With some of the big hitters taking part in the Tour of Carlingford there was a slightly reduced peloton gathered under the tree at 9am for the Square Wheels weekly club cycle. The hubbub was from the likes of the Schleck twins and The Secretary who were busy welcoming back The Igloo Man from his time off rehabilitating. The Igloo Man was keen to remind everyone that he hadn’t been on a saddle for 8 weeks and that he wouldn’t be breaking any land speed records for a few weeks or so. The Touring department were busy distributing leaflets for next Sunday's 100 miles in 10 or 8 hours which is promising to be a big attraction for all cyclists.
As usual the route for the day had been provided beforehand. The choice of 3 distances had tempted many cyclists including the likes of The Farmer and 2 new members from as far away as Eglish. Sir Alex was raring to go and led the peloton out of the square with Mrs Schleck and The Marzipan Man. Mrs Schleck’s pony tail was flapping so fast that it was hitting the Londoner in the fast as he tucked in behind her to avoid the headwind. The Londoner was glad to get a bit of respite. He had been jet setting over the last few weeks island hopping from Coalisland to Kings Island and then from Greenisland to Craggy Island. He was glad to get back into the Square Wheels family for a rest even if he was missing Father Ted and Dougal.
The new surface on the Gorestown Road made us all feel like pros in the Giro. The road hadn’t been surfaced since it was built around the time when The Farmer was in short trousers and the Older Schleck was still on his tricycle. Fred Astaire danced his way to the front and we all followed him and the Barbarian towards Carnteel and then into Aughnacloy behind the Younger Schleck who was moving like a well oiled machine. Before long we found ourselves out of Aughnacloy and heading for St. Patrick’s Chair and Well.
The chat stopped as the climb kicked in. The rain got a bit heavier and the wind stronger. The two miles seemed like 22 as we eventually reached the top behind Fred Astaire and The Barbarian. The Secretary suggested opening a coffee shop at the top to service all the cyclists who seem to pass by on a Sunday morning. The rest of us got off the bikes and near calved in the rain as we all congregated and waited for the Best Chairman ever who was suffering due to an infection. “It’s not an infection, it’s dust from the Sahara that has settled on my chest. I should have stayed at home in my bed.”
At last the coffee stop arrived when we all hit Glasslough. A few others popped in a while later happy to announce that the Younger Schleck had picked up a puncture and that was what had slowed them down. There wasn’t a great deal to eat at the break except for a few stale scones and a hard cake or 2. No curries or chips like on previous weeks. The Older Schleck was that thirsty that he squeezed the water from his gloves in to his cup and downed it in one. Sir Alex offered his sock but that was refused. Not even Bear Gryls would have drunk that! The Igloo Man announced that he is going on the Square Wheels exchange trip to Italy and that he is looking forward to it. There are about 10 of the club going on what should be a momentous journey with a packed programme arranged including eating, drinking wine, cycling, drinking more wine and a bit of the Giro thrown in.
Before we knew it we were all on the saddles again trying to stay in behind the Older Twin and the Barbarian who led the way to Tynan, Tullysaren and back in to the Moy again alongside Sir Alex to finish off a top class spin of 50 miles at a pace to suit all.
As usual the route for the day had been provided beforehand. The choice of 3 distances had tempted many cyclists including the likes of The Farmer and 2 new members from as far away as Eglish. Sir Alex was raring to go and led the peloton out of the square with Mrs Schleck and The Marzipan Man. Mrs Schleck’s pony tail was flapping so fast that it was hitting the Londoner in the fast as he tucked in behind her to avoid the headwind. The Londoner was glad to get a bit of respite. He had been jet setting over the last few weeks island hopping from Coalisland to Kings Island and then from Greenisland to Craggy Island. He was glad to get back into the Square Wheels family for a rest even if he was missing Father Ted and Dougal.
The new surface on the Gorestown Road made us all feel like pros in the Giro. The road hadn’t been surfaced since it was built around the time when The Farmer was in short trousers and the Older Schleck was still on his tricycle. Fred Astaire danced his way to the front and we all followed him and the Barbarian towards Carnteel and then into Aughnacloy behind the Younger Schleck who was moving like a well oiled machine. Before long we found ourselves out of Aughnacloy and heading for St. Patrick’s Chair and Well.
The chat stopped as the climb kicked in. The rain got a bit heavier and the wind stronger. The two miles seemed like 22 as we eventually reached the top behind Fred Astaire and The Barbarian. The Secretary suggested opening a coffee shop at the top to service all the cyclists who seem to pass by on a Sunday morning. The rest of us got off the bikes and near calved in the rain as we all congregated and waited for the Best Chairman ever who was suffering due to an infection. “It’s not an infection, it’s dust from the Sahara that has settled on my chest. I should have stayed at home in my bed.”
At last the coffee stop arrived when we all hit Glasslough. A few others popped in a while later happy to announce that the Younger Schleck had picked up a puncture and that was what had slowed them down. There wasn’t a great deal to eat at the break except for a few stale scones and a hard cake or 2. No curries or chips like on previous weeks. The Older Schleck was that thirsty that he squeezed the water from his gloves in to his cup and downed it in one. Sir Alex offered his sock but that was refused. Not even Bear Gryls would have drunk that! The Igloo Man announced that he is going on the Square Wheels exchange trip to Italy and that he is looking forward to it. There are about 10 of the club going on what should be a momentous journey with a packed programme arranged including eating, drinking wine, cycling, drinking more wine and a bit of the Giro thrown in.
Before we knew it we were all on the saddles again trying to stay in behind the Older Twin and the Barbarian who led the way to Tynan, Tullysaren and back in to the Moy again alongside Sir Alex to finish off a top class spin of 50 miles at a pace to suit all.