Looking for a cycling club

clem

I normally head out on the bike once or twice a week when training for triathlons however I think i'd be better off cycling with a group as I think 1) i'd push myself harder and 2) there is safety in numbers.

Can someone tell me of a suitable club in the swords area and how do I go about joining (when's the best time etc.)

Thanks in advance
Clem

ba

there is a club in swords, check out www.cyclingireland.com for contact details.

generally as the season winds down, now is the best time to join because weekend spins are casual (as riders are tired), and winter training (intense) doesnt start for a few weeks. this makes it comfortable for beginners to settle into a pace or distance they are not familiar with.

if you do triathlon you may consider removing you're tri/aero bars, as they are commonly not welcomed among clubs.

i am a member of the dublin wheelers, we cycle every sat morning from santry and soon every sunday too, but joining swords may suit you better.

...and generally you can show up at a clubs meeting spot before they head off, the lads will always welcome new riders.

daymobrew

ba wrote:

if you do triathlon you may consider removing you're tri/aero bars, as they are commonly not welcomed among clubs.

Please explain.

ba

when using tri/aero bars, it takes longer to reach the brakes.
and when cycling in a tight bunch, there is no room for error or for those slow on the levers.

i noticed nearly everybody keeps a finger on the brake lever, just in case, and its handy for controlling speed when your front wheel is about an inch from the man in front. hence tri/aero bars not welcome.

Stereophonic

You don't necessarily have to use them

ba

this is true

Hungrycol

www.swordscc.com

RiddleCon

Swords have a number of spins suitable for all standards. There are contact details for the club secretary on the websire www.swordscc.com and there is a forum as well. There are alot of triathleetes in the club already so we're used to tribars! just dont use them if you're in front of me :eek:
There are spins on thurs , sat and sunday am. Saturday and Sunday there are a number of different spins, a touring and racing group on sat and 2-4 different ones on a sunday althought the sunday one dont get going til Oct.
During the summer there is also a club league which is a good way to get into racing.

Hungrycol

Good info RiddleCon...

clem

tri bars won't be a problem......i don't have them

cheers lads

Hungrycol

Email to me from Bernie of Swords Cycling Club yesterday:

Just to let you know that i will be taking two spins for beginners and those returning to the bike on Sunday mornings, Sept 30th and Oct 7th from the Lord Mayors in Swords at 9am. There will be a stop for coffee and no one will be left behind if feeling tired or if anyone punctures. This will be an opportunity to meet other beginners and possibly swap numbers and arrange training spins together over the winter. What you need: Comfortable and warm bike clothes, a helmet, a roadworthy bike, a water bottle and a bar for the back pocket, some money for coffee. You do not have to be a member of Swords CC to come along to this spin. This spin will depart rain or sun! PS tell your friends!
All experienced riders welcome to help!! P.S. tell your friends!

Raam

I reckon I might pop along to one of those meets

mkdon05

this sounds quite good, any idea what distance the spin will be?

rp

Orwell Wheelers (Dundrum) are doing something similar, sunday mornings, starting either Dundrum or Phoenix park on alternate Sundays (9:30), I'm thinking of giving it a go. Prob. stop for an Orange Mochaccino instead of coffee, though.

bikergal

this sounds quite good, any idea what distance the spin will be?

I went along to a few of these spins last year, the distance depended on the ability of the group etc. If there are huge differences in abilites, there will be a split in the group. Distance is probably between 30 and 50k.

bikergal

Those swords spins are on the northside, so dont get ur hopes up about an orange mocchaccino... a cup of tea would be about it.

Tri bars are not much good in a bunch if there's a crash, would not like to land on a pair of them.... as far as i know thats the reason why are they are not v popular in bunch spins....

ba

i find less and less time to cycle after work with approaching darkness.
so sunday spins with the club will compensate for this.

the dublin wheeler spins usually near 100km. the group splits near the end depending on routes home.

bikergal

As these spins are for first timers and those returning to the bike, they will be short. There are other spins with Swords on Thurs, Sat and Sun mornings that cater for everyone from tourers to A racers, distances ranging from 60k to 90k depending on where you have to cycle home to!

Junior

Has anyone got any contact details for anyone doing similar spins in the Waterford area ?

rp

Junior wrote:

Has anyone got any contact details for anyone doing similar spins in the Waterford area ?

