Here are a few events in the next two months that the club will be taking part in.

Sunday 12th September the club will ride to take part in Clann Eireann's charity ride. This ride is for suicide awareness and the minimum donation is £10, leaving from the Corn Mill at 8:30am SHARP

The club will be doing there anual Round the Lough Tour on Sunday the 19th of September starting from the Corn mill at the usual time of 9:00am SHARP, there will be a food stop in Crumlin.

The Age Concern Run will be on Sunday October 3rd, starting in Scotch St Car Park Dungannon at 10:00am, the route will be well marked and food will be provided at halfway and the finish again a £10 pound Donation is required.

Turbo Training Classes will start on Wednesday 13th of October and run until December 15th, there will be a Chritmas break until classes start again on Janurary 5th and continue until March 23rd. Details of cost etc will be posted nearer the time.

This years A.G.M. will be held in the Corn Mill at 7:30pm on Thursday 28th October. All members should be at this very important meeting.



Island Wheelers Complete the Seven Sevens.

On the 7th August two Island Wheeler members Paddy and Martin decided to do a different challenge, we were going to attempt to walk the Seven Sevens this is a 30 kilometre walk covering seven peaks over seven hundred metres in the Mourne Mountains.

We both signed on and had our cards punched at 6.52am.  Of we went to the first peak Slieve Donard, weather was misty and visibility was poor.  At 8.19am we were on top Donard.  We then headed for Slieve Commedagh this peak was reached at 8.50am.  Walking conditions were slippery as we headed onto the Brandy Path were we had our first food stop at the Hares Gap.  Next peak Slieve Bearnagh 10.08am this was a hard ascent an equally harder descent.  We now headed for Slieve Meelmore, 10.53am coats were brought out of rucksacks heavy rainmade hazardous walking.  Twenty one minutes later fifth peak Slieve Meelbeg at 11.11am.  We were now in the dreaded bog of Donard, after serveral falls each and very wet boots we reached Ben Crom Dam.  Coffee and sandwiches never tasted so good!  Next peak was Slieve Binnian 13.45 this was a long haul up this mountain wet feet and rocky paths were beginning to affect hips and knees, I had visions of the 2000 Wicklow 200! Staring us in the face the seventh peak Slieve Lamagan 3.00pm.

We passed lots of walkers on this peak there was no chat and facial expressions said it all !Now home ward bound we sailed over Cove Mountain and Slieve Beg filling our bottles in the stream at the bottom of Slieve Beg.  Heading down the Glen River on route to Donard carpark we had great view of Red Arrows who were giving a display in Newcastle Town.

Back at the checkpoint at last our time was ten hours and forty minutes.

There was 299 walkers started this walk 63 did not finish due to various reasons - it really shows the severity of this walk.  55 runners took part as well, they ran in the opposite direction what superb athletes these men and women were.  The winning time for the run was three hours and thirty eight minutes what a time!

Myself and Martin both discussed this walk on the way home and we both come to the conslusion it was a savage day in the Mournes!

We would like to thank the Spartan Red Sox Walking Club for a well organised event, well marshalled and plently of coffee and food, and two very stiff pairs of legs!!

The club members would like to convey their congratulations to Gareth Donnelly who recently took part in an Ironman event in Zurich Switzerland, this consisted of a 2.4 mile swin followed by a 112 mile bike ride followed by a full marathon of 26.3 mile.  Gareth finished this epic achievement in a time of 13 hours and 3 minutes. Sort of puts any of the big sportives the club has done in recent years into the easy category doesn't it. Well done Gareth and we look forward to seeing you out again on the Sunday.


Gary Nugent is selling the bike in the photo below, it's a Specialized Works Aluminium frame size 58cm,Mavic Kayrium SL wheelset, Campag Chorus/Centaur 10 speed, ITM bars and stem £950 ono, Any genuine interest call Gary on 07901858295
or email him at garry.nugent@btinternet.com










ISLAND WHEELERS ‘PLEASURE TEAM’ DO IT WITH STYLE

The highlight of the Pleasure team year was reached on Saturday  18 July when 8 members(including 4 of this years new recruits) drove to Donegal to undertake a Pleasure tour of Innishowen.

