NCC MEMBERSHIP

NEWS
Spring 2013
CHAIRMANS COMMENT
Anois teacht an earraigh, the days lengthen and we turn our thoughts to tours, sportives and races. We will have club time trials, an inter club racing league and open racing in our local Mondello Park. A lot going on and much more to come. In addition, Naas town will host the penultimate stage of this years Rs on 25th May. I hope to see many members of NCC wearing the club colours at the finish and at the start the following morning. The table quiz and social evening was enjoyed by those who attended, a good start and let us do more of this. As you may be aware, we will be putting a big effort into our Wicklow Peaks Challenge on June 30th and we will have a barbeque to celebrate the clubs 25th anniversary that evening. Maybe we should align this with the Gathering!!! NCC is vibrant and full of life. Our committee is committed and dedicated to developing cycling in Naas and the surrounding area. We have designated groups for ladies, youths, beginners and returnees, and yes, even retirees. Alongside these we have racing, sportive, and leisure cyclists. This newsletter is a new and exciting development. I wish to commend Lance and Trish for the foresight in launching this initiative at the end of last year. Enjoy your cycling this Spring and stay safe. Hugh Durnin

Welcome to the second Spring edition of NCCs MEMBERSHIP NEWS. This Newsletter will attempt to keep the growing club membership informed and updated with all thats happening in Naas Cycling Club. With over one hundred and thirty members the club is expanding rapidly and communication between members has never been more important. We already have an excellent website and the Club Facebook page is also very active. Membership News is an extension to that and will be emailed on a quarterly or seasonal basis to all members who have supplied an email address to the club secretary. It will also be available on the main website to view and download. If you have any suggestions for content or pictures that you think might be of interest to other club members please email Trish McGuane, NCC PRO at: pronaascc@gmail.com

PRO/SOCIAL UPDATE
What a fantastic night we had at our Annual Table Quiz which will hopefully be an annual event from now on. Well done to Colm and the lads on the winning team. A well deserved six bottles of fine wine selected by wine guru, John Boyle! Some brilliant spot prizes given out on the night also and some nice money made for our club. Special thanks to Joe Kelly for acting as quiz master and Emily-Anne, John Boyle and Hugh for their help on the night. Thanks also to non club member Jim OReilly for doing a great job on the sound and PA system which made the night all the more enjoyable. Thanks to members and non members who took the time to attend and bring family members and friends to make up teams on the night. Definitely an event to be repeated and grown. The next social event will be the end of Summer BBQ, and a celebration of our Clubs 25th Anniversary more on that later. In the meantime we hope to organise a night away for club members, we cycle there, have dinner and cycle back the following day. Costs as always, will be kept to a minimum. Keep an eye out for further information. I would love to hear any suggestions you may have on suitable social evenings or fundraising activities.

Like a lot of other clubs these days, we get little funding from outside the club and we now have a steady requirement for funds that can be used to help the club grow and flourish. Looking forward to a great summer of cycling. I wish you the same.
Trish McGuane

WOMENS GROUP UPDATE

The Womens group is now in its second year and is continuing to cater for the Beginner/Improver cyclist. It continues to attract women of all ages into the sport of leisure cycling. Our Saturday spins have seen an increase in numbers over the past few weeks and its a big filte ar ais to those of you who took a break over Christmas. With the sportive season just around the corner now, our more advanced ladies are cycling challenging routes and are just short of reaching their ultimate target of 60km. By April they should be more than capable of completing their first sportive for 2013 and we will be participating in the CYCLE4DSI event in Blessington. Over the coming Summer, we plan to take part in a number of sportives and like last year will hopefully be having the craic in Until the Summer newsletter... all the best ladies for a safe and most enjoyable cycling season.
Maeve Quigley

places like Killarney, Dungarvan and Glengarif to name but a few. Ladies new to group cycling are always welcome on our Saturday spins. The route for beginners is set at 35km approx. There is a strong emphasis placed on road discipline and cycling etiquette. Both groups meet together for coffee, an opportunity for all to get to know each other.

CYCLING QUOTE:

Cycling isnt a game, its a sport. Tough, hard and unpitying, and it requires great sacrifices. One plays football, or tennis, or hockey. One doesnt play at cycling.
Jean de Gribaldy (Sean Kellys Manager)
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A GROUP UPDATE
Winter has come and gone and while a Roman Army may have been laying around taking stock and getting fat, we have been sharpening our skills in some of the most windy months we have known. Forays down roads less frequently travelled has been the focus so far, sometimes with our racing cousins to help us along the way. Spins have progressed nicely in line with anticipated increases in distance and a spot of climbing. There have been a number of new riders joining the group and we look forward to their continued participation over the coming months. In a break from the ploton we have also decided to vary our starting point for Sunday spins. The first venture saw 6 riders departing from Carlow along with Carlow Cycling Club. The feedback from all involved was extremely positive and we are much encouraged to continue this line of development with rides already pencilled in for Baltinglass and Swords, with dates to be confirmed.

I would like to take this opportunity As a Touring Group we to thank all who will be heading out to have ridden with places far and wide over the Group over the the Summer months, winter. We should challenging ourselves continue to focus in pastures new. As well on our riding skills as supporting Tours and working well which are arranged together as a through NCC we have Recent participants in the Carlow/Naas inter club spin group. As such our selected the following rides and riders forthcoming tours for our particular attention. will continue to develop throughout March, April and May while we will Sat 13th April, Cycle4DSI, Blessington, 55 & 100km - Sat 4th May, Orwell Wheelers Randonee, Dundrum, be keeping our fingers crossed for 140km - Sun 5th May, Carlow CC, Slieve Bloom warmer weather to help us along the Challenge, Holy Angels Centre, Carlow, 100 & 160km way. Looking forward to seeing you Sat 18th May, Slaney CC, Mount Leinster Challenge, on the road again. Enniscorthy, 100 & 140km Sun 16th June, Carlow CC Graham Custerson Humpy Hundred, Eire Og, Carlow, 100km

Ever wondered what local climbs would look like Tour de France graph style? In the upcoming issues, we will be highlighting some of the more interesting local climbs.
Stats courtesy of Strava via: www.veloviewer.com

Slieve Corragh
(Hollywood - heading NW)

The Wall

B GROUP UPDATE
I remember as a young boy in Durrow sneeking into the dressing room at half time during a local hurling match and bearing witness to an image of sport I will never forget. A passionate manager, fag in mouth barking instruction at his players. Water distributed from a narrow wavin pipe secured with a string in an atmosphere of fatigue, dejection and smoke! After that I never got involved. Almost 40 years later how things have changed. Our fitness as a B Group has really improved during our winter training. It is impressive to hear as we travel around Kildare and surrounding counties, the many stories of personal triumph over smoking, improved nuitrition, the battle with weight and personal well being. Our half time break is about tea, coffee, healthy snacks, rest, balance and possitive attitude. Some say Cycling is the new golf but we all manage to avoid the 19th. The season of Sportives is now upon us. As a team we are mentally and physically ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The group is growing all the time. Some have advanced to A Group and others have come to us from C Group. In B Group you will discover quite quickly where you are with your cycling, we are serious about fun, leisure cycling and keeping fit and healthy! If that appeals to you, come and join us. As for the hurling match, Durrow lost. Happy Cycling.
Colm Alley

SECRETARY UPDATE
MEMBERSHIP: Club membership for 2013 is progressing well and Naas CC now has one hundred and thirty four members registered with Cycling Ireland. Some members have yet to pay for this year but we are hoping to break one hundred and fifty for the first time in the clubs history. Any members outstanding are asked to get registered as soon as possible.

I would encourage all members to visit and log on to the Cycling Ireland web page www.cyclingireland.ie and check your address, e-mail and all other details are correct. If you are having any difficulty with online registration or if you have forgotten your log on details for Cycling Ireland, please contact me (Club Secretary)and I will reset them for you. CLUB GEAR: The club gear ordered at the end of December has now been delivered and should now be in the possession of the members who ordered. If for some reason you have not received your gear please contact me. There will be a limited amount of extra gear available for immediate sale and I hope to put a list on the club webpage and FB very shortly.
Pat Spillane

C GROUP UPDATE
Can we say winter is over? Lets say it anyway! Say it often enough it becomes real. Certainly the signs are there. Although, writing this, its howling wind and flurries of snow outside. We have struggled through the winter without ever having abandoned the Sunday spin. There were some hairy days when we thought the frost might stop us. But no, it didnt happen. Cyclists are a hardy bunch! In the last few weeks C Group have started to push up our distances in preparation for the Spring sportives. Currently we are doing 80/90km and managing to maintain it in or around that point. A tribute to the fact that we always regarded our winter spins as preparation for Spring. The transition was almost seamless. Suprisingly, we have been steadily increasing our numbers. With new members appearing nearly every week, there were Sundays when we wondered if we should split the groups, for safety sake, and when necessary we did just that. We travelled in two groups, approximately five hundred meters apart to facilitate the traffic and it worked a treat. We also noticed over the winter months that we were not (a) holding onto some of our new members and (b) not getting back some of our members who had laid up for the winter. With this in mind we set up a shorter route for new and returning riders. This route was just a shorter version of the main route, which meant we could try to keep the pace the same for all riders where possible. We promoted it to the whole C Group and the first week we had six returning riders who were pleased we had done this because they felt they may have missed the boat, as the C Group had progressed to longer distances. The X factor was, it allowed members who were feeling not so hot on any given Sunday, a good platform for early return to base so win/win all round. We are still a healthy supply line for the B and A Groups. It is good to see riders who have progressed fitness-wise moving on to faster and longer distances. It shows a vibrant and lively membership. Looking ahead to the Summer and the Wicklow Peaks Challenge and the Tour of Kildare, its all good. We are ready to take on these challenges along with the other tours that we are all dying to partake in. We have a group already signed up for a trip to Majorca in May for training and leisure with the emphasis on leisure! However, before all that happens, we still have to get through these last few cold weeks. So, keep the hack bike well oiled and cleaned, keep washing the mucky thermals and overshoes. Keep the mudguards at the ready and the fingerless gloves in their wrapper. Squeeze the last out of the leg warmers and the thermalite gear and wait that day when we can all sport the knobbly knees and bikers tan and be thankful for getting out wearing two layers at the most. Its hard to see it from this remove, but for sure its there and waiting to dawn. So bring on the hope of Spring and the joys of summer and remember, any day on a bike is a good day. John Boyle

CYCLING ROAD SAFETY - REMINDER

Now that we are entering into the full 2013 cycling season, can we remind all members about some basic cycling road safety. Cycling as we know, is an activity undertaken at the individuals risk. There are certain common sense guidelines that can help minimise these risks.

Always

Your bike should be the right size for you and should be
serviced regularly while paying particular attention to the condition of your brakes and tyres.

be alert to whats happening around you. Wearing headphones while cycling is not advised but if you insist, leave the right earphone out so that you can hear traffic approaching from behind. particular attention when cycling alongside a line of parked cars, leave sufficient room ideally not less than one metre between you and the cars in case a door opens suddenly.

Pay

If cycling alone or at night, wear some form of hi-

viz clothing. White front light, a red back light are mandatory for night cycling. Its cooler looking (and makes you look slimmer:) to wear dark or black cycling gear but I advise (based on experience) not to give a car driver an excuse to say I did not see him or he just appeared from nowhere!

Always wear a helmet, just ask several NCC members

how a helmet may have saved them from a serious brain injury in recent falls. Also, wear the helmet properly, I have seen helmets worn incorrectly recently on club spins offering no protection to the forehead in the event of a fall (see pic above). users so you should familiarise yourself with them especially the section dedicated to cycling before taking to the road. cyclists as well! When you break a red light you are giving motorists a reason to frown and be ignorant towards ALL cyclists.

