Posts by Niall Wilson
Connacht 3 Day
Connacht 3 Day
3-DAY STAGE RACE - June 1st to June 3nd 2019
Running over the June Bank holiday weekend, this 3 stage road race is open to A1,A2 and A3 categories only.
Entry Form to be completed and returned before Friday, 17th of May, 2019
Connacht 3 day stage race
The Wests Awake
The roads of the West of Ireland will truly be awake on the June bank holiday this year when 3 day stage racing returns with a bang. Western Lakes are staging a 3-day race on the hard roads of Mayo and Galway with stages finishes in both Ballinrobe and Tullycross.
After a break of 2 years Western Lakes CC are resuming the Ballinrobe 3day and merging it with the Bogman to help create, what it hopes to be, one of the premium stage races in the country. With nearly 500km of racing over hard roads and beautiful scenery this will definitely be a race to mark on the calendar. With stage 1 starting in Ballinrobe Mayo on Saturday afternoon and traveling to Connemara to finish in Tullycross, while day 2 will involve racing the old Bogman route with start and finish both in Tullycross before heading back for Mayo with the final stage finishing in Ballinrobe early on Monday.
Due to the logistics of having stage finishes in different locations all riders will have to be part of a team. Open to A1, A2, A3, juniors and ladies riding in teams of 5 with composite teams with perpetual cups, trophies and plaques for all jersey and stage winners.
Stage information
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 (4 laps) | Stage 3 |
 |  |  |
Sign on for Stage one from 1pm closed at 2.30pm sharp, from the Cycling centre, Kilmaine road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo post code F31XK09, Stage start at 3pm sharp.
Stage 2 sign on from 12noon, Marian Hall, Tullycross, start at 1pm
Stage 3 sign on from 9am, Marian Hall, Tullycross, start 10am
Prize presentation from 3pm at Cycling centre, Ballinrobe.
Rás na nÓg
All at Western Lakes CC wishes Scott Towey who is riding Rás na nÓg this weekend the best of luck.
Scott Towey
Since 2007 it has become one of the premier youth racing events on the calendar. Hosted by Drogheda Wheelers and under the stewardship of the hard working Gerard Campbell it is a very well run and safe event. It’s also Scott’s home away from home with him born in Drogheda, so three stages over two days at Bellewstown Race Course is a marginal gain for the nerves before the flag drops. Its Scott’s first year U14 but a few very well structured training weekends with the Connacht Youths Academy with our own Padraig Marrey & John O'Halloran as coaches which has been spearheaded by Noel Mulroy of Westport Covey will have all riders well ready for the two day event. The event attracts Irelands elite youth cyclists of the day but it is not all about the podium, it encourages young cyclists to race to the best of their ability. Positioning, bike handling, gear selection, when, where & how to attack & when to sit in are as much important as your name on a top 10 results sheet when you take the chequered flag. Even more so the youths that just haven’t made that level they know they are only a few bike lengths of the guys that are there so it’s all to play for them at the next race.
The Kilmovee youth is steadily learning his trade and has proven there is nothing to be afraid of and as the year rolls on we will have squads at open youth races. Hard races “up the front” OR “out the back” is all about life experiences, it’s about doing your best even if you end up in a race within a race with the pelothon vanishing up the road and any chance of you name on a results sheet gone. It’s about picking yourself up after a spill and going again, it’s about making friends, it’s about seeing how much you have grown stronger & smarter race after race, it’s about learning from those who have gone before you, it’s about respect, for your team mates, for other competitors, for your Club, earning the respect of organisers that keep the sport we all love alive... by simply having a pop off the front. It’s about having fun.
Club league report after Rd 1 in Kilmaine
A gigantic crowd turned up for round one of the Western Lakes CC club league in Kilmaine. Gerry and Veronica Sheridan hosted the event and have set the bar high for all remaining rounds. In total 37 people turned up to either race or marshal.
