it’s been some time since this was updated, but that doesn’t mean the club hasn’t been busy: Saturday and Sunday spins continue to be well supported, and both January and February saw 200k rides completed. 7 riders went out for the start of a longer spin in March, and while some  headed for home earlier than others, 3 of the original completed 300k.

The club is busy arranging two significant springtime events: the paracycling race that was postponed due to less than springlike weather and will now be on the 20th April, and our big event of The Tour of the Heartlands. This has been completely revamped with an entirely new route east of the Shannon and a chance to take on the heights of two Slieve Bloom climbs, or not if you fancy doing just a little bit less and saving oxygen! Links above to both above.

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Tour of the Heartlands.
While we didn’t quite have the hoped for numbers for this year’s club sportif round the lanes of Roscommon and Galway, the 90 odd riders who managed to get to Drum for the 10am start enjoyed a dry morning and some great company. Three different speed groups, 32,28 and 25kph, took on the 100k challenge and the remaining riders took whatever time they wanted over the shorter 60k loop. Everyone enjoyed the food and coffee stop in Dysart and those on the longer route had the treat of a stiff tailwind back from Ballinasloe. This helping hand brought the 20 or so riders in the fastest group back into the finish at Drum at well over 40kph. Which, with everyone taking turns on the front and working well together, was the perfect conclusion to an enjoyable day. The smiles on the later returnees faces suggest similar joy in ending on a fast and easy note.

The club’s spring event of the Tour or the Heartlands fast approaches. Options for riders of every level, with food stops and support for all.

Come have some fun and raise some money for deserving charities while you do so.

29th April 2023
MIL Racing latest.
Good turn out from the club for the 2nd week of the MIL racing season. Just the one rider, Decci Lamb, in the As (DNF with injury sadly) and two in the B’s where Padraig Cook took 8th and Jim Maguire’s placing not confirmed at time of writing. The C group looks really strong this year and a race without breakaways meant it was all down to the last few hundred metres. SSCC’s Martin Kennedy led the way and was only just beaten at the line by a very strong Laois rider. New member and only second time racer (and his first was a TT so very different)Conor Quilty took a very good 5th. Other SSCC riders were just outside the points. Special mention to Dan Markowski who, while not making it into the points on his very first race having only joined the club yesterday, did a lot of work on the front in a manner that earns him the honorary combative award.
I’d like to add a thank you to Lynx CC whose marshalling of the race was exemplary.

 
 
 

Thursday 20th brought the excitement of the opening of a new season of the Midlands Interclub League racing with a ten mile Time Trial. The usual route of Horseleap to Moate and back to Horseleap with the additional painful challenge of a strong headwind on the return half! One club member raced in the As, with a further four in the Cs.