Lakeside Wheelers host successful Tour of the Lakes again

June is one of the busiest months of the year for event organisers at Lakeside Wheelers and last weekend the club hosted the annual Tour of the Lakes sportive.

This leisure event brought almost two hundred riders from far and wide to Mullingar to cycle some of north Westmeath’s most beautiful country roads. Unfortunately the weather was not very favourable but despite the rain and an unseasonably cold wind, everybody enjoyed the day. As usual, the organisers put a lot of work into ensuring everything ran smoothly and ensured there was a group and pace for riders of all abilities.

With more than fifty Lakeside Wheelers members joining the visitors it meant that five different groups departed the clubhouse at Columb Barracks at 10am. Three groups tackled the 130km route at varying speeds, which brought riders from Mullingar to Crookedwood, Multyfarnham, Coole, Castlepollard, Collinstown and Fore where refreshments were served at the Fore Distillery Café. From here the return route saw the Tour travel to Drumcree, Delvin, Cloughan, Killucan, Kinnegad, Coralstown, Milltownpass and Rochfortbridge before finally turning for Mullingar.

There were also two groups that did an 85km loop which was basically a repeat of the version above to the Fore stop-off but following coffee and sandwiches, this route came directly back to base via Collinstown, Crazy Corner and Rathconnell.

As with all well organised events there is a strong committee in the background pulling everything together. The committee would like to thank all Moto marshals, Mullingar Civil Defence, Fore Distillery Café, Noel Lehane Coffee, the security team at Columb Barracks and last but not least, all Lakeside Wheelers members who gave their time to operate the sign-on, drive lead cars, clean and tidy the clubhouse and also to those who rode the Tour. Well done everybody and roll on 2025.

Midland League

The next event on the calendar is our second Midland League race. This will be round 9 of the MiL and will be staged on the Dalystown circuit on Thursday, July 4. As usual, volunteers will be required to marshal, drive lead cars and organise the finish line so please make yourself available, if possible.

Other News

Even if the weather doesn’t play ball, you know summer is truly here when Sprocket Rocket starts. This year’s series for kids from 6yrs to 14yrs kicks off on Monday evening this week in Belvedere at 6.30pm. See lakesidewheelers.ie for more info.

Also commencing this week is our new Cycling for Adults initiative in conjunction with Westmeath County Council and Westmeath Sports Partnership. This is aimed at anyone over 18yrs of age and new to cycling or those who want to experience group cycling in a social, pace friendly atmosphere. All you are required to have is a bike in good working order and a helmet. Meeting at the Greenway/OldRail Trail carpark on Tuesday evening at 6.30pm. See lakesidewheelers.ie for more info.

Mallorca

Continuing a long tradition, the Lakeside Wheelers “Seniors” once again had another very enjoyable trip to Mallorca last week. This group of very experienced and able cyclists have been making an annual pilgrimage to Porto Pollensa, the mecca of cycling in the Balearics for more years now than they care to remember. Well done to all and enjoy the summer on the bike.