To sumarise, always ride in a confident, predictable manner and be mindful of your positioning on the road at all times. Always be respectful towards other road users (when you get honked by a car driver for riding two abreast on a perfectly safe, open road, dont give in to the temptation to raise a finger, just ignore or give a friendly wave)! Dont swarm a car at traffic lights, it can be intimidating for a car driver to be surrounded by a bunch of sweaty lycra clad cyclists! Know your rights AND your responsibilities and if in doubt, dont take a chance. Also, as a member you should have read the Club Guide to Group Riding which is available in the downloads section on the main website. Most importantly, remember that every time you are out cycling or racing in NCC Club Gear, you are an ambassador for your club. Your behaviour, verbal and otherwise should always be of the highest order. Enjoy your cycling in 2013 but also, be careful out there!

Remember, the Rules of the Road apply to all road

Obey traffic signs - red lights mean stop for

TOP TIPS - RIDING IN THE RAIN

In what will become a regular cycling tips feature, this issue we give some tips on RIDING IN THE RAIN - just in time for another typical Irish Spring and Summer! DRESS CORRECTLY: Nothing is worse than being caught in the rain in inadequate clothing. A rain jacket is a must on grey days, as are booties, especially if it is cold. In autumn and winter, wear layers that can be removed. Think abut getting Gore-Tex arm warmers, knee/leg warmers, gloves and jacket. CLEAN BRAKE PADS AFTER THE RAIN: The rain makes more debris from the road stick to the pads and rims than usual, and you may find that very small stones cause the rim material to scuff, and chew up brake pads. Sandpaper is ideal for cleaning off debris from a pad. Also, most rims require a full revolution before the brake pads squeegee the water from the braking surface and begin stopping. Plan ahead and brake early. EXTRA CARE ON CORNERS AND ROUNDABOUTS: Crucial! The wet and road debris combine to make cornering in the wet more dangerous than usual, causing wheels to slip. Brake earlier, and anticipate other riders movements. Stay more upright on corners and roundabouts and drop your entry speed by a few kph. Be wary of metal grids, road markings, and very smooth patches of road, as well as fallen leaves. READ THE ROAD: Sounds simple but sometimes we forget the easiest things. Look out for rainbow patches ahead - a sign that oil has been spilled - and avoid murky puddles - there could be a hole or rock under the water. FIT MUDGUARDS: Ok, they look crap, but they stop you getting soaked and prevent the cyclist behind getting an eye full of rain. Proper close fitting guards are a must on all winter club spins. SEE CLEARLY: Clear or yellow lenses are the smart choice in the rain. Yellow lenses actually work brilliantly on dark days, illuminating the road and bringing a sharpness to objects that clear lenses dont. Wipe regularly. GET A RAIN (WINTER) BIKE: Advisable in this country, especially when salted roads are an issue in winter. Great training boost too, to have a heavier bike in the offseason. SEE THE LIGHT: Let everyone know you are there. Heavy rain and the glare from auto headlights reduce motorists vision, so it is a good idea to ride with a bright LED lamp on the seatpost and handlebar. CHAIN LUBE: Use a heavier chain lube and remember, your lube wont penetrate into the links unless the chain is completely dry when you apply it. HTFU AND LEARN TO LIKE IT: if you do harden up and get out in the rain, you can learn to like it. Knowing that every other cyclist in the club is indoors can be very motivating!!

REMAIN SEATED UPHILL: On very steep climbs, beware the slipping rear wheel. This is caused by standing up and putting power into the pedals. The wet road causes the rear wheel to lose traction. To combat this, remain seated if possible, thus distributing more weight on the rear tire. 8

RACING UPDATE
After 20 weeks of Sunday spins and hard training through the windiest winter for years, the racers of Naas CC have found their legs in some of the early season races. Once March comes around, its full on racing for the best part of seven months, so lots of things to look forward to both locally and beyond. Suffice to say, the racing members who have been out over the winter have trained very well and have been a great source of camaraderie and support to each other, as well as to the various touring members who have shared the roads through the winter, and viceversa.

