How this man won his first ever race (at the age of 61 years)

Tom Daly has a bike-length to spare on John Aherne (De Ronde Van Cork) at the end of the Newcastle West Classic in Limerick. The 61-year-old O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk man said the secret to his success is quality training and his wife’s cooking! (Photo: Eamon Walshe)

Bunch sprints are no place for the feint-hearted and anyone who has ever emerged triumphant from one will know it’s a feeling like no other.

And one Kanturk man managed to do it for the first time in his career yesterday; 61-year old Tom Daly.

The well-known author and respected coach edged John Aherne (De Ronde Van Cork) and Philip Fitzgerald (Limerick CC) at the end of the A4 event in the Newcastle West Cycling Classic for what was the first win of his career.

Daly might be in his seventh decade but he’s a relative newcomer to cycling having really only taken it up in his 50s.

He trains for around eight hours a week – though three of those are what he calls “maintenance hours” on his ageing body.

“I never won a road race before yesterday,” he told stickybottle. “I had a brief spell cycling in my 40s but then I gave it up and I took it up seriously in my 50s.

“I got a few seconds and thirds and was upgraded to A3 but when I turned 60 I was able to come down to A4 again.

“Yesterday was my first time over the line in first place. Things come to those who wait, right?”

Daly was part of the 60-strong peloton who took to the course in Newcastle West for the 76-kilometre event held in near perfect racing conditions.

His tactic was to sit tight as long as he could and just follow the moves.

At his age, he knows he hasn’t the power of a younger rider so he had to use his matches very wisely.

“I try a lot of things with training and I’m naturally curious,” he said.

“I set out a couple of years ago to find a way I could become competitive. I made a project out of it to prepare myself as best I could.

“That involved training smartly, recovering smartly and just doing everything right.”

And eating right.

“I have two rules; don’t eat rubbish and keep your hand down from your face!

“I’m lucky in that my wife is interested in food and she’s a great cook, so that helps. I think I must be the best fed man in Ireland.”

The race played out perfectly for him and he knew he had a chance late in the game when it was still all together.

“I’m good for positioning myself in the races and yesterday, I played the race well.

“It was a steady race which suited me and that meant it didn’t take the power from my legs. I just held my place coming to the finish.

“I don’t have a big engine, I’m not naturally talented so being smart about it is the way to combat that.

“And yesterday I just timed the effort right. That was it. The strongest guy doesn’t win and I proved that. I am just an ordinary guy.”

Asked did he ever consider pulling the pin on it when the bunch sprint approached, Daly’s response was interesting.

Tri-Vets ride 15 June - quick update

Everything is coming together well for the Tri-Vets ride in JulyJune (click here for more details).   We currently have 64 entrants: 36 for 100 miles, 17 for 100k and 11 for 50k,  with a few spaces for any late entrants.    Most riders are from the Sou'westers with a half-dozen from other groups.

Mark is currently working on the groups for the led rides and we will be emailing more details on this in mid-May.  We could do with a few extra helpers at the base to help the riders with checking in, serving food, and maybe providing a few cakes, so if you are free for part of the day, let Simon or Mark know.

B Group - 4th May (map)

Route for Peter T's most enjoyable ride in the sunshine

The GPS Sees All ...

4 May - A group - Cobham to The Sun Inn, Dunsfold

Lovely sunny weather brought out a bumper crowd for my lead to Dunsfold. Unfortunately before we had reached Ockham Geoff had two flat tyres courtesy of the potholed roads. Gallantly refusing help he sent us on our way saying he would meet us at lunch.(Further problems meant he was last heard of somewhere near Box Hill.)

Passing through West Horsley we climbed up to the top of Combe Bottom before swooping down to the A25. Here we turned right, then headed for Albury before a left turn had us climbing up to Albury Heath. Through Farley Green, around Shamley Green and through Run Common before a short run down the A281 to Palmers Cross.

Here we turned into the narrow but very quiet road that runs past Scotsland Farm to Thorncombe Street. Again the curse of the pothole hit - this time to Mike3. Simon's photo below shows some of us waiting in the sunshine before we all regrouped and moved on to lunch via Hascombe and Loxhill to Dunsfold.

Despite a cool breeze we sat outside The Sun Inn in the sunshine and consumed a wide variety of meals - some served more promptly than others. David Vine joined us having made his own way.

After lunch we looped south to take the bridleway route from Vann to Loxhill - no traffic, open fields and good views.(Thanks to Paul Kelly for introducing me to this route last year.) Despite the misgivings of some about the loose surface we all survived the experience without incident.

