Wheelers turn out for Pat Jones Memorial

Lakeside Wheelers notes

Last Sunday, our neighbours in the Team 905 club based in Edenderry hosted several cyclists for the annual Pat Jones Memorial. In recent years Lakeside Wheelers have nominated an event run by one of the local clubs as its Sportive of the Year and this year, that honour fell to Team 905 and this great event.

Conditions were blustery and showery but that didn’t deter a hardy group of twenty seven Wheelers travelling over to the Faithful County to participate. There were two route options, a 40km and 90km with all members taking the longer version. The circuit took riders in an anti-clockwise direction from Edenderry passing through Enfield, Kinnegad, Tyrrellspass, Croughan Hill and back to base in the town centre. The very welcome refreshments were served up in great style by the Team 905 volunteers in Milltownpass GAA club and were well received by everyone. Well done to all who participated and represented the club in great numbers and thanks to Team 905 for the fabulous hospitality.

National Paracycling League

Planning for the first of the club’s big events of 2024 is underway and May 25th is the date for the diary. Lakeside Wheelers has been involved in the National Paracycling Time Trial league for almost ten years and once again, this year the club will host a round of this important series.

Horseleap village on the N6 will be the race HQ again with the route tracking a 10 mile loop on the stretch towards Moate. There are plans afoot to include an additional element to this year’s TT which may be of interest to non-paracyclists so keep an eye on these notes and club communications in the coming weeks.

Event organiser and club Chairman, Ed Tyrrell, stated that it is a great honour for the club to be involved in this league especially with this year being an Olympic year. Ed has recently started to issue the call for help so, any member who is free to assist, please reply to Ed’s messages on Text and Email and help make the event another success for the club.

Summer club spins

With the changing of the hour recently and hopefully an improvement in the weather, it is that time of the year again when the club recommences the Wednesday evening spins. As usual, these spins will start from the clubhouse at 6.30pm each Wednesday and as the evenings lengthen it is normal for the distance to increase.

The committee would like to remind members that the summer evening spins are not leader led and to keep in mind the composition of the groups. If there is a mixed group then it is expected that the spins will be ridden at a mixed pace to accommodate everyone.

The Sunday club rides are now in full swing again with an improvement in the weather so it is hoped that the worst of winter is behind us. This is the perfect time of year for any members who have yet to return to the club rides this year to get the bike out again and get those pedals turning. With a bit of luck the coming weeks will allow the dreaded mudguards to be consigned to the shed so have a great summer’s cycling.

Racing

The club had only one representative out racing last weekend as Neil McDermott headed up north to the to compete in the Killinchy GP in Co. Down.

Neil’s race was staged over a tough, rolling 87km circuit which included 1100m of climbing. Neil must be wondering when his run of misfortune will take a turn for the better as he was impeded on the final bend in this race when he hit a pothole which resulted in twisted handlebars and so, taking him out of the final sprint. There is no doubt that Neil’s day will come as he has been placing himself in the right places in recent races so hang in there and your luck will turn.