Ah the coffee spin. The one spin that can divide the cycling community. Most love it, some hate it(We find that very hard to understand). Here at the Barrs we love The Coffee Spin. Put simply it encompasses all that is good about cycling. We love it so much that our Saturday Morning Spins are solely dedicated to coffee and cakes. Therefore we have a good authority to tell you why The Coffee Spin should be an essential part of your cycling life. 10 O'Clock on a Saturday Morning at the Bandon Road roundabout is where the it all begins. The group gathers (usually between 6 and 8 riders) and the weather is surveyed. Will it stay dry? More importantly will it stay dry until we reach the promised land? Wind direction is not considered as this spin's route has yet to change significantly in more than 10 years. Everyone knows where we are going, the only change may be perhaps the way we get there. If it's warm and dry it will be the long way. If it is cool and a little damp then it will be the short way. No matter the way, both bring the group out of the city and along the country roads winding alongside the Bandon River. The pace is steady, riding "up and over" going downhill, and keeping a comfortable steady pace when the road turns upwards. As the group begins to smell the coffee the pace begins to ramp up and they hurtle down the hill and over the bridge towards the promised land. The sprint for the 50 sign has the group rubbing shoulder to shoulder as each rider looks to take the gallop. Once past the 50 sign the group casually roll into the picturesque town of Kinsale. This is the promised land. No matter what time of the year the town is buzzing with activity. Jo's café is the place to be and the group's arrival is always expected. Cappuccinos, Americanos, Espressos, Lattes, Flat Whites are all ordered (when it comes to The Coffee Spin there are no rules as what one should have), along with caramel slices, rocky roads, apple pies or cream buns (this is a coffee spin after all, not a fat burning ride). Everything and anything is discussed and old racing stories are dragged up for the umpteenth time but the group(well most of them) aren't sick of hearing them. Then comes the crucial point and the question is asked. "Another coffee anyone?" The answer is nearly always the same. 45 minutes after their arrival the group departs on the trip home. In the Summer this is no problem, but in the Winter the complaint of taking a while to get going can be a common one. Still it's worth it as the group makes it's way out of Kinsale towards Halfway and back into the City. The Coffee Spin brings the whole group together regardless of ability, racing pedigree, and fitness. It is ideal for all members. Those racing on the Sunday have an easy and relaxed ride and get to catch up with those not racing likewise those not racing get to catch up with those who are. During the winter when the focus may be on longer miles, then those who need them get up earlier and take the long way in to meet the group, then take the long way home, but the coffee stop and the joy it brings most definitely remains.
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St.Finbarrs Cycling ClubEst. 1938 Archives
October 2017
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