Midleton CTC Invites Beginners

Midleton Cycling and Triathlon Club would like to again invite people to join us this January 17th at the Midleton Courthouse at 9:30am for a series of beginners spins.

Road Bike and Helmet are compulsory.

We also recommend you bring some Money (€5ish) as we generally stop for a coffee/ refreshment during the spin.

Last years beginners group saw the beginners completing the Earthquake charity 70km spin in March and are now well established as their own group and have regular sunday spin known as the Green group.

On the spin you will be accompanied by beginners from last year as well as Long term club members, so you will be in safe hands.

We will help you learn the rules of the road as well as group riding etiquette and above all how to enjoy your riding with some mighty craic.

The beginners spin will continue until March then you are free to join one of our many organised spins with pace's to suit everyone.

There is no need to join our club straight away however if you catch the bug after the first few weeks we would ask that you join through Cycling Ireland.

Membership of Cycling ireland and Mctc has added benefits of rider insurance as well as many other benefits.

We hope to see you there on January 17th.

Alanna Bags National's Bronze

The weekend before last Alanna Drennan rounded off her successful first year of racing with a trip to Westport for the National Youth cycling champs.

She is only 13 but was competing in the U14 girls category.

The 8km time trial was held on Saturday morning and this was Alanna’s weakest event. With a very high standard of cyclists it all came down to experience but nonetheless Alanna pushed herself and warmed up her legs for the road race.

The road race took place on Saturday afternoon and the U14 girls raced 27km: 3 laps of a lumpy 9km circuit. Alanna stayed with the main bunch for the full race and worked well with the other girls, maintaining a fast tempo. The juvenile sprint training payed off at the finish and Alanna crossed the line as 3rd girl in her U14 category!

The criterium was held on Sunday morning and was a bit of a baptism of fire. It was her first crit and the pace was fast, with very technical corners and a sharp pull up adding to the excitement. It was a brilliant experience though and Alanna out sprinted a couple of her rivals on the line. Overall it was a fantastic weekend of racing and Alanna was delighted to come home with a bronze medal in her first nationals. Alanna completes her season with the juvenile Moby Dick triathlon in Youghal at the end of the month.

**Well Done Allana and good luck at your last event of the season from all the MCTC commitee

Club TT off to a Great start.

Wednesday 26th saw the 1st Time trial event of the year take place with a fantastic turnout by both juniors and seniors alike.

A Sunny evening with a fierce head wind on the way home made for a tough but really enjoyable night.

The course was set as Kileagh to Youghal turning left up knocknacally Hill and back down the bypass and home.

The evening started with the juniors setting off first on a slighty shortened course, turning right just after the town turn off before the bypass and heading back to Killeagh

30 second intervals between riders made for some good fun chasing down of friendly rivals.

With the head wind kicking in at the turn the juniors had a large compression just after halfway which spurred on some Sibling rivalry between Adam and Luke causing a small bit of wheel rubbing but no major harm done just some pro looking road rash to tell war stories about in the coming weeks. Pierce showed great form producing some inpressive speed to be top junior as did all the other juniors on a really tough windy night.

In the Womens Section family rivalrys again came to the fore with Sally showing Rachel who the boss is! Not sure if house hold chores were up for grabs on this result but Sally certainly looked in determined mood, but by the Looks of Alanna they both could be in trouble when she moves up to the senior course. This could be a battle to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Mags Higgins also put in a great effort having already done a hilly lap of Cobh before coming down the the time trial and will no doubt be battling the Drennans again next week.

In the Seniors The Legend that is Aj Murphy was on hand to show us all how the pros do it, I know from my point of view seeing how far I could get before he passed me out was a big incentive and I'm sure it spurred a few others on.

The noise of him coming up behind and past you was really impressive as well as seeing how relaxed and effortless he looked.

Shane Fuller on a none TT bike put in a stunning effort especially consideing he cycled from Carrigaline came in second with Peter Meaney Coming in third on his TT bike. Dave Power then myself topped out the top 5, of which I'm claiming a podium spot in the non Aero division which I just invented!! I think thats fair.

All in all it was a great night and I think everyone really enjoyed it and speaking for myself can't wait to have another go hopefully without that wind to see how we all can improve.

Big Thanks to Tony Fitz for marshalling the bypass turn and Paul O'Brien for marshalling the Juniors turn.

Also not fogetting to thank Jonny Finn and Tim Mahony for a great job Organising everything.

Thanks all and thanks for everyone that turned up.

After such a great night its important we remmeber to the end of the day the results are just a bit of fun, its really about improving yourself and setting your own targets to better each week, so anyone that didn't make it make sure to come along next week and enjoy the fun and see can you set yourself personal targets.

From a personal point of view having trained really hard alone recently to better myself on the bike the night was a massive boost to my confidence. Two months ago I wouldnt have dream't of being even in the stratasphere of a rider like Dave Power let alone average over 35kmph with that hill in a route, So to be within 10 seconsd of Dave has given me great self belief and justification for my personal hard work and I know more of you will do the same if you come and give it a go.

Hope to see you all next week.

Juveniles: Girl: 1st Alanna 24:38

Boys: 1st Pierce 23:52 2nd Matthew 24:31 3rd Luke 25:29 4th Adam 25:48 5th Elliott 28:23

Seniors:

Women: 1st Sally Drennan 33:56 2nd Rachel Drennan 34:46 3rd Mags Higgins 39:29

Men: 1st A.J. Murphy 25:30 (TT) 2nd Shane Fuller 29:44 3rd Peter Meaney 30:13 (TT) 4th Dave Power 30:51 5th Richie Watkin 30:56 6th Niall Hickman 32:16 7th Ken Savage 32:20 8th Callum Lynch 32:48 9th John Lynch 33:07 10th Martin Enright 33:20 (Para) 11th Garry Hartnett 33:27 12th Barry Hogan 33:36 13th Andrew Bowen 33:56 14th Adrian Walsh 34:06 15th Ger McSweeney 34:23 16th Fergus Blackmore 37:46