Want to join a cycling club? Now's the time to do it

Chips Lovell

If you're interested in joining a cycling club in order to race, train or do sportives next season, Autumn's the time to do it. Most clubs will be starting up their winter training spins soon and its best to start early when things are fairly relaxed and the clubs are focussed on getting their newcomers up to speed.

My own club, Orwell Wheelers is starting its winter spins on Sunday, starting from Joe Daly’s bike shop in Dundrum at 9:30am. Spins will be split into separate groups based on ability and will include a Beginner group for riders new to group riding and a Step Up group for those contemplating racing for the first time.

Might be a good idea if folks from other clubs pitch into this thread with details on when their own spins open for beginners are starting up?

FatSh!te

Thanks for the heads up, I'll hopefully head along. It'll maybe get me out on the road at the weekend more often!

Captain Havoc

Agree 100% with you. On that note my own club, marble city cyclers (aka boards.ie kk branch) hold beginners spins every Saturday morning leaving the castle at 9h00.

henboy

Good idea, The club i'm in Sportif Waterford CC also bring beginners out every Saturday and Sunday although Saturday is prob better . They leave from Woodies at 9.30 check it out . http://sportifwaterfordcc.blogspot.com/

keano007

el tonto wrote: »

If you're interested in joining a cycling club in order to race, train or do sportives next season, Autumn's the time to do it. Most clubs will be starting up their winter training spins soon and its best to start early when things are fairly relaxed and the clubs are focussed on getting their newcomers up to speed.

My own club, Orwell Wheelers is starting its winter spins on Sunday, starting from Joe Daly’s bike shop in Dundrum at 9:30am. Spins will be split into separate groups based on ability and will include a Beginner group for riders new to group riding and a Step Up group for those contemplating racing for the first time.

Might be a good idea if folks from other clubs pitch into this thread with details on when their own spins open for beginners are starting up?

I'm hoping to join Orwell this year to get into racing so hopefully I'll make it on Sunday

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Anyone on here in the Stamullen or Drogheda Wheelers CC? Any info on either would be appreciated as i want to join a club nearby.

greener greene

I'll most likely head to the Orwell Wheelers spin.
Anyone know roughly how long the beginners spins are?

buffalo

greener greene wrote: »

I'll most likely head to the Orwell Wheelers spin.
Anyone know roughly how long the beginners spins are?

The first one I was on in January was ~60km, but I don't know if that's ramped up from something lesser in October.

I've been checking my diary, and my next free Sunday morning is the October bank holiday. No club spins for a while so!

RobFowl

For contact details see www.swordscc.com

Club Training Spins:
Meeting Point: The Lord Mayors, Main St, Swords.

Thursdays Leisure/Training Spin <photo click here>
<More Photos courtesy of Gary Peters>
All year round

Saturdays Leisure Group
09.15 from Lord Mayors 30-50 miles , AVS 14mph/22kph, Coffee Stop
All year round (once it's not raining!)

Saturday 'Half Eight' group
As the name suggests......... departs at half eight (sharp) from Blakes Cross taking a brisk run around around the coast coming back via the Naul and over the Three Sistersunder the guidance of Pat Halligan.
All year round
Course on 'Map my Ride'

Sundays 'Racers' Training Spin(Departs @ 09:00 Sharp!!!) Home by 1pm
Recommences Sunday 30th December - every Sunday up to racing season

Sunday Touring Group
Easier spin on Sundays at Meet at 09.00. Lord Mayors, 50mls/80km approx, The average speed is 25/26kph with a Tea Stop

Sunday Beginners Group (Time changed March 2009)
Sundays at Meet at 10am Lord Mayors,
Very relaxed pace, designed for those new to the sport.
Tea Stop

Sundays Balrothery Inn Group
Currently departs 10am from Balrothery Inn, (*Note time change)
Stamullen -Ardcath - Garristown ( 2 hours)

wicklowvet

hi anyone know of any beginers spins with serc from arklow sat or sun times??

Smithzer

Kiara Abundant Lavender wrote: »

Anyone on here in the Stamullen or Drogheda Wheelers CC? Any info on either would be appreciated as i want to join a club nearby.

I dont think Drogheda Wheelers has much going on except from the vets and a couple of juniors. I know there is spins that leave Quay Cycles every Sun (I think) but I dont think they are actual wheelers spin's. I do stand to be corrected on this by the way.

Gerard Campbell is the contact there so he will have more info, I'll PM you his number.

