The feel good factor
Food stops followed hammer drops. Tired legs and sore bums were soon forgotten when the children and their families cheered, hugged and thanked us for doing what we love to do.
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Read moreWhat do you tell yourself?
‘I’m going to win this stage’ Henry Ford once said ‘if you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right’ Jean deGribaldy told Sean Kelly ‘of course it’s possible to race the Tour of Flanders, then go straight to the 5 day Tour de Basque and come back up to ride Paris…
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Read moreFrom Roubaix to Rhodes
Sean Kelly was famous for his ability to triumph over all types of adversity in the very worst conditions. The roughly hewn cobblestones of northern France, especially those in the vicinity of a small town called Roubaix were no match for the hard man from Carrick on Suir. Wind, rain, sleet and snow could not…
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Read moreSwinging from the bars
Next Saturday or Sunday, when you are out on your group spin take note of how people around you are moving their bodies when out of the saddle on any climb. They will be split into two very distinct groups. Those that swing the bars and those that don't. Anyone who spends more than 60…
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Read moreYou are what you read
It is often said that you are what you eat. This is because the fuel that goes into our body has a direct impact on the way we feel and the energy output of our bodies. The same can be said about our minds. You are what you read. If you spend all day looking…
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Read more3 Counties, 3 countries and 3 lessons
It is a privilege to be able to enjoy the sights of our countryside and one that should not be taken for granted.
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The Race – preparation
The race begins the day before. It actually began weeks, months and perhaps years before but that longer timeframe is more about the training involved to get there and best left to your coach, training programme or club. Here we are concerned with just the race itself. The day before you will wash and clean…
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Read moreHow to make 2023 your best year yet
At this time you may be looking to make 2023 your best year on the bike yet. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, there are plenty of ways to up your game and enjoy the many benefits that cycling has to offer. Here are some tips to help you have your best…
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Read moreEmpty dreams
Cycling is more than a sport, more than a hobby or pass-time. Cycling for those who are consumed by its freedom, and the feeling of being alive that it provides, is a way of life. At times it can feel as important as breathing.
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Read moreBalance on and off the bike
When learning to cycle a bike the very first thing you have to master is balance. Lean too much to the right and you fall over. Lean too much to the left and you fall over. Relax, let the bike just flow beneath you and you quickly develop confidence and it all falls into place.…
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Read moreSean Kelly and Sam Bennett – 2 of just 38
Imagine for a moment, a young soccer fan putting on their kit and heading out onto a pitch for a training session with Ronaldo and Pele. A golfer playing 18 holes with Tiger Woods and Rory McElroy. Or a musician walking out on stage with Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran. If you are a cycling…
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Read moreShop Wars
Paddy Looby is manager of one of the biggest Lidl supermarkets in the country. For the past while his top shelf stacker has been Sonny Burke. Since coming to work in Lidl Sonny had been getting on like a house on fire with Paddy. He could stack shelves better than any other shelf stacker in…
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Read moreThe scratch
Reality also hit home. It was only a small scratch, had no effect on the performance of the bike and was something you would have to look very close to see. He was focusing on the smallest imperfection and overlooking the 99.9% that was perfect.
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Read moreGo First !
During these uncertain times a type of social weariness has infected people. You pass someone you know on the street and because you both are wearing facemasks there is a moments hesitation before acknowledging each other. Sometimes the chance has passed before you realise that it was someone you knew. You passed each other without…
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The Bounty
In 1986 I had witnessed Sean Kelly win his second Nissan Classic, had saved up to purchase a Dawes Jaguar along with a red Decca woollen jersey ace matching woollen leggings. In January 1987 I joined a group spin from Ardfinnan organized by Joe Lonergan. His son Bernard was there too along with the Dalton’s…
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The joy of cycling
Cycling is meant to be enjoyable. Remember that ! Riding a bike can bring you to places in your locality that you would never normally visit. It can take you back in time to places where you grew up and because you are on a bike and not in a car you can stop and…
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Read moreMy Favourite Spin
Having cycled a bike on many different roads and routes all over the World, I sometimes wondered what my favourite route is. Having given it a considerable amount of thought it turns out that I didn't have too far to look. For many people the conditions necessary for a good bike ride can be very…
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Read moreCycling is the new Everysport
After the 2008 banking crash and following recession many found themselves taking up cycling for exercise. It became more popular than ever and was determined by official figures in both the USA and Europe to have surpassed golf in terms of numbers of participants. Many of these new cyclists came from the ABC1 demographic that…
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Read moreThe dog is in the dishwasher and I have nobody to tell.
'Did you meet anyone?' is a question cyclists often get asked when they get back in the door after a training spin. Wives and partners are just showing interest in a non committal kind of way. They rarely ask what your 20 minute ftp was or even how many Strava Kom's you just missed out…
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Read moreAladdins cycling cave is hidden in Drogheda
There are two types of bike shops. Those owned and operated by cyclists and those that are just commercial ventures. No prizes for guessing which will give you the best experience. Many of those owner operated shops do a lot more than just sell bikes. Many are a treasure trove of good advice whilst some…
