The club 25 mile TT championship race took place at Kilmacanogue on Thu July 17th. The 2008 championship was a very close run race with Will Byrne (59.35) prevailing by just 2 seconds from Denis Cummins (59.37). John O’Sullivan (1.02.34) took the final podium spot. Ladies champion for 2008 is Eileen O’Sullivan (1.18.44)

In the overall league Denis Cummins is 2 points clear of Eileen O’Sullivan with one race left. The league standings are tightly bunched with anyone down to 6th place having a realistic shot at the top spot. The last race, next Thursday 24th July, will see intense competition for the top spots.

See the full results on the club league page.

Next events.

• Club 25m TT Championship, Kilmacanogue, Thu 17th July 7:30pm
• Social event, Slideshow, Esplanade Hotel Bray, Fri 18th July, 7:30pm
• Underage Interclub league, Cullenmore, Ashford, Mon 21st July 7:00pm

The family of the late Paddy Martin, President of Bray Wheelers, would like to inform members who would like to attend that they will be scattering Paddy Martin’s ashes at 8.00pm on Monday the 21st of July in Laragh

Geraldine is holding a slideshow next Friday at 7:30pm in the Esplanade Hotel. Ideal opportunity to get along for a relaxed social night out. €5 cover charge, finger food available. Hope to see you all there. Past members very welcome.

Thanks to everyone who competed and everyone who came out to help with running the 10 mile tt. First home, in a new course record and a very fast time in the windy conditions, was Colm Cassidy in 20.19. Neil Delahaye (20.50) and Stephen O’Sullivan (21.42) filled the second and third places respectively. First vet was John Oram (22.16), first lady was Heather Boyle (25.38) and first U-16 was Ben Dowling (24.42). See the full results here.

This year marks 40 years since the foundation of the Sorrento Cycling Club in 1968. To celebrate the occasion, social secretary Geraldine O’Shea is busy planning a 40th anniversary dinner dance to be held in the Esplanade Hotel in Bray on Friday 17th October 2008. Geraldine is now taking bookings for the event. You can access Geraldine’s letter and Booking Form here.

The fourth event of the 5 event league was run off on Thu 3rd July, a 14m hilly TT at Calary. 23 riders took part with the winner on handicap being Jennie McCauley of Bray Wheelers. There are currently three Sorrento riders in top ten positions in the league (Ben Kavanagh Dave Peelo and Will Byrne) with one race left. See full results here.

Entry fee is €5 for the league, payable on the night. If you are not riding, please come along and help on the night. Full schedule of races here.

Thanks to everyone who bought and sold tickets for the 2008 Tour de France Sweeptakes. It promises to be a very open Tour with many different names being put forward as possible winners. The full draw is here.  Prizes are as follows:

1st GC €125, 2nd GC €75, 3rd GC €50, 4th GC €40, 5th GC €30, Last GC €25

Points winner €40, Mountains winner €40, 1st Stage winner €25, Bastille Day stage winner (July 14th) €25, Final Day winner €25.

One of the highlights of last season was the first running of the underage interclub league combining both road racing and MTB in a team competition format.  Dates have just been announced for this years league with the first race taking place at the Cullinmore bends on July 21st. For this year there is the added attraction of a nights racing on the track at Sundrive Road. Murphy & Gunn have generously agreed to sponsor the prizes. See full details of the 5 races here. For further information contact Aidan Ryan. We are also asking senior members to come along and assist at as many of these races as possible.

The Mick Byrne Randonee is a very important event for the club. Mick was a founder member and the main diving force behind the early development of the club.  He died last year, aged 81 and the Mick Byrne Randonee is being staged in his honour. Aidan has put together a flyer for the event. Pease print it out and distribute it freely.

The 200k will start at 8am with the 100k starting at 10am. Both routes leave from and finish at Cuala GAA Club, Hyde Road, Dalkey, where changing facilities and showers will be available.

100k route sheet

200k route sheet

The committee has decided to look to acquire two “beginner” road bikes, suitable for use by our underage memers in underage races. If you have a small framed bike in reasonable condition that is surplus to your requirements, please contact Aidan Ryan.

Thanks to everyone who raced in the event and also to the many people who came along to help run the event on the day. Thanks also to The Bike Rack, Johnstown Road, Cabinteely for once again providing sponsorship for the event. You can get a full list of results here.

There are almost 200 pictures loaded so have a look at the photo section. You can also see them on Flickr, here. 

This years Wicklow 200 takes place on Sunday June 8th. It starts and finishes in UCD, as it did last year. The closing date is mid May, so get your entry form in if you want to do it. 

(Eileen and I are planning a relaxed easy W200 with a 6pm finish. Drop me a mail if you are interested in keeping us company. A tour group like we had in the early years of the event would be good!…John)

Find a summary of the recently released programme of racing for the coming season here.

Many thanks to Paul Murray for putting together an informative newsletter with details of all upcoming events, and more. Read all about it here!

Paris Brest Paris 2007 will go down in history for the exceptionally wet and windy weather visited on the event. Read the reports from Sorrento members and from the wider Irish contingent on the Audax page.

For ease of reference I’m providing links below to the Cycling Ireland and IVCA road race calendars.

Cycling Ireland’s draft Road Race Calendar

IVCA Road Race Calendar 

2007 was a very successful year for Sorrento members, with great achievements on the road, off the road and on the track. The undoubted highlight of the year was Rose Leith’s new record for the Women’s End to End of 21:40:21.

We have attempted to compile a Roll of Honour based on results we know of. Without doubt, we have missed out on some results, so please let us know so we can update the record. Well done to all and best of luck in the 2008 season. 

The committee of Sorrento Cycling Club wish to express their condolences to the family of Paddy Martin, President of Bray Wheelers Cycling Club, who passed away recently. Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam.

A new section has been added to the website. It contains a variety of handouts that Aidan has developed for delivery at seminars and workshops over the past few years. Thanks Aidan for making these available on the site.