Shortly after this I misunderstood my route sheet and took a wrong turning. Firstly I noticed the road didn't look familiar, then the sun appeared to be in the wrong direction, and finally we reached a pub we had seen in the morning. A U-turn in the pub carpark confused those still struggling up the hill but as it was on a road we had used earlier it doesn't show up on the GPS map!

The revised route passed Winkworth Arboretum to Thorncombe Street and on towards Bramley. Just before Bramley there was a brief hiatus while the whereabouts of all the riders were confirmed and a dogged turn-marker retrieved from his post. While this was going on some treated themselves to ice creams from the petrol station in Bramley while others pushed on for home.

With everyone accounted for we rode through Wonersh and via Blackheath to Albury and back over Combe Bottom. As time was running out for the traditional tea stops some of us stopped at The Duke of Wellington in East Horsley for re-hydration. Here I was pilloried by Simon for losing so many riders.

Thanks to Mark for GPS data, Simon for the photos, but especially to Mike B, our first class backmarker.

Mario Cipollini

Mario Cipollini cycling through London today-5/5/2016

Easy Riders - 5th May

Cobham D. C.  -  Wetherspoons, Walton on Thames  -  Kings Centre, Chessington

What a glorious summer day today.  12 left Cobham to have lunch at Walton on Thames via Convent Lane, Seven Hills, Burwood Park and into Weybridge, along Portman Park Road to Walton Bridge.

After Lunch we made for the Kings Centre in Chessington through Hersham & Claygate.  We had a new member to the Wednesday rides John; he has ridden with Harry on Saturdays.

Thank you once again Lynda for being T.E.C. and thanks to the rest of the group for a lovely sunny ride.

Irene

Neil is a Very Naughty Boy

Neil led a group of 20 riders from Cobham today, and despite gaining one on the ride, he only managed to return with six for tea at East Horsley.   To be fair, it was a lovely ride, but we kept losing people through several punctures, and a medical worry (which all turned out well, I'm pleased to say).   All of which was completely Neil's fault, of course, but I'll let him explain himself.   Thankyou Neil!

A Group 4th May

Some very pretty country for Neil's ride today, with a good lunch, outdoors, at The Sun, Dunsfold.

The first day of Summer.

Mark

B Ride 4th May

There will be some climbing (Chapel Lane and Box Hill) and some non-tarmac (round parts of Epsom - not a lot). Lunch Tadworth. Tea Esher.

Peter T

A Ride from Cobham on 4th May

I'll be leading south, and over those inconvenient hills, to lunch at The Sun Inn in Dunsfold.

As it is about 25 miles, and the wind and the inclines are against us, a prompt departure would be appreciated.

After lunch a brief foray off road (tarmac then dry but a bit loose track) which isn't too taxing and worth it for the views.

Then probably back to Cobham for tea.

Bring plenty of suncream and your best climbing legs.

Fancy a job?

Terry has brought our attention to this job advertisement:

From: Alex Jones [mailto:alex.jones@kingston.gov.uk]
Sent: 29 April 2016 14:25
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Become a casual supply cycle instructor at Kingston Council

The Sustainable Transport Team is seeking to recruit new Cyclist Training Instructors to deliver training to children and adults. The main area of operation will be Kingston although opportunities exist in Sutton, a new shared service area. As one one of our professional trained instructors you could expect to earn up £188.96 to deliver our standard 10-hour Bikeability course.

If interested, find out more information and apply here:

https://jobs.kingston.gov.uk/jobdetails.asp?jobid=14481

Alexander Jones

Sustainable Transport Officer

Highways & Transport

Kingston & Sutton Shared Environment Service 

Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Ken Williams

Ken came off his bike while cycling with a group near Pollenca last week during Kingston Phoenix’s Majorca trip. The fall was probably caused by an uneven road surface. He suffered three broken ribs and is currently in hospital in Majorca under observation for a possible punctured lung. He probably has to stay in hospital for several more days before being allowed to fly back. We all wish him a swift recovery and an early return home.

