3 Counties, 3 countries and 3 lessons

The past three weeks have been pretty hectic, but as they say, time goes fast when you’re having fun.

On Sunday September 17th myself and Anthony had an early start as we headed to Limerick for the Sean Kelly 3 Counties cycle in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick. It was great to catch up with so many from the Tour de Munster, along with many other cycling friends. 5 time World Number 1 Sean Kelly was there along with a few riders fresh from riding the World Championships in Scotland. Whilst there were plenty of strong legs on the road, at events like these it is often the non racing cyclists who really capture the imagination.

Conor O’Dea was setting the pace for many on his recumbent. There were days after his accident when it was unimaginable that Conor would ever turn the pedals again, but if ever there was an example of what can be achieved and overcome by a positive attitude combined with consistent hard work, it is right there in front of us whenever we meet Conor out on the road.

Billy Shanahan who organises his own Trip around Tipp cycle every year in aid of the Irish guide dogs was absolutely flying on the back of his tandem. Billy and other visually impaired cyclists always remind me to take in our surroundings a bit more when out on the bike. It is a privilege to be able to enjoy the sights of our countryside and one that should not be taken for granted. There were some spectacular views on the route and I found myself taking an extra second or two to really soak them up.

Then there was probably the most impressive cyclist of all out on the road that day. 13 year old Noah, who has Down syndrome, was flying around the 50k with his dad Brian. He isn’t the first person with Down syndrome to have completed the Sean Kelly Three Counties Cycle and it sounds like he won’t be the last. Having an event that is inclusive and open to all cyclists, of all abilities, is important to Down Syndrome Limerick. As Ellen Tuffy, committee member at DSL and parent said to me after the cycle “At Down Syndrome Limerick it is our aim to help people with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Money raised from this event will help us to continue providing services and supports to children and adults with Down syndrome. In addition to this, we also want to create a world which does not put limits on the abilities of our children. So hopefully, having Noah and others participate in events like this will break down the stereotypical biases that exist in society when it comes to the abilities of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities”

If anybody would like to make a donation to help Down syndrome limerick with their incredibly important work you can do so here : https://downsyndromelimerick.ie/donate/

A few days previously I had a quick trip over to London for two days bike fitting for clients over there. London is a great city but my heart is always in my mouth as I see so many cyclists competing for space with so much traffic. The quiet backroads of Tipp and Waterford always seem so peaceful and easily accessible after these trips.

Then on Thursday last we flew to Mallorca for a corporate cycling event with Sean. A cycling paradise with spectacular scenery and an abundance of varying terrain, it never disappoints. There were a few highlights on this trip. The road to Cap Formentor being closed to traffic was a dream. Watching Ireland win the rugby on Saturday night was another sporting highlight but it was our final spin on Monday that was possibly the most memorable.

Sean must have done over a million kilometres on his bike by now, but he still loves just riding his bike. There are days when he is just a guy out riding his bike on whatever roads he feels like. This was one of those days. Left, right, left. We zigzagged up and down, in and out. Up a spectacular coastal climb that only he had been up before, and along deserted lanes through all types of farmland and vineyards.

The entire group was just floating along as he set the pace. He has a unique ability to set a pace where you literaly feel like you are floating on air. It is often just 1km in speed difference between when he is at the front and someone else but the extra perceived effort can feel like 30-40%

He may be one of the most successful cyclists in the history of the sport, but he is able to share his enjoyment of the purity of cycling a bicycle in an exceptionally unique way whilst imparting nuggets of pure wisdom.

Even at the breakfast table, if you keep your ears and eyes open it can be like attending a common sense cycling university when in his company. He will often quote “DeGri” in French before giving the English translation.

‘No milk in your breakfast coffee as it is bad for digestion’

‘Don’t eat the yoke of the egg unless it is hard and well cooked’

‘If you do take sugar, brown is far better than white, but none is best of all’

”When I went to Degri first I thought I was as lean as a greyhound, then he told me I needed to loose a stone and a half ”

Sean did loose the stone and a half and attributes that to much of his success in Paris Nice and other stage races.

Next up is a trip over to Rhodes on October 14th for some more cycling in the sunshine.

Barry