all must have been doing some secret training as they had little difficulty cycling to Cushinstown on the N25 - that's the townland with the beautiful Gothic Church of St. Mary's on the main road between Ballinaboola and New Ross and the organic farm attached! Some of the more mature members showed the benefits of on the road winter training by continuing to the roundabout outside New Ross, turning around and catching up with the rest of the tour shortly after Ballinaboola on the return trip.

                 It was a wonderful morning to get out on the bike : a gentle breeze, so gentle it was hard to determine  its exact direction and sunshine all the way.  A coffee stop (for the older members; the under twenties seem to prefer flavoured water) at Ballinaboola was a pleasant break in the sunshine before the wind assisted speedy run home.

                Cycling can be a solitary sport if one chooses but the pleasure of a group cycle is the variety of conversations one hears over the three hours or so the Sunday tour takes; this morning topics ranged from the economy (inevitably) to golf (some cyclists have more than one pastime!) to local history..... and all at a pleasant pace on the level of 24km per hour or 15 mph in old money....so if you do feel like joining us do come to the Bullring Sunday morning at 9.30/

Weekly Reports Update 11/2/09

Brendan Ennis, in his wisdom (or distinct lack there of), has agreed to resume weekly notes duties in the local papers. He would appreciate any material for the notes; race reports, touring reports, gossip, scandal, words spoken out of turn, etc. Gaeilge nó Bearla, is cuma leis.

Any notes or information should be (ideally) sent by email to either of the following addresses brendan.ennis@hotmail.com (before 10pm Sundays) and/or brendan.ennis@agriculture.gov.ie (before 10am Mondays) for inclusion in the papers on the following Wednesday.

Also, if anyone has photos they would like to be sent to the papers, please email them to Brendan. No guarantees, but the papers may print them if they are of sufficient quality.
 

Jersey Launch Night-13/2/09

Rumour has it that Martin Gill will be getting his kit off this Friday at the Riverbank Hotel.Bring you check book boys!

Seriously though,the new gear is in and will be on sale this friday night (13/2/09) @ 7.30 in the Riverbank.So if you plan on looking cool on the roads this year-or really just want to see Martin's attempt at modelling make sure to check it out.

Prices will be as follows:short sleeve jersey-35euro    winter jacket-90euro   sleeveless winter top- 100euro   bib shorts- 65euro   skin suits- 110euro

Alan d. 

John McCormack's Weekly - 1 Feb 09

Variety is the spice of life ….. so today a goodly number of club members travelled to New Ross to participate in the Barrow Wheelers  "Sporting 100" event. The club had use of the very fine facilities of the Geraldine O Hanrahan's GAA club where early arrivers were welcomed with an excellent cup of coffee.

Over 90 cyclists took part in the event – an excellent turn out for the time of year and in part explained by the recent arrival on the web of the Barrow Wheelers attractive website http:// www.barrowwheelers.com where full details were available.  The route took us in a north easterly direction and into the strong and cold easterly  wind although the low termperature of 3* didn't stop body temperatures rising as the group made the brisk climb through Ballywilliam and Rathnure to Killane ; nor did I hear anyone singing P.J.  Mc  Calll's famed ballad of Kelly, the boy from Killane!

Mercifully we turned south and out of the biting easterly at Killane and it was a very pleasant downhill run to Clonroche, Adamstown and Newbawn where your scribe took advantage of the Jaffa Cakes and Fig Rolls offered by the ever solicitous back up crew from Barrow Wheelers.

Onwards then to Clongeen and  Taylorstown Viaduct which  like the beet trains of distant memory involved  a very stiff climb out of the valley  - nice photo of Irish Rail diesel locomotive 081 climbing the bank at http://helskitchen075.fotopic.net/p9153386.html

We crossed the Duncannon Line R733 at St.Leonards   heading downhill again towards the sea and entering a truly scenic and historic part of Co.Wexford – exhaustively treated by Dr. Billy Colfer in his "Hook Peninsula". The route took us along the perimeter wall of the old Tintern Abbey estate of the Colcloughs where Cistercian  monks enjoyed the beautiful views over the inlet at Saltmills until evicted by Henry VIII during the English Reformation . And would you believe Saltmills was built by the local landlord to replace the original village of Tintern which he had knocked down because it was too close to his home in the converted abbey!

