MAWS

Whats a derailleur?

After much deliberating and discussions MAWS has been officially launched.


For those of you who don't know about it...it's Mags' and Anne's Winter Spins. Quite simply, one winter/spring of Orwell club spins has left us 'Enniskerry weary' and after enjoying a summer's worth of sportives - Ring of Kerry, Sean Kelly (160), Burren, Etape etc, and hearing about other cyclists' club spins, we're decided to go national. So, over the coming months we'll be donning our Dundrum/Orwell jerseys in far flung (and close by) counties - with full reports and pictures posted here on our adventures!


Guest appearances have been promised by El Tonto, Dirk Voodoo, Lumen, Aidanoffbeat and other boardsies....


The lovely people in the Burren Cycling Club, Clonard, North Tipp Wheelers, Naas, the Marble City Cyclers have all agreed to host us, but if you'd like to have us join you for your club Saturday or Sunday spin over the coming months, pm us.


Please note that Mags can be a bit grumpy in the morning and does not eat shop-bought cake, Anne has been known to have a penchant for drafting and her bike mechanics skills are limited....


Mags & Anne

Chips Lovell

So this is what we drunkenly signed up to. Dirk was worried that he'd agreed to join the army or something

You could get a book out it

Raam

What the hell is going on?

Whats a derailleur?

Raam wrote: »

What the hell is going on?

Oh, ok we'll put you down for a special appearance too......

Caroline_ie

Mags ... I'll join you on your less hilly spins

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

What the hell is going on?

Nod and smile, nod and smile.

Raam

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

Oh, ok we'll put you down for a special appearance too......

Woo hoo!

Whats a derailleur?

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Mags ... I'll join you on your less hilly spins

Great, we'll pencil you in!!! Glad to have your support!

ROK ON

Is this two ladies 'on the pull' or two ladies looking for a pull.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

What the hell is going on?

Simply put, Mags and Anne are going on a tour of the nation's cycling clubs, riding with a different one every second week.

Right now, you're being pencilled in for an early January spin with Tory Island Cycling Club.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Simply put, Mags and Anne are going on a tour of the nation's cycling clubs, riding with a different one every second week.

Right now, you're being pencilled in for an early January spin with Tory Island Cycling Club.

4.5km at it's longest. Should be fun.

Whats a derailleur?

el tonto wrote: »

Simply put, Mags and Anne are going on a tour of the nation's cycling clubs, riding with a different one every second week.

Right now, you're being pencilled in for an early January spin with Tory Island Cycling Club.

El Tonto, thank you for your support and clarifying the situation. Rok On, did you not read the post and poster???

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

4.5km at it's longest. Should be fun.

Twenty out and backs. Great crack.

ROK ON

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

El Tonto, thank you for your support and clarifying the situation. Rok On, did you not read the post and poster???

Sorry, meant as a joke.
Best of luck, actually I think it is a very nice idea. Easy to get bored with the same routes.

Whats a derailleur?

ROK ON wrote: »

Sorry, meant as a joke.
Best of luck, actually I think it is a very nice idea. Easy to get bored with the same routes.

That's ok - see you in Kerry when you organise to host us there!!! Make it a Saturday spin and we can have some drinks afterwards...that will draw the Dublin boardsies down!!!

ROK ON

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

That's ok - see you in Kerry when you organise to host us there!!! Make it a Saturday spin and we can have some drinks afterwards...that will draw the Dublin boardsies down!!!

I go for a spin and a drink every week.

Whats a derailleur?

ROK ON wrote: »

I go for a spin and a drink every week.

Just the one (drink)? We may be busy that weekend......

manwithaplan

I have cycled the length and breadth of Tory. It requires epic determination and navigation skills. You are assured of failure unless you have fluent Irish and a packet of Rolo in your jersey pocket.

Go n-eirí an bothar libh, a Mhags is Áine.

Whats a derailleur?

