'Tis the season where we sit down, eat mince pies, drink wine, and watch whatever "year in review" programme" is on the telly. We said we'd jump on the bandwagon, and therefore publish our own "year in review" to look back and see what we have achieved in cycling this season.
Our year has been split into two distinct seasons for all riders. For some it was the road season, then the cyclocross season, for others it was the drinking coffee/beer season followed by the cyclocross season. But other than drinking a lot of coffee and eating copius amounts of cake throughout the entire year (see our celebration of the coffee spin here stfinbarrscyclingclub.weebly.com/home/in-praise-of-the-coffee-spin ), what have the club achieved on a cycling level? It was a largely quiet season for the club in the road racing scene this year. Work committments, family, and age all played a part in less club riders racing. However Richie and Seán were regulars in racing most Sundays over the course of the season. Seán was racing A4 and picked up a few nice results considering this was only his first full season racing. While he didn't quite manage to get the upgrade, he had some outstanding performances, and is very close to moving up the ranks to A3. Richie also performed solidly, regularly picking up top 15 places on the road in strong A1/A2 bunches, with his top result 2nd in the Deenside Cup. He also managed to pick up a couple of Wexford County medals along the way (That's a story for another day). Our own St.Finbarrs GP road race promised to be a great event. The sun was shining and numbers were good. Unfortunately for us the event the event was halted soon after the start due to a bad crash for one of the competitors. This was the low point of our season, but this event will be back again next season. Where the club really thrived this year was on a social level. The numbers on the club spins increased over the summer and this can only be a good thing. After all, cycling isn't all about racing, and it helps to be mindful of that also. The biggest success for the club came in the cyclocross season. It really restarted the club's racing side and we had 8 riders compete throughout the CX season. The standout highlight for us was of course Crossbarrs at Fota. This was the start of a brilliant cyclocross season in Munster and we were honoured to start it off with a bang. Over 100 competitors flocked to Fota, and while there are some improvements to be made next year, it was really a celebration of all that was good with the club. Everyone came together and created a wonderful event. Highlights of the race can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K39gkMVQgVQ On top of that event, our riders performed superbly throughout the season. Ger and Stevie progressed from B to A. Robbie had a few podium finishes in the B races and is well on his way to being an A next season. Carlton and Kevin dipped their toes in and were hooked by the racing, while Paul, Karl and Keith are chomping at the bit to get stuck in next season. Russell and Richie regularly featured in the results of the A race, both securing podium finishes in the League and the Champs. As a whole this has been a very good year for the club. It has been a very different year from previous seasons without a focus on the early season Easter Racing in Rás Mumhan, but it has been just as (if not even more) successful. We are all proud to be a part of this success and long may it continue into the future. We'll be taking a break from the blog for the next couple of weeks so all of us here at the De Barrs wish everyone who follows us here, on Facebook, or on the road, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Give us a wave if you see us on the road. Hon the Barrs!
