Would you support the Irish Paracycling Team?

Paralympic Cyclist

Hi - sorry for this being my first post, but trying to get the word out to as many folk as I can...

I am a member of the Irish Paracycling squad and we are preparing to do a big fundraising ride next weekend.


Essentially I need to help raise funds for the Irish Paracycling team to help get us to the London 2012 Games. And will doing a 100km charity ride to do my part. And so... if you would like to support the Irish Paracycling squad, please follow this link and donate ANYTHING. I mean it – ANYTHING.

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/colin_lynchs_event/

Thank you in advance to anyone that helps out.



And for anone interested in what goes into being a 'disabled' cyclist (and one of the best in the world currently) and would like to read my blog, check it out:

http://637daystogo.blogspot.com/

Paralympic Cyclist

And to the gentleman (who shall remain nameless), if you didn't accidentally enter the wrong amount - I am humbled.

Thank you kindly for your support.


If anyone reading this wants more info on me, the team, Paracycling, etc - please feel free to get in touch.


Colin

Captain Havoc

Best of luck Colin, do us proud and I'm sure most guys here would love to be kept updated.

Paralympic Cyclist

I was asked a question on how funding works, as well as thought I might provide some (basic) info on how Olympic qualification works...


Funding comes from the Irish Sport Council (for Cycling Ireland in general). However, due to the finances in the country, the budget was cut in half this year. (That's funding that goes to the running of the team for travel, training, etc).

Athletes are individually funded based on the how they perform at World Championships.

So basically, the squad has a budget shortfall that we try and make up with this charity ride. The more we raise, the more we can spend on training camps, equipment, etc.

Qualification is based on results in the World Championships, World Cups and smaller (what are called P1) events. If the win in a P1 is worth 15 points, a World Cup win is worth 30 and a World Championships win is worth 60.

Essentially - the more points (for top-10 finishes) we score in these races, the more spots we will get to send riders to the Paralympics. Do poorly in these races and we may only get to send one or two. Do well and we can send the whole team (which is actually quite small).

It's a long and complicated process - and won't be finished until February of next year. Then the build-up to London will begin!

Lumen

How much does that leg weigh?

What cleat/pedal system do you use?

Good luck with the fundraising!

Paralympic Cyclist

Lumen wrote: »

How much does that leg weigh?

What cleat/pedal system do you use?

Good luck with the fundraising!

The leg weighs about 3 pounds (instead of the 10 pounds my 'normal' one weighs). But it saves me rotating all that dead weight pedal stroke after pedal stroke.

I use Look Keo pedals - the cleat is just bolted directly to the bottom of the leg and I clip directly into the pedals. Saves loads of energy (no flex, etc).


(For anyone wondering what I'm talking about - it's my carbon fibre racing leg):

Beasty

What events are you aiming for at the paralympics Colin?

Who else has a decent chance in the current paracycling squad?

Best of luck with the fundraising, and in Canada

Paralympic Cyclist

Beasty wrote: »

What events are you aiming for at the paralympics Colin?

Who else has a decent chance in the current paracycling squad?

Best of luck with the fundraising, and in Canada

Personally - I ride both track and road. However, my strongest events are the endurance ones - so the Pursuit on the track and the TT on the road. But I'll be also riding the Kilo (and possibly Team Sprint) on the track and the road race.

The squad currently boasts the World Champion in the Handcycle (H1) division - Mark Rohan. The guy seems to win every race these days so is looking good for a medal.

The women's tandem of Catherine Walsh and Fran Meehan are also World Class and recently won the TT in Spain at the World Cup. They also won a medal at the Track World Championships earlier this year.

We have several other riders that are in with a shout. It all depends on how they round into form over the coming year.

Paralympic Cyclist

Just want to add - to those that have donated... it's not the amount that matters. It's the gesture. The amounts vary wildly and every euro will make a difference. I am as grateful for the small ones as the big ones!

Thank you all!

Paralympic Cyclist

A few more people have sponsored me (and the squad) - don't want to name names, but many thanks to you all.

FYI - I'm off to Canada in just under 2 weeks to compete in the final World Cup round (TT and RR) of the year and to try and secure the overall win (for my category). The course is the hardest thing I've ever faced - with a 15%, mile-long climb in it. 5 laps! (Not easy for a guy with one leg!)

Beasty

Paralympic Cyclist wrote: »

Personally - I ride both track and road. However, my strongest events are the endurance ones - so the Pursuit on the track and the TT on the road. But I'll be also riding the Kilo (and possibly Team Sprint) on the track and the road race.