A massive ‘thank you’ to Clonard Road Club which hosted the inaugural MAWS (Mags’ and Anne’s Winter Spins) on Sunday.
Things had looked a little doubtful when Anne spent the week being sick before presenting herself to two casualties on Saturday…spleen, liver, gallstones have all been mentioned but until the ultrasound later in the week, it’s a suspected binge drinking-induced affliction.
Unable to cycle she insisted MAWS had to go ahead, so at 7.30am on Sunday we headed for Meath. With no traffic and some slight speeding, we landed at the club spin start point of Mother Hubbards at 8.15am for an 8.45am start.
After introductions and Anne apologising profusely while trying to look ill, Mags took off on the 70k spin (her first of any notable distance since the SK160 so we were a little concerned about her ability to keep up) with a bunch of strangers while Anne headed (in the car) for Edenderry and the planned coffee stop.
Unfortunately there aren’t many cultural sights of note between Clonard and Edenderry – seemingly there was a monastery at some stage aeons ago, but we’re not convinced of this story and suspect it’s only a local ploy to get the tourists in – the locals say it was built of wood hence the lack of evidence. But, on the plus side, the upper part of the Bog of Allen was pretty, and it was very FLAT!!!
A huge bonus for the club are the quiet and wide roads – along with very few potholes, zero gravel, not a huge amount of road kill – one badger – and very friendly locals – lots of tooting of recognition!
Along the way, as well as a few duos out cycling, we met a club from Edenderry – the 905s – seemingly called this as they set out on their weekend spins at 9.05 prompt! Not sure if this was a joke or not. However, big friendly shouts from both clubs as we passed and lots of waving – none of the usual Wicklow ‘lucky if you get a nod’ type stuff down here! We also spotted a bunch up ahead from Mullingar, but a dropped chain in our group put paid to any possible chase (thankfully not my chain, as I really wouldn’t know what to do after stopping!).
The coffee stop – a fancy Topaz in Edenderry, which has great broadband Anne reports, was spot on. And there’s no messing around with the Clonard crew – in fact it was like an American-style meeting with everyone (bar me) standing! But it gave us all a quick chance to chat, discuss sportives, racing and boards.ie, and admire the Clonard jersey – red, white and green really works and makes a very distinctive group and it was impressive that all the members were wearing it Sunday (even if one did insist on wearing a jacket over it - apparently he’s on a warning for this behaviour). We also found out that Colm and Alan’s father is behind the custom-built Rapparee bikes. No, we hadn’t heard of them. Doh.
Top marks for jersey design too – the club managed to get main sponsors, Murphys Sixt rent-a-car, and six other sponsors (Coyne Cycles, Maye Wood Design, Rapparee, Paddy Ronan & Sons Engineering and Network Sports Massage) all on without it looking cluttered!
After the quick coffee we were back on the bikes, with Anne working as Broomwagon, for the last 10k stretch back. Thankfully Mags managed to keep up all morning, but was totally caught out by the sprint finish and not knowing where the finish line is was a complete disadvantage/good excuse!
Again, a huge thanks to all the Clonard cyclists who were out today and made us feel very welcome, especially club Chairman Colm Maye – former cyclist of some renown we were told – but again not sure if their caustic wit was at our expense here or not. We’ll defo be back, when Anne has a new liver/spleen and can cycle.

This report could not have been brought to you in full without the help of the couple on their way into Vincent's A&E on Saturday evening - hope they managed to sow you back up and it wasn't too serious! Also, could Clonard's web designer, currently AWOL in Argentina, PLEASE make contact Colm/anyone in the club, with the passwords for the site.

Mags and Anne
Next stop: The Burren

Facts:
39 miles/ 63km
31km/h average
Topaz Tea: E1.60
Texaco Petrol: E129.9

DirkVoodoo

Did she have to travel to Australia to go to the A&E?

Whats a derailleur?

Great, it's going to take me FOREVER to figure out how to change this...grrrr

DirkVoodoo

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

Great, it's going to take me FOREVER to figure out how to change this...grrrr

Image flip vertical....

It's nearly easier to photoshop in a few cork hats and koala bears though.

Whats a derailleur?

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Image flip vertical....

It's nearly easier to photoshop in a few cork hats and koala bears though.

It doesn't work.....still upside down...so no A&E pic

Chips Lovell

Email it to me an I'll fix it

Esroh

Ladies.
You are 1st to get the heads up on this. Although not an invite to ride with any particular club in the West it may interest you to ride with members of most of them and King SK himself over 2 days.

A weekend of cycling with Sean Kelly and Friends returns to South Mayo on the weekend of Sat 4th / Sun 5th of December.

60 miles on Saturday
50 miles on Sunday.

Full details and a list of accomadation will be finalised in the next 2 weeks.

Caroline_ie

I believe you met the only 1 girl in the Clonard club: littlemissfickle on boards.

thebouldwhacker

Good for ye, I think its a great way to see the country's pubs, sorry I ment cycle routes:D
I'm not a club member but post up if ye are hitting cork!

