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| Sean Kelly SportActive Training weekend 2010 |
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Annual SportActive - Sean Kelly Training weekend13th & 14th Nov 2010 in Buncrana, Inishowen Co. Donegal
SportActive promised a fun filled weekend, with the chance to cycle with a legend : "Sean Kelly" click here for SportActive photo gallery
Marian Lamb from Cycling Ulster stayed with us in Donegal over the weekend and has covered the event. We from SportActive wish to thank her for this great help. Read blow Marian's report :
Great Weekend with SportActive and Sean Kelly
The annual SportActive - Sean Kelly Training weekend took place last weekend and proved even more popular than before. Saturday morning saw almost 100 cyclists of all ages line up in glorious winter sunshine for the 60 mile route around the Inishowen peninsula. With lead cars, the Gardai Motorbikes and civilian outriders, all was in place for a successful run. Martin Birney opened the proceedings by informing everyone that this was a controlled run and no-one was to pass the lead vehicles. Sean Kelly reminded the riders that this was a winter's trainng run and the object was to maintain a good steady pace. He said there was plenty of time to race when the season opened in a few months time.
As the riders continued through the lovely towns and villages of Donegal the day warmed up and there was a real 'feel good' factor. There was plenty of craic in the bunch and Sean Kelly rode up and down through the bunch chatting to all and sundry. Ronan McLaughlin of the Sean Kelly An Post team was also there to lend a hand.
Paul Vaughan noted last year for pushing those who struggled took on the role of support vehicle this year and did a mighty fine job while Martin Birney was on hand to ensure all went smoothly.
At the tea stop in Culdaff a fantastic spread of sandwiches, buns and biscuits greeted the riders who enjoyed the 20 minute stop to get refreshed and chat to old friends. As usual the women who catered for the riders had done a fantastic job and everyone was very grateful to them. The riders then regrouped and set off together for the journey back to the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.
Many stayed over in the Inishowen Gateway that night and the staff of the hotel were more than accommodating and hospitable. Many thanks to them for the warm welcome over the weekend. Saturday night was the Gala dinner in the hotel which saw well over one hundred people take the opportunity for a good night's craic. The meal was excellent and afterwards there was a question and answer session with Roan McLaughlin about riding for the Sean Kelly An Post team. Sean Kelly spoke about the difficulties in the present climate of attracting and retaining sponsors and his commitment to the team. He also said it was important to get 'bums on bikes' as it was only by increasing the participation base that we could hope to spot new talent coming through. He said that to provide people with the opportunity to ride their bike and develop a love for the bike was the only way to go and by doing so more families would become involved and perhaps through that we could attract young people into the sport. It was also great to see Marcus Christie back home looking fit and well.
When asked about timed leisure events he said, "I know some events are timed but with my own event in Waterford I have decided against it. It is important to provide good value for money such as good catering, well organised routes and a controlled pace so that everyone gets something out of it. Often timed runs lead to the bunch splitting up from the word go and no-one really gets any enjoyment out of it."
He then went on to regale the crowd with some of the more unusual stories of riding as a professional and antics of pro riders. He had everyone in stitches laughing and he himself was very relaxed and in good form.
Sunday morning brought a marked change to the weather as over 100 riders signed on for the second day. Dense, freezing fog greeted the riders and it was certainly no day for shorts and T-shirts. Once again the event was well controlled with the average speed around 18 miles an hour which meant that few were dropped. As the riders came into Culdaff and the welcome tea stop the winter sun began to push its way through the fog. By the time the riders regrouped for the last leg home the day had changed into bright sunshine although it was still chilly. For those who wanted a chance to go faster the lead car increased the pace five miles from Buncrana and the pack gave chase with gaps opening up as riders tried to keep up with the faster group. However all was brought back together before Buncrana so that the ride through the town was much slower and safer.
Unfortunately Danny Butler of Team BibSport suffered a crash within sight of the Inishowen Gateway Hotel and had to be rushed to hospital. Thankfully it looked worse than it actually was and he was allowed home the following day with no broken bones or concussion. He will probably be sore for a few days and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Danny is a stalwart of these weekends and never misses.
Many thanks must go to Martin Birney and Flora Mittermair and the whole SportActive team for another fantastic weekend. The organisation was carried out with Martin's usual professionalism and attention to detail and all who attended had a great time. Thanks also to the Garda Siochana and the civilian motorbike riders who kept the traffic calm and closed the junctions to allow the riders pass through.
Tommy Burns acted as my driver again this year and was invaluable in finding the shortcuts and in keeping me in craic. Finally to Josephine Gill and her merry band of women who provided such a feast on both Saturday and Sunday in Culdaff, you were the stars of the show. report by Marian Lamb click here to see Marian Lamb' pictures from Saturday click here to see Marian Lamb' pictures from Sunday click here for SportActive photo gallery
Annual SportActive - Sean Kelly Training weekend13th & 14th Nov 2010in Buncrana, Inishowen Co. Donegal
SportActive promise a fun filled weekend, with the chance to cycle with a legend : "Sean Kelly"
We shall be based in the beautiful Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, giving us access to some fantastic cycling routes.
On Saturday night Sean Kelly will be the guest of honour at our dinner and talk show in the hotel.
Dinner Tickets are € 26 euro per person and available from hotel reception or by contacting :
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| Last Updated on Friday, 19 November 2010 21:11 |
