The appeal of the bike for me and many others is not just to get fit, or to go and do specific training. It is to get headspace out in the fresh air. It also offers the opportunity to see parts of life that surround you that become lost in the noise of everyday living. Why would you go out in the rain? why would you leave home in a freezing fog?
Recently I was handed a padded brown envelope. It's contents were unknown before taking a look inside. It turned out to be a treasure trove of cycling memories from Carrick on Suir and beyond. These newspaper clippings might bring back some fond memories for many and also give an insight into the hinterlands that produced…
For many, Saint Patricks day in Ireland is all about parades, shamrock, going to mass, Guinness and many other forms of beer. It can be a time of celebration and a time of reflection. For Irish cyclists, especially those in Munster and more especially still, those from Carrick and its' surroundings it is all about…
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.
Ever before Dan Martin came on to the Irish cycling scene another Dan was making a huge impact. For many years Dan Grant spent his days organising league races and ferrying the youth of Carrick to parts of Ireland far and wide. All the hard work paid of in the creation of a Champion who…
January first is always associated with fresh starts and new beginnings. For some that can mean resolutions broken by mid-day whilst for others it can mean an entire life changing event. This morning in Carrick on Suir, in a town square named after one of the greatest cyclists of all time a cycling club gathered…
St. Patrick's day in Ireland is all about Parades, Mass, Shamrocks and hang over creation, but in Carrick on Suir and within the cycling community for the past 59 years St. Patrick's day is all about 'The Paddy's day race'. Over the years many of the country's top riders have been first across the line…
Yesterday began like many of my Sundays. Porridge, tea and wholemeal toast for breakfast, get dressed up in bright lycra and at 8.54 I head out to the shed lift my bike down from the rack, pop in the water bottle and fit the Garmin, check the tyre pressure and have a quick look at…
Part of the N24 stretches the 20 kilometres from Carrick on Suir to Clonmel . Since I started cycling in 1986 I have travelled this road thousands of times in both directions in the company of many of Ireland's greatest ever cyclists and also one of the worlds greatest ever. The shared knowledge and sound…
No matter how much you like your job , your family life or your dog or cat , life can sometimes become mundane . There is only so much of anything that can be done regularly before we loose our enthusiasm . And we all need a bit of enthusiasm in our lives .We all…
Setanta Ireland are showing a programme called 'Wheel of Dreams ' on Tuesday night next 7/4/09 at 10 pm . The show will revolve around the Carrick Wheelers cycling club and will include footage of events such as The Sean Kelly tour . There will also be interviews and profiles of local legends such as…
