Kellys' St. Stephens day Massacre

Traditionally St. Stephens day has always been a day for cyclists to get out and test themselves on the bike. Whilst many focus on burning off the excesses of the Christmas season, for others it is a day when they discover where their fitness levels lie. Some went without desert after their Christmas dinner whilst others did without sleep as nervous tension prevented a full nights slumber in anticipation of the bike ride that lay ahead.

Leaving Carrick on Suir this morning a rumour spread throughout the group. King Kelly had set off at such a pace that riders were being jettisoned out the back of the group at an early stage. Leslie suggested that a headphone was playing 'The Heat is on' in Kellys ear. Not since the famous Nissan Classic Time Trial from Carrick to Clonmel had the King travelled at such a speed up the road that he had made famous.

The constant rain, blustery wind and temperatures below 4 degrees had affected the numbers before the spin began. The pace set by Kelly at the front did the rest. Kilmacomma, Knocknamullaigh and Ballymac were all crested at speed. The Pike hurt but it was the Hayseeds where the real damage was done. Without moving any part of his position on the bike and with no telltale sign Kelly would accelerate repeatedly from 30 to 40 kph and legs behind became heavier and heavier.

A group of forty reduced to a group of four and Kelly was still at the front 200 meters from the finish line above Carrick on Suir. Then with his mission accomplished in true superhero fashion he vanished into thin air as only a real superhero can.

Here's how much of the spin played out 

Barry

www.seankellycycling.com