Wheelers All Set For The Tour Of The Lakes
Next Sunday, June 22 will see the running of the first of Lakeside Wheelers’ big events in 2025 with the Tour of The Lakes setting off from the clubhouse at 10.00am.
The Tour of the Lakes is the club’s annual sportive and over the last few years it has grown into one of the most popular leisure events in Leinster. As usual, there will be two route options with a long 130km and a slightly shorter 85km course and a pace to please all as there will be at least four groups on the day.
Appointed group leaders will ensure that the speeds which are set at 25kph, 28kph and 33kph are adhered to. This event normally attracts over 150 cyclists to Mullingar with Lakeside Wheelers very happy to showcase the roads and scenery of north Westmeath to all the visitors.
The routes will take riders from the clubhouse in Columb Barracks to Crookedwood, Multyfarnham, Coole and Fore where they will do a lap of the roads around the famous Abbey before returning to Castlepollard for refreshments at the 55km mark.
Once refreshed, all groups will leave Castlepollard and travel to Collinstown via the scenic hilly loop through Loughpark, which provides a beautiful view over Lough Lene. The shorter route will turn right in Collinstown and return to base via Monilea, Clonkill and Rathconnell while the 130km route will head straight through to Delvin and back via Cloughan, Killucan, Coralstown and Gaybrook.
There has been a change of leadership this year with new committee members, Peter Rimmer and Eddie Hynes taking on the mantle of Tour organisers. Both lads have put a lot of work into getting everything in place for Sunday using the high standards that Lakeside Wheelers set for all promotions which were fostered by the various committees over recent years.
Medical cover will be provided by the Mullingar branch of Westmeath Civil Defence while there will also be several volunteers driving and providing moto cover to all groups.
National TT Championships
Following hot on the heels of the Tour, club event organisers will immediately switch attention to one of the biggest days for the club in recent years. The Elite National Time Trial Championships which will be staged only four days later on June 26 are being held in Kilbeggan and in partnership with Navan Road Club who are hosting the road races on June 28 and 29.
The 25.5km TT route through Horseleap to the outskirts of Moate and back will see some of Ireland’s best domestic and international cyclists display their skills as they go in search of a National jersey. Sign on is set to close on Thursday June 19 but already there are some World Tour professional riders registered. There will be further details regarding this major race in next week’s notes.
GP Social
Not long after the TT Championships the club will host the annual Mullingar GP in Multyfarnham on Sunday, August 3. Members are reminded that there will be a club social event on the evening of the GP to recognise the help and assistance provided by all volunteers who make these events possible. So, save the date and keep an eye on notes and emails for further details to follow in the coming weeks.
Sprocket Rocket
Unfortunately, the bad weather which passed over the country last week led to the cancellation of the first Sprocket Rocket session this year. Hopefully there will be an improvement this week and it will kick off on Monday. Belvedere House and Gardens is the place to be at 18.30pm for this great programme which provides kids with some basic skills and education around cycling and all in a very safe and enjoyable environment.