When John Dempsey of Lucca Sports called up to my house one evening with a new bike for me to test out I was happy to see him. As he handed over the Swift Ultravox RS-1 and we looked across towards the Comeragh mountains he happened to remark 'Mind it now and no going for…
Everyone experiences days when they do not feel like going training. We have all been there. It would be easy to stay in bed, watch tv, sit on the couch, surf the web, have a quick look at Facebook that turns into an hour or any multitude of other distractions that seem like valid reasons…
The Rangy rider ignores the jibes and the whispered insults. He is an outcast and is comfortable with that, or so he thinks. A compulsion drives him to change gear
Cycling is a unique and special sport. A sport for individuals that bonds those who come under its spell far closer than any team sport ever could.
Cycling as a sport is associated with drugs. Tabloid journalists salivate at the merest hint of a cycling drugs story. Even if it is just a professional using prescribed medication to fight illness, with a therapeutic exemption form from the World governing body, that's good enough to make the front pages. Competitive professional cycling, just…
A Carrick man standing in the door and calling out before entering 'Are any of ye in handcuffs ?'. The reply came 'not all of us'. As the Carrick entourage entered a Scottish voice called out 'Did ye ever see Con Air ?'
Yesterday Alberto Contador crashed, broke his tibia, got back on a different bike and 20k later retired from the tour. Sad, but straightforward enough. This was a phenomenal display of courage and toughness to keep on riding which should be making the headlines but instead what happened to his bike is the real talking point.…
Some days a bike brings you a taste of paradise that no car, bus or train could ever provide. Descending towards the ocean, for 10k on a deserted smooth Island road, as the sunrise turns the top of a white mountain orange, leaves a taste of paradise on your soul. [iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Axzz6PejJeQ?feature=player_embedded"…
Grown up scepticism, telling yourself that it's just being realistic and facing up to the truth, places a dark cloud over the pure enjoyment of how a sensible adult watches modern sports, especially cycling and especially the Tour de France.
THE ONE DAY SPORTIVE CHECKLIST Feel free to print this off, laminate and keep it in your kit bag. In order to be prepared for all weather conditions and all eventualities you will need the following ; CLOTHING Cotton cap or bandana (keeps the sweat out of your eyes on a hot day) Thermal…
They are your friends who like to watch you suffer but would cycle 20k out of their way to get you home. They will laugh when you fall off but will rush to pick you up. They will slag you off for the smallest infraction but will defend you to the hilt. To a man, and the odd woman, they are the best group that you could ever belong to.
With the Sean Kelly Tour coming up at the end of August people are now in training for the big event. Many cyclists have their own way of training. Some will stick regimentally to a training programme whilst others just get out on the bike whenever they can. Twice recently I have heard Sean comment on how…
Donegal is a treasure trove of cycling routes for all levels of cyclists. The hills around Letterkenny have produced Irelands best pure climber and a top professional, Philip Deignan. With incredible scenery and smooth quiet roads, every cyclist will enjoy a visit to the area. For those undertaking a Malin to Mizen challenge, Letterkenny makes…
Glenveagh National Park is the second largest of the six National Parks in Ireland. It took me less than thirty minutes to drive from The Silver Tassie Hotel after a good hearty breakfast to reach the car park and begin my experience of all that the park has to offer. First stop was the impressive…
When I mentioned going for a casual cycle in the afternoon, the receptionist in the Silver Tassie Hotel suggested that Ramelton was a very picturesque heritage town nearby, and that Conways pub was always worth a visit. So, off I set. Just across from the hotel is a road that is a designated…
The Silver Tassie Hotel in Letterkenny County Donegal is the first Hotel in Ireland to create Wild Atlantic Way themed rooms. The owner, Rose Blaney is a keen photographer and artist whose works can be seen throughout the hotel. My room was called 'Atlantic waves' and inside along with original photographs and paintings was an…
Jones Engineering are one of the sponsor names that you will see on the An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly team jersey. For the past two years they have run a cycling day for employees and clients based in the scenic village of Ballymacarbry at the foot of the Nire Valley. Along with giving employees and clients…
Speaking to former Cycling Ireland president Rory Wyley one day he suggested that I should join him on one of his training spins to see roads down around Dungarvan and beyond that I may never have been on before. I was delighted to tag along. Rory is always a mine of information about the history…
Often a cyclists worst enemy on the roads can be the bus. With their big diesel engines way off down at the rear, the body of the bus is often swooshing up alongside you before you even hear them coming. Often the bus driver is under pressure to be at a destination on time and…
I recently spent a few days at the Dingle Skellig hotel and spa. As a cyclist your needs are slightly different from the majority of tourists and very often it is the small things that can make a big difference to your stay. Having a dedicated safe and secure bicycle storage room where…