Wheelers Make Big Plans For 2026

As 2026 will be the year that Lakeside Wheelers will turn 50 years young, plans to mark this big occasion are moving fast. The committee have worked very hard in the last fortnight and have now secured a venue and made arrangements for a celebration cycle and dinner which will take place next April.

Saturday, April 25th to be exact, is the date that this historic social event will be happening and while there are some minor details still to be sorted out, there is enough done to allow members plan and make sure they are there to mark the golden anniversary. The four-star, Hodson Bay Hotel just outside Athlone town, on the shores of Lough Ree is the chosen venue for the party but there will be some effort required as we will be cycling there via routes yet to be decided on.

The plan is to design routes to the lakeside venue which will suit all abilities in the club and these, plus times will be made available to members as soon as they are finalised. The committee will make arrangements to have cyclists overnight bags transported to the Hodson Bay Hotel. Once everybody has arrived safely there will be some refreshments and probably a couple of recovery drinks before the three course dinner which will be the main event of the evening. The following morning after a hearty breakfast, members can decide if they wish to ride back to Mullingar or make alternative arrangements.

The committee ask that members reply to the emails which include a link to make the deposit payment. Places are limited so get you reservation in ASAP. Rates for this once off celebration are 150 Euros per person sharing including Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or 250 Euros for a single room.

Girona Gravel

Richie Lenehan and Seamus Moran were both in Girona, Spain last weekend to participate in the annual Sea Otter Classic gravel ride. This is a hard 100km ride with over 1,800m of climbing and some technical sections which need a lot of attention to make sure you stay upright. Both lads finished and considering the heat was a major factor, this is a great achievement. Well done Richie and Seamus.

Wheelers Take to the Wine

Last Saturday, some members belatedly celebrated Culture Night by attending a Lakeside Wheelers wine tasting evening in Wines Direct. This was one of the very best social events organised by the club and without doubt it will be repeated.

The team at Wines Direct put on a great evening of tasting which was facilitated by sommelier, Jenny Rimmer and the wines were perfectly paired with fabulous BBQ food cooked by local Mullingar butcher, Seamus Bracken who was ably assisted by his daughter, Louise.. Jenny gave very good information on each wine as well as some history on the wine making process. Well done to everyone concerned with organising this great evening and thanks to Wines Direct, Seamus and Louise Bracken for the hospitality.

Dates for the Diary

Don’t forget, the AGM will be held this year on Sunday, November 9th at 7pm in the back room in Caffery’s Bar on Mount St. Please make sure you attend this important club event which will feature all the reports from 2025 as well as plans for 2026, the golden anniversary year.

Yes it is early, yes it is not even Halloween but save the date, the club Christmas party will be held this year on Saturday, December 6th in the Annebrook House Hotel (Old House Bar). You have been warned.