Wheelers pedal length of Portugal, north to south

Last week a group of 10 Lakeside Wheelers members returned from a five-day cycling trip that saw them ride from the north to the south of Portugal. Judging by reports from those that travelled, it was a fabulous cycling experience and when asked, one of the group replied, “If Carlsberg did cycling holidays, then this would be it” so, there’s no better description needed.

Ulrika Maher, Mary Taaffe, Dearbhaille Gibney, Darya Mattimoe, Martin Nally, Paddy Gorman, Pauric Murtagh, Mick Butler, Pete Faulkner and Andre Barbosa made up the raiding party and the following account was prepared by Mary Taaffe to give everyone a feel for their Iberian cycling adventure.

Day One

Our group of 10 Wheelers set out from the charming city of Porto, Portugal's second city, to follow a very relaxed and varied coastal route southward. Crossing the lagoon by ferry from San Jacinto to Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal, to arrive in Miro after 97km where we were rewarded that evening by a delicious meal in a lovely seafood restaurant.

Day Two

Leaving Miro we initially cycled on a flat route with magnificent views of the Atlantic coast to a mid-way stop in Figueira de Foz. After refreshments we had some challenging climbs to negotiate before arriving into Nazaré (total 126km) with its stunning cliff top views and famous for the world's biggest surf waves.

Day Three

Starting with a 1.5-hour transfer from Nazares to bypass the busy Lisbon traffic, we travelled over the spectacular Vasco da Gama Bridge then crossing the Tagus River we arrived in Setabul.

This stage was short, but involved 30km of the week's most challenging climbs. However, once again our route was dotted with magnificent coastal views over turquoise waters which helped to distract us from the stinging in our legs.

Day Four

After an early start, we crossed by ferry to Troia where we started today’s cycling journey along the beautiful Alentejo coast, through some stunning countryside and along some fabulous beach-front roads. Today we cycled 107km to arrive in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a town which sits at the mouth of the Mira River and is adored by the Portuguese themselves; in fact its beaches are widely regarded as the most beautiful in Portugal.

Day Five

On our final day we departed Sines and returned to Vila Nova de Milfontes. This was a wonderful 110km spin through beautiful hills and rolling farmland with the ocean almost always in view. To make it practically perfect cycling conditions the temperature was a beautiful 24C all day and we all arrived safely into Fortaleza de Sagres together to conclude our cycling trip.

We then transferred by bus to Lagos where we received incredible hospitality for the last two nights of our stay in beautiful Portugal. Here, there was lots of time for some well deserved rest and relaxation - walking and exploring the fascinating old town of Lagos and soaking up some sunshine on Praia dona Ana, one of its many beautiful beaches.

This was an unforgettable five day cycling adventure along Portugal's breathtaking Atlantic Coast.

Our trip was a guided cycling tour provided by two excellent, professional guides (Lino and Paulo) who were both experts in all matters cycling and who helped to make our week a truly special one (www.britobiketravel.com).

On behalf of the group, well done and thanks to Ulrika Maher, Martin Nally and André Barbosa for their great work in making this trip happen and run so smoothly. Very special thanks to André for his tremendous support and for hosting us in his homeland. Our experience in Portugal was amazing from start to finish - from the warmth of the people, the charming countryside and towns, magnificent beaches, sea swimming, delicious cuisine and excellent vino - it's a trip we can highly recommend.

Finally, we would also like to thank Mike Ryan for his very efficient bus transfers to and from Dublin Airport.

Ras Tailteann

The 2025 Ras Tailteann started last Wednesday in Drogheda, Co. Louth and finished on Sunday in Bective, Co. Meath. There may be a very short distance between these two points on the map, but in the intervening five days the race visited, on Stage 1. Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Stage 2. Clifden, Co. Galway, Stage 3. Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Stage 4. Mountrath, Co. Laois and finally, Stage 5, back to Bective, Co. Meath.

