Racing 795

XC NPS, Round 2 – 28th April 2013

Posted on May 5, 2013 by racing795

Brian in action at Ballinastoe earlier this year

[Brian McElwee has been travelling the country and flying the Racing795 flag in the XC NPS series. Round 1 took place in Cong, Co Mayo a few weeks ago. Round 2 was in Killarney last weekend. Here’s Brian’s report.]

After badly tearing and then binning my rear tyre on Thursday eve’s training spin the only spare I had to hand was a trailraker mud plugger, picking up a new rear in time before the race was not an option so I had to take the gamble..If it rained a lot before Sunday I would be laughing (it is Killarney I thought..).

Got down Saturday eve and the weather was lovely with a great buzz about the place, some light drizzle Sunday morning but that cleared off quickly enough.

The race itself, got a great start and pulled up 5 places on the first lap with some stealthy passing on the climbs which I was delighted with but as soon as I reached the fast bits including the long field section again on the start/finish I lost them, felt like I had the brake on with the drag from the rear, back into the singletrack and I was holding my own with one of Richie Byrne’s big wheelers snapping at my heels, I thought if I can finish ahead of him I will be happy with that. He got past at the start of the 3rd lap on a tech bit but I kept reeling him back in on the climbs. I felt a second wind coming so it was game on, we came up behind another rider who dabbed in front of me on an uphill tech bit, I couldn’t get the feet out in time and ended up falling backwards down a gully with the bike buried in the sceachs, lost more places but then ripped it as hard as I could until the finish. I got one or two back but the big wheeler was well out of sight.

All in a very enjoyable race, I had hoped for a higher place but lots of tit for tat with a couple of lads made it, conditions were perfect with most the track just nice and tacky. Great little course and a well run set up, definitely will be back for that one.

Oh ya, the hotel… Celtic Tiger jobby with as much sound proofing as a tent, full of people on the piss, hen parties etc didn’t get to sleep till around 5 id say, pure disaster of a place, would have been better off just drive down Sunday morning! ah well.

I’ll re group for the next round with a new tyre, rear bearings and tougher training plan and hopefully I will pull up those few places I want.

Results

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Nenagh National Series Sprint Triathlon – 20th April 2013

Posted on April 23, 2013 by racing795

Raging Bill, PJ and Don flying the flag in Nenagh

[Report by PJ Dunne]

In an attempt to not be out-done by Yvonne on the day of her 40th birthday party, I decided to get a sex change and top my age group! I know it reads like a headline off one of Niall O ‘Muiri stories but it goes a little something like this…

Friday being Yvonne’s birthday I said I’d treat her so we headed off to Nenagh for a night away in a hotel (and a triathlon).

I registered for the race the Friday night. But instead of getting my own number and chip I got Frances Mary Buckley’s! The organisers said they would change it around, no problem.

Roll on Saturday morning and Don and Raging Bill had arrived. We chatted and set up our transition areas. I was off first in wave 2 and Bill in wave 6 Don in wave 7. I had just a 30 min wait after race briefing but the lads had a bit longer so we said our good lucks and off we went.

I think we all had a pretty uneventful swim. Head down and push as hard as you can. I was lucky I wasn’t held up but Don was held up and Bill had shoulder trouble.Despite the above Don put in a savage swim time and Bill not far behind.

The bike course is undulating and there were cross winds at times. Don took the honours here also on his fast and sleek looking bike. Frances (aka PJ)was only 3 seconds behind Don. Bill told me after he thought he was pushing to hard so backed off ( not so Raging Bill after all!!) or maybe that was the drink talking!

The run is 5.25km and had 2 long drags on it. Despite that, only 1 second separated Bill and Frances’ run times. Don’s legs decided they had enough and went home early (his own words), but now that his Achilles injury is sorted the training will start in earnest. Watch out.

The funny thing about pool triathlons is that I was showered ,changed, car packed, checked out and leaving transition with my bike when Bill was exiting the pool after his swim and I was on motorway before Don even started.

As I was in a rush to get back I couldn’t hang around to give abuse or support for that matter.

The finish times:

Frances Mary Buckley (aka P.J.). 1:14:18. 68 th/250

Don 1:14:34. 72nd/250

Bill 1:15:44. 84th/250

On the day where I came home ahead of Don for the first time it’s a pity I was a woman called Frances aged between 50-54. But at least I won my age group. Now where’s my prize! Don don’t feel too bad as only 3 people in the club have “beaten” you!

Thanks Yvonne for the support. I think we’re equal after party!