Sean Kelly?
Dunno of any clubs, but there is some great routes, up through the South Leinster Way around Graignamanagh, to Carrick on Suir and an easy ride back past Kilmeaden.

Raam

Junior wrote:

Has anyone got any contact details for anyone doing similar spins in the Waterford area ?

you could try these guys...
http://www.comeraghcc.com/

I think one of the lads who posts around here is a member. He'll probably be along soon

Junior

King Raam wrote:

you could try these guys...
http://www.comeraghcc.com/

I think one of the lads who posts around here is a member. He'll probably be along soon

Cheers Raam. I presume it's Quigs your referring to ? Went looking at gyms today, have to try do something with myself, from a guy who was 10 stone at 21 and riding three times a week to a guy pushing 13 stone now at 31 and unable to contemplate cycling

Raam

who's going along to the Swords spin on Sunday?

Hungrycol

Can't go this Sunday but am going to try and make the 7th.

RobAMerc

yes I hope to go sunday - cu there ?

Raam

If I can repair my puncture, I'll be there.
Having a bad time with punctures at the moment

ba

so how many from boards.ie are going out this sunday? 2? cos if i join swords CC that'll make it 3. hmm. could be a good laugh.

Raam

sure the more the merrier

bikergal

Will be there too. Hope the weather stays ok! There is also a get together on Wed eve in the carnegie court hotel at 8pm, for anyone interested in joining the club, or wanting to find out some more info about the club.

ba

where do they meet?

bikergal

meeting at the lord mayors, swords, at 9am this sunday next sunday

ba

so i wonder how all the boards members will recognise each other? hmm.

Raam

through an intricate series of nods and winks
failing that, I'll be on a red Spesh Allez

bikergal

I will prob be the only girl there in swords gear!

Raam

BikerGal: my missus is thinking of getting into the road game (going looking at road bikes tomorrow). Are there many ladies involved in the Swords club? She has been commuting for years and does running races, but would like to try her hand at longer distance cycling.

RobAMerc

i'll be there on a black specialized allez

what are the fitness levels like guys just to gauge it ?

bikergal

What distance does anyone feel like doing on sunday? It will be up to the majority of the group.

bikergal

King Raam wrote:

BikerGal: my missus is thinking of getting into the road game (going looking at road bikes tomorrow). Are there many ladies involved in the Swords club? She has been commuting for years and does running races, but would like to try her hand at longer distance cycling.

Thats great King Raam, there are about 18 ladies in the club, from beginners to triathletes, to racers to those that just do the odd spin for fun. She is more than welcome to come along on Sunday. I think there will be some other newbie ladies there on Sun too.

Raam

I'm happy with any distance really, but how does 70 or 80k sound?
Too much? Too little?

Raam

bikergal wrote:

there are about 18 ladies in the club, from beginners to triathletes, to racers to those that just do the odd spin for fun. She is more than welcome to come along on Sunday. I think there will be some other newbie ladies there on Sun too.

thanks Bikergal, I'll mention it to her. She would be on a mountain bike (non-knobbly tires) until she gets her road bike. Would that be OK?

bikergal

Yep thats fine, once she has a helmet and a road worthy bike, no probs

bikergal

King Raam wrote:

I'm happy with any distance really, but how does 70 or 80k sound?
Too much? Too little?

70 or 80k sounds fine for more experienced bikers, anyone thats a beginner willl do less, will see on sunday, prob split group into two if there are different levels.

clem

I'll be there on Sunday. Do I need to phone ahead to say I'll be there or is it ok just to turn up?

See you there

Raam

How was the spin in the end?
I had every intention of going, until my family and friends had a surprise party for me on Saturday night, so I was in no fit state to go cycling on Sunday morning.

ba

i too am curious as i went cycling alone instead.

bikergal

Hi, the spin was a great success, 12 of us showed up in the rain, went from swords to dunshaughlin, tea stop in dunshaughlin and then back to swords. Everyone did really really well, with no one struggling. it turned out to be a 50k spin with extra k's for those that live outside swords.

bikergal

Spin this sun departing from Lord Mayors, hopefully making it to Tara and back, the scones are well worth the climb up the hill, spin should be about 80k plus to Tara and back to Swords. Spin will take place, rain or shine.

clem

great, c u there