Wheelers Survive Gorey and Support Local Sportive
Lakeside Wheelers Notes
As reported in last week's notes, the Easter weekend is synonymous with top level racing on the domestic cycling scene. Ras Mumhan, which is the traditional prep race for the Ras Tailteann took place in Kerry while the Gorey International 3-Day race was held over Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The latter was the chosen event for a team from Lakeside Wheelers who participated and fared out very well considering the horribly wet and windy conditions that befell the race. The Lakeside Wheelers team comprised of Stuart Cox, Neil McDermott and Mike McCafferky and all three managed to finish the entire race which is a feat in itself.
As is the norm in bike racing there were many talking points over the weekend which helped to shape the race but it's not every race where a loose horse causes a stir. Day 1 saw a few crashes which left the lads on the wrong side of splits in the bunch but they all managed to fight their way back and complete the stage. However, it was on Day 2 that the horse and rider caused a bit of confusion as they got entangled in the race which led to some riders getting detached from the main peloton. Once again the wheelers had to use vital energy stores to rejoin the peloton but it didn't deter them, as soon afterwards, Stuart and Neil were in a breakaway group with just 10km remaining. Unfortunately, the lads hadn’t seen the end of their bad luck as Neil got caught behind another crash and that was day 2 over. With the weather playing havoc for organisers and riders alike, Day 3 was a matter of simply surviving the elements and the race which the lads did and no doubt were glad to cross the finish line on Monday evening. Well done to all three of them and hopefully there was some enjoyment in there for them in some shape or form.
Pat Jones Memorial
Sunday April 13 sees our neighbouring club in Edenderry, Team 905, stage the annual Pat Jones Memorial sportive. This is always a well-run event and one favoured by several Lakeside Wheelers members. This year the committee has decided to nominate the Pat Jones Memorial as the Club Sportive for 2024 which means that any member participating will not have to pay an entry fee as the club will meet the event costs. This is just one of a suite of measures that the committee organises to thank members for their time and effort attending and marshalling at the various events which Lakeside Wheelers host throughout the year. Hopefully the weather comes good for all those participating and the organisers at Team 905. The Pat Jones Memorial offers both a 90km and 40km route option and starts at 10am from St Mary’s Secondary School in Edenderry. Members are advised to check their email for further info.
Certain Lakeside Wheelers members will be well prepared as the exodus to sunnier climes continues. This week, Moss Keane, Dermot Reynolds, Brendan Kiernan and Seamus Moran have decamped to the beautiful island of Mallorca for some warmer weather and to try out the smoother roads through the orange groves and over the mountains around Porto Pollensa in the north of this mecca of cycling. Enjoy the week lads and stay safe.
Flanders Wheelers Style
As any self-respecting cycling fan will know, the Tour of Flanders is one of the most iconic races on the World Tour calendar. It is one of the famous Belgian Spring Classics and is normally staged on the first weekend in April. The race is famous for the many stretches of cobbled streets and hills that the riders have to contend with as the race traverses the laneways and farm tracks around Flanders Fields in west Belgium. For several years now, Lakeside Wheelers have been paying tribute to this great race by holding a Sunday spin on some of the narrowest, hilliest and roughest back roads in the
Mullingar area in early April. Last Sunday the group leaders chose a 125km route and despite the hangover from Storm Kathleeen there was a good turnout and everyone enjoyed the suffering.