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A championship race is something special. It usually stands out as being a main event of any cycling discipline, and it was no different last Sunday in Killarney for the Munster Cyclocross championships. The Munster league proved that the standard in Munster was high, and now the riders were set for one final battle to close out a hugely successful Munster season. Russell and Richie took to the line for the Barrs, and both were hunting for a medal on the back of their success in the league. However in a championship race anything can happen, and league results mean nothing. In one race there is no room for a mechanical, a bad patch, or an off day. The course in Killarney had been changed from their league race and the "descent of doom" was no more. However this was replaced with a fast section of flowing single track, and a long tarmac section through the finish line, heading back up into the field where the spiral and the bridge remained from the previous course. It was an excellent mix of skill and fitness, and would provide a worthy winner. Even though it was a slightly longer lap, it was much faster, with riders lapping 6 and half minutes. This would make for a nine lap race, where anything could happen. Riders were gridded on their league position, which meant Richie once again started on the front row alongside Richie Maes (Killarney) and the winner of the Munster League, Matt Slattery (Velo Revolution). Just behind were close rivals John Dempsey and Kevin Keane. Matt was the clear favorite after his dominant performances in the league, but the battle for the podium would be hard fought between the two Richies, John, and Kevin. Russell lined up on the 3rd row of the grid and was motivated to get a medal in the m40 category. This was going to be another hard fought battle. While Trevor Woods was the clear favourite after his league performances, the race for second and 3rd would be between Russell and John "the pizza cutter" Crowley. This rivalry (albeit friendly) has been going since this race last year, after John came out on top after a close fought battle. Richie got off cleanly from the start and immediately settled into the front group of four alongside Richie Maes, Matt Slattery, and John Dempsey. John wa making the early running and really sticking it to the other three. On lap 3 Richie Maes dropped back with a small mechanical issue, but with the pace full on at the front would find it hard to get back. This left 3 at the front. Matt pushed on up the next climb, distancing John but taking Richie with him going into the forestry. Richie fell going through the ditch, but despite losing precious seconds to Matt, kept his position ahead of John. With six laps to go it was a solo race for all the contenders. Matt capitalised and put 5-10 seconds a lap into Richie. However Richie managed to extend his lead on Maes and Dempsey as the race went on. This is how the race would finish with Matt showing that he is still the strongest in Munster, but with Richie getting his best result of the CX season finishing in the silver medal position, and Richie Maes rounding out the podium in 3rd. The m40 race also hosted a titanic battle between the favourites. Trevor, as usual, blasted away and wasn't too far off the leading elite riders for most of the race. As expected Russell and John Crowley renewed their rivalry. At the halfway stage of the race Russell was ahead but John was still close enough to be a threat with his trademark strong finishing. With two laps to go, Russell hit a root hard off a drop off and his handlebars dropped with a loud bang. Worried about damaged bars he had to execute a slick bike change at the pits just beyond the finish line going onto the last lap. However he limited his time losses and rode the last lap like a man possessed to keep the gap and claim the silver medal. The Munster Championships provided a fitting end to the hugely successful Munster Cyclocross season. A huge thanks to all the clubs involved who have come together to create a wonderful racing experience for all riders. Killarney CC deserve a special mention as they hosted two races this year, and stepped up to the plate to host the Championship Race. From our club's perspective we have had a great CX season. We were lucky enough to kick off the Munster season with a bang in Fota (which seems so long ago now!), and we proved strong enough as a club to be competitive throughout the season. Once again a big thanks to our own main sponsors Centra and McCarthy Cycles, as well as our race sponsors Cafe Velo and Johnson and Johnson. Hon the Barrs! It's Christmas! Well not yet. But it's nearly Christmas and that means it's the time of year to over indulge on your favourite treats, sweets, and beer. This is in stark contrast to the usual diet of the well trained (sort of), elite (ish) athlete that is the road cyclist. Christmas for many cyclists solely exists as a challenge to endure without deviating from the nutrition plan, while utilising the extra time off work in order to get a big training block in. Invariably this makes the cyclist cranky and miserable, as they watch friends and family actually enjoy themselves over Christmas.