We arrived at the Ballyliffin Lodge at 8.30 am.. The journey down had been wet the rain was pouring down as we entered the hotel.  However, our spirits lifted when we entered the breakfast room and were treated to a 4 star breakfast.

Several courses and numerous cups of coffee later we ventured out into the car park the rain had stopped, so bicycles were quickly unloaded and everyone got prepared for the off.  Before setting out the “master” briefly outlined the plan for the day emphasing that it was all about ‘pleasure’

We left Ballyliffin and headed across the penninusula towards Carrowkeel, quickly finding nice steady rhythm that suited everyone.  From Carrowkeel we headed along the coast to Moville, always taking time to take in the magnificent scenery.  By the time we reached Moville the sun had started to break through and this was the beginning of a long, hot sunny day.

From Moville we cycled through Culduff and into the quaint village of Malin.  Here we stopped at Lilly’s bar/café where both liquid and solid refreshments were taken on board.  After a good rest re re-mounted and headed out the road to Malin Head (Irelands most northerly point)  Here we received a round of applause from some of the local people who were under the illusion we had cycled from Missan Head(Ireland most southerly point).

From Malin Head we cycled back to the Ballyliffin Lodge where we had 70 miles on the clock, so it was time for some more refreshments before taking on the big challenge of the day the ’Mamore Gap’.  As we left Ballyliffin and headed out the road towards the Mamore Gap, the excitement amongst the first times was palpable, and the ‘master’ had to work overtime to maintain discipline.  When we reached the foot of Mamore (the toughest climb in Ireland) the master advised “take it at your own pace”, and then let the group at it.

By the time we reached the summit everyone had been tested to, and beyond their limits; but not one had any regrets.  We returned to Ballyliffin Lodge and packed up the bikes, had a refreshing shower and then went to the dining room where we had a well deserved first class dinner.

All who took part in the trip thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and we would like to thank in particular Sean Jordan who supplied the van, and despite only been cycling for six weeks participated in the day to the full,.

SATURDAY "PLEASURE TEAM" RUN

On Saturday 26th June a small group of hardcore Pleasure Cyclists met at the Mill at 6.00a.m. to take on the challenge of a tough 100 mile cycle through the Sperrins. We left Coalisland at 6.15 and headed to Cookstown and then Lough Fea where we had a short stop and were serenaded by the curlew. Our journey then took us up the Glenelly valley to Plumbridge before we began some serious climbing up to the TV mast. Unfortunately the top of the mountain was covered in cloud, so the first timers among us were deprived the beautiful scenery which helps make the climbing worthwhile.

After regrouping we then enjoyed the long fast descent into Strabane. In Strabane we all enjoyed a well earned rest and a big breakfast. After breakfast and a good rest  we remounted and left Strabane by a back road which took us to Newtownstewart then to Gortin and Greencastle and then into Dunamore. Here we stopped again, this time at the Mill Wheel Bar. Here we all enjoyed a pint (some 2 pints). After a half hour or so we mounted up again for the final stretch home.

We arrived back in Coalisland again at around 3.30. All were tired as it had been a long tough journey; but all the Pleasure Cyclists who had undertaken the trip were more than happy with their efforts.

This trip had been planned by the Pleasure Team to give some of this years' new recruits a major target to work towards and I would like to congratulate these recruits on their achievements. As a finale for this year the Pleasure Team is now considering a pleasure trip to Donegal in the next few weeks. Any Pleasure Cyclist interested in this run needs to get in touch within the next few days.

SATURDAY “PLESURE TEAM” UPDATE

Last Saturday's 80 mile cycle around the 'Ring of Gullion' was a great success. The weather was fantastic, which made the stunning scenery even better. As well as the scheduled stops, we had to make a couple of extra stops so that a few of the more 'sensitive' members could apply thick coating of sun-cream. The high-light of the trip however was our brunch stop in Camlough. After a hearty fry we then decided to have a cool pint and to toast 'baby' John's 30th birthday. With our hunger and thirst satisfied we then continued on our journey arriving back home around 2.00p.m.

Our next big run which we hope will take place in the next few weeks will probably be 'The Pleasure Team 100'.