Chips Lovell

There you go, you're no longer standing on your heads at A&E

bcmf

Are Rapparee still making frames?

MAWS

el tonto wrote: »

There you go, you're no longer standing on your heads at A&E

Thanks for that, I was starting to get dizzy with all the blood going to my head!

MAWS

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Good for ye, I think its a great way to see the country's pubs, sorry I ment cycle routes:D
I'm not a club member but post up if ye are hitting cork!

Thanks - well it's important to remain properly hydrated...and MAWS are all for supporting local hostelries businesses on our tour of Ireland's cycling clubs!
Cork is definitely on the agenda so we will keep you posted.

super70

Engoyed your company last sunday keep it going.

super70

must learn to spell "ENJOYED"

godihatedehills

I wonder if you should warn potential cycling/drinking buddies that you don't always find it necessary to carry out a kit change between these 2 activities.....???

I'd be happy to head up the international wing of MAWS if you were interested. Why stop at Ireland girls?!

MAWS

godihatedehills wrote: »

I wonder if you should warn potential cycling/drinking buddies that you don't always find it necessary to carry out a kit change between these 2 activities.....???

I'd be happy to head up the international wing of MAWS if you were interested. Why stop at Ireland girls?!

That only happened once, OK possibly twice....but I don't recall any 'Post Cycle Dress Code' memo being circulated, how were we to know?...and anyway I think there was a somewhat odorous smell in that pub BEFORE we went in there!:D

Delighted to have you head up our International wing - just don't come looking to us for funding!

unionman

Great thread. Looking forward to more reports.

MAWS

“Back a Mile”


Wow, who’d have thought MAWS II would mean international jet setting? Well it did. The inconvenience of having a job work commitments meant if MAWS was to join the Burren Cycling Club on its annual weekend away spin from Galway to Clifden Anne had to fly from Waterford to Galway on Friday evening, while Mags had to make it back to Dublin for a Sunday evening flight to Paris. Anyway, as Anne clambered in beside the pilot on Friday evening, Mags was ferrying both bikes on the back of the car via Limerick (thanks for the dinner Tom), to Galway for Saturday morning.

Despite all this, there was a very civilised rendezvous in Iggy Madden’s on Galway’s docks at 10.30, for an 11am start and Burren Cycling Club leader Pat O’Donoghue greeted us, along with the other Burren cyclists – John Brody, John McDonnell, Anthony O’Halloran, Richard Casey, Karen Culligan, Justin Sadlier, Richie Costello, Paddy Fahy, Adam Johnson, Silvie Mullins & Brendan Gallagher (all superbly turned out in matching club kit – they have club shorts, jerseys, t-shirts (long and short sleeved), club jackets and hats – we totally had cycling gear envy).

Despite the warm greeting things didn’t start off so well for MAWS. Mags ran into technical difficulties within minutes of unloading the bikes – one exploding front tyre drew a cheer from the Burren crew, but was quickly sorted by Burren mechanic John – although the vacant look on Mags’ face probably left him with no option if they wanted to leave the car park that day. Mags’ then discovered that her chain was wrapped around her pedal…intervention was again needed and provided….things were not boding well for a two-day cycle!

However, Pat, armed with his trusty whistle, took over quickly and listed out the route – 70 miles – with coffee & lunch stops – impressive! So, with overnight bags (or a ‘trunk’ in Anne’s case) into the support van – thanks Cathy - we hit the coast road for Clifden. Thankfully the sun was shining – despite being called ‘Mags’ and Anne’s Winter Spins’ MAWS has yet to invest in proper winter cycling gear (note to selves – put pressure on Pat for Burren CC jackets)

My, my but that road out of Galway was hairy in places. We thought Dundrum to Enniskerry was busy, but CIE buses were a bit too cosy for our liking at times and the absence of a hard shoulder for much of the early cycle meant it was a tight squeeze. However, we reached Rossaveal for our first coffee stop (despite MAWS leading the charge straight passed it…how were we to know?) in great spirits. Here we picked up two Gort cyclists who joined us for most of the remainder of the cycle. By this stage we’d “Rolled Up” (i.e. up and overe’d) a number of times, so we were familiar with the set up, but it took some time for the two of us to figure out what ‘back a mile’ meant – for those of you not au fait with west of Ireland lingo – it’s ‘steady up’, or quite simply – slow down at the front! Pat was consistent with the whistle though and within 10km we had the whistle blows deciphered and the peloton was poetry in motion for the remainder of the trip.