The league is aimed at getting club members out to ride or race in a group of similar abilities. Round 1 is always tricky to get the H/cap right as we don't know the form of everyone and how they will handle a group situation at speed so bear with us on getting you into the right group. Either way its a massive opportunity to meet up and have a bit of banter plus you get to know the other members. The fact you learn tactics, bike skills and group riding are all only bonuses
Niche training groups from villages around Ballinrobe all descended upon the village of Kilmaine even the Clifden and Renvyle gang made the long journey. There was an aire of tension as rivals talked gingerly... All mad to find out what the other did over the winter, lads talked about not getting out and having nothing done (Ya right) as the weather was so bad. The Knight riders from the Continuity ...had to be favorites the miles them guys put in since last October must be savage... The Hollies have been put through a regimental turbo & Zwift session plan with one member supposedly putting out the same kind of wattage as Mark Cavendish in a sprint .... I Think he is watching too much GCN...Reality boys stay with Reality...New bikes and wheels were flashed all boding to their commitment... but as we all know its not really about the bike its about how we look....
It had to be one of the worst evenings ever for a race with freezing cold hail and sleet falling only over the village of Kilmaine (Not sure why mother nature only picked Kilmaine) with everyone huddled in the hall hoping and praying the event would be canceled not knowing that there was only a slim and no chance of that ever happening ... Crys from Inch to have only one lap went on deaf ears Dave Mac and softy Gibbons hitted for the turf and bolted home... the Holllies all of a sudden were Marshaling did ya ever see the like...
JJ and the Clifden gang were loving it ... this weather was like a soft day in Summer to them boys...saying all that seeing them all inside in JJ's van warming up on spinning bikes was a sight to be hold. ..
4 group were seeded with a Handicap of 9 minutes from front to back set-out for the 2 lap course totaling 34.9k. The racing for most was probably a new experience.. trying to stay in a group watching for the wheel in front of you.. figuring out what the best gear to be in were only a few of the technically issues...more importantly was figuring out how long you could sustain this effort and pace while hyper ventilating at the same time your legs filled with concrete was highest on most their agendas... Pulling out on the first passage through the village seemed a like good idea for a few... The scratch (Back group) Caught group 3 with 9k to go they had a mix of group 2 with them them, out front John Hughes, Earnan Naughton and Sinead Watters held on for dear life... till Foggy Sheridans X roads when the juncture was made by the back groups ... With 4k to go it was always going to be a scratch rider that took the laurels ... Janis and John O Halloran the only A3 riders in the group looked to be favorites ... John was playing the I am the coach trick while keeping a gamy eye on presiding ... Ainars and Jerry ploughed hard on the front with the odd trick from Shane the sheep Gilligan and Colin bullet Loughney throwing in... JJ used up his bullets earlier on but was still lurking... Jennings and Feeney were been chute I say toooo chute as they kept their powder dry and never got to spark at all... Marrey was just hanging in the pocket waiting for it all to kick off ... once the sprint started by Colin Loughney with 600m to go... it kind of through the cat amongst the pigeons.. who was going to chase.. he who chased ruined their own chances .. a few skirmishes and the gap was closing but the finish line was closing too... Ainars decided twas time to launch.. O Halloran and JJ set up behind Marrey knowing he was the wheel to be on.. Marrey launched his effort at the 200m mark ... Loughney glanced and was sure the win was his.. with a mere 20m to go..Marrey past Colin and breasted the line first with a deflated Loughney 2nd and the ever improving Ainars 3rd with Coach O Halloran 4th....
Next round will be hosted by Robeen on Thursday April 26th.. lets get as many out as possible...
Great Western Lakes Sportif June 24th
MTB Off road Audax Routes and info June 30th 2019
Western Lakes CC have stepped into the world of Audax events for the 2nd year running where athletes test themselves over a route by completing it inside a time limit.
The Mayo Western Lakes Audax MTB, has 2 event distances 100k and super tough 200k held on Sunday 30th June 2019.
