National Bike Week

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"139","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-medium wp-image-281","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":""}}]]After 11 Rounds of the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League it is Dundalk's Declan Grey sitting on top of the league table, with a 10 point cushion over Bryan McCrystal. Declan owes his lead to consist performances in the league to date, while McCrystal has gathered all his points in the time trials. In 3rd position 3 riders sit tied on points Barry Douglas whom is having an excellent season so far in 2011, Gerry McCabe & Aaran McCann. From 3rd position onwards only 5 points separate 19 riders. In 9th position is Celine Mc Philips leading the ladies section. Also joint in 9th position is Bohermeen's Chris Reilly, leading the visitors section. So at this stage it really is all to play for, however the ball is squarely in Grey's court thanks to his commanding lead.
 
Another unique event this last week, was the return of a Louth Cycling Championships, incorporated into the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League. The event was a 40km time trial held on the Carrick to Ardee road. Quickest on the night & hence the Louth Champion was Gerry McCabe. Next home was Peter Tomany followed by Colm Quinn. 5 riders in total broke the magical 1 hour mark for the distance, a good result giving the windy conditions. Celine McPhilips was the 1st lady in a time of 1hr:10mins:39secs.
 
Following the baring of defending champion Bryan McCrystal, Cuchulainn Cycling Club did not have as successful a race in the Newry 3 Day as they did in 2010. However the club still finished as 3rd team overall despite being dogged by bad luck throughout. The race was ultimately decided on the Friday night during the criterium around the streets of Warrenpoint. A group of 7 riders escaped on the 2nd of the 40 lap race, which contained no Cuchulainn riders. Escaping so early the bunch let the group go, however this was to be their mistake as the group built up such a lead early on that they held off the fast moving bunch for the win. This meant that no Dundalk men featured high on the general classification. Saturday's first stage was uneventful with all riders coming home in the main bunch. That evening in the time trial several Cuchulainn riders did take back some time, but nothing significant. Finally on the last day Gerry McCabe punctured while in a strong escape group, while Alan Grey suffered a heavy fall. With this bad luck it was a considerable achievement for the club to place 3rd overall in the race.
 
In the Women's & Beginners league on Wednesday night 4 different groups set off from Felda at 7:30pm. First home was Cuchulainn's Fiona Rogers, beating out Anthony Craven, who moved up to second from 3rd last week & Colman Ledwith in 3rd. Eve McCrystal rode very strongly in the scratch group & led them home in 5th place. The scratch group had caught both the 3rd & 2nd groups.
 
The Summer Solstice held on June 21st was a huge success. The bad weather meant only 40 riders set out from the Crowne Plaza at sundown. The riders rode to The Spire on O`Connell Street, where they stopped for a well earned coffee, soup & sandwich. Heading back in the dark to Dundalk the large group was safe with each rider having lights & follow vehicles warning other road users. Once the group reached the Crowne Plaza a full breakfast buffet awaited them, where the bacon rolls went down extremely well.
 
The club's mountain bikers headed to Round 7 of the NPS league in Slade Valley on June 26th. Gary Shiels won the senior 3 race & is well in contention for the overall in this series. Also from the club in the senior race, newcomer Daire was 3rd & Stephen Kelleher 5th. In the main event the senior 1 race, Aiden McDonald was an excellent 2nd place. Meanwhile in the Under 16event Aaran McCann continued his good season with a 5th place.
 
Finally as part of National Bike week, Cuchulainn held a kid's cycle day at St Helena's Park. The council had cut out an oval track on the grass & riders from 4years old up to 14 raced a variety of different events, before undertaking a 5km tour of Dundalk's Cycling Paths. Every child on the day received a medal for completing a skills course, while the winners of the various races went home with a trophy for their efforts.