Garda CC National Track Champion

Congratulations to Garda Cycling Club member Caroline RYAN on winning the Irish Senior Women’s 3km Pursuit championship and the ‘Scratch’ Championship at Sundrive Road Track over the weekend of the 24th & 25th July 2010. In qualifying for the 3km Pursuit Championships, Caroline set a new Irish record, having broken the record she previously set at the 2009 Irish Championships.

Caroline has put in an excellent 2010 season, competing on the Track and Road, both at home and abroad.

Congratulations and Best Wishes from all your friends and colleagues in the Garda Cycling Club!!

Photograph courtesy of www.irishcycling.com.

Training Day

Thanks to all of you who attended the recent Training Day at Westmanstown. The feedback from all participants was magnificent. In addition to the existing Club members who attended, we had ten (10) new members join the Club on the day. Welcome to you all!

Thanks again to Aidan Hammond, Michelle & Peter Crinnion for all the work and effort they put into this excellent course.

Garda Cycling Club – Training Day

Garda Cycling Club will host a ‘Cycling Training Day’ on Saturday the 24th July 2010, at Westmanstown Sports Centre, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

The ‘Training Day’ will be conducted by Aidan Hammond and Michelle Crinion.

Aidan Hammond has been working in the bicycle industry for over 20 years. He is a former racing cyclist and national Time Trial Champion and a fully qualified level 3 Cycling coach and Coach Tutor with Coaching Ireland.

Michelle Crinnion is a former International Cyclist and a fully qualified Neuro Muscular Therapist and a qualified level 2 Cycling Coach and a Coach Tutor with Coaching Ireland.

The ‘Training Day’ will take the following format:

9.30 – 11.30        Bike Based Skills and Training Spin - Riders will be broken into two groups for this session.

Group 1 will cover all aspects of group riding, to include cornering, riding in groups, drinking and eating in a group, bike handling and use of gears.

Group 2 will cover strength endurance techniques, standing and rolling starts, etc.

Groups will alternate after each session.

12.00 – 1.00        Training techniques.

1.00 – 1.30           LUNCH

1.30 – 2.30           Nutrition

2.30 – 3.15           Basic bikefit.

3.15 – 3.30           BREAK

3.30 – 4.00          Use of heart rate monitors.

4.00 – 4.30          Q&A

This is an excellent event, presented by two top class national cycling coaches. Cost of entry to this event is free to all paid up members of the Garda Cycling Club and €20.oo to non members of the Garda Cycling Club.

All persons intending to take part in this event, should email secretary@gardacyclingclub.com. Places are limited, so email me now to book your place.

All participants MUST wear a cycling helmet on the day and be in possession of a racing bicycle, in good working order.

Showering facilities are available at Westmanstown for all course attendees.

Garda Cycling Club Training Sessions

The Garda Cycling Club are currently running organised training spins from Westmanstown Sports Centre, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, every Thursday and Sunday mornings at 9.30am sharp!!! Showers available afterwards.

Spins vary from 50km to 80km and are geared for all levels of fitness.

If you wish to join the Garda Cycling Club, please contact secretary@gardacyclingclub.com for further information.

Training Ride

Next Club training session takes place at 10am sharp from the Pope’s Cross, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 on Thursday the 27th May 2010.

The ride will cover approx 50km and will suit all abilities. Those wishing to cover a greater distance, will be catered for on the day.

The Thursday morning spin has now established itself as a regular event on the Club calendar and attracts good numbers.

If you wish to be added to the Club ‘text loop’, please email secretary@gardacyclingclub.com with your mobile number, name and station.

Donegal Garda Cycling Club

The Committee and members of the Garda Cycling Club would like to congratulate their colleagues in the Donegal Division, on the recent establishment of the Donegal Garda Cycling Club.  The club will cater for members of An Garda Siochana in the Donegal Division and the greater Northern Region, who have an interest in cycle touring and cycle racing.

Although only formed a number of weeks, the club has already attracted in the region of 20 members, and has put together a great website, which can be visited at www.sirenscycling.com.

Members in the Donegal Division, Northern Region or anywhere nationwide, who are interested in joining the club, should contact them via their website.

The very best of luck in the future and I’m sure we’ll be up to visit you all in the very near future!!!

Philip Lavery – Congratulations

Congratulations to Ireland’s most promising cycling talent, Philip Lavery, on his excellent win in the Tour of Ulster, which was held over the recent Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Philip is the son of former Garda Cycling Club member, Tosh Lavery, and the younger brother of Thomas Lavery, the 2009 Garda ‘Coiste Siamsa’ Cycling Champion. Philip himself rode as an under age member of the Garda Cycling Club.

Philip’s win in this international 4 day event was a remarkable result for the young rider, considering that he competed against the best of a number of UK & European professional cycling teams, including the Rapha Condor Team and the Herbalife – Wheelbase Team.

After winning the opening Prologue TT at Stormont, Philip went on to win Stage 2 and despite lying in 5th place after Stage 3 and 1’19” behind the race leader, he went on win Stage 4, and take the overall prize in addition to taking the best Under 23 title and 2nd in the ‘King of the Hills’ title.

The Garda Cycling Club wish Philip the very best in his future cycling career and we’ve no doubt that we’ll see him in the professional ranks in the coming years.

Check out Philip’s new website at www.philiplavery.com.

2010 Membership / Licences / Gear

Following the 2009 Club AGM, a number of changes have been made in respect of Club membership.

The new Club Constitution is currently being circulated to all members. Please ensure that the paperwork included with your copy of the Constitution, is returned to the Club Secretary at the earliest opportunity.

Existing members should apply directly for their 2010 licences via www.cyclingireland.ie.

The Committee are finalising issues concerning the Club cycling gear for the 2010 & 2011 seasons. Further details will be made available to all Club members in the coming weeks.

A schedule of events for the coming year is currently being prepared and will be posted on this website in the coming weeks. For 2010, an emphasis is being placed on our new Leisure Section. This section has grown considerably over the last number of years and looks like having in excess of 60 members this year alone. It is envisaged that Leisure Section will take part in various ‘Cycle Sportive’ events in the coming year. This will culminate in an overnight trip in late  September or early October and will give all Club members a great opportunity to get in a good two days of cycling and a night socialising.

If you are interested in joining our new Leisure Section, please contact Kieran at secretary@gardacyclingclub.com.

2010 Racing & Touring Licences

A number of 2010 Racing & Touring Licences are available for collection.

If you require a Cycling Ireland or IVCA Racing or Touring Licence for the 2010, please contact secretary@gardacyclingclub.com.

Seasons Greetings

A very Merry Christmas to all our cyclists, friends & friends.  We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.