An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/48887
sport | 35 and the cyclists in the Air Corps put together a 50km spin for those cyclists who were not exactly fleet of foot. Not to suggest for a moment that they wouldn't have been able for the 10k! This was a nice route from Baldonnel to Newcastle and on to Rathcoole veering off to the left of the Poitin Stil pub wasting this benefit and the group turned from Blessington towards Manor Kilbride. None of the rises were severe and we made good time back to the N81 from where we were delighted with the downhill to the turn for Citywest. Past the Shopping Centre and we were on the home stretch to Kingswood and back to Baldonnel. and heading turning south parallel to the N7 over 'lumpy' roads. The wind and the first pull up the hill were testing and I was very happy to tuck into the group and concen- trate on the back wheel of the bike in front. next pic As the road flattened out on the way the Rathmore, we were able to chat and, as the group rotated to allow every- one to take their turn at the front, we all got to chat with each other. This was a fun spin and this was obvious from the relaxed atmosphere. We turned towards Eadestown and headed on towards Blessington. One of the downsides 50k done and the route is local enough to the Curragh to count as a spin from the DFTC. A very pleasant couple of hours in good company. Thanks to the lads in Baldonnel and all who turned out for the spin. The Defence Forces Cycling Association is up and running and while the current focus is on CISM and racing events, there will also be a focus on the leisure aspect. It's up to everybody to ensure this happens – get on your bike for an hour – outside of the gym! On this spin, Blessington is a log- ical stop for a coffee. From there the world of the Wicklow Mountains opens up – but not yet! I Hope to see you out on the road as I recce the next spin. Profile for me on a 50 km spin with these riders was that there was never the suggestion that we'd make a coffee stop. This was a short spin and the turn in Blessington put the wind at our backs. No point in THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE