Join Western Lakes CC

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Want to join Western Lakes CC
There three main options for membership are:

  1. Leisure License – €55 – This covers you for Club cycles on Sundays and any other ‘Leisure’ type events.
  2. Club Competition License – €85 – As per Option 1 and allows you to participate in Club Races such as the Western Lakes/Covey League, Mayo League, Connaught     League & Connaught Time Trial League. This is a minimum requirement for anyone racing in 2012.
  3. Open Race License – €170 – As per Option 1 & 2 but also enables cyclists to participate in Stage Races such the Ballinrobe 2  Day, the Bog Week 2 Day, Ras Dhun Na nGall and Ras Mhaigh Eo. Riders as encouraged to take an A3 Category License as A4 Licenses proved to be quite restricted in 2011.

It is also important to remember that by signing up to WLCC you are also affiliated to Cycling Ireland and you will be covered for personal injury, and third party damage/liability. This cover extends to training and events. If you are not a paid up member of the club you are not covered by insurance when out cycling on your own or with a group.

You will find a registration form attached to this email, so if you could bring it along completed on the night with the appropriate fee. If any of you know of any new members looking to register let them know that they need either  a copy of their passport or driving license.

If anyone has any problems don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Padraic Hughes
WLCC Secretary

Click here to download our 2012 members application form

Mizen to Malin in 3 days

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Do you want a goal for 2012?

If so why not take on the Holy Grail of Leisure Cycling in Ireland!
To mark the tenth anniversary of the last Mizen to Malin leisure spin, Western Lakes Cycling Club is offering you an opportunity to take part in a three day Mizen to Malin (M2M) spin from Thursday 30th August to Saturday 1 September next.

You won’t be able to call yourself a serious leisure cyclist until you have completed this iconic spin!!
This is a fantastic opportunity for WLCC members to cycle together on an organised trip as a group.
It is also a great opportunity for those of you who are looking for a specific challenge for 2012 and to set yourself and work towards a target for the year.

The itinerary for the three days is as follows:
Wednesday 29th Aug – Depart Ballinrobe pm to Mizen by bus
Thursday 30 Aug – Mizen to Limerick 207km
Friday 31 Aug – Limerick to Ballinamore, Leitrim 189km
Saturday 1 September – Ballinamore to Malin Head 185km
Sunday 2 September – Return to Ballinrobe

Total kilometers is 581.
A full back up crew will be provided for the trip.
The cost of the trip is Eur400
The main criteria for people to take part in the spin are as follows:

- You must be able to AVERAGE 25kph over a nine and a half hour period (including total break period of 1.5 hours) three days in a row
- You must be fit and be able to cycle comfortably within a group
- Your bike must be in good working condition
- You must be a paid up member of WLCC
- You must pay a Eur100 non refundable deposit by 3 February 2012 to secure your place on the trip
- You must have paid the balance by 20 July 2012

We would plan to have a number of training spins during the year specifically for the members taking part in the M2M so that people can get used to cycling together in a group at the agreed pace.

So if you feel you’re up to the challenge, put your deposit down by 3 February and take part in an unforgettable experience with your fellow club members!. Don’t be afraid!!

You must complete the attached application and return deposit to the address on the form. If you have any queries please contact Martin Joyce at 087 2613349.

Click here to download the application form

Regards

Martin

Ballinrobe Duathlon February 18th

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This Duathlon event is staged in the town of Ballinrobe, its suitable preparation event for the longer harder Adventure races and Triathlons to come and is ideal event if you are a beginner. The Run will start at Abbey st with a 4k trek along the picturesque river Robe (Bowers walk) finishing at Abbey street (Transition).

The 20k cycle takes you out the Claremorris road to the Village of Robeen and Ballygarris finishing back in Abbey street.

The final 4k loop is another lap of the Bowers walk with the Finish line in Abbey St. Total distance is 28k.

The event will be fully timed with breakdowns for all the stages.

Sign on at 8-9 am at Marrey Bikes Watson’s lane, race start time is 10am sharp.
Refreshments after at the prize giving, sponsored by Marrey bikes.

