Lakeside Wheelers

Today (Sunday) was a really enjoyable day in the saddle, despite a biting easterly wind. There was no rain and only a little cloud, and once we warmed up a little, the cold bright weather proved ideal for a relatively gentle 60Km outing.I have it on good authority that Robbie"s boys (and girls, including Michelle Culligan and Sarah Franzoni and the newly promoted Wendy Bates) in the A group covered a more vigorous 115Km towards Kilcock.And it was great to have Arthur Dempsey back among us as we headed out along the N4 towards Mother Hubbard"s - there was still a danger of frost about so we stayed on the main roads. Arthur had been a bit under the weather lately and had planned a spectacular comeback last weekend, but assumed that we were setting off at 10.00 am due to the frost.Come on Arthur - you should know by now that we"re rock hard in the C group and we go at 9.00 no matter what. Actually, I suppose the trick is to check the notice board beforehand. It"s safe to assume that the Sunday spin will leave at 9.00am unless otherwise stated. Great to have you back again though, Arthur!It was a slightly unusual outing insofar as all groups headed in exactly the same direction - normally we scatter to the four winds. Anyway, we stopped to fix a puncture and were overtaken by the A group who indicated, amid the usual exchange of insults, that they were headed for Mother Hubbard"s.There was no sign of them when we got there a few minutes later - could they be barred, I wondered? A legacy of some past indiscretion, perhaps? Further investigation is warranted.I had a chat with Dermot Hogan on the way home. Dermot was aboard his Bianchi bike, in that classic Bianchi blue/green (I must ask one of the Wheelerettes what that colour is actually called - women are much better at colours than men). I can remember when Dermot took it out on its maiden voyage just about twenty months ago and he told me that it already has well over 10,000Km on the clock - well done, Dermot.The Sunday before, we completed a more strenuous 90Km workout in the direction of Rhode/Tullamore - the first time Tom Shaw had been on this route since his accident there before Christmas. He didn"t seem to be too concerned about the possibility of flashbacks though and completed the distance without a hitch.Well, our libel lawyers have been working overtime and have just gotten back to me to let me know that the second part of Robbie"s notes from last week can now be published.'Back to more immediate matters and a couple of nouns spring to mind. Enthusiasm, a feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it; Hardship (something which causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life; Frustrating to prevent from achieving an objective; foil; Baffle; defeat to frustrate an opponent.Above are three nouns (there are many more, some a lot more expletive) associated with cycling. For the last two months one is required in bucket loads, the other two less so. Sadly, personally, the latter two are more prevalent than the other.I would rather listen to Cliff Richards"s greatest hits for a day than head out in some of the Sunday mornings that have presented themselves lately. If it hasn"t pegged down frost hence the frustration it has been windy, watery and wearisome resulting in hardship.One day some of us did get out and actually did enjoy it, it was a turkey trot day. It turned into a massacre on the pool table day.What preceded this was an innocent mountain bike rendezvous along the canal to Killucan and a coffee at that well known pool emporium, Nanny Quinn"s. Collentine and Kenny squared up to an 'in the zone' Hurricane Horohoes. Despite all types of gamesmanship going on an emphatic 2-0 win to C&K led to a frostier ride home than going out. But it all seems to have worked out; the Hurricane is back on his Bianchi, the bar is going in next week, but is claiming of a sore wrist lately. Methinks it"s trying to perfect back spin on the cue ball, it does that to you'Trip to MayoI talked about a proposed trip to Mayo in last week"s notes. It is scheduled for the weekend of Friday, June 19 and the plan, such as it is, is that we travel to Westport on the Friday evening where a group booking has been set up at Hotel Westport under reference 138681. We have been offered two nights B&B (twin room basis) and one evening meal for an all-inclusive €169. On Saturday, we will set off from Westport towards Castlebar and on to Crossmolina in North Mayo, before heading west to Bangor Erris and back to Westport via Newport - a round trip of about 160Km. For Sunday morning, there"s a lovely spin lined up towards Killary Harbour then back, through some scenic countryside to Westport, past Croagh Patrick along the shores of Clew bay - about 90Km in all. I did a solo trip along this latter route last summer and it was a fantastic day in the saddle.We can round off the weekend with Sunday lunch in Westport before heading for home. If the weather is kind to us, I promise it will be a trip to remember. Mayo has some beautiful scenery and traffic is light, particularly in the more remote stretches towards the north of the county.All club members are welcome to tag along. You just have to contact the hotel to make a booking under the group reference (098 25122 - a €50 deposit is required), and remember to bring your bike. So far, about a dozen Wheelers have signed up, but I reckon the final number will be considerably in excess of that.I mentioned last week that I had been at meetings that went on so long that I thought my clothes were in danger of going out of fashion. Wheeler Andy Royle was only the first of several club members who pointed out, gently but firmly that, in order for my clothes to go out of fashion, they would first have to come back into fashion - touché!And oddly enough, there have been no takers for my challenge to take on the Slieve Blooms on a track bike - you know the ones, no brakes or gears. Come on guys! Tell you what - I"ll even offer to pay the medical / funeral expenses of anyone who gives it a go!See you next week. No, wait! Hang on a minute - some late breaking news of a scandal involving the A team leader. Tune in next week for full details…..Care to join us?Would you like to join us for a cycle? Cyclists of all standards are welcome to come along. We usually meet at the Mullingar Dog Track at 9am on Sunday mornings. Up to four groups now leave from the dog track, including one especially for beginners, or those who may have some cycling experience and would like to see if cycling with a group is for them.Just turn up on any given Sunday, call me on 087 1216 345 or visit our website at lakesidewheelers.ie for information and advice on how to get going. Please remember to check the club message board at http://lakesidewheelers.proboards51.com/index.cgi for details of any last minute changes before setting off.