Full Circle

Memories of ’96 whet the appetite 14 May 2012 Just days away to the start of the 60th anniversary An Post Rás, and I decided to sift through my Rás booklets and clippings, to retrieve an account of the race from 1996. The innocence of it all is captured. The excitement, expectation, glitz and glamour was matched by the reality of the Rás, which can only be experienced by he who has raced the Rás. In 1996, I could hardly have been considered to have “raced” the Rás. A total sum of four Cat 3 races, two of which I was dropped shortly after the start, only to improve enough to take 1st Cat3 in the Shay Elliott on the run up to the Rás....
Cassidy comes home as King! 29 Mar 2012 Two months to go the An Post Ras beckons. The highlight of the season for many, and for that reason they may not be “competing” right now, participating yes, “competing” no. It’s much like the ongoing discussion which follows Bradley Wiggins’ win in Paris/Nice, whether or not he has peaked early, whether or not he can go on to challenge for ‘le Tour’.
Rás route recalls heady days of ninety nine 29 Feb 2012 Alright. So we have a fair old idea in advance what direction the Rás is likely to take, being South into deepest Kerry or West and North West, taking in, no doubt, Mamore and Glengesh and a few other surprises along the way.
To race in the Kingdom is something special 23 Jan 2012 To do so in the company of Griffin, Blackwell, Moriarty (Paddy or Eugene), Lacey or many others is more so. I recall racing through Kerry on Stage 4 or 5 of the Rás, on John Blackwell’s wheel, at the head of the race. The support and enthusiasm was incredible, as locals recognised and cheered on with contorted faces and clenched fists – “Go on Blacky, Drive on!”. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up and I was, by now, a couple of bike lengths off his wheel such was the response of Blackwell.~LT~br /~GT~
With only days to go to Christmas, the winter warriors are already dishing it out 21 Dec 2011 Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose - the more things change, the more they stay the same. One thing that is for certain, is that the seasoned racing cyclist, be it A, B through to Veteran - this is base time. It's time to let the wheel go, as there is a greater goal. For a selected few, that includes the An Post Ras 2012.

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