Cost €25 on the day or can sign up on at Marrey bikes cycle shop for €20 from now till February 9th

See www.marreybikes.com or www.marretrainingsystems.com
Contact Eamon 0949542808 or Padraig 0877992857

Majorca Training Camp 2012

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Mallorca 2012 Holiday/ training camp for 2012  will be held on Easter week flying out Easter Saturday and back the following week (April 7th to 14th ) 2012
Learned a lot last year and have arranged a camp at the beautiful Duva apartment hotel complex**** .
Have booked my own guides so will be able to cater for groups who average between 15-17mph, 18-20 and 20 plus. All groups will go on a similar route and aback up car will follow, so alot more professional.

The Hotel/ apartments are class they have everything, big and spacious, Spa facilities, proper gym, spin bikes, out door and indoor pools, ideal for adventure racers and Triathletes and there is a lovely run over the mountain to a nearby fishing village.
The hotel is about 500m from the town of Pollensa so still walking distance if you want to get away from it all. http://duva-pollensa.com/?i=ing
So far the cheapest flights are from Dublin, at the moment they are about €150 return, Shannon is nearly €300 for same dates.

The price for the Holiday package is €470 PPS which is good for Half board accommodation, guides on the spins, car back up, hotel transfers and use of all facilities.

I would recommend you hire the bike as brining your own costs more and you risk getting it broken on route.

Please see attached info and booking form, closing dates are included.

If you have any questions give me a buzz.

Padraig

Easter Cycling Holiday Training Camp.
With the weather been so poor at the moment and your turbo trainer nearly
burned out, here is something to look forward to this year
Want to train with professionals? Marry’s training camp will have excellent guides to lead you around the island. The Hotel is based in the beautiful Puerto Pollensa

If you are into Cycling, Adventure racing, Triathlon or Duathlon then a week
spent training with like minded people in warm weather is just the tonic to
get you race ready for the Summer. If you are not a racer then why not ramble
the beautiful byways of Northern Majorca and relax in the Spa afterwards.
Padraig Marrey winner of Adventure races, Triathlons and holds current
cycling records will also be there to give out tips and info.
Mary Mulchrone another Adventure race Champion will help the ladies with her
vast experience of cycling knowledge.

The camp is set for April 7th to April 14th 2012 flights are from Shannon or Dublin with www.ryanair.com Dublin has more variety of Flights and cheaper

Group size
Our group will be limited to 30 people only
The cost of the package  is €470 euro pps. (see details below) This is a
very good price for Easter week.
If you want to go, send back attached booking form filled out with all
details along with deposit before November 11th.

Cycling packages include:

  1. 7 nights half board in the magnificent  Hotel Duva complex in Puerta Pollensa ****, based on 2 sharing
  2. Free access to Spa centre, fully equipped gym, spin bike centre,  indoor & outdoor pools
  3. Bike garage in hotel with secure bike storage, Mechanic and bike shop, (bike accessories, energy drinks & bars for sale), 3  guides per spin every day for the different levels (15-17, 18-20 and 20mph plus average)
  4. Transfers: airport hotel airport. (as a group only)

Not included are:

  1. Flights (can be booked out of Shannon or Dublin with Ryanair good price at the moment for Dublin)
  2. Single room supplement
  3. Drinks during the meals and other private expenses (except local aperitifs, regional drinks not sure what this means…)
  4. Bike hire with bike insurance
  5. Bike transfer airport hotel airport: charge of €25 (for those who bring their own bike) remember all air lines (charge €80 return for bikes)
  6. Transfers from Airport to Hotel if travelling alone.
  7. Private medical & travel insurance

Bike hire

  1. Road bike; Some are Massi models with Aluminum / Carbon frame – carbon fork, Shimano 10-speed 105 and ultergra, groupset with triple chain ring
  2. From around 100 for 1 week (7 days)
  3. Optional bike damage cover: 2 ?/day can be subscribed on site
  4. Bring your own pedals and helmet. Cycling helmets are compulsory on all cycling activities in Mallorca.
  5. We recommend ladies to bring their own saddle
  6. Bike hire must be fully paid with the booking ;

Flight details from Dublin (Ryanair) Shannon at the moment too expensive
GOING OUT
From Dublin to Palma Mallorca (PMI)

Sat7 Apr 12
FlightFR 9997    15:35 Depart
19:30 Arrive
COMING BACK

Sat14 Apr 12
FlightFR 9998    20:05 Depart
21:50 Arrive

See hotel at http://duva-pollensa.com/?i=ing
If you have any other questions just give me a bell. Just fill out attached
booking form and send back cheque made payable to myself.