However it doesn't have to be this way. As a cyclist you don't have to have a miserable Christmas, and you can enjoy the festivities to the full. First of all, most of us have a bit of time off work. This means more time for bike riding, which is always good. Instead of sticking with your regular Winter programme, make sure you have adapted your plan for the extra training time available to you. It will allow you to enjoy the bike more and you will feel good about having completed a good block of training, which will go a long way towards your preparation for the coming season. However, don't go too mad. Jumping from 6-8 hour training weeks to 20 is not advisable (unless you want to be truly miserable and fatigued over the festive period). An increase in bike riding means an increase in training load. This has the added benefit of increasing the amount of calories burned. This in turn has the benefit of allowing you to indulge a little bit over the festive season. Say yes to seconds, that mince pie, or extra slice of Christmas cake. Unless you're aiming to hit peak form for the Stephen's day Turkey Spin (but then you'd be a fred), you won't be doing any harm to your form (in fact you'll probably improve due to the increased training), and you will avoid becoming that irritable, miserable cyclist. Put the nutrition plan to one side at this time of the year, it's still a long way to the racing season. Another great worry of the diligent cyclist are the inevitable (sometimes dreaded) social occasions, which may involve late nights and/or alcoholic beverages. Surely this is a cyclists worst nightmare. How is it possible to perform in a race that is over 2 months away, if you engage fully in these social occasions? It may surprise you, but this is the time of year where catching up with friends and family is a common occurence and should be expected. Usually these social occasions are well planned, so factor them in to your training. Have a few beers or a couple of glasses of wine. Stay up late and enjoy the night. When the season gets closer these nights will be few or far between so make the most of them while you can. However, it is not advisable to plan a hard session (training or drinking) the day after. If you accomodate the odd festive night out into your plan, you can have the best of both worlds. All in all a few days of overindulgence isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to form or fitness come March. Christmas is there to be enjoyed not endured- Eat, drink, and be merry! (Oh and ride your bike). The Munster Champs are only 2 weeks away! The club will be returning to Killarney, this time on the hunt for medals instead of league points. This will sure to be a cracker of race to finish off the very successful Munster CX season. Killarney CC are also offering some excellent accomodation deals:
The killarney park hotel and gabys restaurant of killarney have joined forces to offer you a fantastic deal for the 17th Dec 》 ***140€ per room*** OR ***200€*** for a room and 3 course dinner for 2 persons at gabys restaurant. (This offer also applies to one person for 170€) Gabys have also made a special offer available to those not using accomadation. ***3 course for 35€ PPS*** (The ross hotel is also available for 120€ per room, so this would make the package 180€ for accomadation+dinner for 2). Just quote munster cyclocross when booking. Venues are to be booked seperately. Click the link below to enter! Round 6 of the Munster League brought the club to the small village of Upperchurch Drombane in Tipperary. This little known village is GAA mad, but also home to Paralympian and National Tandem TT champ Peter Ryan. While it may be a small town this was by no means a small race. This was the finale of the hugely successful Munster League and there was a battle at hand for all the club riders. UDCC put on a mighty show and it was hard to believe that this was the first ever race this thriving cycling community had put on. Hats off to Jerry Ryan, Michael Cahill and crew- they put on one great event. The startline rivalled what you'd see at the World Cup races, and they created a great sense of occasion for the race that had much on the line. The course was demanding on fitness, but yet was an excellent test of rider skill, and the strongest riders would come to the fore of the race. The situation going into the race was that both Russell and Richie were in podium spots in their respective categories. Russell was 3rd m40 overall, 15 points behind the formidable John Crowley of Killarney. Richie was in 3rd place overall, 8 points behind Richie Maes of Killarney, but breathing down his neck was John Dempsey of Carrick Wheelers. John and Richie have been battling all throughout the league, and the day set up for one final showdown. Ger and Stevie also took to line of the A race, and even though the team podium looked out of reach, the club weren't going to be defeated without a fight. The start was frantic, but halfway through the first lap, league leader Matt Slattery, Richie Maes, John Dempsey, and Richie had established themselves at the front of the race. A small slip through the forestry meant Richie had a gap to close coming up the hill. This is where Matt put in a burst to get rid of the rest and John followed. Richie went around Richie Maes, and looked up to see