Sportive

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January blues

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The New Year is underway and the short dark days are taking a toll on my mood but not my appetite for Chocolates.

When I do get out on the bike I enjoy it but with such short windows of daylight to get out, trips are often shortened or cancelled.

Friday night I was working until 9pm and so was too tired to get up at 07:30 for a club spin and so headed out at 10am on my own to do 100km. Was going well until I went over the top of the main climb of the spin to find the road blocked with snow and ice. Had to walk a mile or so before getting back on the bike and free wheeling through the slush.

Today’s trip was cancelled because of a puncture. I was on my way to the mountain for a quick spin when the tyre on my car blew out.

Sorry for all the moaning but as you may have noticed when I am in a bad mood I post less blogs so this is a effort to blow away my writer’s apathy

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Tired, me?

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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

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Its good to be King

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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

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Musette perfection at the Leinster loop

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Be honest now, who amongst us hasn’t been on a spin thinking,  ‘My ass hurts, my breathe stinks, am I paying too much for my waste collection? and all I need to fix this bike is a 3 piece spanner set. The Leinster loop musette had it all!

Joking aside the welcome here is great and sign on went smoothly with breakfast snacks and great coffee provided. The sky is even clearing. Getting ready to start in the next few minutes.