Over the next month or so the times for the Saturday morning 'Pleasure Team' to meet will vary as we will be doing a number of longer runs. In general the runs will leave at the usual time (10.30 ish ), but when we are undertaking longer runs we will be leaving earlier so that we return to Coalisland at the normal time (between 1.00 & 2.00 ). If you are thinking of joining us some Saturday then be sure to check the time with a regular 'Pleasure Team' member.

Our next big run which will take place in the next few weeks will be an 80 mile run. As is normal on these runs the emphasis will be on thinking and cycling as a 'group' and not as individuals; attacking
hills will be frowned upon; dropping off the back is acceptable but driving off the front is not, while stopping for coffee and food is compulsory.

Triathlon Ireland Talent Identification Programme 2010

The Triathlon Ireland talent identification programme has the goal of locating talented junior athletes and developing to their full potential in the sport of triathlon. This programme is about high performance sport and developing highly talented athletes who have the potential to compete for their country. It is not a junior participation programme. The regional junior squads are capably led by TI's accredited Regional Coaches, under the guidance of TI's Assistant Coach Elena Maslova. The Junior Development Program has been developed by TI Performance Director Chris Jones, who still plays a very active role in its operation.

We are looking for athletes with the following profile:

• Aged between 11 and 21;
• With a strong swimming background and some running experience (school cross country, community games participation, athletics club);
• Keen to represent Ireland in one of the fastest growing and exciting Olympic sports;
• A willingness to work up to a standard to compete with the rest of the world in our sport;

Standards required

Experience has shown us the times show below should be attainable for someone who has the appropriate level of talent to succeed in our sport. Some athletes maybe particularly strong swimmers, but not have much running experience. If this is the case then please contact us to discuss. Suitable athletes may be able to develop their running within our programme. In general we have found that an athlete with no formal swimming background will find it prohibitively hard to get their swimming up to the required standard.

Age	Male		Female
	Swim (200m)	Run (1500m)	Swim (200m)	Run (1500m)
11-12	2:30	5:00	2:35	5:41
13-14	2:25	4:50	2:30	5:30
15-16	2:22	4:30	2:26	5:20
Age	Male		Female
	Swim (400m)	Run (3000m)	Swim (400m)	Run (3000m)
17-18	4:50	9:15	5:05	10.30
19-20	4:40	9:00	4:50	10:20
21-23	4:35	8:50	4:46	10:10

Any prospective athlete should be aiming to have swam within 10% of these times.

Format of the talent identification day

The talent identification day is held at a facility where there is a swimming pool and a 400m running track. The schedule for the day generally follows the format below:

Time	Activity
11:30am – 12:00pm	Meet & Register
12:00pm – 2:00pm	Presentation on high performance triathlon. Questions and answers.
2:00pm – 4:00pm	Swim time trial
	Short break
4:00pm  - 6:00pm	Run time trial and close

Following the close of the day we will discuss with parents and athletes what options are available to them (numbers permitting). We contact all participants by email following the day. Athletes that achieve a high enough standard are invited to join our talent development programme. Athletes that don't achieve the standard are given appropriate advice and everyone is welcome to attend a subsequent talent identification day.

Follow-up talent development programme

Athletes on the talent development pathway are invited to attend a monthly regional camp, these are either one day, or two days at the weekend. We also hold weekly camps, mainly in the summer. Triathlon Ireland will work with the athletes existing coaches (swimming clubs, running/athletics clubs) to develop athletes to their full potential. Athletes will be given the opportunity to race at an appropriate level for their development and age. We have been running this programme for almost two years now and have already seen a number of juniors competing successfully and achieving results at International level.

The regional junior squads are capably led by TI's accredited Regional Coaches, under the guidance of TI's Assistant Coach Elena Maslova. The Junior Development Program has been developed by TI Performance Director Chris Jones, who still plays a very active role in its operation.

Next Steps – National Talent Identification Day

If you are interested in attending on 15th May please rsvp on the following survey link:

To Register:  click the monkey survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WW6THXG

Date: Saturday 15th April , 2010    -   (11:30am – 6:00pm)

Venue:  Shoreline Leisure Centre, Greystones, Co. Wicklow (01 2878180)

(http://www.shorelineleisure.ie/greystones)

An indication of the times we would look at for entry to the Junior Development Program squad are given in the table above.