Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Ready To Rock.. But Not Quite Ready To Roll!

It's that time of year again. Spring. A time of rebirth, renewal and regrowth, but it's also the time of year  in which the cycling season starts isn't it? Well, for the pro's it kicks off "Down Under" in early January but here in Ireland it's February and in Munster preferably the Lacey Cup in Tralee. It's a very interesting time of year though, all the training has been done, everyone is nervous to see how they will be going, and more importantly how the others will be going! For me, I didn't get the full effect of this nervousness. I was in Tralee last Sunday but as a spectator. I did however have my notepad out!

Now let's take a few steps back. After a successful camp on the 5th & 6th of December, Cycling Ireland held another u23 development training weekend in Avon Ri, Blessington, Co.Wicklow on the 11th & 12th of February. Its safe to say that this was the most beneficial and best run camp we've had to date. This time what made it so good was we had the very experienced and recent winner of "Lacey Cup" Sean Lacey as our captain on the road. It was really great to have a rider like Sean to pick his brain on certain subjects and to get advice from him, I am grateful to Sean for coming along. Doubt you'll be reading this Sean but thank you if you are!


The Saturday session at the camp was effort based and the Sunday was more endurance based. On the Sunday we clocked up nearly 5.5 hours. Which was 175km (ish) at 33.5-34km/h average speed. We weren't getting cold! I found it pretty tough in the last hour as it was one of the longest, if not the longest ride I have ever done. Imagine! 
Top agent Andrew McQuaid (Son of UCI President Pat McQuaid) also came along to give us a talk about how to make it as a professional cyclist on the Saturday evening. It was really interesting to hear some stories from someone so deeply involved in the professional cycling world. I seem to be going in the right direction, but now its time to get some wins! All in all, a fantastic weekend... 


The wait is over... (Doubt that anyone was waiting.. but anyway) my new ride has arrived. It's a "Cervelo" S2, the 2012 Model. When it is fully built I will psot up the full specs. For now I'll leave ye imagine - some brand names in the finishing kit include Shimano, 3T, FFWD F6R's, Rotor, Fizik, Elite, Lizard Skins, FSA and SwissStop... Now leave your imagination put the bike together.. for now! Not to forget, thanks Dad.


In the past few weeks I have been getting myself organised for my trip to the continent from July-October. 4 boats and 2 flights later - all systems are now go and I have everything booked and ready to go! This year I will be taking my car to make the most of my racing instead of getting the raisin effect of riding to races. i.e. Leaving the house like a grape and by the time you arrive you have been sun-dried into a raisin. Not a good time! So the car will allow me to arrive at the races in comfort and get the best out of myself, as well as being able to bring a lot more stuff with me easily! It's a massive weight off my shoulders to finally have almost everything organised and now I can kick back and relax (a little) and wait...

Out with Fermoy CC's Underage last Saturday to hopefully teach them a lesson or two...
For anyone interested in my racing calendar for 2012 here is a rough outline of the races I will ride (yet to confirm one big classic race in April that I may be riding, will keep ye posted) :

- Carrick Wheelers Cup 
- Silver Pail GP
- Ras Mumhan International Stage Race
- N7 Visit Nenagh Classic
- National Championships
- Belgium......

My first race therefore is on the 17th of March in Carrick-on-Suir, the home of Sean Kelly. Sean usually is at home to watch the race, so I am hoping to put in a convinvcing performance there. Bring on 2012, I have never been so anxious and excited! 

Thanks for reading,

Eoin

P.S. I have now reached a milestone and now have 200 followers on Twitter. Yeah Buddy! Follow me @Eoin_McCarthy
Also, VeloBeats. Yes, of course, VeloBeats! How could I forget. I have recently stumbled upon a website called VeloBeats who make very long cycling based remix's specifically for riding your bike. They are epic, check them out!