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.
Claremorris GP
For 5 years a criterium used to be organised around the streets of Claremorris but with ever increasing traffic and now council restrictions it is now not viable to hold a Crit in the town centre.
This year promoting club Western Lakes CC and in cooperation with Claremorris Chamber of commerce have decided to go with a circuit race on Friday June 15th. The 18k lap will start at the entrance to Mc Mahon park where the Land of the Giants recreational area is situated on the Ballinrobe road. Its ideal for parking with amble room. The lap itself is undulating with a few tight areas that will squeeze the bunch, a few drags on the way into Claremorris will test the legs and the long pull up Mayfields to the finish line will suit the powerful sprinters or maybe climbers !!!. This route is used in the well known Land of the Giants Duathlon event held at Christmas.
The race is 3 laps of the circuit finishing at the top of Mayfields. total distance will be 54kms, Sign on Open from 6.15pm at Kileens bar Lower James St, close to Mc Mahon carpark.
The race will run as a Hcap with small gaps between club, A4,A3,A2 with scratch at the back
Prizes for 1st 6 across the line with a prime or 2 thrown in.
Race start at 7.30pm sharp from Mc Mahon park, finish at approx 8.45pm
Prize presentation and refreshments at 9pm approx in Kileens bar.
Results
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…
Great Western Lakes Sportif June 24th
MTB Audax event for around the Lakes
Western Lakes CC have stepped into the world of Audax events 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 the Saturday 2nd of the June Bank Holiday.
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 €5 for the 100k and €10 for the 200k
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
None of the above have a deli (Coffee machine and sandwich counter ) 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 2nd 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.
100k
In the 100k route starting at the Cycling Centre section 1 finishes once you complete the lap in Moorehall, Section 2 finishes at Ballintubber Abbey, section 3 finishes in Tourmakeady and Section 4 is back to Ballinrobe but not the usual way…!!
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….