A straggler's story - the view from the back! By Rosemary Gibson

So the dreaded 51 km Carrick to Ardee round 14 of the Bike Station League came up again last night and this time I wasn't able to be strategically late from work to miss it with a genuine excuse. I was home from work early, the weather was dry and no one was looking for a marshal swap. Nothing else then except to pull on the jersey, grab the bike and head up to the Geraldine's for sign on. Had to consult the map to get to the start at Oriel Park because bizarrely I've never been round that side of da town before on a bike or in a car. Jan kept me right and we found the start successfully. Only two Cuchulainn Ladies racing tonight as well as ladies representing Ardee and Newry Wheelers. Kathleen and Linda were giving their time to marshal and keep us safe and many thanks to all the marshals, race organisers, ambulance crew and photographers Caroline Kerley, Sé Weston and Jason Boyle without whom there would be no Thursday night league:) Because of numbers (around 50 riders) it was decided to only run one race instead of the usual two. Which means we are now racing against the folks in group 4, 5 & 6 as well as groups 2 and 3. Group 1 on the night consisted of myself and Jamie O'Hare which meant we had our work cut out from the off. A sharp wee hill to start, persistent headwind from Dundalk to Carrickmacross and only two of us to take turns working at the front took its toll on the energy levels early on. Group 2 caught us in Carrick and swept my companion along with them, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my bike. I chased for a while but it was ultimately futile. Head down and no pity parties allowed, there was at least some help from the wind on the Carrick to Ardee leg. All the rest of the groups came past on this stretch in quick succession and I was left with the prospect of the last 30 km solo. At least it was dry, as they say here! Actually surprisingly nice weather after all the rain we have had this summer. It's a fairly featureless road to Ardee and my arrival at the roundabouts meant that there were two legs of the triangle done. Turning left onto the N52 for Dundalk the headwind reappeared like an unwelcome friend. I was joined at some stage by Jan who had been dropped by her group early on and had been having the same kind of race as me. It was a real lift to get company and it seemed to shorten the ride to the finish. It was also really encouraging to see everyone still at the finish line to cheer us home. Flagstaff next week and then it gets easier! Go the ladies! !