Posts by Niall Wilson

Open invitation to all young cyclists to come along to the Cycling Centre and BMX track in Ballinrobe at 7pm on Monday July 31 to test and develop their skills with the top youth coach and 2022 Rás Tailteann winner Daire Feeley. Just bring a helmet, bike and a can-do attitude and you'll definitely go home with some new skills and a big smile.

This years event is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet so sign up today to ensure you don't miss out! The route is a 65km lap of Lough Mask with some fabulous views and great company.

Sign up at https://eventmaster.ie/event/WrYEC65i0j

On Sunday Dec 12th, 6 hardy WLCC members competed in the rain and mud at the Connacht Cyclocross championships in Spiddal, Co. Galway. First off were the Youths with a challenging circuit for the U8 and U10 and the U12s doing 4 laps of the same course. Some close racing ensued and a few tactical lessons learned but WLCC came away with all 3 youth members on the podium of their various age categories:

Kyle Marrey (U8) - 1st

Cathal McTavish (U10) - 2nd

Rory Wilson (U12)- 2nd

Next up was the senior B race and PJ McTavish put in a great ride despite a slow front puncture to gain a solid 8th placing. In the A race, Shaun Barnicle moved up from the B category and received just rewards with a 2nd place in the Elite Mens. Rounding out a great day for WLCC cyclocrossers was the omnipresent old fox Padraig Marrey getting 1st in the Masters 50 category.

Shaun Barnicle (Elite men) - 2nd

Padraig Marrey (M50) - 1st

Great days racing for the Connacht Youth Championships in glorious autumnal sunshine on Saturday Oct 2nd in Ballinrobe racecourse. 25 young cyclists aged between 6 and 16 from 7 different cycling clubs across Connacht turned out for the event and did themselves proud with some great efforts and exciting racing.

Many thanks to all the participants and parents for making the event a success and especially to Bryan Hyland for EMT support, John Flannelly and Ballinrobe Racecourse for enabling us to use this great venue and to Pádraic Quinn of Connacht Cycling for broadcasting the event on Facebook Live.

Like Cycling and want to Try out the different Disciplines of the sport ..?
In the last 6 months there has never been as many kids on bikes, so much so that nearly every bike shop in the country is sold out of bicycles. Parents and Adults have also taken to the bike as a means of getting out in the fresh air and experiencing the wind in their hair.. Wherever there is a greenway like Westport or Waterford those areas seem to be booming. I suppose it's an ill wind that blows no good and at least Covid 19 brought people back to their roots with the humble means of transport called the bicycle.In sporting terms Ireland never had it so good with Carrick on Suir native Sam Bennett winning a stage in the Tour De France and also holding the green points jersey a feat not done for 31 years by an Irish man. I say Sam had many a day flying down the river bank greenway between Carrick and Clonmel.
Western Lakes CC are inviting all kids from 6 years of age up and their parents to attend an Adults and Kids activities day on Saturday Sept 26th from 11-2.30pm using  the safe confines of the Ballinrobe racecourse. All participants must sign up using the Cycling Ireland registration at https://eventmaster.ie/event/vK3quPoSb4.
We want Adults and kids to try out the different disciplines of the sport of cycling, most would only use their bikes for scooting around their neighbourhoods on the road, we want them to experience what it's like to cycle on grass, on gravel trails, on tight muddy corners and on a track with a fixed gear and much much more. We want them to practice and test their skill level and to really experience the thrills of the sport in a safe environment. 
We will have set out areas for practice for each cycling discipline with coaches on hand to pass on expert advice. The qualified coaches will be coordinating a series of Try Out sessions for the following cycling disciplines: Mountain Biking, Cyclo cross, BMX, Track and road cycling, we will have skill and obstacle courses as well in operation to have a go at.. MTB, track and Cyclocross bikes will be available to use but we recommend that participants bring their own bike and helmet and to wear the appropriate outdoor clothing.
We will have strict guidelines re the use of the track and will apply all the relevant Covid 19 guidelines. This type of session has not been tried before using just one venue so it’s sure to be exciting for both kids, adults and coaches..Remember to sign up you must go to  https://eventmaster.ie/event/vK3quPoSb4.

At long last after a difficult few months we are beginning to return to normal. Following the government announcement on Friday it looks like normality will resume shortly and we just await final clarification from Cycling Ireland, fingers crossed some form of racing will resume shortly.

We are resuming the usual club leisure spins , on a Tuesday evening spin meeting at 6.50 departing at 7.00pm and a Thursday evening spin meeting at 6.50 departing at 7.00pm from Cornmarket, groups will be divided up to suit ability and to adhere to Covid19 guidelines.   

It looks like cycling is on the increase locally and nationally and we hope to welcome new members in the coming weeks. We have groups to suit all abilities and you can do 3 tryout spins before committing to club membership. Apart from this exception all members are to have club membership and cycling Ireland membership to participate in any club activities .