An early outing for the original kit in Currow. 2008
The group was initially formed in 2001 as a result of a widespread food and mouth related ban on all off road, hill walking and mountaineering activities in Ireland when a ragtag group of recreational cyclists and along with orphaned hill walkers (some under duress) ,who were co-opted into to dusting off their bikes, took to the open roads.
Since then there have been many saddles raised, punctures fixed, fig rolls eaten, hills climbed, bikes bought and replaced and the group has gone from strength to strength.
The Club regularly meets twice a week, all year round, weather dependent and subject to announcement.
What's in the name?
A good question! Up to the point sponsorship was secured, the group had no fixed name or identity. At one point, arising from Tuesday evening training sessions early in the groups life, we had ‘Tuesday’ on black T-shirts for the R.o.K cycle.
As confusing as that was on the day of the cycle; a Saturday meaning it lead to broad cyclist interest (Were we expecting to finish by Tuesday? etc, etc), it really didn’t hold up with the group M.O. in 2007.
Thus a bit of a think was had and the name The Chain Gang came about. This comes from one of the most common ways we train and can be seen when we’re out on the roads; a line of cyclists in pairs which rotate around taking turns in the front allowing everyone to benefit from a draft while increasing speed and being particularly usefull in windy weather. Here’s how it’s done.
So it sounds good, is part of what we do and lends itself to a nice logo – Welcome to The Chain Gang!
