The highlight of 2014
KOM
Tired, me?
Well I won’t have the No. 1 on my bike next year but I did enjoy my day in the Sun. I was telling everyone ‘I was fastest last year’, as they past me on the climbs.
Stayed with the front group until Maam and after a hour in the wilderness myself and two others managed to catch the leaders again as we arrived at the biggest climb of the day. They took it easy and I managed to stay with them over the top and down into Maam. 50 km to go and then Bang!
A race broke out when we arrived at the 3 km timed Mountain goat challange. I eased smoothly out the back as the back of Nigel Forde’s head disappeared up the road ahead of me. I finished the climb well out-sprinting a few guys and made it down to Maam Cross with one other guy. He then dropped me with ease and I found myself cycling back to Galway on my own.
I stopped in Oughtard for a comfort break and two guys past me. It broke my heart but 25km later I caught them. They kindly allowed me to tow them into Galway and past me in the last 50m.
Crossed the line in around 4 hr 25 min. A lovely BBQ waited and thanks to a 7am start I was fed and on the road home by Noon. Sat in front of the telly for Liverpool v United by 12:30
Its good to be King
Okay, okay, I know it won’t last and I know there were loads of people faster but it’s still good to be King for a day and 1/118 is good.
To be honest I don’t think I ever would have expected to be posting times like this.
Felt that I was going Okay until the first climb but found it tough then I was pushed up ‘Powers the Pot’ by Mike and Terry.I wasn’t able to match them on the climb but I clung on and crested The Hill wth them. Quick stop for water and got caught on my own until Mahon Falls. I struggled up it.
It was after Mahon Falls that I came into form. I made good time and no one could stay with me. At the foot of Maam Road I was passed by two Dungarvan CC riders. Tried to stay with them but couldn’t. Made it to the top then soloed the whole way back without seeing another rider until I joined up with finishers on the 100 km route.
Great fun. The Comeragh Challenge is a great spin every year
Strava Perfection
The perfect Ride! Did the Lessie loop for the first time in 14 months and knocked 14 minutes off my time. As usual I’m reaching my peak after all the big cycles.
I made a last minute decision to do the An Post tour of Meath and will be travelling up late on Saturday night to stay with my friend Tom. I am pumped for it!
Confessions of a Velophile 