What sort of times do you do in the pursuit (presumably 3km) Colin?

Paralympic Cyclist

Beasty wrote: »

What sort of times do you do in the pursuit (presumably 3km) Colin?

Yes - I ride the 3KM - although some people ride the full 4KM.

At the Track World's this March I did it in 4 minutes. That probably sounds slow to some, but it was just 7/10ths of a second outside a medal ride-off (for my category).

Some of the less disabled riders can do 3km is around 3:27 - and that's on their way to 4km, so I'm sure could go faster if they tried.

My time was also done on my 'old' leg - which wasn't designed for cycling. Next time out I should go significantly faster. Gold-medal winning time in my category was 3:48, which also set a world record. Going to be tough to match that!

Jawgap

Played rugby with one of your teamates - Cathal Miller - obviously he's made the transition to cyclist much better than I have! All the more impressive considering he was a formidable prop - not some nancy-boy winger*

All the best to you and the team.






*like me

Paralympic Cyclist

Jawgap wrote: »

Played rugby with one of your teamates - Cathal Miller - obviously he's made the transition to cyclist much better than I have! All the more impressive considering he was a formidable prop - not some nancy-boy winger*

All the best to you and the team.

Miller is ace. He has been my roommate on many a trip and a great source of inspiration to me. As an 'elder statesman' on the squad - he's been particularly helpful in guiding me through the in's and out's of international racing and helping me deal with the stresses that come from racing at this level.

Plus he's a damn good rider in his own right.

Beasty

Paralympic Cyclist wrote: »

Yes - I ride the 3KM - although some people ride the full 4KM.

At the Track World's this March I did it in 4 minutes. That probably sounds slow to some, but it was just 7/10ths of a second outside a medal ride-off (for my category).

Some of the less disabled riders can do 3km is around 3:27 - and that's on their way to 4km, so I'm sure could go faster if they tried.

My time was also done on my 'old' leg - which wasn't designed for cycling. Next time out I should go significantly faster. Gold-medal winning time in my category was 3:48, which also set a world record. Going to be tough to match that!

Doesn't sound slow to me - my only attempt at the 2km pursuit was just over 3 minutes (it was a very poor outdoor track without the aerobars though;)), which equates to over 4m 30s for 3km

What bike do you use on the track? I'm also curious to hear what gearing you would have for a 3km pursuit

Paralympic Cyclist

Beasty wrote: »

What bike do you use on the track? I'm also curious to hear what gearing you would have for a 3km pursuit

Last year I used a Dolan DF3. Next year I'll have something new. Sort of custom built by an ex-member of the Irish Track Squad. Should have it ready to try out this August.

For all my track events I use a relatively small gear - 48x14 which is 92.6 inches. Due to a big and heavy leg, it was hard to spin the gear. With my new lighter leg, I should be able to use a bigger gear.

Paralympic Cyclist

As an aside - I just won my first able-bodied road race tonight! A vets race but very pleased. 2-man break from the gun and we JUST managed to stay away till the end. I won the sprint.


Imagine the surprise on the faces of the chasing pack as a guy with one leg rode away from them!

Beasty

Good luck with the ride on Saturday Colin

When are you off to Canada for the World Cup event?

Is there a website with all the details?

Paralympic Cyclist

Off to Canada on Tuesday. It's about a 24 hour journey between getting to the airport, flights and an 8 hour drive on the other end once we arrive. Hopefully will be recovered by Friday when the racing starts!

Website for the event is here: http://coupedumondebaiecomeau.com/index.php?/Anglais/home.html

Paralympic Cyclist

THANK YOU!

Just an update to say the fundraising ride is over and my 100km is done. Thanks again to all those who donated to the cause. You have directly impacted my life and every last penny with go towards help me get to London 2012.

The donation page is still open for a while if anyone cares enough to throw a few quid my (my team's) way. See first post.

Thank you in advance to anyone that helps out.



I'm off to Canada tomoro to race in the final World Cup of the year and try to secure the overall victory. Toughest challenge to date!

Paralympic Cyclist

P.S.

I'll update this thread and my blog when I return with news/results for anyone who is interested in how I got on.

Paralympic Cyclist

Hope I'm not breaking any rules but here's a link to my blog post about my trip to Canada for the World Cup:

http://637daystogo.blogspot.com/2011/08/being-loser-is-sometimes-good-thing.html

And once again a thanks to all those that donated funds to my ride. (It's closed now - so not looking for more funds from anyone).

Been very busy training and racing and off again tomoro for a World Championships preparation camp. Trying to whip my butt into shape before the World's in September.