B ride to Ripley - Wed 27th April

B ride to Ripley - Wed 27th April
A sunny fresh morning saw 26 B riders leave  Elleray Hall, passing Teddington Memorial Hospital, and straight into Coleshill Road and Bushy Park.  A longer circuit than intended of the park as I missed a right turn but well worth it in the sunshine and away from traffic.
The route to lunch was a mix of on road and off and proceeded without a hitch until we were passing through Addlestone.   Lesson learnt - mark EVERY corner - as the one I failed to mark caused a few to go astray but all were back on board by the time we got to Rowtown.   The Half Moon had inconveniently arranged to have their bar re-varnished so we lunched at the Talbot.  Meals were served quickly...sandwiches a little more expensive but the soup was delicious for £5 accompanied by generous slices of olive foccaccia bread.  After a longer than expected morning ride the afternoon was direct to Garsons Farm at Esher for a very pleasant afternoon tea.   I would like to thank everyone who marked a corner as all our rides are dependent on the wonderful goodwill of all, particularly Bob who marked a corner for some time in vain as the riders had detoured.  What a lovely tolerant bunch you all are.    Thanks to Tim C for backmarking and also giving me some electricity at lunchtime...the strava map is, I hope, attached.  Ockham Mill was to have been on the route but those  local will know the little Pigeon Bridge is not passable though you can still a visit via a brief tresspass to cross the well maintained golf club bridge adjacent.  The only other regret was not having had time to have a go on Don's new bike!

B Group - 27th April (maps)

The maps for Steph's route to The Talbot for lunch (20.6 miles) then Garsons Farm for Tea (8.85 miles):

A Group, 27 April: Teddington - Eton - Walton

Back to winter temperatures today and a fickle weather forecast may have put some off: only 13 in the A group today.  It was good to see Paul back on the bike, although he has been advised to avoid hills so he took a slightly different route to us. We left Teddington for Bushy Park, heading through Lower Sunbury towards Chertsey and then through the village of Thorpe to Egham.   Tite Hill took us to Windsor Great Park and we enjoyed good views as we descended past the Long Walk and through Windsor, where the decorations are still up for the recent birthday celebrations.

I can't remember visiting the Waterman's Arms before, although the B group has been there recently, and I believe the As have visited several years ago.   A wide selection of beers, sandwiches and pies, served promptly, seemed to satisfy everyone.   Jeff decided to 'go large', upgrading to a pint of blackcurrant and soda.  Mark and Mick joined us at lunch, and Paul was already there, his flat route being a bit quicker than ours.

We had been promised heavy showers in the afternoon, and saw a couple of nasty looking clouds, but somehow they didn't come our way as we returned via Crimp Hill and through the park again, round Virginia Water and it's namesake village, before heading through Lyne and Addlestone to Walton and the Riverhouse Café, sitting outside in unexpected sunshine!    About 41 miles 11s to tea.  I hope all got home still dry.  My thanks to Mike and Geoff for back marking.

Easy Riders - 27th April

Teddington   Laleham    Kingston

Seven left the day centre this morning to ride to Laleham for lunch in the Turks Head, via Bushy Park to Hampton Court, over the bridge to Bridge Road, Molesey Road, left at Spencer Road to Molesey Park Road, Rydens Road past Walton Railway station to Oatlands Avenue and on to Weybridge and Chertsey Bridge, along the river to Laleham and lunch.  After a very good lunch we returned to Shepperton station, Halliford Road and continued down Lower Sunbury Road into Bushy Park and on to Kingston Bridge where we partook of cakes and coffee at the Patisserie Valerie. We then took our leave and made for home.  I clocked up 43 miles and was glad to arrive home at 5.20 pm.

Thank you one and all and for Lynda being TEC. Yet again, a very enjoyable day.

Irene

A group, 27 April

Paul is recovering from a skiing injury so I plan to lead the As to the Waterman's Arms, a cosy pub in Eton.    I had an ambitious plan for a route which is (almost) entirely off-road - well it would have been different - but after studying the weather lots of times and thinking of all the hate mail I might get, I wimped out, so we will be taking the on-road route instead.   Not too hilly: about 39 miles to tea at Walton.   You can look forward to the off-road route another day!

Easy Riders - 20th April

At Leatherhead Day Centre, we celebrated Paul's birthday, with pre-arranged scones and donuts with our tea and coffee. Thanks to Paul. Caroline from Leatherhead, and Eric from Mickleham joined us on our ride to Brockham. It was nice and sunny and we sat outside The Grumpy Mole in their suntrap. We were 10 leaving Leatherhead; some had their own sandwiches, and 6 came for pub lunch. On our way back we decided to stop at Bike Beans in Ashtead for tea. We then went through Ashtead Common back to Cheam. It was the warmest day this year!

Lynda.

Club clothing

I am still here to take orders for shirts, long or short sleeve, summer or winter?  I have two requests for shirts at the moment, one of them required for the Dieppe raid!

Ideally I would like seven orders...so that the postage is covered.....so PLEASE, let me know if any clothing is required.

I shall be at Teddington next Wednesday - or phone or mail me :  (I shall be away later Thursday until Monday evening).

Cheers, Pam :) )