By the way you might be interested in this

Drogheda Wheelers/Quay Cycles present the Kevin King Leisure Tour Sunday Oct 10th leaving Donore Rd retail park at 10am.50 and 100 K Proceeds 2 Cancer Research

Flankerb

2009 Club of the Year Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar

http://www.lakesidewheelers.ie/


Club Spins
Sundays 9:00am ORS car park (opposite the Mullingar Park Hotel)
Saturday 9:00am ORS car park

Saturday Spin is the usual starting place for beginners.

furiousox

Kiara Abundant Lavender wrote: »

Anyone on here in the Stamullen or Drogheda Wheelers CC? Any info on either would be appreciated as i want to join a club nearby.

Stamullen cc info here, I rang them about 4 months ago to enquire about joining.....still waiting to hear back....:rolleyes:

http://www.stamullenroadclub.com/joinus.html

Planet X

Think I'll pop along to Orwell as it's just up the road from me.
Makes sense?

Aquos76

Well as mentioned previously Sportif Waterford CC have also began our Autumn/Winter training spins, we run beginners spins every Saturday morning from 9.30am, we actually have 3 separate groups which head out on Saturday mornings, the Group 1's head out at 9.30am and usually do a spin on in or around 40km, the Group 2 spin also head out at 9.30 and would normally do a route of about 75km which would include a coffee stop, and finally the group 3 spin which pretty much do a similar route to that of the group 2 spin but at a quicker pace. We would tend to have some of our racing guys out with this group. This group leaves at the earlier time of 9am on Saturdays.

Newcomer's are always welcome to come along on any of our club spins as are any of the members of the local tri-clubs

Our Spins are usually updated from Thursdays evenings here

neris

would like to give racing and auduax a go next year but at beginners level so prob head to swords myself

thekidd147

Naas cc is always looking for new members, it's a touring and new to racing club so all are welcome. Meet at the courthouse in naas Sunday mornings a 9 am...

Beasty

furiousox wrote: »

Stamullen cc info here, I rang them about 4 months ago to enquire about joining.....still waiting to hear back....:rolleyes:

http://www.stamullenroadclub.com/joinus.html

That website is well out of date - the last "news" is from 2008, and the latest results are over 3 years old

kenmc

Planet X wrote: »

Think I'll pop along to Orwell as it's just up the road from me.
Makes sense?

Heading along also, with a colleague.
You jumping ship PX?

Planet X

Nah, not sure but I know alot of guys who are members of two clubs. Seems to happen.
Ah, the politics of dancing!

aquanaut

Aquos76 wrote: »

Well as mentioned previously Sportif Waterford CC have also began our Autumn/Winter training spins, we run beginners spins every Saturday morning from 9.30am, we actually have 3 separate groups which head out on Saturday mornings, the Group 1's head out at 9.30am and usually do a spin on in or around 40km, the Group 2 spin also head out at 9.30 and would normally do a route of about 75km which would include a coffee stop, and finally the group 3 spin which pretty much do a similar route to that of the group 2 spin but at a quicker pace. We would tend to have some of our racing guys out with this group. This group leaves at the earlier time of 9am on Saturdays.

Newcomer's are always welcome to come along on any of our club spins as are any of the members of the local tri-clubs

Our Spins are usually updated from Thursdays evenings here

Hope to join you soon, but trying to sort out getting a bike right now - all going well before christmas though !

dancesOnPedals

Planet X wrote: »

Ah, the politics of dancing!

...on pedals.

That takes me back. Thanks for reminding me. I were only a young lad, though. I swear

kenmc

nice spin to roundwood with orwell. thanks for having me. didn't see any other boards jerseys though

Blowfish

kenmc wrote: »

nice spin to roundwood with orwell. thanks for having me. didn't see any other boards jerseys though

I'll toddle along next week, I some how managed to miss this thread so didn't realise their beginner spins were starting already.

keano007

kenmc wrote: »

nice spin to roundwood with orwell. thanks for having me. didn't see any other boards jerseys though

I didn't make it either this morning so o hop to get out next weekend. @kenmc was there many newcomers on the spin today?

AvidIrishReader

FOlks, anyone know of any clubs in west Dublin other than in Lucan?

I'm in Inchicore and would like to get involved in one myself.

Thanks, R.

mc2000

Great to see loads of new faces this morning at my own club spin, Orwell Wheelers. What's really great to see as well is loads of beginners from last year still turning up, and also having enjoyed the club league races over the summer, and now they're back for more.

@AvidIrishReader - you mention you're in Inchicore - you're not that far of a spin out to Dundrum, only maybe 4 or 5 miles, there's plenty of folks who come from town out to Dundrum to do the spins. Take a look at the setup here:

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/club-spins-overview.html

King Kelly

Might as well get in on the act!