Both routes are steeped in history and geography, starting in the old garrison town of Ballinrobe, following the Monk's trail to Moorehall woods along the banks of Lough Carra and onto Ballintubber Abbey. Chance to refuel at Corleys bar, a trek through the boglands of Killawalla to the hidden and deserted villages of Srah, the watering hole at O Toole's bar (Foodstop), Tourmakeady waterfall and the old escape routes through to the Black valley of Glensaul. High up in the Partry mountains over looking Lough Mask, drinking water out of Glacier lakes and hidden waterfalls. To the Murderous Maam Trasna pass, the Irish quarter of Finney to the end off the leg of the Mask, over the hill of the CO-OP and descend out onto Lough Corrib via the longest land peninsula of Europe. Climb Heart attack hill and the old Sean Bothar from Cornamona, travel back in time in the Joyce country Geo park and through the majestic woodlands of Cong and Ashford castle, through lane ways and Turloughs over the hill of Cairn and along Ballinrobe Inishmaine Trail: Takes in a variety of archaeological and historical points of Interest including a Souterrain, Caves, a Ringfort, a Cornmill, an Abbey, a Sweathouse and a Hillfort, the final few kms are along the river Robe on the Bowers riverside walk.
Entry fee €6 for the 100k and €11 for the 200k
Audax Ireland Medal €7
ACP (Audax club parisien) €7
MTB, Gravel or cyclo cross bikes suitable (Make sure to bring plenty of spares if using a Gravel or cyclo cross bikes)
Potential food stops
Only one of the above have a deli that is Ballintubber stores, all the pubs do teas and sandwiches.
For now we want people to try out the different sections of the route, we have recce more or less it all now, starts off on by roads, with occasional off road section, from Section 2 on alot more fire track and bog sections, end of section 2 gets hilly, section 3 is savage, section 4 and 5 are tough, section 6 is all off road and section 7 is a ramble through the lanes....coming via the Bowers river side walk, the finish line is back at the Western Lakes cycling centre on the Kilmaine road.
What to get of the road and onto the beaten track for a few weeks ?
Both routes were designed and recce for the Audax event that the club is organizing on June 30th 2018
Audax don't allow short, they don't encourage racing, the only challenge participants to try and finish a set out route inside a certain time limit.
Each route is broken into sections, a normal club spin could do one or maybe 2 sections at a time, as each section is about 30k return, depending where you start from.
if you want to see the route clearly download the free version of ridewithgps onto your Garmin, phone or Wahoo device.
200k
The 200k route starting at the Cycling Centre section one finishes once you complete the lap in Moorehall, Section 2 finishes at Ballintubber Abbey, section 3 finishes in Tourmakeady (hilly), Section 4 finishes in Finny (The hardest section) section 5 finishes in Cornamona, and section 6 finishes in Cong and Section 7 takes a looping way home to Ballinrobe taking in the sites.
When out on these routes ideally go with a buddy in case of mishap and bring the usual breakdown stuff and your phone.
Western Lakes Cycling Club News 24-07-2017
Lesiure and MTB Report
Hi cycling folk, it has been a busy few week on the bikes, the club spins are going well on Tuesdays and Thursdays and longer spins on Sundays, Martin Joyce is back out and about and going well.
The WLCC Ladies Sportif was a great success and well run by the Sportif Director Ken McCarty. Thanks to all who took part and helped out on the day. Full reports and pictures can be seen on Facebook pages including the WLCC Facebook page and the Ladies Sportif Facebook page.
Just a reminder if anyone wants to stay in clifden the night after the Twelve Bens sportive could you book it today as they can't hold the rooms any longer
As ye all know Twelve Bens Cycling Club have their sportive on sept 9th and the committee have decided to make it our end of year spin and make a night of it after by staying in Cliften after the event
MTB spin are taken place each week and keep an eye on the Facebook page for details and route etc.
Racing Report
It have been a busy few week in racing front, congrats to Sean O Malley who won the Mayo league recently, great stuff Seanie. Western Lakes cam 3rd in the league overall, well done to any who took part in theses racers throughout the summer.