that John had also been distanced, but was holding a ten second gap over him. Richie held the gap, and slightly closed it, but was riding on the limit to do so. On the third lap, John put in a big effort to keep Richie at bay and it worked. The gap went out to 30 seconds, and bar a mechanical or a spectacular lights out moment, John was home and hosed. Fortunately Richie had a big enough gap over Trevor Woods in 4th to be secure of 3rd place in the race. While he closed the gap slightly to John in the final lap, it wasn't enough, but 3 podiums in a row meant Richie secured 3rd overall in the league, behind Richie Maes, and the dominant Matt Slattery. Russell also rode a super race. John Crowley was sick, and unable to race, which meant Russell had to score 15 points or more in the m40 category to leapfrog John into second place. However he also had to keep a close eye on Kenny Bucke (Team RAD) as he was just 5 points behind him starting the final round, and he had ridden strongly throughout the league. Trevor Woods (having won every m40 round in the league) was out of sight at the top of the league and had it wrapped up. Russell started well, and resumed his battles of previous races, with Gary MacDonald, Kenny Bucke, and Paul Birchall. Kenny suffered a mechanical, while Gary pushed on and distanced Russell. However Russell was having a ding dong battle with Paul Birchall. Time and time again they tried to gap each other but to no avail. Eventually Paul got the upper hand and came in a handful of seconds ahead of Russell. More importantly though, was 3rd m40 on the day, and this was enough to take 2nd place in the m40 category. Ger and Stevie also took to the line and rode excellent races. Ger was riding only his 3rd race as an A but was getting stronger each week. Both Ger and Stevie had the opportunity to stay at B level for the duration of the league, but both put the clubs performance ahead of their own, and were out to grab as many points as possible for the team prize. Ger and Stevie put in great rides with Ger in 22nd and Stevie in 23rd. Despite not appearing to be in contention for the podium at the beginning of the race, due to Ger and Stevie scoring high in the m40 category, the club jumped up to 3rd in the team standings for the league. This turned out be a super day for the club, and they proved that both individually, and collectively that they are among the strongest in Munster. There are many people to thank for the success of the Munster CX League, and this will be done in another post. For now the club are looking forward to the Munster Championships on the 18th of December in Killarney, with the hope of bringing home medals. Hon the Barrs
The mention of Turbo Trainers, Rollers, or Wattbikes can instill fear into even the most experienced cyclist. Indoor training hurts. There is nothing to distract you from the burning in your thighs as you push out that interval. The heat builds up and the sweat drips from your face, and steam rises off you, condensing on the garage windows. The warm Summer evenings are a distant memory, and Spring is barely a speck in the distance.
Round 5 of the Munster League brought the club to Killarney and the second running of K-Cross, hosted by Killarney Cycling Club. After last weeks successful weekend the riders were looking to push on and try to grab their respective podium positions in the league. Ger, Russell, and Richie made the trip down, and all were in the A race. The race set up was top notch. The club but up their gazebo alongside the many others along the start finish straight. The club's set up this year is one of the best and having a warm and dry place to warm up serves as perfect preparation for a race (as well as looking seriously pro.....). It was a very cold but dry day, and conditions were almost perfect for CX. The course had been well bedded in and was holding up well to the previous nights rain. A few practice laps of the course showed that Killarney had done a serious job of creating a top notch CX lap. A spiral, a bridge, a run up, and a section of technical forestry (along with a VERY slippery descent), meant that this course had a bit of everything and would test both fitness and skills to the max. After a warm up to rival the pros, Richie, Russell, and Ger lined up on the grid. Richie was once again on the front row with Russell just behind, and Ger another couple of rows back. Casting aside their jackets and fancy new warm up tights (thanks to John Dempsey), they were ready for action. As usual they rocketed off the start, and it was John Dempsey of Carrick got the "hole shot", and took an early lead. Richie had a solid start, but at the first chicane he took out a post and dropped back to 6th. Russell was sitting pretty in the top 10, and Ger was only a couple of places back, riding solidly in the top 20. Going through the spiral on the first lap was a sight to behold. 