At this stage the cycling was easy as we were carried along  by the brisk easterly but that happy state ended as we turned north east  towards Ballinaboola where we crossed the N25 and into Old Ross. At this stage there was less enthusiasm for admiring the local scenery- the motte at Old Ross stood out clearly in the bare landscape -  as energy sapped and the 90k stage was passed.  A turn down a narrow lane brought us rather unexpectedly but thankfully back full circle to the GAA club and the most edible sandwiches and reviving cup of tea ever drunk in early February.

Not an easy spin for a tourer so early in the season but a fantastic route through the county and no one could complain that it registered 104k on the clock rather than the 100 advertised!  Congratulations are due to the Barrow Wheelers for an excellently organised and resourced "Sporting 100"

John McCormack's Weekly Tour Report 25/1/09

As the ad currently running on radio or is it tv says "things happen" and last Sunday was one of those days...... an early, in fact, a  very early puncture in the Bullring just as the group left at 9.30 gave plenty of time for warm up as we slowly made our way out the N25 to Ballinaboola giving time for the punctured one to catch up - we are a very chivalrous group : we never abandon one who has punctured unless the airless rider requests the group to ride on !  The original plan was to head for Wellingtonbridge and the statutory stop for cofee or just to catch breath but another puncture near Foulksmills and an increasingly threatening sky produced the sensible suggestion that a shortcut for home might be the best course.... as indeed it was since the aforementioned threatening sky did indeed deliver rain and not just  the  soft rain that is supposed to fall in Ireland but cold and hard  rain  accompanied by an increasingly gusty wind that made sure any dry spot was soon as wet as the rest of the clothing! The only consolation was that due to the intelligent planning of the route we at least had the wind behind us! Needless to add, conditions became such that getting home quickly  became the top priority and the group broke up into smaller groups of cyclists fleeing before the deluge!  Nevertheless I'm sure most of the cyclists congratulated themselves on getting out for a couple of hours on a Sunday in January!

February Racing 26/1/09

Proposed Dates for Feburary Training Races 2009-to be held by the newly formed Slipstream cycling club(link to their website can be found in the "useful links" thread)

• Sun 8th Feb   10.30 start     The Monument , Gorey
• Sun 15th Feb 10.30 start     Toss Byrnes  , Inch
• Sun 22nd Feb 10.30 start    The Monument  , Gorey

John McCormick's weekly tour report-18/1/09

Calling All Adrenaline Junkies - 6 Jan 09

Check this out http://www.waff.ie

It’s the second annual Adventure sports film festival featuring mountain biking, base jumping, sky diving, kayaking........basically short films on sports that scare the living day lights out of you!!!!!

It is held at The Sugar Club in Dublin on the 13th of February 2009

Barrow Wheelers 100k - 6 Jan 09

When: 1st Feb 09
Where: Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s GAA Club
Time: 9am

Route Map: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/new-ross/124149435158

Licences-1/1/09

A reminder to all members that  licence fees are now due.Subscription fees for 2009 are as follows:

First time licence holders(touring):40euro     Touring/Leisure cyclists 65euro

club racing licence(club races only) 85euro   S1/S2/S3/V full racing licence 150euro

Juniors 80euro        U10-U14 20euro

U16 50euro(newcomer U16's 20euro)

Licence fees can be paid this Sunay @ 9:30 in the Bullring,or later @ 2:30 at the Volunteers' clubhouse,Mannix Place(at the Martin O'Loughlin talk.)

The South-east road club will host underage racing on Saturday 3/1/09 in Arklow,with sign on at Arklow Rugby Club @ 2:30.Race Start @3:00

Racing is open to U12's,U14's and U16's.