Reflections of a (non) Competitive Veteran Cyclist
~ Dermot Naughton ~
Ah, the return of the Tuesday Veteran races. Here we go again on what I believe, is my 27th year competing exclusively in the evening races. I did over the years turn up on occasion for the ‘Sunday experience’, but the longer distances, early morning start and the fact that I would miss the STCC Sunday Spin, convinced me to stay exclusively to the mid-week variety. I remember my first race back in the day, about 35 riders starting from Brittas village, on the Blessington Road. I was on a Raleigh production bike, toe clips & runners (cringe). Amazingly, I didn’t get dropped – I suppose the fact that I was only turning forty, helped with my inexperience against seasoned cyclists.
In the pre M50 years, it was always a mad dash on a Tuesday evening to leave work in a timely manner – cycle home (my warm up) – get gear and bike into car, and plough my way on a stressful journey through Kilmacud, Rathfarnham, Churchtown etc. to the race rendezvous, usually the village of Batterstown in County Meath. Another common location was the ‘Boot Inn’, behind Dublin Airport. Older members might remember that this Inn housed the nightclub “Jets” back in the day. Both the Boot Inn and the Nightclub are now permanently closed.
My other passion - Athlone Town. Maybe I like the misery !
The majority of Vets races take place in County Meath, or sometimes in County Kildare. This probably reflects the fact that, back in 1966, when the IVCA was set up, most of the founding members of the IVCA, were based in North Dublin. This ensures that for a southside based club like STCC, members that take part in Veteran races have the added stress of driving through rush hour traffic, particularly on a Tuesday evening.
Over the years, I was fortunate enough to once win the Millennium cup, in a sprint to the line with the late Kevin Symms (RIP). He sportingly congratulated me and was way too much of a gentleman to highlight the fact that he was conceding at least 20 + years to me! This race was a pursuit, where the 5 different graded groups were timed to finish together on the main street of Kilbride – can you imagine it now!
From the white group, through the purple and now since Covid, assigned to the red group (now green)! Why the colour change this year? Interestingly, I am probably one of the youngest competitors in the greens. We also have ‘Electric Eddie’ (Scully) who is allowed to ‘compete’ on an electric bike, and has won on occasion –----- yea, me neither? During that time, I have raced in groups with such luminaries as Tracy Piggott, Johnny Rohan and the legend that is Sean Lally.
The only good thing of advancing years - free travel
I notice that there are some familiar names now assigned to the red /green group this season – hopefully this will provide a more competitive environment in the group, and not just a sedate cycle (“will we just do the one lap, folks?”). With boring regularity, the evergreen Eddie Dunne, who feigning exhaustion, finds divine inspiration to unearth a sprint from somewhere to take the victory.
All in the Game.
So, saddle up again to my fellow Veterans – I’m sure we will have more Tuesday victories to add to the Sunday successes already this year of Adam & Louis.
Stay safe, stay upright and enjoy the fourteen races of the “Evening Extravaganza!! “
See you all at the various starting locations in County Meath
Veteran cyclist …….40 + 27 = yikes!!! (you do the maths) ….
Leading the way with STCC
