Colm Christle winner of the first Rás Tailteann 60 years ago

That was how I felt after meeting with the great Colm Christle who set the bar over sixty years ago with his inauguaral win in the Ras Tailteann. In those days, there were no flashy prizes on offer. He was rewarded with a wreath, a symbol of victory.

Colm’s success was legendary, considering the conditions and issues which riders don’t have to cope with today.The average speed of the Ras sixty years ago bears comparison to the speed today. The marginal increase may be explained having regard to the following;

· Progess in equipment & technology
· Air-pressure in the tyres (less resistance on the road)
· Geometry of the bikes
· The riders’ diet, anatomical and physical awareness
· And most of all, despite these dystopian times, riders are better financed than they were 60 years ago.

Not alone was Colm a remarkable cyclist but,he achieved greatness in other sports such as GAA. Further, as a barrister, working in the ESB Law Department and later as a practicing barrister in the Four Courts, he achieved professional distinction.

Colm Christle talks to Tommy Campbell

Tommy Campbell: When you were a child, what did you want to be?

Colm Christle: I came from a sporting family. The seventh son of a very athletic seventh son, so, my ambition was to win an All Ireland Cycling medal.

TC: When did you first start cycling?

CC: The strange thing is although my early ambition was to win an All Ireland Cycling medal, as stated above, I did not in fact learn to cycle until I was seventeen.

TC: Do you remember your first win?

CC: Yes, at nineteen, my first win was in the Dublin Drogheda for the O'Dowd Cup.

TC: Winning the inaugural Ras Tailteann, what was the feeling?

CC:  Naturally, one of relief, not alone because of winning, but also, because I had suffered with severe cramp for most of the final stage.

TC: Did it give you celebrity status?

CC: No.

The Gate Cycling Club - Working left to right: from head to head - Colm Christle, Joe Christle, Jim Cullen, Jim Ennis, Davy O'Brien, Mick Christle, Mr. Kavanagh, Brendan Christle, Harry O'Toole King.

TC: Why did you give up competitive cycling so early in your career?

CC: My cycling career came to a premature end, due to work and study commitments at UCD and The Kings Inns. Qualifying as a barrister at law, an early ambition took up all the spare time I had at my disposal all those years ago.

TC: Today,  do you reflect on the uniqueness of winning the inaugural Ras Tailteann?

CC: I reflect on the fact that although 60 years have passed, yet we are both still hanging on.

TC: Your thoughts on how the race has developed from the '50's?

CC: From the outset, this unique event caught the imagination of the Irish public. The wonderful thing is that the Ras has  maintained its profile through six decades. Truly, the Irish public has a fascination and respect for this great race. 

TC:  Back in the real world, what was your first job?

CC: I worked for Dublin Corporation as an administrator after leaving school before joining the ESB.

TC: Is there anything about your life that you would change?

CC: Perhaps winning a third National Irish Road Race Championship, would have been very unique as I had been victorious in 1953 and in 1954.

TC: What sport do you follow?

CC:  Gaelic, hurling, football and of course cycling.

TC: What's your guiltiest pleasure in relation to food?

CC:  My wife Anna's apple tarts.

TC: What would keep you awake at night?

CC:  Dublin winning the All Ireland.

TC: How do you relax?

CC:  Yoga (ha tha yoga).

TC: Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

CC: My wife Anna and my five children of course, plus Gene Mangan, Stephen Cluxton, Fausto Coppi, Fred Tiedt, Seamus Kennedy, my late brother Joe and his sons, Mel, Terry and Joe.

TC: What's your favourite piece of music?

CC: Beethoven’s 5th and Leo Rowson's 'Fox Chase'.

TC: What are you reading at the moment?

CC: Lord Rees Mogg’s diaries

TC: Your favourite newspaper?

CC:  Sunday Business Post.

TC: What trait do you least like in others?

CC: Talking too much and a lack of respect for people of principle.

TC: What would cheer you up on a typical day?

CC: Good news.

TC: Any regrets about leaving the cycling scene in 1956?

CC:  No, as cycling remained an integral part of my life up to relatively recently.

TC: In your opinion, what is the state of Irish cycling  at the moment?

CC: Irish cycling is in a wonderful state at present.  Not only, competitive cycling but also cycling for leisure has never been more popular.  I follow the fortunes of the Eurocycles team and they are an example of the professionalism, which characterizes all Irish competitive cycling.  

There are so many more bikes on the road compared to my day. Back then racing cycling was a niche sport with marvelous characters such as Gerry Keogh, Gene Mangan, Shay O'Hanlon, John Mangan, Steve Abbot, and Sonny Cullen.

The arrival on the scene of  Sean Kellly and Stephen Roche made a huge impact and created a surge of interest in bike racing. Long may it continue.   The sport today has come a long way in terms of coaching techniques, nutritional support and rest.  All the elements that keep a racing cyclist on the top of his or her form.   It is obvious to me that particular care and attention is now shown to the development of underage cycling.  I can only hope that the next gallery of super stars are waiting in the wings. Possibly, the 60^th edition of the Ras, with the backing of an Post, may unearth a new champion.