40 riders going round and a round, in opposite directions was dizzying for both the spectators and riders alike. Out of the spiral, they sped towards the bridge. Up and over they went and down into a sweeping lefthander, where a few riders came to grief (but luckily none of the Barrs). After a few hairpins, a chicane, and the customary set of barriers, they dropped into the forest, kicking up the dirt and leaves as they went. This section required a calm head and good bike control (although both have a habit of going missing when going flat out). A couple of drop ins had to be negotiated, with the penalty for going wide being a long slide down a leafy bank. These were only a taster for possibly the best/insane/frightening feature of this lap. A sharp, steep, off camber right hand bend led to a steep straight, but super slippy descent (aka descent of doom) that finished with a tight left hand hairpin. A crowd had built up here, and the noises they made let everyone know who negotiated this section well, or who became a cropper. A straight section through the forest led to a left hander, and up onto a climb which was nearly ridable, but much faster to run. After the remount, and a short section of forestry, the riders came onto the gravel road, and back up to the muddy start/finish straight. It was on the run up, on the first lap that Richie clawed back up to the group fighting for 3rd, along with the usual suspects of John Dempsey and Mark Shannon. Simon Ryan was also in the group and was one to watch after his storming performance in Aghada. In order to move into 3rd in the league, Richie had to finish ahead of John and Trevor Woods. Luckily for Richie, Trevor wasn't anywhere to be seen. After riding with Mark and John for the second lap, Richie pushed on up the run up and only Mark went with him. Mark stuck to his wheel like glue until the forestry section, where Richie opened a small gap, after Mark made a small mistake on descent of doom. Determined to to take advantage, he pushed on and the gap grew lap after lap. The gap to first and second was insurmountable. Matt Slattery simply had an awesome ride and blew everyone away. Richie Maes also had a strong ride, and was looking to get one back on Richie after losing the battle the previous week. He did so in convincing fashion, but a second podium finish in as many weeks, meant that Richie jumped up to 3rd overall in the League. Russell also had a solid race. He found his rhythm and was riding strongly. Despite a fall on the "descent of doom", he was holding his own and battling with Paul Birchill and his old foe John "The Pizza Cutter" Crowley. After changing to a clean bike halfway round, Russell was hoping to claw back John, and move up in the m40 league. For the last few laps, Russell began to struggle, and instead of trying to catch John, he now had to focus on not being caught from behind. Luckily, he held on to 3rd m40 in the race (still finishing an impressive 14th), and has moved into the final podium spot in the league with one race to go. However, Russell was questioning his form, after going backwards in the latter part of the race. He had put it down to a bad day, but after the race he discovered that he had broken a spoke in the rear wheel of his spare bike, which meant he was riding with the rear brake half on for the final part of the race. Ger also had a solid race and is making great improvements week on week. IT's hard to believe his first CX race was at the end of September, and that he is now finishing comfortably in the top 20 of the A race in the Munster League. He was battling hard with Andrew O'Callaghan from DeRonde for the first part of the race, and he proved to be the stronger of the two on the day, pushing on alone in the latter part of the race. Big thanks to Killarney Cycling Club for the event they out on today. They left no stone unturned, and the beers on the finish line should be compulsory in every race. This weeks local bike shop sponsor was The Little Big Bikeshop in Killarney (www.thelittlebigbikeshop.com) and the race was also supported by the Killarney Brewing Company, Killarney Park Hotel, and The Ross Hotel (so next time you're in Killarney give them a visit!) As usual thanks to John Dempsey and Verge for the ongoing sponsorship of the league. The final round of the league takes place next week in Upperchurch Drombane and you can enter by clicking this link: fs27.formsite.com/Udcccx/form1/index.html While first and second in the league are decided, the battle is still on for 3rd, with Richie hoping to repeat his results of the previous 2 weeks to maintain his current position. There is also a savage battle on between 2nd and 3rd for the m40 league which will be decided in next weeks race. This has been a great league so far and the scene is set for one final battle. Hon the Barrs! This weekend was jammed packed with cross, with the 4th round of the Munster League hosted by DeRonde taking place in Aghada on Saturday, and Round 3 of the Fixx Series on in the new bike park in Glencullen. The club had a big turnout for round 4 of the Munster League with Carlton making his debut in CX and Alan taking on his first race of the season. As well as that Ger and Kevin were making the step up to A racing after several strong performances in the B category. Joining them were Robbie, Russell, Stevie and Richie. The course was great. It had a mix of technical off camber, mud, and fast grassy and gravel sections, as well as a climb every lap. This was going to be a battle in both races, and any weakness would be found out quickly and harshly. Robbie and Carlton took to the line in the B race and both put in impressive performances. Carlton managed an excellent top 15 on his CX debut. He grew in confidence lap by lap, and his