|
|
|
HOW TO JOIN THE IRISH ROAD CLUB IN 1910
By Mick Lawless
Apr 13, 2005
|
|
This is a story of a Mr R.L Chapman who became a member of the Irish Road Club in 1910 and went on to be a senior man on the committee.In those days there was a qualifying ride to do before you could gain membership to the club (life got very easy) you had the choice of whether to ride a 100 miles in 12 hours or 150 in 24 hours. Many thanks, to Mr Chapmans son, how in his seventies for giving us this information, also Phil O'Brien who is trusted to mind this excellent storey. I hope you enjoy this story the words are all written in Mr Chapman hand I just typed them so we could read it easily. The astir *shows the name now a days.
So we begin.May 1910 4th Cycled over to Clontarf before going into business to see wreck of goods train 3/5/10 climbed up embankment at Watson's nurseries, which train had rolled down trucks and wagons not much damaged. Engine remained on line. Accident caused by breakage of an axle. 7th Sat. Qualifying ride for membership of the Irish Road Club 100 miles in 12 hours or 150 in 24 Timed by Mr Galavan at GPO 3pm thence against strong head wind through Park, along lower road to Lucan, Leixlip, Maynooth, Enfield to Kinnigad 40 miles Road fairly level, but uninteresting. Kept up aft 12 mph to this point, where had some provisions, thence to Mullingar 10 miles distant over flat road. Heavy rain before reaching latter in dark about 8pm.
Got timed at Police Station and left for Dublin about 8.45pm making mistake of not taking anything to eat. Had acetylene lamp but took wrong turn in dark and sain I got to Killucan where had to hoist machine over railway crossing gates. Found road for Kinnegad and thence back to Enfield, where got attack of "Hunger Horrors". Country in pitch darkness, hardly a light anywhere. Has to recharge lamp at Kilcock an unpleasant job in the wet. Near Leixlip followed telegraph poles along wide road, downhill. Gate up suddenly in front and machine began to bounce over rough ground. Jumped off and retraced back to right road. Was told quarry with 40-foot drop at far side of gate. Rain had now stopped but roads very sloppy. Felt inclined to fall off and go to sleep. Beyond Lucan had great difficulty in keeping awake only sensation of falling off woke me. Time was nearly up, but was too weary to hurry.
It got daylight by the time reached Dublin. Was 5 mins over the 12 hours.23/7/1910 Sat 24 Hours Time Trail Irish Road Club Not yet qualified for membership of I.R.C., decided to combine qualifying run with an attempt to win one of the clubs medals. Took off mudguards from bike to reduce windage also what remained off gear case. After few hours of sleep and light meal set off for G.P.O. carrying with me a bottle of cold tea and some biscuits. Galavan timed me at 12 might and set off for Maryboro.
According to rules of club same route must not be covered more than twice-in 24 hours time trial i.e. 2 out and home journeys. Rides must also have a time or to be signed at places enroute preferably at a Post Office or Police Station. This latter is very necessary as it is not an unknown thing for a fast ride to have been accomplished with the assistance of the Railway. Footh path riding or taking pace is barred.
Made good steady pace to Naas the first check. Road mostly uphill with light breeze against me. Found Doctor was only about and after nearly delay, got signed and on road again. Very nearly on road again in actual fact, for struck brick leaving town. Bad but level road to Newbridge and thence out onto Curragh where it began to get daylight. Rode through flood in hollow on road, getting considerably wet. At Kildare had to get checked again. No one about except sleepy porter at Railway Station who suggested taking train as easiest way. Lost another hr. Road out of Kildare to Monastervin bad and windswept. It follows course of Railway most of way. Saw train and wished was in it, as could go to sleep then. Peculiar how this feeling always attacks me as day is breaking. Another half hour and the rider is quite fresh again. Sheltered from heavy shower outside Monastervin, where had to get signed again.
Roads bad and very muddy after rain, which did not last long. At far side of village crossed River Barrow. Pretty view up and down stream. Banks well wooded. Undulating road to Maryboro 12 miles, passing small pinewoods and ditches filled with Meadow Sweet. There are not many fields, mostly open heath, in fact this part of the country is known as "The Great Heath of Maryboro". Found road, though surface bumpy, very fast and got to Maryboro about 6.30am covering the 12 miles in 40 mins. Got signed in by shopkeeper and turned back for Dublin 50 miles distant. Turned out fine day after rain, cloudy but clear.
With light wind behind made fast run to Monastervan and on through Kildare and Naas. Made mistake of using saddle cover and got very saddle sore on run back. Stopped few minutes near Rathcoole for refreshments. Found cold tea with milk and sugar, splendid thirst quencher. From Rathcoole quick run downhill through Inchicore and along Quays to Irish Cyclist Office in Middle Abbey St where was checked by Mr Brown at 10.30am with 100 miles to my credit. Run back to Maryboro was slow as was suffering badly from saddle soreness. Was delayed nearly ½ hr at hotel in Monastervan waiting on glass of milk and biscuits. Reached Maryboro about 4.30pm and got signed at Post Office.
Town was crowded with country people and carts, very different to its deserted appearance in the early morning. Made quick time back to Naas in spite of saddle trouble. After Naas got so bad that had to take things much easier. Gave up hope of getting silver medal as could scarcely sit on saddle. Very disappointing as did not feel very tired and was quite equal to another 40 miles. Reached G.P.O. at 9.30pm just at dark, got signed and returned home to tea and bed, feeling little worse of long run of 206 miles. Had no trouble with bike. Not knowing roads well chose a rather hilly route, 100 mile course from Leixlip through Enfield, Kinnegad, Rochford Bridge, Cushina, Rathangan, Edenderry to Enfield and Leixlip is much more level and that generally used by Road Club Men.Total mileage for month 720. Longest run 210 miles
|
Email this article
| Top of Page | Printer friendly page
|
© Copyright IrishRoadClub.com 2005
|
|
|