The next round of the WLCC league will take place in Tullycross, it will be a new race venue and be great to attend this race by club members, remember 10 points are issued for attendance and make make the difference at the end of the league.
Congrats to Scoot Towey on great result in Connacht Championships this weekend
This years Mayo Club Cycling Championships are on August 2nd hosted by Western Lakes CC in Hollymount
This years winner will also recieve the Sean Stagg Shield
Race Details as follows:
• Sign on: Hollymount Hall 5:45-6:45
• Sing on Fee: €15
• Race Start: Mass Start at 7pm sharp outside the Hall
• Course: 6 x 10km laps through Hollymount
• Eligible Categories: Club, Junior, Ladies, M40, M50, A4, A3, A2, A1, Team (best 3 across the line)
• Prizes: Top 3 overall and top 3 in each category
• Presentation & Refreshments in Hollymount Hall straight after, Also presentation for Mayo League....
Western Lakes Cycling Club Ladies Sportive 2017
Western Lakes Cycling Club Ladies Sportive 2017
In Aid of NCIB Centre Athlone
Registration times & Location
Date: Saturday 15th July
Location: Western lakes Cycling Centre, Kilmaine Road Ballinrobe
Registration: 08:30 to 09:45
Briefing: 09:45
Start time: 10:00
Entrance fee: €25
Please leave plenty of time to get to the cycling centre and for registration and pre-Sportive briefing.
What you need at sign on
- Your Cycling Ireland licence.
- A One day Cycling Ireland Licence is available on the day for €5.
- Your Entrance fee.
Event car parking
There is free car parking provided at the cycling centre.
What to bring with you on the Sportive
Your bike must be in good working order to cycle the Sportive.
You are also recommended to bring the following with you on the Sportive.
- Helmet (Compulsory, No helmet No cycle!)
- Water bottle(s)
- Spare tubes/Pump
- Mobile phone / Cash / Identification.
- Rainproof top and/or Suntan lotion (It is Ireland after all)
Route Signage
The route will be signed at all major junctions.
Marshalls
All major junctions will be marshalled.
Event Food Stop
There will be 1 food stop during the Sportive which is located at just past Tourmakeedy At Maire Luke’s bar.
Tea, Coffee, Sandwiches, Cake, Buns, fruit and water will be provided at the food stop.
Cycle nutrition / Accessories shop
Marrey Bikes, Ballinrobe will have a stall at registration. They will also be selling cycling accessories in case you forget anything.
Bike Mechanic
Marrey Bikes, Ballinrobe will be on hand to resolve any last minute mechanical issues on the morning of the Sportive. Remember: You are responsible for ensuring your bike is safe and in good working order.
Event safety
- The Western Lakes Ladies Sportive is not a closed road event and you must adhere to the normal rules of the road.
- You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others on the road.
- Western Lakes Ladies Sportive is a leisure cycle and not a race.
- Cycle no faster than your ability or weather conditions allow, the West of Ireland is known for strong gusty winds.
- Cycle no more than 2 abreast when cycling in a group to facilitate passing cars.
- The route selected for The Western lakes ladies Sportive is on quiet roads but you will encounter some traffic and road junctions.
- Marshals will be visible on the route, but remember that they are only there to assist. It is your responsibility to check for traffic at junctions.
- Cyclists should be prepared as weather conditions on the Sportive can change and you should bring the right type of clothing to keep warm and dry such as a waterproof warm jacket.
- No earphones permitted on the Sportive
- No Tri bars permitted on the Sportive
Emergency Medical and/or Mechanical assistance
If you have difficulty on the Sportive that STOP’S you from completing the course or if you are involved in an accident or if you come across an accident please call the emergency numbers provided.
There will be an Order of Malta supporting the Sportive.
There will also be a neutral service car available to fix any mechanical issues or punctures you may have during the Sportive.
