2020 - A Year In Review

2020 - A Year In Review

Well 2020 turned out to be a year we’ll never forget in a hurry. Fingers crossed 2021 will be more favourable for us. Our saving grace was the fantastic weather we had. There was a serious amount of kms logged on our local roads and a lot of back roads rediscovered. Long forgotten turbos were found in sheds and attics, and were put to good use. Turns out Louth isn’t such a wee county after all. Even though the year didn’t go according to plan there were still some highlights including…

Sam Bennett became the first Irishman to win the Tour de France green jersey in 31 years.

Due to there being no club fundraiser this year, it was decided by the committee to make a donation of €500 on behalf of club members to our local Women’s Aid, Dundalk. 

Underage Section…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          had a great year – they just go from strength to strength. Huge thanks to Karl Dolan and his team for their support and encouragement. Racers can breathe a sigh of relief – Underage won’t be competing against them for a few more years.

Our U12 girls got a top 3 podium finish back in January in the Leinster CX held in Navan, our underage competed in the Youth National Champs in August, hosted by Panduit Carrick Wheelers. Shortly after Holly McCaffrey came 2nd in the U’12 Carlow Youth Races.

Rhiannon Dolan came 1st in the Women’s Louth Hill Climb Champs in Sept – fantastic achievement – her first time entering. Rhiannon also came 1st in the U14 CX Race hosted by Kinning Cycles in Belfast. Eoin Holmes came 1st in the U16 race.  Well Done Everyone.

Racing Section                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   had their season cut short with the cancellation of the Bike Station League – always the highlight of the year. They did have success in the Leinster and Louth Time Trial Champs held in August by White River Wheelers. Club PRO Liam Dolan came 2nd in the Leinster Masters Champs and 2nd in the Louth Champs. Dominic Wall came 3rd in the Para Leinster TT Champs.  Jimmy Flynn had an unforgettable year by winning the Master’s Champs M60 Road Race held in Castlebar in Sept. Jimmy then took 3rd place in the M60 Time Trial. Jimmy was also the quickest Cuchulainn up Jenkinstown Hill in the Louth Hill Climb Champs held just two weeks previously

Leisure riders                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    whilst limited for a good chunk of the summer still managed to take in The Poet’s Trail (in beautiful South Armagh), back roads of Ulster and Leinster, a seaside trip to Skerries, a 4 County Cycle, a trip to ‘God’s own Country’ and the Wicklow Mountains to name but a few. Big thanks to all the Road Captains and organizers for looking after everyone so well on the spins. Leisure Committee provided some light relief by hosting a series of Zoom quizzes over the summer – all I’m saying is I’m so glad for the picture rounds.

Mountain Bikers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              kicked off their winning ways back in January with a fantastic win by Johnny McCabe in the M60 National CX Champs, held in Ballina. Jacinta Healy came 3rd in the Baggy Shorts Category Rd 1 of Biking Blitz, Ballyhoura. Logan Quilton came 1st in his category in Round 2 of Biking Blitz. Mtbers put in very strong performances in races up until lockdown. Mtbers were the first to be hit this year with the cancellation of their EdFest 2.0.

The All Ireland Cycle Challenge  in Sept proved to be a very welcome distraction. Cyclists competed against each other/ club to log as many kms as possible over a 10 day period. Cuchulainn CC came 2nd out of 112 competing clubs with 22914km logged!! Louth came 3rd overall with Club Alan Gray coming 3rd on the leader board out of 1053 cyclists. Well Done to all who supported such a great cause.

The Tony Golden Memorial Cycle took place shortly after and continued the same format. Again there was some serious mileage logged. Alan Gray logged 503km in one day alone. That has got to be a club record?

 

 Thank You to all our members, front line workers and Everyone for all your support during the year- it is very much appreciated. 

We'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.