AN POST GOREY 3-DAY 2013:

A major goal for the club was to have a presence in this prestigious race once again. The provisional start list named a 12-man Naas CC team, the second biggest team in the race. It comprises a mix of the clubs A3 riders: Ken Conlon, Joe Kelly, Dave Concannon, Dave Fielding and Hugh Gallagher, plus a number of overseas guest riders, headed by former local riders Rob and Stephen Looby and their German racing colleagues. Rob is a former winner of the overall Cat.3 in the race, is well known in Naas circles and with his brother Stephen, brings much experience to the event. However, best news of all came just this week as Evan Cunningham, our own junior rider, who began with the C group just over a year ago, was selected for the Leinster Junior Squad for the race. We wish him the very best. John Cahill and Emily-Anne Doyle will provide team back-up and we will look out for Tom Keenan as he busies himself as part of the race set-up. It promises to be a tough few days in the saddle, particularly if the harsh weather continues. With 126km scheduled on Stage 1, the 180-strong field will hopefully have a Naas presence in the finale in Gorey town. The 4-stage race concludes on Easter Monday following a 6km time-trial and a lumpy Stage 3 on Sunday. Updates from the race, along with other racing snippets, can be accessed now on a new Twitter account dedicated to club racing - @naasccracing will get you there. Support on the route would be a great asset!

Hugh Gallagher, Ken Conlon and Joe Kelly have all been up the road at various times. The recent Morgan Sparrow Memorial/ Newbridge GP was contested in brutally hard conditions and Luke Gillespie also showed up well for long periods. But unfortunately, all the 8-man Naas team missed the winning break. However, it is a long season and many more races are ahead.

OPEN RACING - A3 CATEGORY:

The A3 racers have all made their seasonal debuts. Despite not figuring in the points yet in a category dominated by some truly outstanding junior riders,

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RACING UPDATE (cont.)

A4 CATEGORY:
In A4, new member Sean O Callaghan has been most impressive along with Conor McCormack. Indeed, there is emerging a new A4 team for 2013. This category is notoriously hard to win from, but with the arrival of the summer, many of the A4 riders will likely target the Mondello Series and the club league before a likely tilt at the Mullingar Stage Race in late June. We hope to see the return of some of our riders from their winter break to bolster the Naas presence:

WOMENS RACING:
Another new departure for the club sees a number of women in the club dip their toes in the racing scene. Emily-Anne Doyle and Lyns ONeill have been the most active on this front and it is hoped to see a number of women in the club league as well as some of the Corkagh Park and Mondello races this season. It is a work-inprogress and we wish them the best in what is a growing area in the sport.

CLUB LEAGUE RACES:

At this moment, details of the 2013 league have not been finalised. The exact dates and composition of the league will hopefully be decided in the coming weeks. Details will be posted in the usual places and we hope to see a number of Naas members take the club licence or A5 option. (60 contact club sec. for further details.) Last years captain John Shannon, winner of two races last season, will be back to lead the team again hopefully, along with Cathal Murray who finished 2nd overall in the league. Also Cathal, along with Hugh Gallagher, Derek Clifford and a number of good young climbers, will likely target some of the hillier races this season which typically arrive as the weather improves. Roundwood, Stamullen, and Nenagh could be on the agenda and if the Carlow club opt to bring back their uphill finish to their club racing circuit, then watch out for these boys in those events.

ROAD TESTING/TIME TRIALS:

John Part has kindly agreed to come on board once again and run a series of time-trials/road testing evenings this season. These free events will occur on various Tuesday evenings, beginning from April 9th, avoiding the Mondello series race nights. Full details of each night will be posted in advance and Joe Kelly and Colm Alley will be assisting. THESE ARE NOT OFFICIAL RACES; however it is designed to give various members from all aspects of the club a chance to test themselves and their bikes on a variety of loops and circuits. A form of handicapping might be applied, just for fun, but that will only be decided once the first few nights have taken place. Hopefully people will enter in the right spirit and take due care on the open roads and get some hard earned kudos for their efforts. There is a well-known phrase in cycle-racing circles: let the legs do the talking. That time has arrived. I wish all riders the best in their season ahead and hope we all come home safely from wherever we compete. And to the club committee and members in general, once again thank you for the faith and support afforded to us thus far. We will repay it. Joe Kelly