There will be a number of Western Lakes male cyclists taking part on the day to offer encouragement, guidance and assistance along the way if required.
In the event that you feel unable to finish the Sportive for any reason there will be a Broom Van available to bring both you and your bike to the finish line.
The Finish Line
The Western Lakes Sportive starts and finishes at the Western lakes cycling centre.
Showers
Showers are provided at the Lakeside Sports and Fitness Centre which is situated across the road from the cycling centre.
Post Sportive Nourishment.
Refreshments will be available at Inches bar on main street Ballinrobe after the sportive. Please join us after toe sportive for some refreshments.
And finally….
On behalf of Western Lakes Cycling Club and the NCBI we thank you for taking part in this years ladies sportive. We hope everyone enjoys this ladies Sportive and are blown away by the scenery en-route. Mayo is known as the adventure capital of Ireland and with gems like Tourmakeady, Maumtrasna, Finny, Clonbur, Lough Na Fooey, Partry Mountains, Joyce Country and Lough Mask, it’s a spectacular tour of what Mayo and North Galway has to offer so we hope you enjoy it.
Cliften Kings take the Crowns in Hollymount
The second round of the WLCC club league was held in Hollymount on Friday night last, the local riders did not know what to expect when a van load of 12 Bens riders showed up, led by A1 racer JJ Flaherty, one suspects they did a lot of spinning over the winter. Never the less the assembled riders were split in to groups with John King the eldest of the out of townees in the first group with an 8 minute advantage. There was a fierce stiff breeze blowing but the roads were dry. John King took off like a cut cat and had dropped his companions by the end of Roundfort, if he kept that pace up he would be hard caught. Scoop who has retired from racing to work at lead car driving and commentary could hardly keep up.
The rest of the groups set off in to the side head wind, at such a pace that a few were dropped at the top of the village. The next group set away and local favorite Noel Jennings in this group with a eye on the top prize.
The scratch group and John Gill was under pressure the win his local race, another favorite John O Holleran retired after a few KM with the red engine light badly flashing.
After the first lap John King had a commanding lead followed by Anne Flynn (Stagg), Dave Connolly another local favorite pulled out due to engine management system failure.
The scratch group caught the next group after the first lap in the village of Hollymount and this group held together for most of the next lap. Anthony O Toole, Tomas Hughes and Noel Jennings doing well to stick the pace.
The marshals waited in holly and were doing a great job and expected a bunch sprint at the finish, when the lone figure of John King rounded the corner in Hollymount to secure the top spot on the podium and full points, the next group around the corner was made up of Hollymount and Cliften lads and the two Cliften lads showed a clean set of cleats to the local lads and filled the remaining places on the podium. It looks like the handicapper was well and truly hood- winked. The Cliften lads spoiled the local party but this is bike racing.
There was tea and food in the village hall afterwards and prize giving. Special thanks to Anne Flynn who made the Chocolate Biscuit cake, it was worth all the cycling torture for this cake.
Once again thanks to all the locals who worked at sigh on, road marshals and drivers, without these hard workers the events can't take place.
After the points are added up for the two rounds it looks like Hollymount man Ollie Kelly is leading the league with Anthony O Toole, Conor Gill, Sarah Canny and Aiden Flynn filling out the Top 5 placings.
The next round of the WLCC league will take place in Tullycross on July the 26TH, keep an eye on FB for details, hopefully the South Mayo lads can return the favor to the Galway lads.
Last round of Western Covey League July 6th
Thursday July 6th is the final round of the Western Covey league.
Sign on at Partry soccer club from 6.30pm, first group off at 7.15pm, the route is 5.5 laps of the Srah circuit. (45k)
The club need to get as many members out as possible to have a chance of winning the league and team prize.
Prize giving afterwards in the Village Inn Partry.
