thecyclingblog

  • Give your day a name not just a number

    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…

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  • From bikes to bullets

    That day came sooner than a fair chance to regain his form would have warranted and Ryan found himself wandering towards the waterfront in Marseille one Tuesday afternoon with a rucksack full of useless cycling gear and a heart full of shattered cycling dreams.

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  • Cycling with your Kids

      Cycling is a great sport that can be enjoyed at any age and at any level. So where do you start when it comes to getting children cycling and what do you do with them then? Hopefully this may answer some of those questions. Before they have their own bikes you may put them…

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  • Upperchurch Drombane Sportive

    Cycling has a way of bringing people together and nowhere is that more evident than out there in small towns and villages throughout Ireland. Upperchurch is one such village and the cycling club based there which also takes in members from surrounding areas such as Drombane and as far afield as Thurles is a great…

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  • How to train correctly this winter

    Anthony Walsh in A1 Coaching is launching a FREE 4 part training series called the "A1 Winter Training System".   Check it out here: A1 Coaching Training Smarter Not only are you going to learn some really good stuff, but you also have a chance of winning a FREE 1-1 coaching session from Anthony where…

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  • Tips for The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford

    Entries for this years 160k and 100k Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford are now sold out and plans are well under way to make this years event the best one yet. With over 400 volunteers involved in the event and a full year spent preparing, everything possible is done to make it an enjoyable and…

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  • Ard Ri House Hotel Tuam

       The Ard Ri House Hotel is already a popular base for charity cycling events such as the Jigsaw Tour d'Galway and many Malin2Mizen challenges, so if you are considering using the hotel as a base for a cycling trip or event this information may be of assistance : Very accommodating staff As a cyclist…

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  • Ard Ri House Hotel 128k

    An omelette for breakfast can be the perfect choice for any cyclist when staying away from home. I have sampled many omelettes but the one presented in the Ard Ri House Hotel in Tuam is up there with the best of them. Freshly carved ham from the bone and proper cheese, not just easy singles,…

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  • Ard Ri House Hotel 90k

    Queens boulevard in New York was a setting where I often witnessed big strong grown Irishmen reminisce fondly of home, down the neck of a coors lite  with a small glint of a tear in their eye at 3am on a Sunday morning. The cause was a 4 minute piece of musical poetry by a…

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  • Riding out in the Wild West

              Kilkee and the windswept coast of Southern County Clare is famous amongst those who swim, cycle and run for the Triathlon known as 'The Hell of the West'. For those who venture out west on two wheels the area has much to offer, especially if you bring the family along…

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  • Giant Defy Advanced SL1

    Some bike reviews are based upon a two hour spin up and down a few hills and along a piece of flat road on a sunny Balearic Island. This is not one of those reviews.   Over the course of a number of months I have used this bike in many different ways. There is…

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  • The Solas 500 – 500k in one day !

    The Solas 500 has an epic sound to it. A bit like the Indy 500 Nascar race in America. Whilst there may not be as much horsepower lining up at 12am (that's the middle of the night) this Saturday at the Giants Causeway in Antrim there will be a lot more heart then any race…

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  • Conquering Everest

    We all love cycling because on a bike anything is possible - That was one of many thoughts that passed through my mind last Saturday as I attempted to climb the height of Mount Everest on a bike in a single day. The day began with a beautiful orange sky at 4.45am at the summit…

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  • Training for Everest – The Final approach

      Training is a funny thing. A few weeks ago I spoke to a friend who had completed the Mallorca 312 in flying shape. His longest training spin in preparation was 3 1/2 hours. He did work to a really good specific programme but I must admit that speaking to him relieved my own anxieties…

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  • When to wear shorts

    Over the past few weeks I have noticed the annual phenomenon of MWS appearing on almost every road I travel. Mamils Wearing Shorts appear out of many a byroad as the longer evenings begin. Experienced cyclists are well aware of the potential damage to their knees if they head out on cold mornings or evenings…

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  • How to Cycle in a Group

    Cycling as part of a group can be one of the most enjoyable and pleasant experiences for any cyclist when done correctly. When done badly it can be frustrating and hard work. Here a few tips to help anyone, new or with some experience already, to understand how to have a safe and enjoyable group…

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  • Drama with ‘The Dole Gang’

    It's 9am on a cold and fresh Wednesday morning. The heat of the past week has dissipated as the group gathers outside The ESB in Carrick on Suir - It's many a year since this location housed the ESB office for the Town, but everyone still arranges to congregate 'Down at the ESB' as Joe…

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  • Pain is just weakness leaving your body.

    The day began cold but dry. We departed at nine and set off in the direction of Carrick to meet the lads coming up the road. In Carrick over thirty five smiling faces gathered at the old ESB before heading our way. By the time they reached Clonmel the group would number forty eight but…

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  • Training for Everest

    Climbing the height of Mount Everest in a single day on a bike requires a different type of training regime. Rolling around the back roads of Tipperary and Waterford, looking in over ditches isn't ideal. However today, as I focused upon my Everest training programme I found myself looking into rather than over ditches. The…

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  • Hiding

    The word 'hiding' is one that is commonly used by cyclists. It can be of reference to the guy 'hiding' down the back of the training group without an attempt to make a appearance at the front. It can be someone 'hiding' their form when going well before unleashing a dramatic gallop at the finish…

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