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YOUTH GROUP UPDATE

Firstly, well done to youth cyclist Evan Cunningham on his selection on the Leinster team for the upcoming Gorey Three Day. A wonderful achievement by Evan. Evan has been part of the clubs youth section for over two years and has made huge strides in that time. This is his final year as a junior and he is doing great. Evan continues to come out with the Youth Group on a regular basis simply to help out and give encouragement to the other youths! A great example to the youngsters. The youth section is going very well thanks to the wonderful volunteers coming down every Saturday morning. We are continuing to get between four and eight youths every Saturday. We have now got fourteen youths in the youth section. The Naas Cycling Club Youth W.H.E.E.L.S. programme will be launched soon, to help new recruits, prospective newcomers and parents understand many things such as - our club, cycling, training, safety, nutrition, competition, progression and development. More on this when we can confirm the exact details. We have many plans for the Summer and will be looking to keep developing our current crop of cyclists. Again, well done Evan its great to see that the youth section is helping to recruit and develop all youths but when one of our section is then selected for a Leinster team it really makes it all worthwhile. I have no doubt that others from the youth section will follow. Finally thanks to all our Saturday volunteers yet again. Ye are the reason The Youth Section is going well, because we could not do it without you.
Tom Noone

Slieve Mann
(heading West)

Stradbally

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MOUNTAIN BIKING AT BALLYHOURA

While NCC is primarily a road cycling club, members do, on occasion, venture off road and enjoy a bit of rough and tumble, with the emphasis on tumble!

Pictured above are NCC members Pio Murtagh and Joe Lynch with former member Declan Earley and some of his Waterford based friends who were recently at the trails in Ballyhoura, Co. Limerick. Ballyhoura is the largest trail network of its kind in Ireland. 98 km of trails including forest road climbs, tight twisty singletrack with loads of ups and downs, board walk, tight turns and technical rocky bits are guaranteed to leave you smiling. The trails range from the moderate 6 km Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50 km in length. The trailhead is located 2 kms south of Ardpatrick village in Co. Limerick. Facilities at the trail head include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities. Trail friendly accommodation, bike rental and good food are available locally. If you do not own a mountain bike you can hire one at the trailhead/car park from trailriders.ie They have a large fleet of Cube, Lapierre and BMC mountain bikes, hard tails or full suspension.

Naas Cycling Club hope to organise another weekend away in Ballyhoura where Cabin hire is available nearby, ideal for a drive down on Friday night, cycle Saturday and Sunday and return home Sunday evening. A day trip (drive there and back) is also a viable alternative.

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LEISURE TOURS
The following are some upcoming leisure events that may be of interest to NCC members in the coming months: Sat 13th April - Cycle4DSI - Blessington 55 & 100km Sun 14th April - KARE Tour de Foothills - Naas GAA - 60 & 120km Sat 4th May - Orwell Wheelers Randonee Dundrum - 140km Sun 5th May - Carlow CCs Slieve Bloom Challenge - Holy Angels Centre, Carlow - 100 & 160km Sun 12th May - Stephen Roche Tour de Cure - Midleton, Cork - 165km Sat 18th May - Slaney CC - Mount Leinster Challenge - Enniscorthy - 100 & 140km Sun 9th June - IVCA Wicklow 200 Greystones - 100 & 200km Sun 16th June - Carlow CC Humpy Hundred Eire Og, Carlow - 100km Sat 22nd June - An Post Tour de Burren, Clare - 100 & 160km Sat 30th June - Naas CC Wicklow Peaks Cycling Challenge - Naas Town Hall - 50, 100 & 120km tbc.

MEET THE MEMBERSHIP...