Results

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Martin’s Grand Plan, “Tour de Frank” – Launch night March 16th

Posted on March 10, 2013 by racing795

Event Poster, click to view full size.

Martin Mimnagh was a valued member of Racing795. He died following a road accident while out training on his bike 3 weeks ago.

Martin had lost his father to cancer 10 weeks prior to his own death and was planning, along with his family, a cycle from Ferns Co. Wexford to Omagh (his native County Tyrone) in memory of his father. He also planned to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Foundation as part of this venture.

Martin’s family have decided to proceed with this event and we, his club mates in Racing795, are helping out.

The following is an invitation from the Mimnagh family to the launch of this event.

Hope to see you there.

We are pleased to invite you to join us for the launch night of Martin’s Grand Plan- Tour de Frank in aid of The Irish Hospice Foundation in Dunbars The Corner Bar in Ferns Co. Wexford next Saturday 16th March at 9pm.

Members of The Mimnagh family will present a broad overview of the event and what we hope to achieve. Our aim is to register as many participants as possible on the night and sow the seed for many more to register in the weeks that follow. Registration will be €25 and will be encouraged on the night.

We will provide as complete details of our plans as is possible on the night, although some details will only be confirmed as the event takes shape.

What we can guarantee and confirm for next Saturday, is what we are doing, where and when. Also who we are doing it for in terms of commemoration and charitable donation. Most importantly we can guarantee a friendly and appreciative welcome to an evening and event dedicated to two wonderful people and a wonderful cause.

Please come join us, have a drink, enjoy some food and contribute to making this the event our family want it to be.

Many thanks

The Mimnagh Family

For more info and updates connect with Tour de Frank on Facebook

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Remembering Martin Mimnagh

Posted on February 26, 2013 by racing795

Martin in racing mode, click image to see more photos (Photo: Pixels Promotions)

In the days ahead when we talk about Martin Mimnagh we will remember his genuineness and passion for doing the right thing. When Martin believed in something he put body and soul into it.

Martin and Siobhan have been part of the Racing795 family since the beginning. They were two of the first people to join the club when it opened for membership in 2009. Siobhan served two years on the committee as Child Protection Officer before Martin took over in the same capacity. Martin and Siobhan were a team, so no matter which Mimnagh was on the committee, we knew we were getting two for the price of one. Together they have contributed hugely to the club’s development.

Martin worked tirelessly to organise and run club races and events. He wasn’t always the first to arrive, but he never left till all the work was done. He was a key member of the Tri795 triathlon committee for the last three years. On race days he could be seen doing several jobs at once, while somehow managing to mind at least one of his four children.

In training and competition Martin was a fine, powerful athlete. To see him in full flight, giving his all, was impressive and inspiring. His young family travelled with him to many of his races, indeed Siobhan was often racing herself. As an athlete and a sportsman Martin’s family can be very proud of him, he was something special.

In the week following Martin’s death there were hundreds of comments about Martin on social media and other websites. One person commented on Facebook:

“Thank you for all your advice at my very first triathlon in Portlaoise – you embodied all that is good in Triathlon and in people”.

That was typical of Martin’s mentoring approach, he always wanted to help everyone be as good as they could be.

When it came to cycling Martin was like most of us, he loved company on the road but he also enjoyed the occasional solitude of a solo spin. He said once that he found it a great way to clear his mind and think things through. If he had a problem to solve or something to figure out he could relax on the bike and have it all sorted out when he got home. It is some small comfort to know that Martin died doing something he loved, just riding his bike.

The members of Racing795 offer heartfelt sympathy to Martin’s extended family and most especially to our clubmate Siobhan and her children, Edana, Niall, Maebh and Conor.

We have lost our big, strong, passionate friend and we miss him terribly. We will never forget him.

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Postscript:

Members of Racing795 have been touched and encouraged by the numerous expressions of sympathy and support over the last week. From Facebook and Twitter comments, to emails and phone calls, to publicly honouring our friend through moments of silence, there are too many examples to mention but we know what’s happening and we appreciate it more than you know. We’ll see you all soon and thank you personally.

Before Martin died, he was working on a “grand plan” to honour his recently deceased father Frank Mimnagh and raise some funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Irish Hospice Foundation.
Martin’s family and friends are determined to carry on with the plan.
Visit Tour de Frank on Facebook to find out more or make a donation.

As if he didn’t have enough to do, Martin was also involved in the organisation of the Church to Church 10KM Mogue O Neill Memorial Run & Family Walk. Go to their Facebook Event Page to find out more and sign up.

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