With a couple of new faces, and a couple of tired legs, there was a good turnout on Sunday last at the Stamullen GP. Orla Hendron, from Dundrum Orwell Wheelers, showed the strong form she is in, with a good win, from second placed Francine Meehan (Tullamore CC).

Despite hearing that one of the climbs from last year had been scratched – we knew this was always going to be a tough course. Before the start I asked experienced former International Cyclist Geraldine Gill for a few tips on the course, she told me that it was fine, except for one long drag. That it would be the sort that you get to the top, turn a corner, and it’s up again, and then be careful because you corner again, and think it’s all over, and that this climb is the killer. Simple advice – but the drag still tricked me every time!!

Off the start, the group seemed to stick together a bit until the first climb, after which the bunch split. I got into a chasing group with Orla and a few guys, and we worked together for a lap.. just as we approached the drag the second time around, Orla took a glance, and we heard the dreaded sound of the Cs approaching (now including some of the women). Dreaded, because we had hoped to get over the misery first!!

Everything was so slow motion, literally, with a creep up the hill – and very slowly, but surely, I saw Orla just pull away from me, she dug deep, and jumped into bunch – a position she kept until well into the last lap – a victory secure!!

Fran Meehan rode an extremely strong race. After my mini-thigh-explosion on the hill, I found myself in a group of about 8 – with Fran and a few Bray guys and more.. we pushed up the pressure in the hope of catching those ahead… I have to hang my head low – I didn’t last too long there.. and spent the last lap or so heading around on my own – trying to keep focussed, trying to remember why it was I switched to this crazy sport – and then trying to snap out of that demotivated kind of thinking – to at least hold onto third.

Shortly after I crossed the line, I was followed by Cathy Flynn (Lakeside Wheelers), Roisin Kennedy (Lucan) and Gerladine Gill,  with Coleen Foley, Norah Daly and Michelle Geoghan in hot pursuit.

It was a really well run race – thanks to race organisers Gaybo and Kate Howard, and their team. Maybe next year they might consider knocking out another one of those climbs!!!!