Lakeside Wheelers was represented by Padraig Moran who rode as a guest rider with the Lucan Shay Murphy Development Team. On Wednesday a group of Lakeside Wheelers members cycled over to the Lough Crew climb outside Oldcastle in fabulous sunshine, to lend some support to Padraig and all the Ras riders.

Stage 1 (155kms) finished in Boyle after a hectic start and saw Padraig cross the line just 5 seconds behind the winner, Tim Shoreman of the English team, Wheelbase-Castelli. “It is always great to get the first stage out of the way without any hiccups or dramas” Padraig said that evening.

Stage 2 (170kms) brought the riders west into Connemara from Charlestown, Co. Mayo to a stage finish in Clifden. The good weather was matched only by the excellent racing as the peloton sped through the hills, valleys and lakeshores around Tourmakedy before hitting the fast stretch of road to the finish after Maam Cross. Padraig acquitted himself really well all day over the four tough categorised climbs and despite missing the crucial split after Maam Cross due to relaxing for a split second to take on some food; he finished with a deficit of just four minutes on the winner, another English rider, Will Perrett of the Das-Richardsons team.

Stage 3 (165kms) unfortunately heralded the end of the good weather as the race departed a wet and windy Cong, Co. Mayo. This day was littered with crashes which was inevitable due to the wet roads after such a long spell of dry weather. Thankfully Padraig avoided any falls, but the hills, especially the Cat 2 Corkscrew Hill at Ballyvaughan took its toll on the riders and the race blew to pieces on the ascent. Padraig shipped some time on this stage as he was caught behind a team car at the base of the Corkscrew which pulled in awkwardly to service a rider but blocked the road temporarily. Shoreman took his second win of the week in a small bunch sprint leaving the young Irishman, Odhran Doogan of the Cycling Ulster team still in yellow.

Stage 4 (130kms) started in Ennis and wound its way to Mountrath in Co. Laois where it crossed the very difficult Cat 1 climb of the Wolftrap in the Slieve Blooms. This was always going to be an explosive day but the Lakeside Wheelers man certainly redeemed himself as he crested the Wolftrap in driving rain but at the front of the chase group behind the leading trio of two Team Ireland riders and eventual stage winner, George Kimber of the Isle of Man. This was an excellent ride and just what he needed to reset before the final stage on Sunday.

Stage 5 (140kms) started in Kildare Town and ended with four 12km laps of the roads around Bective Stud near Navan. As is often the case the final stage was raced at a hectic pace with the first hour completed in an amazing 51kph. With the destination of the Yellow jersey still not secure, Daire Feeley of Burren CC managed to get himself into the main break of the day and then set about giving himself a chance to win his second Ras. Unfortunately, despite a heroic effort it was not to be for the Roscommon man who has won the Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar GP for the last three years in a row.

The title went to stage 4 winner, George Kimber, of the Isle of Man Cycling Team who played it very cool all day.

Padraig Moran completed his second Ras Tailteann coming home in the main bunch and was delighted to reach the finish after what he described, as a relentless week. Well done to all who raced the Ras and especially to our own Padraig, who finished the race in 59th position out of the 130 who managed to complete this year’s Ras, no doubt he will make his mark in races before the year is out.

Sprocket Rockets

Lakeside Wheelers is proud to introduce the 2025 Sprocket Rocket programme which will commence on Monday, June 9 at 6.30pm in Belvedere House and Gardens and will run each Monday (Excl. August 4) until the final session on August 18.

Sprocket Rocket is a wonderful, volunteer-led cycling programme aimed at boys and girls aged from 4 to 12 years and all are welcome. It will help children to learn the basics of cycling in a safe, car-free environment on a grass course. It is also extremely reasonable as it costs only 20 Euros per child for the entire programme. Please be advised that parents MUST remain on site at all times and a bike and helmet is necessary for participation.

For more information and registration go to https://eventmaster.ie/event/LGnZHp3H76