They've written poems already in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, in praise of the Tour de France, even though it won't come by until July 13th.
"Hot tar, burning rubber, scorched thighs and dripping sweat. The peleton finally passes."
(Acknowledgment to Patrick Foley).
They've gone cycling crazy in Carrick, but not so crazy as to neglect to seize the opportunities opened.
Entries have been flooding in from around the world for an organised ride over the Tour stage, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, to Cork, one week ahead of the race.
Jim O'Keeffe, chairman of Carrick Wheelers Road Club, has been deeply involved in cycling since 1950 and has followed the Tour every year since 1980. "We went over for the first green jersey Sean Kelly won on the Champs AC]Elysees, and we've been going ever since," he said.
Knowing the immense popularity of the stage ride organised regularly for race followers during the Tour rest day, he decided to try something similar in Carrick. A programme was drawn up for the week preceding the Tour.
"We've been on the Internet since last June, and it developed from that," he says. Already groups have lodged entries from Australia, Germany, California, England, Wales and Scotland.
It is now estimated that at least 500, and possibly up to 1,000, Irish and foreign cycling aficionados will come to Carrick to experience the thrill of cycling the 130-mile Tour stage ahead of the "real" competitors.
The oldest applicant signing up to participate so far is a 76-year-old Glaswegian. Buses are being organised to bring the enthusiasts from Carrick to Enniscorthy to start the run on Sunday, July 5th, and also to collect them from the finish in Cork and bring them back to Carrick.
"It's not a race. It's a randonnee, a maximum speed of 18 m.p.h. and a minimum down to 8 m.p.h.," Jim says. However, race or not, it's hard to keep some people from being competitive. A group from Cork plans to award a prize to the first Cork man home to that city.
A full week of cycling and cycling-related events has been organised for the week preceding the Tour's arrival in Carrick.
Everyone will then cycle off to their chosen vantage points from which to view the Tour proper. Jim says you haven't a hope of getting on to the Tour route with cars unless you're in the day before. "But with a bicycle you can go in, even on the closed road," he says. "In France I've been on the road just half an hour before the race, and then picked my spot, and into it."
Jim, who is 63 and still cycling, says the association of Irish cycling hero, Sean Kelly, with the town has been a big attraction for overseas enthusiasts.
The advance cycling jamboree will mean a huge boost in visitors for Carrick during the period of the Tour. Since the Carrick club published its plans, a similar advance ride has been announced for the Dublin-Wicklow Tour stage. But imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery.
Entries are still being accepted for the Carrick event, and details can be had at (051) 640279 or (fax) 051-645634.
Contact Number
Readers who wish to contact Dick Grogan can leave messages by dialling (01) 670-7711, extension 6298