One year in the Kiely Cup in Carrick on Suir a certain unnamed local rider chased another local rider when he attacked with 8km to go. I know this because they both told me all about it. One guy sees it as what would have been potentially the biggest win of his career lost due…
'Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change' - Wayne Dyer No two days on a bike are exactly the same, even if you do the exact same route. The direction of the wind can change. It can rain or it can be dry. There can be lots of…
Have you ever lacked the motivation to get out on your bike on a cold or rainy day? Have you ever sat on the couch watching TV when deep down you knew you should be doing something else? Have you ever been afraid to step onto a weighing scales? Have you ever been frustrated with…
Those who do not cycle or take part in any form of challenging exercise often wonder what the appeal is. Why would anyone want to cycle around crappy back roads or busy main roads for hours at a time on a bicycle they ask. The answer is twofold and is both external and internal. Externally…
Out on the bike you get to meet many different types of people and make many different types of friends. The bike is a great leveller, where a doctor and a person on the dole are both just bike riders. You are taken at face value and the only hierarchy observed is how well you…
There are days when the sun shines. Days when the air feels warm. Days when the wind is calm. These days are rare in Ireland, but when they arrive you must get out there and grab them. On these days I like to head off out on the bike without any computer or electronic device.…
“Cycling isn’t a game, it is a sport. Tough, hard and unpitying, and it requires great sacrifices. One plays football, or tennis, or basketball. One does not play cycling.” - Jean de Gribaldy, Professional cyclist, Directeur Sportif and mentor to Sean Kelly' Cycling is a sport of many levels but all share the same…
You often hear people say that it was a hard day. I say it myself. Out cycling a bicycle was a hard day. Any day you get to cycle a bicycle is not a hard day. It is a good day that was physically demanding. I've met people who have hard days, and so have…
There was a time when a boy approaching manhood would be sat down for a chat with his Father to be told a tale about birds and bees. The internet has pretty much done away with the need for those conversations, although some may say that they are needed now more than ever. There may…
This short video is just 2 1/2 minutes long but might just add a little bit extra to your weekend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmt_t6umoY Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
Today is Monday September 7th or just plain old 7/9/15. For many the day may go something like this ; Get up, eat breakfast, go to work. Work, drink coffee, work, eat lunch, work, drink coffee, work, go home. Get changed, go training on a road you have been on 1000 times before, shower, eat…
This is the moment that you can just head off out on your bike for a cycle with no particular purpose other than to enjoy the simple pleasure of riding your bike in the fresh air whilst taking in your surroundings at this most picturesque time of year.
A bleating alarm clock announces the arrival of six am, before an outstretched arm slams it off within 3 seconds. An entire household need not be awoken from their slumber due to the offbeat desires of a single member. Breakfast is consumed through bleary motions. Bikewear that had been left out the previous night is…
