Cycling Club mentors guide 17 newcomers to Ring of Kerry challenge

The success of this year’s Killarney Cycling Club mentoring programme will bear fruit this Saturday as 17 newcomers take to the roads fully prepared for the Ring of Kerry charity cycle.

The club wrapped up its latest training initiative just in time for the major event, welcoming a group of new members who are now cycling competently, safely, and with confidence.
This year’s cohort brought a fantastic, spirited energy and represented a wide mix of backgrounds. Some participants were returning to the road after a long hiatus, others had never sat on a road bike before, and a few were Killarney National Park regulars who initially wondered how they would ever push their distance past the 80km mark.
They found their answers and built their stamina thanks to a dedicated leadership team. Kevin Murphy led two indoor turbo nights, tuning everyone into the best use of gears and efficient cycling. Dan O’Connor braved the challenging weather of April, May, and June to lead the group out on the road on Wednesday evenings, alongside two longer weekend cycles, freely sharing his wealth of cycling knowledge. Fiona O’Donoghue coordinated the mentoring programme, keeping the entire schedule running smoothly from start to finish.
Reflecting on her experience, participant Mary Cussen noted that joining the programme as a total newbie was the best decision ever. She highlighted the supportive and encouraging nature of the group, which included plenty of laughs and coffee stops along the various routes, adding that she cannot believe what she achieved on the journey and feels incredibly proud of herself.