Following some (intentional) confusion with the conversion from miles to km’s, Pat managed to keep the group momentum going strong all the way to lunch by convincing us (on a number of occasions??) that the lunch stop was just “5 or 6 mile up ahead” … Thankfully the lunch destination, Zetland Hotel finally appeared on the horizon. Whatever about us being hungry the three guys (Donal, Richard and Anthony) who had cycled from Ennis to Galway already that morning – for the laugh by the sounds of it – were seriously in need of sustenance at that point. Thirteen pairs of cycling shoes were abandoned in the Zetland’s lobby as the mob went in search of food. However, due to stringent account handling by Pat, the Burren’s coffers seem to be in exceedingly fine fettle and we were all treated to lunch. The hotel propriorator was incredibly welcoming, and despite not being a cyclist, nor a gardener, he laid on a great spread of soup (with 16 or so different herbs from his own garden), sandwiches and tales!

Luckily the weather remained glorious as we hit the road again - for some bizarre reason though, Pat decided to throw in a ‘long cut’ just after lunch, so an extra 10 miles (of amazing scenery) was added. Brendan Gallagher took it upon himself to point out all local cultural sights, although it tended to be along the lines of a sweeping left arm and shouts of ‘see that on the left there Anne? That’s a mountain/horse/lake.’ He also proved to be quite the singer, bringing up the rear of the peloton with ‘Don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work’ on more than one occasion. Nonetheless it was distracting from the extra few miles Pat insisted on adding on because ‘we’re going so well’ and, despite MAWS best attempts to lead a revolt on the promise of getting to the bar quicker!

But Pat’s great leadership paid off. We covered the 79 miles to Clifden in super time, with an average speed in excess of over 30km/hour pace, to be greeted by the paparazzi – ok wives with cameras – as we swung into the main street.
Needless to say Mags and Anne went straight to the pub (yes, in full cycling gear and with our overnight bags/trunk in tow) for four sneaky wines before dinner!
Over dinner we got to hear tales of Anthony O’Halloran ‘The Lege’ who finished in the top 80 in the Hibernia Etape this year – despite having bought new cleats the day before, which it turned out didn’t fit his pedals (caused us to question his intelligence) and having to fix two punctures along the route, and legend also has it that he climbed Croagh Patrick in the same road bike shoes (second questioning of his intelligence but admirable none the less). We also discovered that Pat’s spinning classes (Tuesday and Thursday nights in Pat’s shed, for anyone who’s interested) are a huge success amongst the cycling crew and locals alike. Be prepared for loud musicand more 'whistle action'! For some strange and alcohol induced reason the club’s December 27th charity event of a 40k cycle and 5k run is expecting a MAWS reappearance…gulp.
The long established, but newly christened ‘PAWS’ - five men who’ve been cycling since the ‘70’s – three of whom are granddads and one a great granddad - joined the large gathering for dinner that evening. Dinner in Foyles Hotel was a great affair, and thanks again to the club which stood everyone for the wine. Foyles may have the kitch’st bedrooms, but dinner was super. You can’t go wrong with E65 BBD per person, especially when water bottles were filled for us the next morning.

Thankfully, after dinner speeches were short and sweet – although Mags was accused of waffling during hers! Luckily everyone retired to Kings across the road before things got emotional. Despite the great live band in Kings and the trad music back in Foyles we were shattered from the spin and sneaky wines and we were amongst the first to call it a night. Rumour has it Brendan and Paddy Fahy were out till 3am!!! Please note Fahy, Donal and Richie did NOT cycle the next day.

Breakfast saw a motley crew emerge, and John led the charge with kippers and scrambled eggs – Anne’s porridge almost made a reappearance at the point. Talk of the cycle back to Galway was scowled at by many, but one by one peer pressure saw all bar three of the crew wipe the overnight rain off the bikes and head off again…hungover. Unfortunately the MAWS jerseys debut Sunday morning was not done in glorious sunshine, but some light drizzle. However, despite the wet conditions the well-organised crew set a cracking pace and we covered the 50 miles in three hours or so. Unfortunately we took one spill on the way back – Galway County Council please note the poor and slippy road surface that left John’s leg looking like he’d fallen out with a cheese grater.

The weather turned nasty for the last half hour as we got close to Galway, and John’s best efforts on a shortcut through the city meant a slight obstacle course for four unlucky cyclists as we carried bikes over bollards and six-bar gates…ok, not quite, but John it wasn’t a short cut as it took longer!

