cycling
BikeWeek – BMX skills for kids
Womens Sportif 24 Sept 2022
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
Multiple Medals at Connacht Cyclocross Champs
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
Results of 2021 Connacht Youth TT & Road Championships
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.
Connacht Youth Road & TT Championships Oct 2nd
Ladies Sportif September 25th
Essential information for our event Saturday 25th Sept
Start line: Lakeside Sport and Fitness Centre, BallinrobeEIR Code: F31 YT18
Sign on Time: 08:45 to 09:45Roll out at 10:00am
Full event briefing being emailed to all participants Friday 24th - please read carefully. Helmet is compulsory.
Dress appropriately for the weather.Food & refreshments will be served during and after the sportive.
Event proceeds being donated to COPE Galway
No registration available on the day - please register online via https://eventmaster.ie/event/B2LWt23c8j
See you all Saturday - bring it on!! 
WESTERN LAKES ACTIVITIES
| WESTERN LAKES ACTIVITIES 26 th July - 1st August TUESDAY 27th Meeting at 6.45 in the Cornmarket and leaving at 7 sharp. It will be a 45k spin which will suit all abilities, Ken Mccarthy and Eimear FlAnnery will lead the spin and no one will be left behind. Hollymount Wheelers 7 pm 45/55km Western covey league not on this week THURSDAY 29 th July Leisure Spin from Cornmarket @ 7 pm, 2 /3 groups,All abilities Group leaders Joe Callaghan and Noel Gibbons Challenge league rd 6 7 pm SUNDAY 1st August Group spin from Cornmarket 9 AM Imelda Hughes ,Joe Biggins ,And john Conroy to lead Hollymount Club leaving @ 8 .30am 85/120k approx |
Western/Covey League 2021
A developmental league open to all racers who hold a current LC or full race licence. In 2021 its open to all clubs.
We have limited places available.
Most of the events are based in Srah near Tourmakeady
Sign up here https://eventmaster.ie/event/o2kxfk3tLm
Monday 7 th June Hollymount @ 6.30pm 45/55km |
International Women day
Q & A with Marie Finnerty
Bike type: Kona Kahuna MTB bike, an extremely old Raleigh road bike (which I bought 2nd hand in Dubai) and my Grandmothers High Nellie.
Discipline: MTB and road
Cycle for fun (Leisure)
Questions in cycling
How long are you cycling and which discipline do you prefer?
My first cycle of any significant length was the Ladies Sportif in 2015. I was persuaded to do it by Ken McCarthy on an battered old hybrid. I barely knew the front of the bike from the back of the bike, most people would agree I still don’t. I prefer MTB in the Winter and road cycling in the Summer.
What’s your favourite bike? and if money wasn’t a problem which one would you get?
My favourite bike is my Grandmother’s High Nellie, which I plan to restore this summer. If money wasn’t a problem a purple Specialized Venge would be nice to replace my rickety old Raleigh.
What’s your favourite training route? To do it solo or in a group?
Clonbur/Cong Woods MTB spin in a group. I absolutely love hurtling past the Pigeon Hole in the pitch dark during Winter club spins.
What’s your favourite food/ beverage at a stop?
The WLCC Ladies Sportif has to have the best food stop of any sporting event. Club members come together to create homemade deliciousness that will surely make the ascent up Maumtrasna worth it. Anna Sheeran’s baked ham along with Clare O’Neill and Eimear Flannery’s deserts can only result in you thanking your lucky stars the next part of the journey is downhill.
What’s your favourite time of day to go out?
Mornings because you feel great then for the rest of the day.
Winter or summer time spins?
Both, Winter in the woods and Summer on the road.
Hills or flat?
Flat, although I made it my mission to cycle up the highest peak in the UAE, Jebel Jais, before I moved home in June 2019. Left Dubai at 1am and started cycling at 3am as the daytime heat in the Summer there would hit over 40°C. Cycling back down those hairpin turns was great fun! I also loved cycling the Máiméan Loop with the club last July. It’s a really tough climb but worth it for the beautiful scenery.
Most memorable or favourite events?
Memorable moments include cycling with Dan martin in the desert in 2018 and meeting Sam Bennett to wish him luck before watching him cross the line to win the final stage of the UAE tour in 2019. Favourite events include Ironman UAE and Spinneys 92 in Dubai, the Ring of Clare and Westportif. Great times with the best of company!
Favourite piece of kit?
My pink clip-ins and of course the latest Western Lakes kit.
How many times a week do you go out to train ? and how long is your average spin time. ?
Twice a week on club spins when we’re not in lockdown, average 2hrs.
Indoor session what’s your favourite: Turbo, Zwift, rollers, gym, classes or other ?
I don’t do indoor cycling. I’ll rather face any weather to be outside.
The best thing about club spins? The worst thing about club spins?
The best things are the camaraderie on group spins, making friends along the way and all sorts of random conversations, and being pushed out of your comfort zone to achieve more than you would alone. Worst things are feeling like you’re holding the group back on a club ride or crashing into trees in the woods.
Sum up cycling for you.
Exploring the great outdoors and having a laugh along the way. Can’t beat that feeling at the top of a mountain or after a long distance ride. If you’re not feeling great, you definitely will after a cycle. Joining Western Lakes Cycling Club has been a great adventure. I’m looking forward to our next club spin!