Club News
Bogman Shield A4
1st Bryan Hyland Covey Wheelers Westport Cycling Club
2nd John Bird Kelly Ballintubber cycling club
3rd Johnny Kelly Annagh Wheelers Cycling Club
4th Ger Gerard Slattery Annagh Wheelers
5th James Quilligan Greenmount Cycling Academy
6th Kevin Porter Galway Bay Cycling Club
7th Brian Glavey Covey Wheelers Westport
8th Shane Kelly Newcastle West Cycling Club
Tourmakeady Race July 20th
The Annual Tourmakeady race takes place on Friday July 20th.
Sign on at Toole's Bar Tourmakeady Hall from 6pm
Race start at 7.15pm
2 laps of 25k
Prizes for the first 6 over line
Open to A1,A2,A3,A4 and ladies with H/cap
Refreshments afterwards in Toole's Bar after the event.
Bogman Shield for A 4 riders
Shield
Pre & Post Race information
Saturday 7th July
Shield event:
- Sign on 2pm Marian Hall, Tully cross
- Sign on closes 3.40pm
- Race Starts 4.05pm
- 2 laps of route – See map here
- Prize giving 1 hour after the event finishes in Marian Hall
- Showers & refreshments available after the event
Prizes for first 6 over the line & ladies prize.
NB: Race Nos must be worn on the right hand side of jersey.
Prize giving roughly 1hr after finish of stage in Marian Hall.
Bogman 2 day Tullycross Connemara July 7&8th 2018
Bogman 2 Day Cycle Race in association with Renvyle house hotel
Pre & Post Race information
Saturday 7th July
Stage 1:
- Sign on 2pm Marian Hall, Tully cross
- Sign on closes 3.40pm
- Race Starts 4pm
Sunday 8th July
Stage 2a:
- Starts Kylemore Pass Junction
- 1st Racer off 9am in numerical order.
- Numbers worn on left side
Stage 2b:
- Starts at Marian Hall Tully cross
- Sign on 12pm
- Stage starts 1pm
NB: Race Nos must be worn on the right hand side of jersey for both road stages
Prize giving
Roughly 1hr after finish of stage in Marian Hall.
Top 6 on in each stage and the top 6 overall
The leader overall and the person with the highest points in the mountains competition must wear their respective jerseys not covered up. Jerseys sponsored by Marrey Bikes Ballinrobe
Gogarty cup for the overall winner.
Race Rules & Regulations
- The Event is promoted by Western Lakes CC & CEECC under the rules and regulations of UCI, the Cycling Ireland Federation and those additional rules as decided by the race organisation. The organisers will under no circumstances hold themselves responsible in any way for cycling, motorcycling, motoring or other civil offences. Competitors, race officials and all team officials are obliged to observe the Rules of the Road Traffic Act. All competitors are advised that the roads used by The Bogman 2 Day are NOT CLOSED to other traffic. Riders are responsible for their own safety at all times.
- The Marian Hall Tullycross will be race HQ. Sign-on for all stages except Stage 2A which will be at start at Kylemore Pass Junction. Result sheets will be available from Cycling HQ, Western Lakes CC website and Facebook Page.
- Appeal will be decided by the race appeals committee comprised of the race commissaries, the race organiser and the chief judge.
- All stage winners must make themselves available for presentation at the end of the stage as decided by the race organiser.
- Start sheet for Stage 2 TT is as per the start list and Jersey number order in ascending order. All riders will be started at 1 minute intervals. Orderly line for time trial start will be mandatory and all riders will be controlled inside a line of road bollards at the start line to eliminate blocking the entire roadway. Any riders found contravening this control will be penalised. Riders are asked to consult the start sheet to find their own start time and not to interfere with the starter.
- Race Nos must be worn on right hand side of the jersey
- Accommodation will be the responsibility of the individual teams officials and riders.
- Race numbers will be provided for all riders who must wear these as advised at the managers meeting.
- All riders who win a prize must attend the prize giving.
Accommodation in the area
Event Information for Great Western Lakes Sportif
Great Western Lakes Sportif 2018
Event Details
Start times
● The 135km cycle starts at 9.00 am
● 65/85k cycle starts at 9.30am
No going early if you are riding the shorter distances.
The Sportive starts from Western Lakes cycling centre, Kilmaine Rd,
Ballinrobe.
This event is to commemorate club officer John Cummins, the sportive
will divert so that we pass his family business on New St
Charity: Western Lakes will be donating proceeds to CROI for the vast
work they do in promoting a healthy heart.
