Q : Why did he choose the sprocket that proved to be too low in 1989 World's ? - Eddy Keogh Sean : Stupid mistake ! ...... On previous days there was always a headwind in the finish straight which made the 13 the correct gear for the sprint. That morning it was still a headwind,…
Sean Kelly is one of the greatest cyclists in the history of the sport. A man with 193 professional victories to his name. An Icon to many and a hero to all. If you could ask him a question, what would it be ? You can ask your question in the comments section below, or on…
Today I was doing a little organising when I came across a piece of paper that I had almost forgotten about. It was a GC sheet, not one from a race I myself had taken part in but from The Nissan Classic, and one stage in particular. The Nissan Classic time trial from Carrick on…
I normally don't mind a dog popping out to say hello and often reply by giving them drink from my water bottle. The drink sometimes sprays into their face and they have to stop on the road before they can thank me but there was no offering this guy a drink, he was more interested in food.
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…
Stephen Roche was in an Airport recently when he bumped into a cyclist from Dungarvan. As the conversation went on Roche remarked that Sean Kelly was flying on the bike, going better that he has been in years and Roche put it all down to Kellys' training with the Dole gang in Carrick. Whilst it…
It is often said that a picture paints a thousand words. There are literally millions of pictures of cycling taken around the world and posted online each day. Many of these can be good, some are great and then there a small few that are exceptional. What does it take for a picture to be…
Have you ever found yourself in a situation and thought to yourself 'This is a bit surreal' ? I found myself in one of those situations recently when I was sitting with Sean Kelly and who came along but Sam Bennett. We chatted away and then Sean asked Sam what his programme of races was…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUbAjQFondo This week is the most important week of the year in the cycling calendar. From the Tour of Flanders last Sunday to Paris Roubaix on Sunday next these 8 days can define the entire career of a rider. The Tour of the Basque country in Spain is part of the 29 races that are…
In his book 'Visions of Cycling' photographer Graham Watson speaks very highly of The King Tomorrow The King returns to the cobbles of Flanders to ride the Sportive before enthralling us all with his commentary on Eurosport the following day. Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
Just the other day I was cycling along a lonely country road with another cyclist. As often happens when two cyclists ride side by side, alone on the road facing forward, conversations vary from general chit chat to deeply insightful and back within a few turns of the pedals. This guy is a much better…
There is a key ingredient in cycling success that none of these elements cover and that has become overlooked to a certain degree. There is an element beyond the max wattage and heart rate, a place that many cyclists are unaware of that is a key to success on the bike.
Late September 1985. The Master (school principal) stands in front of a room full of fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils and informs them that a big cycle race is passing nearby and that if they were interested they could all walk down to Keatings cross to watch it pass. A chorus of yesses went…
Sometimes we all need a little inspiration ! Barry www.worldwidecycles.com
Well worth checking out this link to a behind the scenes interview with Kelly about this years Paris - Nice. Thanks to Rene van Dam of Visit Nenagh cycling team for recommending it. http://s.nos.nl/swf/embed/nos_video_embed.swf?tcmid=tcm-5-1215399 Barry www.worldwidecycles.com
(Eddy Merckx was fanatical about his equipment) Before the days of twitter , Facebook and the Internet the greatest cyclists in the World were almost supernatural . Fans would spend days recounting any brief glimpse of a Champion in the flesh . Monthly magazines like 'Winning' were torn apart as pictures of Hero cyclists were…
In 1989 Sean Kelly won one of the biggest races on the World cycling calendar , the Liege Bastogne Liege classic . Whilst the whole cycling world were congratulating him he made a call home and heard the news that a friend of his had also won a race that day . Whilst…
Nowadays almost everyone is obsessed with stats and figures . For many there is no such thing anymore as going out training on the bike . There has to be a programme and corresponding figures . Heart rate used to be the main determination of training intensity and performance but now it has been overtaken…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYkyR4XnkuU&w=500&h=390]
Once I had the privilege to be one of a very fortunate group of cyclists who accompanied the great Sean Kelly on his return to the famous cobbles of Paris Roubaix . Kelly won the Paris Roubaix classic in 1984 and 1986 . He also had many top ten placings and was always seen as a…