But we got back to Galway in once piece from an epic two-day spin with the Burren Cycling Club and it was all down to the club being so well organised with Pat at the helm and the support of all the cyclists and their families. Karen, at the risk of divorce, is now an honourary MAWS member and is expected to join us on future spins. Since the club was set up in 2001 Pat & Co. have obviously done a great job, with the Tour de Burren a must in every cyclists’ diary. Discussions are currently taking place for MAWS to officially start the tour next year. Two Burren CC jackets and you’ve a deal Pat!!

Massive thanks to the club and all support crew over the weekend – we’ll see you again on December 27th.

Unfortunately a slight discrepancy seems to have occurred. Mags, who barely made her flight to Paris on Sunday, ran the ‘back a mile’ lingo by a Dundalk man in Departures, who laughed and said they it’s ‘back a while’…clarification needed please!


Saturday
Galway - Barna - Spiddall – Rossaveal: quick coffee - Carna - Cashel - lunch Zetland Hotel - Roundstone - Ballyconnelley - Clifden
Total Distance: 140km
Average Speed: 30km
Stayed in Foyles Hotel
Pints outside Kings pub


Sunday
Clifden - Recess - Mamm cross - small crash - Oughterard - quick coffee - Galway
Total Distance: 80 km.
2&1/2 hours:Nice fast ‘head clearing’ spin home
Petrol: 132.9/l
Tea: €1.60 Oughterard

P.S. Photos to follow once (if..airport strike) Mags makes it back from Paris with her camera…

Whats a derailleur?

Got one of last few seats out of Paris tonight....sorry silly striking Paris, but for once I'm glad to be leaving early!!!

Unfortunately I have to share my taxi and flight with a Minister.....unfortunate for him that is!!! I've had a few vinos for lunch and think he'd really like to hear about MAWS and I will be suggesting some sort of state funding for it - think I might be able to sell it as some sort of Discover Ireland Cycling Staycation Marketing Campaign.....

Whats a derailleur?

Some pics from before, during and after the Saturday cycle through Galway. Great work on the weather Pat!!

Caroline_ie

Mags, we ( I mean me ) want to see the MAWs Jersey ...

Whats a derailleur?

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Mags, we ( I mean me ) want to see the MAWs Jersey ...

Only ones we have of the jersey were taken on iphone (as my camera had died) and aren't particularly good quality....will see what I can do being uber non technical....

Whats a derailleur?

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Mags, we ( I mean me ) want to see the MAWs Jersey ...

Ok, here you go. Terribly blurry...probably just as well as we were not the best the morning after the sneaky wines...

MAWS

Mags: The morning after....(note requirement for sunglasses indoors)
Anne: The hangover....(note fake smile)

DirkVoodoo

I heartily endorse this product and/or event.

I can't believe I am so privileged as to be asked to take part in what must be the greatest winter training camp outside of the Mediterranean. I'm going to tweet, facebook and blog about this, I'm literally counting down the minutes until I can get kitted up in a MAWS jersey and have a whistle blown in my ear by some colourful middle aged cyclist.

I would have given my thanks as a show of support, but really the thanks button just isn't big enough so I thought I would voice my support!

Woo!

Please note: Dirk was in no way coerced into making his support known.

Chips Lovell

Beasty

And there was me thinking of a completely different type of "coersion" ...:D

Lumen

Beasty wrote: »

And there was me thinking of a completely different type of "coersion" ...:D

ooersion?

Junior

If Maws want to make a trip to Waterford give me a shout !

DirkVoodoo

Junior wrote: »

If Maws want to make a trip to Waterford give me a shout !

Requirements for a MAWS trip to appear in your area:

1) Cyclists who can fix punctures
2) Alcohol
3) "The craic"

That's about it really...

Junior

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Requirements for a MAWS trip to appear in your area:

1) Cyclists who can fix punctures
2) Alcohol
3) "The craic"

That's about it really...

2+3 are fine, I'll bring me dad to sort out number 1 !

MAWS

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Requirements for a MAWS trip to appear in your area:

1) Cyclists who can fix punctures
2) Alcohol
3) "The craic"

That's about it really...

Spot on – however if I could just rearrange them in order of priority:
1) "The craic"
2) Alcohol
3) Cyclists who can fix punctures

Note: 1) & 2) are interchangeable