Great club scene in the general Wexford area at the moment with Barrow Wheelers, South East Road Club, Slipsteam, Wexford Wheelers, Racing 795(MTB) and most importantly the plug for our own club http://www.slaneycyclingclub.com/

AvidIrishReader

Thanks for the advice. Over the last number of months, I've thought about going out on a Saturday morning to meet with the Orwell crowd, but those Dundrum Shopping Centre-sponsored jerseys put me off!!!

More than likely I will do L'Etape next year so I think it would be nice to have a more structured routine through the winter months. Maybe I'll go out to Dundrum next Saturday for a spin to see what they're like....

mc2000 wrote: »

Great to see loads of new faces this morning at my own club spin, Orwell Wheelers. What's really great to see as well is loads of beginners from last year still turning up, and also having enjoyed the club league races over the summer, and now they're back for more.

@AvidIrishReader - you mention you're in Inchicore - you're not that far of a spin out to Dundrum, only maybe 4 or 5 miles, there's plenty of folks who come from town out to Dundrum to do the spins. Take a look at the setup here:

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/club-spins-overview.html

paddymacsporran

Wicklow Vet, The Arklow group meet at Fernhill, (where the new shops are) at 9:30 both days. Pace is steady, although like all it depends on your own level, these guys are pretty experienced mostly. Theres a group goes from Gorey every weekend Sat/Sun too, less of a pace....

If you pm me I can give you the lads details who organise the events if that helps, I'm nearer Wicklow if you fancy a spin lad!

kenmc

keano007 wrote: »

I didn't make it either this morning so o hop to get out next weekend. @kenmc was there many newcomers on the spin today?

Yeah loads, had to split us up into different groups.

wicklowvet

thanks for that tied up next few weeks will pop down mid october

yoda81269

Oriel Wheelers touring group depart at 8am (9am in winter time) every Sunday from the White Cross, Dunleer, County Louth.
Average speed 28-32km/h and distance 80-120km depending on weather/terrain. You can PM me if you required any further details

crumliniano

AvidIrishReader wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. Over the last number of months, I've thought about going out on a Saturday morning to meet with the Orwell crowd, but those Dundrum Shopping Centre-sponsored jerseys put me off!!!

More than likely I will do L'Etape next year so I think it would be nice to have a more structured routine through the winter months. Maybe I'll go out to Dundrum next Saturday for a spin to see what they're like....

The winter spins are on Sunday mornings AvidIrishReader. 09:30 @ Joe Daly Cycles.

wersal gummage

Robfowl,

Thanks for the info. about swords.

Just wondering - is there any middle ground between the saturday 30 mile spins and the serious guys who are preparing for racing ?

I'm currently doing 100km spins on my own @ 27kmph. I think the saturday spins wouldn't suit me but on the other hand I have no interest in getting serious about cycling. Any social sort of middle ground ?!

Thank very much.

seamus

If I'd known this, I still would have had to bring the missus into town at 10 o'clock. Got in a nice quick 47km out to Bray via Kilternan in the afternoon anyway. Getting quite nippy out there, I'd have been frozen without my glove liners on.

I'll try to make this Sunday's one. Going by last years' roster it'll be a fairly flat 65-ish km, possibly out to Blessington.

Beasty

wersal gummage wrote: »

Robfowl,

Thanks for the info. about swords.

Just wondering - is there any middle ground between the saturday 30 mile spins and the serious guys who are preparing for racing ?

I'm currently doing 100km spins on my own @ 27kmph. I think the saturday spins wouldn't suit me but on the other hand I have no interest in getting serious about cycling. Any social sort of middle ground ?!

Thank very much.

If you're doing 27kph on your own the Saturday Blakes Cross spin should be ideal for you - about 70km, averaging around 30kph (which you should be fine with in a group). Not everyone in that spin is training for racing, and you'll probably find anything slower too easy.

joker77

el tonto wrote: »

If you're interested in joining a cycling club in order to race, train or do sportives next season, Autumn's the time to do it. Most clubs will be starting up their winter training spins soon and its best to start early when things are fairly relaxed and the clubs are focussed on getting their newcomers up to speed.

My own club, Orwell Wheelers is starting its winter spins on Sunday, starting from Joe Daly’s bike shop in Dundrum at 9:30am. Spins will be split into separate groups based on ability and will include a Beginner group for riders new to group riding and a Step Up group for those contemplating racing for the first time.

Might be a good idea if folks from other clubs pitch into this thread with details on when their own spins open for beginners are starting up?

Thanks for the heads up on this - I didn't see the post though until today so missed the boat for yesterday.