Sign on times
● Sign on and registration is open from 7.30am on Sunday June 24th,
Please bring your Cycling Ireland license or else pay the €5 fee if you
don’t have it, this covers insurance
● Please leave plenty of time to get to the event sign on as there will be
a lot of traffic around the area.
Full Itinerary here GWLS participants event briefing 2018.docx (2)
Bogman 2 Day
Routes Bogman 2 day July 7th and 8th 2018
Stage 1
Stage 2 TT
Stage 3
The Bogman 2 Day Cycle event happening this July 7th and 8th, is now in it’s 8th year and has built itself up to become a firm favorite in the cycle race calendar. The weekend, held in North West Connemara, provides for 2 days of challenging racing with up to 120 cyclists from all over the country competing. This event is organised by the award winning CEECC in conjunction with Western Lakes CC – one of the finest clubs in the country.
The weekend includes a 90km stage on Saturday 7th & a time trial & 85km stage on the Sunday. The route bring you through some of the most stunning areas of scenery that Connemara has to offer including Renvyle, Inagh Valley, Maam Valley, Kylemore & more. A great weekend of racing guaranteed!
“Connemara has proven to be a mighty location for this great event. John James Flaherty has laid out a challenging course through some of the finest scenery in the country, and the great welcome the cyclists receive make this a special event. We are delighted that it has been so successful and look forward to another outstanding weekend of cycling” states Leo Hallissey, Director Ceecc.org.
The winner of the Conamara Bog Week 2 Day Cycle Race will be presented with the beautiful and prestigious Gogarty Cup which is sponsored by Renvyle House Hotel. ‘We are delighted to sponsor Conamara Bogman cycle event, especially as the founder of Renvyle House Hotel, Oliver St. John Gogarty was not only a leading literary figure but was also a first class cyclist’. says Ronnie Counihan of Renvyle House Hotel.
The Bogman Shield on Saturday will cater for A4 riders, the route will be the same as Stage 1 of the main race but for two laps. Shield presentation will be held in the Marian Hall Tullycross directly after race. For full details including all times and route maps please go to www.ceecc.org, or contact JJ Flaherty 087 – 7060723
Memorial Sportif to honour John Cummins with proceeds to CROI
CYCLISTS are being encouraged to get their pulses racing for this year’s Great Western Lakes Sportif on June 24.
Entry Fee is only €30 on line ENTRY HERE
The annual event has two routes, a challenging route of 135km and an achievable 85km for those hoping to take in the sights of the picturesque route.
This year, proceeds will go to heart and stroke charity Croí, in memory of late club member John Cummins.
Event facilitator Padraig Marrey said the club felt it was appropriate to honour one of its dedicated members who served the club well.
Vincent Cummins, club member and brother of the late Mr Cummins thanked the club for honouring John’s memory.
“On behalf of the Cummins family I would like to thank the club. It’s great John is being recognised in this way. He was an active member and served on the committee and we really appreciate this,” said Mr Cummins.
Starting in Ballinrobe town, the 135km route takes cyclist to Partry passing Lough Carra on your right.
Turning left towards Tourmakeady, the vast expanse of Lough Mask appears to your left.
Leaving Lough Mask, it’s time for the climb towards Maamtrasna, and on the descent Loch na Fooey comes into view. Then a further climb towards Aill Dubh with a spectacular descent.
At the bottom it’s decision time. Left will take you home via Maam, Corr na Mona and Clonbur for the shorter 85k distance, and right, towards Leenane and you are on the longer 135k route. This route, for the more experienced cyclist, takes in stunning views of Killary Harbour, Inagh Valley, Maam Cross and Lough Corrib.
Sign on at 7.30am on June 24th at the Western Lakes CC cycling centre, Kilmaine Road Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.
The 135km route leaves at 9am sharp while cyclists taking on the 85km challenge hit the road at 9.30am.
For more info and entry see www.westernlakescc.com or Email padraigmarrey@gmail.com for additional info or ring 087 7992857.
John Holian Cup Memorial 2018
The John Holian memorial will be held on the evening of Friday the 8th of June in the Village of Cross County Mayo. The race covers 5 by Eleven Km laps. The event is open to all racers as its a Handicap event.
Holian transport Cross have kindly sponsored a perpetual cup in honour of John’s cycling talents.
The event is sponsored by O Malley’s bar Cross, the sign on and post race refreshments will also take place there.
Sign on open from 6.00 pm, race start at 7.15pm .
The route: starting in the village of Cross, turning left in The Neale left again at Ashford castle gates Cong for Cross, for a total distance of 55 KM finishing at the hill of the Derries approx 500m form the village of Cross at approx 8.45pm.
Prizes for the first 6 overall on the evening
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...