Following the successful Vee Challenge 2010 the Youghal Cycling Club were delighted to repeat the same 130km and 90 km route in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Cyclists from various cycling clubs were present to support the event and took part in as outriders for part of the journey. The cyclists set off from the Youghal GAA centre at 10am, Sunday 7th August, behind the lead car and were escorted through the town under the supervision of Sgt. Orla Coughlan and Garda Eoin Hodnett in the Yougal garda car who marshalled the major junctions en route. The Youghal Cycling Club are very active in the local community and last October organised a charity fundraiser cycle from Youghal to Castlemartyr  in aid of the local Keith Phelan Appeal as well as other charities.

THE VEE CHALLENGE

130km Route

Taking in the ascent of the Vee from Lismore and descending into Clogheen before climbing the Vee again up through the wood’s,then heading for the food stop on the road to Cappoquin.Refueled the route will pass by the Blackwater taking in the beautiful Dromana drive before heading for the coast and the final sting in the tail offering fantastic views of Youghal town.
A route suitable for the regular cyclist with a good standard of fitness.A challenging route with several climbs offering some fantastic scenery along the way.

THE VEE ASCENT

90km Route

This route covers most of the the roads that the Vee Challenge incorporates with participants climbing the Vee as far as Glenaknockaun before turning back for the R669 and the welcome foodstop along this gentle descent into the town of Cappoquin.
This route is ideal for those looking for a moderate challenge with the scenic climb of the Vee, along with the beautiful Dromana drive part of the route.A reasonable level of fitness would be required to enjoy your day in the saddle and the fantastic scenery that the area offers.

Youghal town has a proud tradition of cycling with a club in existence for most of the past 50 years. Over the years all disciplines of cycling have been particapted in by members from grass track racing in the early years to competitive road racing.A very successful underage section that challenged for national titles was in existence back in the early 1990s.

The current club which was formed in 2006 is focused on the leisure/sportive side of cycling taking part in the ever increasing number of events that form part of Cycling Irelands leisure calendar. Members also compete in Cycling Ireland’s Road race Calendar with strong performances in these events.The club takes full advantage of the spectacular roads and scenery that East Cork and West Waterford have to offer.

Club membership has grown strongly in the past number of years and actively growing with both male and female members participating in a wide range of cycling challenge events both at home and abroad.The club has hosted many leisure tours over the years with clubs travelling from around the country to participate on challenging and scenic routes.

Highlights for the club have been particpation in the following events:

SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORD

WICKLOW 200

RING OF KERRY

MIDLETON TOUR DE CURE

REBEL TOUR

ETAPE DU TOUR

MALIN TO MIZEN CHALLENGE

WEST CORK 200

TOUR OF FLANDERS SPORTIVE

RACE AROUND IRELAND

AN POST REBEL TOUR

CONNOR PASS CHALLENGE

MOUNT LEINSTER CHALLENGE

THE AIM  OF THE CLUB IS TO GET PEOPLE ON THEIR BIKES TO PURSUE A

HEALTHY ACTIVITY AND TO  ENJOY THE COMPANY

OF OTHERS WHILE

CYCLING THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Club training spins take place year round,
for details follow the links on this site.

For more information you can contact the club @

mailto:youghalcyclingclub@gmail.com

MONTHLY MEETING

The club hold a monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, in the hall of the Holy family church(next to Gaa club) @ 8.00pm.
Everybody welcome.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ON THE ROAD

Click on image to enlarge

 

On Tue the 22nd Sept in the Ally Bar, Cloyne, Thomas Cahill from TC Valeting launched the new fundraising seven aside hurling tournament for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Report: Shane Supple | Photo: Maurice Supple

Present at the launch were many players from the different clubs in Cork, in his opening speech Thomas Cahill of TC Valeting and Cloyne GAA explained how the event was going to raise much needed funds for the Guide Dogs for the Blind who are based in Model Farm Road, Cork. Each club is invited to enter a team of 10, seven players and three subs. The cost of entering a team is only €100 per team. Each team will be in a group of five teams graded similar to each other, which means that each team will get to play at least four games. If they win out their own section then they continue on to the next stage.

The games will be played throughout Nov & Dec with a final date fixed for around the 17th Dec. The final will be a big match with a guest commentator in for the game and all the ceremony of final day with bands leading players onto the field. There will be a presentation of a cup and medals for the finalists and the over all winners will receive from O Neills a complete team kit of jerseys. The runners up will receive hurleys for the club and so on down the line.

To keep matters in hand the referees will officiate all games and ref’s like Diarmuid Kirwin fresh from his recent stint as All Ireland referee and Cathal MacAlister who also refereed at all Ireland level have both amongst others offered their services to this very worthy cause. Several Clubs in the area have also offered use of their pitches under lights to allow for midweek games and evening games for the months of Nov and Dec. There will also be a safety officer at every game to ensure all is well.

The Irish guide dogs for the blind have recently spent in excess of 4.5 million euro to refurbish and add to their existing premises and all funds raised from this event will go directly to The Irish Guide Dogs. They offer a variety of services, with courses designed to develop both new and existing skills, to provide a holistic programme of instruction which prioritises independence and mobility by motivating and supporting participants to achieve their personal goals.

They receive approximately 85% of their income through donations and fundraising by a network of almost 100 voluntary fundraising branches around the country.  It will cost over €5.2 million to run the organisation in 2009.  It costs over €38,000 to breed, train and support a guide dog partnership. They breed most of their would-be Guide Dogs, and have a very successful Dog Supply and Breeding programme.

The Breeding Programme was established in 1984.  In the early days there were two brood bitches and outside stud dogs were sourced.  Since 2000 the programme has developed and grown to produce quality dogs for training as Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs.  There are currently 30 brood bitches and 7 stud dogs and they produce around 140 puppies a year.  From these puppies the trainers will identify which will go forward as an Assistance Dog or Guide Dog

~ Click on images below for slideshow ~

To book a place in the tournament for your team and help this very worthy cause you can contact your club secretary who will have all the information and entry forms or you can contact Thomas Cahill direct by email at tcvaleting@eircom.net or ring him on 087-2073049.

Youghal Senior Youth Group cheque presentation to The Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind

Amanda Hosford Mansfield, Jayne Knight and members of the Youghal Senior Youth Group present a cheque of €508 to Breeda Phillips representing the The Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind, monies raised from the fun ‘Stay Awake’ fundraiser held by the group last July. The sponsored fundraiser involved the youths to stay awake from 8pm to 8am! Picture includes Vivienne Llewellyn (Guide Dog breeder) Methodist Hall.

The cost of a Guide Dog from birth to the time they are given to their owners is €35,000 approx. John Joe O’Shea received the cheque from the group on behalf of the Read more