IVCA Leisure Reports for 2010 will be here

IVCA Dick O’Brien Leisure League 2010. 100 in 8 Sunday 15th August.

Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day with very little wind and blue skies. Forty-two cyclists signed on for the 100-mile challenge and after a few words of advice from Gay, set off to Athboy at a leisurely pace with many cyclists taking turns at the front. The only incidents were one puncture and a broken chain by Francis Moran, the first in his cycling career, which was quickly fixed, allowing the group to arrive in the Old Darnley Hotel at 11.45. The hotel staff were very prompt with tea and sandwiches, which were quickly consumed and followed by second helpings as we discussed all the latest in the cycling world. Having settled our bill of 5 euro a head we stood for the obligatory group photo courtesy of Victor Hynes and were soon back on the road heading for Delvin. With the group in tact we quickly reached Delvin, Killucan and kept a steady pace going all the way to Summerhill where Seamus Brennan was inviting us in for tea and cake unfortunately the spirits were up and the desire to get back to the park too strong, so it was full steam ahead into Kilcock Maynooth and eventually through the Strawberry Beds up Knockmaroon Hill and into the Park. Despite the tired muscles and stiff limbs everyone was clearly very happy to have completed the 100 miles, earning 4 leisure league points and in a lot of cases the IVCA Touring Trials Silver medal awarded to all those who have completed the 50 in 4, Wicklow 200 and the 100 in 8. Many thanks to all those who participated in making it such an enjoyable day. Particular thanks to Michael Gough for organising this event. The group at the old Darnely Hotel.

 

We’ll Meath Again Tour. July 18th

36 riders turned out for the We’ll Meath Again Tour on Sunday 18th July which was the 7th round of the IVCA Dick O’Brien Leisure League 2010. Following a minutes silence in memory of the late Eamon Tackaberry the group moved away from the Papal Cross Car Park in Phoenix Park into a stiff breeze from the south west. The morning was overcast but warm with the ever present threat of rain. The intention was to follow the traditional route for this event but the report of road closures between Kilbride and Ratoath for a car rally meant a detour to avoid this area, travelling instead along the old main road towards Ashbourne before entering Ratoath. From here we travelled to Dunshaughlin and on the Dunsaney where the Swords Club left us to visit the tea room at Tara. The remainder of the group stayed together into Kilmessan where we turned left for the Summerhill road and the return journey through Batterstown and Dunboyne and back to the Park along the Navan road. Rain fell at various times along the way but it dried out just as quick and I think most made it home without incident. 2 points were awarded for this event. The next round of the league is the 100 in 8 on Sunday 15th August starting at 9.00am from the Papal Cross Car Park in Phoenix Park.

The North Dublin Tour Sunday February 14th 2010

Despite a turnout of 45 cyclists for The North County Dublin Tour on Sunday last a number of familiar faces were missing. Did they succumb to the lure of a bit of romance on a bitterly cold St. Valentine’s morning? The tour headed off from The Papal Cross, out the Navan Road through Cabra and Finglas towards Dublin Airport and Ballyboughal at a good pace but as usual that Nasty Nag in the Naul took its toll and split the group. More troubled waters lay ahead and at a greasy Naul cross Frank Coates, Jimmy Murphy and Victor Young hit the deck. After some first aid several smaller groups headed towards Balbriggan and along the coast to Skerries and Lusk. The weather then took a turn for the worse and the rain and westerly wind made the spin back to the Park tough enough. However all riders were back by 2.00 o’clock having completed 90km and had a very good workout. Two Leisure League points were awarded for the event. Unfortunately Young Victor has suffered a broken thumb and is plastered up to the elbow. We wish him a speedy recovery and send him our very best wishes. Our most sincere thanks go to Mary Farnan who provided much appreciated back-up for Victor and bike when he was unable to continue. Your kindness will be rewarded Mary! Thanks to Evelyn and Theresa for organizing this event.

The East Meath Tour Sunday January 17th 2010

A good turn out of 49 riders started The East Meath Tour on Sunday last 17th January. The bright dry morning helped to bring out even the most cautious cyclist and the thought of a spin in the fresh air after the long Christmas break helped to make the decision even easier. After the few words of greeting for the New Year and the safety precautions to be observed on the way the group left the Papal Cross Car Park with the word of warning that the pot holes have got even deeper since the recent bad weather. The group stayed at a steady pace until just after Dunboyne when a puncture halted the main bunch. A few stragglers kept going and were not seen again, possible because they took a wrong turn or whatever. The bunch continued on after the puncture until Dunsaney when the Swords group took their leave, which left the remaining 25 or so to continue back to the Park with Arthur Ebbs and Dermot Moyne keeping the speed at leisure pace. The weather was perfect for cycling with only a slight head wind in exposed place. Two points were awarded for this event. The next event in the Leisure League will be The North Dublin Tour on Sunday 21st February.

Some photos from the East Meath Tour Sunday January 17th

Leisure League 2010.

Before the 2010 Leisure season begins I would like to wish all the IVCA members and their families a very happy New Year and hope they have an enjoyable and safe time in 2010. The 1st round of the League starts with The East Meath Tour from the Papal Cross Car Park in the Phoenix Park (weather permitting) on Sunday next 17th January. I hope to see all our old friends and some new ones as well taking part in the event and after the recent cold spell that kept most of us off the bike it will be a welcome break to get out and shed some of the excess weight that built up over the Christmas. The league consists of 10 rounds from January to October aimed at but not exclusively for the leisure members with some rounds organized by volunteer members. If there are members who have the ability and enthusiasm to organise a round or if a club would like to include a round as part of their leisure calendar please contact me, detailed below. The route for Sunday will follow the usual season opener. Out through Dunboyne on to the Summerhill road to Moynalvy and on to right turn in Dunsaney. Turn right before Dunshaughlin for Drumree and on to the Trim road, right in Batterstown and left onto the Summerhill road for the return through Dunboyne and back to the Park along the Navan road. See you on Sunday. Regards Gay Farnan. 087-2579406