Everything you need to know about cycling in Co. Kerry, Ireland
Came across a fantastic picture from the Graham Watson Archive recently of Sean Kelly leading the bunch through the Gap of Dunloe during the 1986 Nissan Classic. Having cycled that road a few weeks ago, I can testify, it is not easy :)
Sean Kelly Gap of Dunloe 1986
It’s funny to come across some old pictures that you never knew existed. Recently I came across this photo on the Tralee Cycling Club Website. It was from one of their leisure spins from 2002 which was held in Lixnaw. Amazing what you can find when you least expect it, I wonder are there many more out there …..
2002 Tralee CC Leisure Tour
On of my highlights of 2011 was being present for the Currow CC Press Launch for the two An Post Ras stages that would be finishing and beginning the in Castleisland at the end of May in 2011. The press launch was held on the 2nd of May and after the usual photographs and smiles the party adjourned to Con’s bar in Castleisland, where there was a Terrace Talk interview that Weeshie Fogarty held with Mick Murphy, who was also present for the launch. The link to the interview is here.
I got a chance to recently listen to an audio interview Gene Mangan gave to Weeshie Fogarty of Terrace Talk in 2010. [Link to interview here]. A fascinating story and an incredible record for a man from Killorglin having won the Rás Tailteann in 1955 and is the youngest winner of the competition at only 18 years old. Gene went on to 12 stages of this great race over the years. Some great information about Gene out there, you should check out the following links:
The 2012 An Post Rás was launched in Dublin on Thursday 26th of January with the help of former winners Mick Murphy and Gene Mangan. For more details on the route check out the website. A bit disappointing that it does not come to Kerry but here’s hoping for a return in 2012.
An Post 2012 Launch
Cyclist Sam Bennett, with, from left, Philip Cassidy, Colm Christie, Se O’Hanlon, Gene Mangan, Donal Connell, An Post Chief Executive, and ‘Iron Man’ Mick Murphy, at the launch of the 60th edition of the An Post Rás which will begin on Sunday May 20th, in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, and finish on Sunday May 27th, in Skerries. Co. Dublin. Launch of the 60th Edition of the An Post Rás, GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin. Picture credit: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** ©SPORTSFILE
Well done to all who participated in the Jimmy Duffy Memorial Cycle to Castleisland on Saturday 7th, close to 70 people took part. Weather was excellent for the venture. Congratulations especially to Sean Dowling and Aidan O Halloran, the youngest participants, who were well up for the challenge. Thanks to the Gardai for their guidance throughout the cycle, Paul Byrne for driving the Cycle Control Car at a speed which he may not be used to!! Following a short break in Castleisland we returned home and the journey continued to The Windmill Bar where Tom Quane provided Tea/Coffee and hot food and a deserved drink, thanks Tom. An enjoyable day was had by all.
Jimmy Duffy Memorial 2012
Calling all cyclists, dust down the bikes as the Jimmy Duffy Memorial Cycle takes place January 7th at 11:00am from St. Pats GAA Club, Blennerville. The cycle will travel to Castleisland town centre and home followed by deserved refreshments in the Windmill Bar Blennerville. Enquiries to Maurice @ (087)2998206 and George @ (087)6814799. See you there.
On a day that looked as if was going to be absolutely miserable, 68 hardy souls braved it to ride the Killorglin CC Christmas Hamper Rides. Yet in spite of leaden skies and the dire prophesy of Met Eireann the morning brightened as soon as the event got underway.
Given the advanced state of cabin fever most of our riders are suffering from this winter it was only the Trojan effort of lead car driver John Mangan that managed to keep the average speed to the bottom of the climb to an average of 20mph. When he released the control at the bottom of the Farmers Bridge climb is was every man for himself. The outcome would have made a good days racing at Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. In the end, two grizzled warhorses came home together clear of the chase group. Paul Griffin, Tralee BC, got the better of Denis Lynch, Kanturk Town CC. A short while later Mattie Slattery Killarney CC lead the chasing group almost 20 riders home. This group contained the winner of the finest prize of the day – the pair of Oakley Jawbone sport eyewear. Jack Sullivan made the pilgrimage from Beare Island to win the Melanie Joy Opticians sponsored prize for the first Killorglin CC rider home.
The second group on the road undertook the 55km loop. They stayed together until the last six miles. A five-man group went clear at that stage and they were lead home by newcomer to the sport Greg Whelan, Killarney CC.
The ‘Castlegregory Bikeathon Festival’ 24 hour event is the first of its kind in Ireland and will be held in indoors Castlegregory, Co. Kerry next 17th/18th February. The top prize for the event is a whopping €10’000, with a second prize of €5’000 and third taking €1000. There will also be other cash prizes for various categories.
The concept is simple. Teams of between 6 and 10 members will compete against each other indoors on stationary bikes (Wattbikes) over a 24 hour period with the team clocking up the most mileage taking home the top prize of €10’000. As this is a charity event, entry fees are in the form of sponsorship lines (ten cards per team – 100 lines at €2 each per card) so it costs clubs nothing to enter and will be a great way to test how all that winter spinning has paid off before the new season!
Killorglin Cycling Club will host their annual Christmas Hamper Rides on Sunday 11th December. Sign on will take place in the Killorglin Rowing Club from 9:00am. The rides will get underway at 10:00am. There are two courses to choose from – a 55km ride that is largely flat and an 80km run that includes the climb at Farmers Bridge.
The longer ride will be controlled by a lead car to the bottom of the Farmers Bridge climb. From there the ride is unregulated and the first three riders home get the first choice of the hampers. The first rider home from the 50km ride gets the next choice. There is then a raffle on the basis of sign-on numbers to distribute the remaining hampers.
The day is designed to be a fun start to the new training season and to be as sociable as possible. While some riders will be motivated by the competitive juices more will be driven by the desire to make a bit of room for the Christmas excess to come.
Tea, hot drinks and food will be available at the end of the ride in the Rowing Club. Showers and changing facilities are available in the Rowing Club.
The sign-on fee for the spin is €10 for Cycling Ireland members and €20 for non-members.
For more information keep an eye on www.killorglincycling.com
Light refreshments afterwards, all are welcome.
For further information contact Mary Concannon 087 2802071
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