Tour of Connemara

To mark Bike week , LSP treated us to a coffee stop spin to Cabra Castle. Approx 70 of our club members took to the road on sunday for their normal sunday spin but with one thing on their minds.... The coffee and scones stop. As normal each group had a different distance to do but all stopping in Cabra. It was a nice morning , no sunshine but better still no rain. We did have a bit of head wind on the way home but nothing that was going to break our spirit. Capra castle looked after us very well with tea, coffee and delicious scones with cream and jam , just what we needed to get us all back home. Two of our crazy members, our chairman Andy McAfee and his partner in crime Pete McKeown done the Solstice spin in aid if Sean Lynch at 4am on sunday morning before heading back to the village to do our club spin so both clocking up a very impressive 245km. Those lads are machines . Well done also to our C2100k group who clocked up a very impressive 90km .

Here is a quick summary of my Dolomites Trip We set out to do all the major mountains or Passo's as the Italians call them in the Dolomites area of the Italian Alps. The challenge was that over the 4 days we would ride each Passo from both sides with different routes each day. We ended up doing just under 400km but almost 10,000metres of climbing. We crossed famous Passo's such as Campolongo, Falzarego, Sella, Valparola,Pordoi and Gardena . All of these Passo's have featured in the Giro many times albeit at much faster speeds than our brilliant attempts haha. It was a super 4 days in wonderful sunny weather doing some of the toughest climbs I have ever done, but well worth it for the views and the experiences

There was rain on the cards and high winds but that didn't stop us from heading in numbers to Dundalk to take part in the Tour of Louth cycle sportive .......well sportive for some , race for others. There was 50 plus of our members took part and 13 of our C2100K group, some done the 50km route while the majority done the full 112km. Group picture done and it was time for the 112km group to hit the road and 10 minutes later the 50km group took off . Team work is our ethos and thats exactly what the day was about . It was nice early on in the event but the wind really picked up and meant that the second half was tough going especially for those doing the longer route . This event was the first taste of a sportive for our C2100k and we let them off to get the full experience . All reports back were very positive and they all enjoyed the experience . Everyone got back safe and sound and with a new bit of bling hanging round the necks it was time to head home .

They went and they conquered A group of approx 30 club members headed across the country to take on the first sportive of the Skoda challenge, The Tour Of Connemara. Majority of these took on the 140km route while some other Joined Fergus Grimes on the 80km route. Both of which were equally challenging . The day was overcast but the rain stayed away . There was fantastic views to take in along the way , there was even a few sheep that joined in on the fun . Everyone made it through safe and sound , except maybe a few sore backsides haha. The routes were well marshalled and the food stops were just what a hungry cyclist needed .All reports were positive and everyone who took part seemed to have really enjoyed it . After a well needed hot shower it was time for the group to go out on the town and celebrate their achievements .