road fitness stood to him. Robbie put in a great performance, and was rewarded with making the podium, taking a fine third place. He put to bed the demons of "what might have been" in Mallow and had to battle hard throughout the race. For a while it looked like the podium was out of reach but a strong push in the latter part of the race secured him an excellent result. Alan, Ger, Kevin, Russell, Richie, and Stevie all took to the line in the A race. This would be a 50 minute affair, and after Mallow, some of the lads had points to prove. Richie got off to a solid start but a fall on the 3rd lap threatened to derail his race. However he battled back and moved into 3rd starting the final lap. He managed to hold of Richie Maes of Killarney, and he also consolidated his 3rd place position in the League. Russell also had a strong performance, finishing 2nd in the m40 category. He was battling with 3 others for most of the race, but like Richie he produced a strong finish and managed to break the deadlock on the final lap. This meant Russell rocketed up the league standings and is well poised to move into a podium position in the m40 standings. Ger and Alan had what one might say an "eventful" race, both ending up in hedge after getting it wrong on a drop off. However both put in strong rides considering the circumstances, with Alan bagging a top 20 place, and they will be ones to watch as the season progresses. Stevie and Kevin were solid and steady as always. Stevie finished just behind Alan, and also inside the top 20 while Kevin rounded out the top 25. With this result Kevin also managed to bag the 1st m60. These results are incredibly important, as after this race the Barrs have shot up the team standings and again are challenging for the podium here. Big thanks to DeRonde (and the race sponsor McCarthy Cycles) for a super race on an excellent course. The riders have now come to expect a high standard when it comes to race organisation, and Deronde certainly delivered. Richie was the sole rider to make the spin to Dublin for the Fixx race. Russell had entered but he had picked up a toe injury on Saturday, and realised he couldn't put his foot into his shoe. However, the growth of the Munster League and camaraderie amongst the competitors in it meant that Richie was by no means alone in the race. For those who don't know the Fixx series is the ultimate testing ground. For many Munster riders in previous years, not getting lapped was the aim. This year is different though. With the league, Munster riders are racing regularly, improving their skills, and giving each other a good kicking week in week out, as every point matters. It was clear on Sunday that this stood to all of those who made the journey. Paul Birchall, and Indrek Mannik (both Pi Cycles/Focus Munster) had strong performances in the highly competitive "B" race. Richie was joined in the A race by John Dempsey (Carrick), Matty Taylor (Focus Munster), Richie Maes (Killarney), and Matt Slattery (Velo Revolution), the previous days winner. While they were all racing each other for bragging rights, it would be interesting to see how they would stack up against the best in the country. Glencullen is a cracking venue, on an old golf course. Golf courses make awesome CX courses. You have off camber, mud, trees, and of course sand. Robin Seymour and the WORC team make the most of this and put together a hilly course, with some brilliant technical features. Richie had a poor start and was nearly last going into the first run up. He didn't panic (even after another small fall in the sand), and slowly battled back to the sharp end of the race. Matty Taylor was in his sights and they had a battle Royal for the last two laps, which also brought John Dempsey closer to them. Richie gave his all to shake Matty, but a mistake in the final bends, and a strong kick from Matty meant Richie lost that battle. Matt Slattery had a super ride, finishing 9th, with John, Matty, and Richie finishing within seconds of each other, but more importantly, well inside the top 20. This brings us to the lessons we have learnt midway through the CX season:
The next race is round 5 of the Munster League in Killarney. Entries are now open. Hon the Barrs! Photos courtesy of Sean Rowe, DeRonde, and some of our own! Rain gently patters down on the windows, and splashes the puddles in the driveway. The trees are swaying gently with the stiff breeze, the final yellow leaves reminding us of a beautiful Autumn are trying to hold on to the sanctuary of the branches, but most are gone, caught in gutters, clogging drains, and strewn across ditches. A quick look at the weather forecast shows little to no improvement throughout the day. Just to make sure, a different forecast is checked, and then rechecked. There is a longing to have control of the elements but this is impossible. The warmth of the kitchen, a second coffee, and a newspaper is offering a temptation that must be resisted. Yes, Winter has arrived.
Strength and conditioning is a term heard more and more in sport but has not been associated with cycling until recently . In this post our resident PE teacher Richie discusses why it should be an important part of every cyclist's training.
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October 2017
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