Meet the membership is when we ask a club member a number of questions and then expect some interesting and entertaining answers... no pressure there then! This issue the spotlight falls on our Youth Development Officer TOM NOONE. 1. How many years have you been cycling with Naas CC and what was your introduction to cycling? I started cycling in 1984. There was no club in Naas then. I rode my first junior races in 86 (very poorly) then joined the new Naas Cycling Club in 1989. Thanks to Tom Keenan, Matt Corcoran and John Boyle the club developed an excellent youth and racing set up (Naas HireEquip). We competed in all the big races and stage races every year for over a decade. That was the start. I am very grateful to these people now. 2. What type of cycling do you do and what do you enjoy most about it? Any cycling at all, I have no preference. 3. What advice would you give to any newcomer to the sport? Get out on the bicycle as often as you can. Cycling is the best training and preparation for cycling. 4. What bike(s) are you currently riding? My bicycle is a 4 year old Cube Streamer which is worth about 200, its not about the bike in my opinion. 5. Favourite cycling location, route or road? Summertime around my Mothers home area of Carbury, I love the smell and heat of the bogs on hot days. This area has special memories for me from my childhood. 6. Where is your favourite coffee stop? The Mad Hatter in Castledermot. 7. Who do you admire most in cycling, (not necessarily a PRO rider)? I dont admire pro cycling and I dont admire any pro riders, because of the cheating. The two people I admire most in cycling are Tom Keenan and Mattie Corcoran from Naas Cycling Club as they gave a lot to me and to so many other youngsters. The heroes you need to admire are those right on your doorstep. 8. What would you consider your cycling strength and weaknesses? I asked Tom Keenan to answer this An all-rounder with lots of allround weaknessesand a very descent competitor. Thanks Tom it could have been worse!! 9. Any major objectives for this or next season? I have no personal cycling objectives anymore. So any hopes or ambitions I have are for the youngsters. Before the club was formed it was very hard for youths like myself, with no adult helpers or coaches and it was very expensive. So with the help of so many wonderful volunteers in the club now, hopefully we can make a difference. Thats my objective now. 10. Tell us something we dont know about you already that you dont mind everyone now knowing? Three things - 1. On my 17th birthday I went on a big cycle in Wicklow, alone. I got lost and ended up cycling for 10 hours getting home just after 10pm. It was the worst and best cycle I have ever had. 2. I love Tapioca! 3. I would love to meet Mikhail Gorbachev.

CYCLING THE WEB

More cycling related websites which may be of interest: http://www.bikefittingireland.com http://www.roadid.com http://www.veloviewer.com http://www.velopeloton.com http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/ blogs/blazin-saddles/ http://www.bikeradar.com/road http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ doc/?o=1&doc_id=9957&v=DW 14

CLUB TOURS UPDATE

The evenings are getting longer, the clock is about to spring forward, and Lent is nearly over so its getting close to Sportive Season. Naas CC would normally kick off this season with the Kare Tour De Foothills but as you may know by now we have withdrawn our association from this event. Naas CC have been involved with this sportive since its beginning but it became obvious to us that Naas CC and KARE had different visions as to how the TDF should progress and grow so we have amicably parted company. However, the sportive is going ahead on 14th April (details on their website) and we wish KARE every success with it. The club is busy making preparations for our other two tours, the first of which is The Wicklow Peaks Cycling Challenge in aid of Saplings on the 30th June. For those who want a shorter yet still challenging scenic route we have 50km around the lakes and also the tougher 120km Sally
Sally Gap Lugalla
Ballysmutten Blessington Naas Laragh Naas

Gap, Luggala, Shay Elliott, Slieve Mann route that participants from previous years know and love! This year we are also hoping to include an additional 100km route which would be the same as the 120km route as far as the Laragh food stop but would then give an alternative, slightly shorter route home via the Wicklow Gap and Valleymount. This follows the route of the old Twin Peaks Challenge. To do this we will need a lot more help from Club members in the form of marshals, both on the bike and on the road. Our other event is The Martin Earley Tour of Kildare in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation. This will take place on the 11th of August and the good news for this one is that Martin has again confirmed his participation in this years edition. We are currently considering tweaking the route for this years TOK as we feel we can improve the first 50km of last years route but we will try to keep your favourite bits such as Boston Hill and The Wall. Watch the club website and TOK event facebook page for updates. Finally, the leisure calendar is up on the Cycling Ireland website and is worth checking out to plan your other sportives for the upcoming touring year. Chris Keenaghan

Wicklow Peaks 120km Route

Slieve Mann Shay Elliott
Aghavannagh Ballinabarney Gap Dunlavin

1925m Elevation

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www.largriffinart.com & www.facebook.com/largriffinart

NCC MEMBERSHIP NEWS - NEXT ISSUE, SUMMER 2013 OUT IN JUNE

Newsletter designed & edited by Lance Connolly - lanceconnolly@eircom.net