4th Annual Weekend Away to Clifden

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WLCC will be cycling back to Clifden on Saturday the 21st of January and home again the next day, the club will have a support vehicle to carry luggage and belongings etc.
The aim is to have 3 groups on the road with a leader to cater for most abilities, this weekend has been very enjoyable over the years, so make it an early target for 2012
and BOOK IN  with JJ Flaherty @ 0879120910 or email jonjflaherty@gmail.com

The plan is meet at 9.30am at the cycling centre, Ballinrobe and to be on the road for 9.45am.
Cost €70 includes B&B and evening meal PPS, this also covers the cost for the support team and the transport of luggage.

Western Lakes CC Recruitment

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On Thursday the 19th of January anyone interested in been a member of the Western Lakes cycling club can join up from 6.30 to 8.30pm at the Cycling Centre on the Kilmaine RD Ballinrobe.
Membership forms will be available at sign on and new members are requested to bring a copy of their driving licence or passport. Club officials will answer any questions that beginners may have.
Existing members can also sign up on the night.
See www.westernlakescc.com for more details.

2011 Season Recap

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Western Lakes Cycling Club Group Photo

With the cycling season over for the year and before you start training for next season I would like to send out a news letter informing all our members of the successful year that was had by Western Lakes Cycling Club members.

The year started of very strong with large numbers taking part in both the spinning classes and circuit training that takes place in the club house. These classes are opened to both members of the club and to the public, the classes also help pay for the rent, in times like these  we don’t know how lucky we are having a club house that we can use for training.

This year the club has organized two weekends away to cater for both the leisure and racing groups in the club. The spin to Clifden in January was a great way to see how your training was going over the winter and showed up  anyone who had been taking it easy. While Ballina in October was on the other end of the scale and gave everyone a chance to get together and enjoy the night life of Ballina. While most people in Ballina used the night as an opportunity to let their hair down some decided it was a chance to get their hair waxed!

Before the hard season of racing and leisure events began the club embarked on two trips overseas. Murcia February and Majorca Easter offered anyone a chance to get big miles into their legs while experiencing good weather, not something we have had to contend with here all year.

The major success this year has been the local club league. This league was established between Westport Coveys and Western Lakes as a chance for its members to experience racing in a controlled environment. Both disciplines are covered with racing and time trialing and here they get to learn the art of racing before they branch out to the open races, Connaught League etc.. The league has gone from strength to strength over the past number of years and has been a great success again this season with Western Lakes Taking the majority of top spots over the Coveys!

On the bigger racing scene WLCC are also to the fore. The Ballinrobe 2 day is now seen as one of the biggest races on the national calendar with riders coming from both Ireland and England, this year there was even an Olympian contesting for the title. Our Germany associate member Gert Hack won the last stage this year.

The other racing 2 day event staged is the Bog Week 2 day Tullycross. A difficult route set in stunning scenery has helped this grow in popularity ever year.

Our racers left it late to shine but when they did they did it in style, having a one two at the  All Ireland A3 championship, wins in Loughrea and Sligo to add to a whole host of placing in races throughout the province and country. The club MTB Racers picked up a whole host of medals at the Connacht MTB champships.

On the leisure front WLCC members have outdone themselves once again. With the club jersey being spotted at every sportif throughout the land (thank god for the team bus) they also have raised over €2,000 for local charities with “the Lap of the Mask” and “the Polka Dot Challenge”. These local sportifs are quickly becoming the clubs crown jewels, from beginners to seasoned pro’s taking part, both events have something to suit everyone.

And with that I will leave you to start your planning for next year. At the moment there are club spins leaving every Saturday and Sunday from Cornmarket meet at 9.50am leave at 10am sharp and it won’t be long again until we resume our Thursday night spins which were a major success last summer with numbers regularly reaching over the 20 mark.

The club is aiming to highlight the activities of its members so if you have any photos, stories or ideas you want to promote please pass them on to the PRO.

If any of you want to contact any of the club officers see list below.

At the club AGM the following officers were elected:
Chairman David Mac Dermott
Secretary Padraic Hughes
Treasurer Andrea Heneghan
PRO Padraig Marrey
Youth/ BMX Norman Walsh and Martin Jennings
Ladies Rep Marie Fraser
Leisure Rep Breege Ryan
Racing Rep JJ Flaherty
Committee: Breege Connolly, Kevin Ryan

The club endeaveurs to do everything  it can for its members but its is up to the members to give back as well, as the saying goes “its not what the club can do for you its what you can do for the club”