There were bare hairy legs on show this morning under the tree as spring made a guest appearance for the Square Wheels weekly club run. “You shouldn’t cast a clout till May’s out” shouted the SYM, “That’s why I still have my thermals on.” There were big numbers under the tree. Standing room only. The younger Schleck belted out the instructions so loudly that Clogher Valley Wheelers heard him in Ballygawley. Three different distances were provided to cater for all and even the female members of the club were out in strength. The Swailer was even spotted in the crowd having returned from the white slopes. The Igloo Man was there too in his jeans and new “Dealers” as he continues to recover from recent surgery. He was wrapped up like a mummy.
The Steady’s Man led the group out. He was clad in his new Giro high speed helmet and not only that he was back on his summer bike even if he didn’t look very summery in his over coat and snood. The Master Carpenter had the right idea as he lit up the peloton with his bare legs which were that hairy that everyone thought he was still wearing his heavy duty tights. The Sandbagger was there too. He’s still getting back up to speed following a bout of severe sciatica which has kept him out of action nonetheless. There were others cycling well too, The Colnago Man, The Secretary, The Best Chairman Ever, Sir Alex and Fred Astaire to name a few. Mind you Fred Astaire’s title was well under threat today as The Tone turned up in his new cycling shoes which were as white as the hills that the Swailer was skiing on last week.
From the Square the peloton snaked towards Armagh and then took right following back roads never before travelled which the Touring department would have felt at home on. In the direction of Tullysaron The Steady’s Man led us on to the Battleford Road and then briefly on the Cathedral Road and on to the main Killylea Road. The group split in 2, some going towards Glasslough and the others heading for the main Monaghan Road and into Keady. The Barbarian was shouting the instructions getting the cyclist to rotate like a well oiled machine. He was enjoying his return following periods of sickness but was now getting back into the swing of things. The Master Carpenter’s bike was keeping everyone in chat. It was shining like a new pin following a complete MOT and wash to go with it. It appeared to be more aerodynamic as well as he cut through the strong headwind like a hot knife through butter.
Glasslough provided the much deserved coffee break although there was no sign of Charlene McKenna. The Euros were flashed as scones and carrot cake were washed down by teas and cappuccinos and The Tone’s full fat coke. The Sandbagger shared his stories of how he is going to take a spinning class as long as he can sit at the back while The Steady’s Man told us how he is putting in extra hours studying for a spinning course in the hope to train the Square Wheelers for free.
Back in the saddle an air locked Tone led us all towards Emyvale. The Coke had built up inside him and he was about to explode. The MC and The Tone led us through Aughnacloy and up the infamous Rehaghey. Once at the top The Tone went down Rehaghey again and back up it just to give his legs a bit of exercise. Like a well oiled machine we all stayed together with the wind at our backs for a change, pushed along like a steam train. Before we knew it we were through Eglish, down the Gorestown Road and in a blink found ourselves back under the tree again.
It had been another fantastic run of about 57 miles at a pace to suit all.
The Steady’s Man led the group out. He was clad in his new Giro high speed helmet and not only that he was back on his summer bike even if he didn’t look very summery in his over coat and snood. The Master Carpenter had the right idea as he lit up the peloton with his bare legs which were that hairy that everyone thought he was still wearing his heavy duty tights. The Sandbagger was there too. He’s still getting back up to speed following a bout of severe sciatica which has kept him out of action nonetheless. There were others cycling well too, The Colnago Man, The Secretary, The Best Chairman Ever, Sir Alex and Fred Astaire to name a few. Mind you Fred Astaire’s title was well under threat today as The Tone turned up in his new cycling shoes which were as white as the hills that the Swailer was skiing on last week.
From the Square the peloton snaked towards Armagh and then took right following back roads never before travelled which the Touring department would have felt at home on. In the direction of Tullysaron The Steady’s Man led us on to the Battleford Road and then briefly on the Cathedral Road and on to the main Killylea Road. The group split in 2, some going towards Glasslough and the others heading for the main Monaghan Road and into Keady. The Barbarian was shouting the instructions getting the cyclist to rotate like a well oiled machine. He was enjoying his return following periods of sickness but was now getting back into the swing of things. The Master Carpenter’s bike was keeping everyone in chat. It was shining like a new pin following a complete MOT and wash to go with it. It appeared to be more aerodynamic as well as he cut through the strong headwind like a hot knife through butter.
Glasslough provided the much deserved coffee break although there was no sign of Charlene McKenna. The Euros were flashed as scones and carrot cake were washed down by teas and cappuccinos and The Tone’s full fat coke. The Sandbagger shared his stories of how he is going to take a spinning class as long as he can sit at the back while The Steady’s Man told us how he is putting in extra hours studying for a spinning course in the hope to train the Square Wheelers for free.
Back in the saddle an air locked Tone led us all towards Emyvale. The Coke had built up inside him and he was about to explode. The MC and The Tone led us through Aughnacloy and up the infamous Rehaghey. Once at the top The Tone went down Rehaghey again and back up it just to give his legs a bit of exercise. Like a well oiled machine we all stayed together with the wind at our backs for a change, pushed along like a steam train. Before we knew it we were through Eglish, down the Gorestown Road and in a blink found ourselves back under the tree again.
It had been another fantastic run of about 57 miles at a pace to suit all.