Here is the Overall after Rd 2
| Position | Name | Club | Total |
| 1 | Anthony O'Toole | WLCC | 48 |
| 1 | Niall McLaughlin | Covey | 48 |
| 2 | Lorraine Mulchrone | Covey | 44 |
| 3 | David McDermott | WLCC | 34 |
| 4 | John O Halloran | WLCC | 33 |
| 5 | Mike Kelly | WLCC | 32 |
| 5 | Liam O'Suillibhean | Covey | 32 |
| 6 | Noel Mulroy | Covey | 31 |
| 7 | Eoghan Carr | Covey | 29 |
| 7 | Mike Flynn | Covey | 29 |
| 8 | Keith Mulroy | Covey | 25 |
| 9 | Colin Loughrey | WLCC | 22 |
| 10 | Martin Jennings | WLCC | 21 |
| 10 | Yannick Scheerer | Covey | 21 |
| 10 | Robert Coakley | Covey | 21 |
| 11 | Noel Gibbons | WLCC | 20 |
| 11 | Eammon Marrey | WLCC | 20 |
| 11 | Brian Glavey | Covey | 20 |
| 11 | Aidan Gill | Covey | 20 |
| 11 | Sean O Malley | WLCC | 20 |
| 11 | Philip Staunton | WLCC | 20 |
| 12 | Neill Wilson | WLCC | 18 |
| 13 | Paul Feeney | WLCC | 16 |
| 14 | Shane Gilligan | WLCC | 12 |
| 15 | Anthony Murray | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Padraic Furlong | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Noel Jennings | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Pat Flannery | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Jerry Towey | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Scott Towey | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Padraig Marrey | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | James McGreevy | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Shane Gill | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Martin O'Donnell | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | John Hughes | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Keith O'Connell | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Ryan Scott | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Declan Gallagher | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Joe Moran | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Francis McGreal | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Darren Foy | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Walter Lyons | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Patricia Harte | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Keith Hastings | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Karen Regan | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | David Conway | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | Yanis Blinov | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Mark Gannon | Covey | 10 |
| 15 | David Connolly | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Mark Kelly | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | John Murphy | WLCC | 10 |
| 15 | Tom Hughes | WLCC | 10 |
Western Lakes Cycling Club Report 23-06-2017
Lesiure and MTB Reports
Hi Folks, we are slap bang in the middle of Sportif season and there are a great number of events around the area and in the west. A good few members took part in the Explore Mayo and Cornamona 50 mile cycles in recent weeks.
The Great Lakes Sportif take place this Sunday the 25th of June, starting in the cycle center at 09.00. Its €20 to enter and proceeds will go to the Order of Malta who provide great cover for all our events and races in the west. If all members could attend it would make it a good day out, we will keep the group together for the first half of the event if traffic permits.
The Ladies Sportif will take place in the coming weeks so like and share the poster on Facebook to all local clubs. https://www.facebook.com/WLCC-Ladies-Sportive-797159530403528/
Racing Report
Well its back to the local scene for Sean o Malley after his heroics in the RAS in recent weeks, Sean even managed the break in the final stage in to Skerries and his name was heard over Radio Tour, Chapeau to SOM in his great efforts.
The Galway Bay Criturium took place over the last weekend and WLCC had a few podiums and a great 2nd place for Gerry Towey son Scott Towey in the under U12 race, a budding racer in the making like his dad eh, who himself came 5th in the A4 category.
The Mayo league is coming to the last few races and round 7 took place in Ballyhaunis on Wednesday night. Seanie O Malley is leading the proceedings and will look for a few club members for help him in maintaining his lead in the league.
As it happened WLCC had two members on the podium, with Tom Hughes and Anthony O Toole taking 2nd and 3rd place. Tom a budding club racer form the fields of Hollymount, a part of the Hollymount Wheelers group, young Tom’s racing career is finally taking off. Sprint King Anthony O Toole is also a A4 in the making.
The Hollymount round of the WLCC club takes place on Friday the 30TH of June, this will be two 19km laps of the local area, a great turnout is expected. Keep an eye on FACEBOOK for details of the race.
http://www.strava.com/routes/9263178
#Fullgas