MAWS

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 wrote: »

I go for a spin and a drink every week.

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

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

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

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