2016 IVCA Dick O’Brien Leisure League 1st Round, East Kildare Tour 17/01/16

On a dry and thankfully frost free morning, 9 members and 2 guests signed on for the opening round of the 2016 Leisure league. Following a short welcome and safety briefing, we headed off from Wheelworx car park in one group on the now familiar roads of East Kildare. As I am still off the bike, I drove the route with the group as support vehicle. With everyone in good form for the spin, we headed out towards Peamount, Newcastle and past Lyons Estate. Approaching Ardclough we were reminded of the previous days tragic event with Gardai on the canal bridge. The group made good progress towards Straffan, then into Sallins and up to Clane where we had a welcome tea stop. With everyone refreshed we continued on past Clongowes Wood College, through Rathcoffey, Maynooth, Celbridge and Hazelhatch with everyone finishing safely back at Wheelworx. The total distance was 75km and 2 Leisure League points were awarded to each member. I marked the route on Saturday and thankfully even though the roads were damp, the yellow arrows were still perfectly visible. Overall, the tour was enjoyed by all who took part and thankfully there were no incidents or accidents to report. Although on the Hazelhatch road, Paddy Davis showed us some great grass-track riding skills when he had to avoid a rough surface and ended up on the grass verge, before quickly rejoining the group. Well Done Paddy!!! The group was again reminded that the position of IVCA Touring Director is still vacant, and it is a position which urgently needs to be filled, as it is a very important role within the organisation. The next round of the Leisure League will be the North Dublin Tour on the 21st Feb departing from Airside Retail Park, Swords at 10am.

Jimmy Murphy