It’s a busy evening for the sport of cycling. At home in Ireland, social media is filled with photographs of race numbers and race kits. Bikes have been prepared, some with new upgrades and in some cases, new bikes are ready to be used in anger. Status updates are counting down the hours till the racing season begins and there’s a nervousness, from the newcomers in A4, to those at the top, in A1.
It’s been busy on the international stage too, where Sam Bennett and Mark Downey have done their bit in the last 24 hours. Mark claimed a bronze medal in the World Indoor Championships and earlier today, Sam beat some of the best sprinters in the world in Dubai.
Down at the bottom end of the ladder, the Unknown Bike Riders are also preparing for the year ahead. There’s no recognition down there and in some cases, the only time groups of unknowns get a mention, is an impatient driver screaming at them to get off the effing road.
However, unperturbed, goals have been set and as the evenings get a little longer, mid week spins are kicking off again. There’s the usual “ah sure, I’ve nothing done” laments as the groups meet up, whereas some unknown riders have kept going through Winter.
Sean Kelly advised that people should “do something” through the Winter, whether it’s a spinning class, the turbo trainer or handy short spins. If Kelly says it, it’s gospel, so many riders have heeded that advice and will hit the ground running.
Many people wonder what drives the unknown bike rider on. For example, on Christmas morning, my family did a double take, as they saw me putting on my gear to go training. “But the Rapha 500 is on” I protested, “if I lose a day, I’ll never make it up”
There are many reasons why people ride their bikes, ranging from the obvious health benefits, the buzz of being fit or maybe the freedom of just getting out on the road.
There are people battling against more important issues such as illness.
I ride my bike following a close escape that I had with with alcohol. Alcohol attacks your brain and your mind. Your mind can be a strong ally and an even stronger adversary. Riding my bike keeps my mind in a good place.
The natural painkillers or natural high’s that hard exercise creates are called endorphins and they are nature’s way of assisting people to cope and to keep their health good. “Do they work?” You bet they do.
So what events are people targeting? In our little group, we have riders heading for most or all of the major events in the country. We have one rider doing his 20th Ring of Kerry ride, which must be a record. My main target is in Wicklow on June 9th, when I’ll attempt my second Wicklow 200.
There are no easy days on a bike and there’s nobody to hold your hand. People will suffer on Molls Gap in Kerry and they’ll suffer on the Wicklow Gap on the other side of the country.
However, that moment, that one solitary moment when you cross the finish line is what it’s all about. You’ve willed yourself through it, you’ve trained like a person possessed and quitting was never an option. That’s why it’s done.
There is a lot of tough training ahead, both in groups and people on their own. Personally, I enjoy the solitude of solo training spins, as I can go as hard or as easy as I wish. I can stop when I wish or keep going if I wish. Others prefer the group, as it keeps them on their toes and the company is good.
This is Ireland though and one thing you can guarantee, is bad weather at some stage. In other sports, there’s an easy option to stay home during torrential wind and rain, you have the option to go back under the duvet as the rain hammers the window on a Sunday morning. Those options aren’t there in cycling.
Fear of the cold, or just plain fear, on a 70kph descent down The Nire Valley, are not an option.
“You only get out what you put in” the saying goes.
It’s why I believe that a small country like Ireland has produced so many world class cyclists, from the great Shay Elliot, King Kelly, Roche to Bennett. Ireland breeds them tough.
The Rás, is a huge loss to cycling fans this year, as the excitement of a stage finish is something to behold. All fans of the sport hope that sponsorship can be found for 2020.
So, it’s time now to start getting in the miles, as “the Summer will be here in no time”.
My very best wishes to the people out racing from this weekend on. Stay safe, mind yourselves and chapeau, I wish I had the courage to pin on race numbers, or even a bit of talent at that.
To the unknown bike riders, have a great year, see you out there. There’s a weather warning for the morning, if you’re worried about whether it’s too wet to go out, I’ll leave you with this final nugget from Sean Kelly.
“I check the weather, I put on my gear, I go out and do my spin, then when I’m back do I decide if it was too wet or not”
Have a great year.
The Unknown Bike Rider 