The Early Days
Pat Lynch remembers the early days of the Club.
I joined St. Tiernan’s Cycle and Adventure Club (to give the Club it’s full title) in1988, a year after Stephen Roche won the Tour de France, the Giro d’ Italia and the World Championship. At that time, the Club had around 140 members but only three adults (over18): Martin de Burca, Pat Feehan and Vinnie Supple. That created a major problem with regard to insurance as any group of riders under 18 had to be accompanied by an adult rider-and so I was volunteered by Vinnie to lead a group of14/16age, which I did. Very soon, I was leading from the rear, and I never saw that group again!
The situation did improve subsequently with new adult members joining: David Jacob’s, John Roberts (RIP) and Dermot O Dwyer (RIP).At Parkvale before setting off, the riders were divided into three separate groups - Martin de Burca took the very young (under10s)on relatively short/flat runs. At the other end of the age scale, the racing guys took on long/often hilly spins -Andre Engemann, Eoin Pearson, Ken Sherry, Brian Lennon (RIP) among others. Finally, the touring riders were divided (usually by Vinnie) into manageable groups depending on the number of adult riders available. As touring secretary, at the start of each month I issued each touring rider with a typed sheet setting out the weekly routes indicating the distance and the type of terrain-this gave the riders and their parents advance notice and an approximate idea what time we should be home (Note: mobile phones not yet on the market).
Pat Feehan, as well as cycling, became the Club’s bicycle mechanic. Working from his garage/workshop, he kept many bikes on the road well after their sell by date - salvaging spare parts from other bikes he was able to keep costs to a minimum (many times at cost to himself) and far, far cheaper than the local bike shops.
Another feature of those early years was the production each year of the Annual Yearbook meticulously prepared by Andre and Tristan Engemann, which detailed all the results of both Club and Open races in which STCC riders participated. Looking back now, the year books are a wonderful ride along the road of memories. Memories of happy days, of spins with friends which still endure, and thoughts of those who are no longer with us.
I wish all the member of STCC many more years on the road. May the sun be always on your face and the wind always on your back.
Pat Lynch.
