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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The 80's and 90's were boom years for Irish cycling. Here are a few images courtesy of Anthony and Dick O'Gormans collection of old images Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
One day I was out on the bike when the phone rang. On the other end of the line was one of the most famous cyclists of all time Sean 'The King' Kelly. As we chatted he mentioned that he was heading over to the Cycle Show in Birmingham in a few weeks, and if…
Many Irish cyclists are notoriasly 'thick'. Not in the sense of not being the sharpest tools in the shed, but moreso in the sense of performing at their very best when angered by a particular situation, event or another person. Whilst Paul Kimmage may be the best known of the family of cyclists, his father…