Do you just turn up the first time? Will the Sunday 9.30 be the case for Orwell from now on over the winter?

mc2000

@joker77 - yeah, just turn up on the Sunday at 0930 - take a look at the below as well:

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/club-spins-overview.html

neris

is the swords spin from blakes x at 830 the faster guys? or just an easy pace? was talking to one of the guys organising the sportive yesterday but for got to ask.

also is it ok to just turn up on a saturday or do you nrrd to join? he mentioned a members night in november for joining (not that a few weeks will make a massive difference to me) would like to try and up my pace a little over distance with a view to seeing what racing looks like from the back next year

Beasty

neris wrote: »

is the swords spin from blakes x at 830 the faster guys? or just an easy pace? was talking to one of the guys organising the sportive yesterday but for got to ask.

also is it ok to just turn up on a saturday or do you nrrd to join? he mentioned a members night in november for joining (not that a few weeks will make a massive difference to me) would like to try and up my pace a little over distance with a view to seeing what racing looks like from the back next year

Blakes Cross is the faster one - 27-30kph over 70km
The "leisure" group leave from Swords at 9.15 and averages around 22kph

Details on www.swordscc.com

You can just turn up - I would guess no-one would complain much if you went on a few spins but left it until next year to sign up, given we are already 3/4 of the way through the year (07Lapierre may have a different view though - he's the club secretary!)

manwithaplan

kenmc wrote: »

nice spin to roundwood with orwell. thanks for having me. didn't see any other boards jerseys though

I saw you though. Myself and my mate were just putting the bikes in the back of the car in Enniskerry after a spin to Laragh and back by Sallygap when the very large Orwell posse rolled into town. As we headed in to the coffee shop, I pointed out the only boards jersey there to him. I would have said hello only it would have taken about half an hour for you to introduce all your mates.

This should probably go in the jersey spotting thread but it would just be too complicated.

QueensGael

Orwell folks,

Is there a beginners women's group going out on Sundays? Would like to join!

Thanks

jimm

kenmc wrote: »

nice spin to roundwood with orwell. thanks for having me. didn't see any other boards jerseys though

Was that you lot trying to sabotage the Vets Hill Climb?

http://www.ivca.info/gallery/album02hillclimb2010/IMG_9499

Chips Lovell

QueensGael wrote: »

Orwell folks,

Is there a beginners women's group going out on Sundays? Would like to join!

Thanks

A women's group goes out on Saturday's. Full details here. Aideen is advising people to get in touch with her via text before coming along.

Plenty of women ride the Sunday spins also, but Sundays are mixed.

Planet X

jimm wrote: »

Was that you lot trying to sabotage the Vets Hill Climb?

http://www.ivca.info/gallery/album02hillclimb2010/IMG_9499

Eh, Who are the two Status Quo fans slacking off to the right? :D

kenmc

jimm wrote: »

Was that you lot trying to sabotage the Vets Hill Climb?

http://www.ivca.info/gallery/album02hillclimb2010/IMG_9499

Yep How'd we do?

Jawgap

Couple of straightforward questions for Swords guys:-

1. Can you just show up and join in? I'd be particularly interested in the Balrothery group

2. Can you bail out before the end - I only ask because if I went to Blake's Cross I'd probably be passing close enough to home so I'd probably cut out there having done about 20 odd km to get to Blake's Cross in the first place!

Beasty

Jawgap wrote: »

Couple of straightforward questions for Swords guys:-

1. Can you just show up and join in? I'd be particularly interested in the Balrothery group

2. Can you bail out before the end - I only ask because if I went to Blake's Cross I'd probably be passing close enough to home so I'd probably cut out there having done about 20 odd km to get to Blake's Cross in the first place!

1. Yes
2. Yes - a lot join in as it goes through Skerries, Balrothery etc, and a lot bale out as it heads past the airport and through Swords. RobFowl is one who joins in Balrothery and then carries on to complete the circuit after most of the remaining riders drop off around Skerries

Give Sam a call re the Balrothery spin (his number is on the website) - I think it's probably started up again (I think they didn't run it through the racing season)

kenmc

manwithaplan wrote: »

I saw you though. Myself and my mate were just putting the bikes in the back of the car in Enniskerry after a spin to Laragh and back by Sallygap when the very large Orwell posse rolled into town. As we headed in to the coffee shop, I pointed out the only boards jersey there to him. I would have said hello only it would have taken about half an hour for you to introduce all your mates.

This should probably go in the jersey spotting thread but it would just be too complicated.

Not my mates - yet - just getting to know a few. Wouldn't recognise many now without lycra and helmets on

QueensGael

el tonto wrote: »

A women's group goes out on Saturday's. Full details here. Aideen is advising people to get in touch with her via text before coming along.

Plenty of women ride the Sunday spins also, but Sundays are mixed.

Great, thanks for that! Will head out this Saturday then