A number of weeks ago, ten middle aged friends met in a restaurant to catch up for an evening. All are well established in their careers. Most have enjoyed a reasonable amount of proficiency in their chosen sports like Hurling, Soccer, Golf, Rugby, etc. None of the group were cyclists. The food came and went …
Last weekend the first of the Gerard Hartmann performance workshops took place in the University of Limerick. In January I am assisting Gerard in presenting Bespoke Cycling workshops so went along to the Flexibility workshop as a participant. David Campbell, the former Irish 800m and 1500m champion, who works with Gerard in the Hartmann International …
Sunday mornings with the Carrick group usually mean the spin around Ballymac. The group often swells to over 50 riders at times before reducing back down again as those looking for a shorter route turn for home. Some venture further on clocking up over 160k each Sunday morning but the average tends to be 100k with …
Cycling is often referred to as the new golf. This can be a very broad and general statement when taken on its own. But when you look at reports like the 2013 Resonance Report from the USA below, it’s clear that there is a lot of merit within that title. Cycling is much more …
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, …
There is a climb that I look across at each morning as I sit and eat breakfast. The road is only visible in places as a blanket of evergreen trees surrounds it all year round. At this time of year headlights glimmer every now and then, as an early morning riser makes their way …
Winter time training is the secret to summer time improvements. Time spent building strength and condition now and learning how to counteract physical imbalances rewards with greater enjoyment, comfort and performance benefits when spring and summer come around again. Injury prevention is another key factor to focus upon. To learn how to counteract physical difficulties that …
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 …
Ireland is full of small village communities. Very often a group of neighbours in a rural village can come together to create something unseen in larger towns and cities. Being in such close contact with your limited amount of neighbours can create bonds that make the impossible seem possible. Ballymacarbery in County Waterford is a …
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First stop as I headed off from the Falls Hotel today was the post office. It wasn’t that I needed to post a letter, I just wanted to stop and admire the handy-work of the local community. By making a feature of a derelict building that could have been an eyesore the people of Ennistymon have …
The sun had yet to rise as I made my way from The Falls Hotel this morning onto the bicycle path that leads all the way to Lahinch. It was a real pleasure to ride along the four kilometre purpose built piece of cycling infrastructure. Arriving in Lahinch I detoured via the promenade where I …
Heading for The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon this morning I took a slight detour via Lahinch to watch the surfers in action. The morning was wet and windy as The Wild Atlantic Way lived up to its’ name. As I watched the neoprene clad adventurers walk gingerly towards the sea a thought flashed across my …
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.
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Cycling clubs, just like cyclists themselves come in all shapes and sizes. Some focus predominantly on racing, others on touring whilst some focus solely on the social aspect of people getting together to go ride their bikes. One of the best clubs in the country to take all of this in and more is The …
Gregans castle makes a great base for exploring much of what County Clare has to offer. From spectacular coastal roads right into the heart of the unique landscape of the Burren it has everything a cycling enthusiast could ask for. Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
As I sat down to dinner in Gregans Castle, one of Irelands blue book hotels, last evening looking out at the purple hue form the limestone mountain across the valley I noticed the the sky beginning to change colour. As each course of my meal was presented the sky went form pink to orange to …
Breakfast in Gregans Castle is an experience all on its own. The finest selection of the freshest offerings greeted me upon arrival in the dining room. With tables allocated by each individual rooms identity, I returned to my table by the large conservatory window looking out across the magnificent Burren landscape all the way down …