Dublin's Road Cycling Clubs.

mitteman

So I had a search online and on the forum and couldn't find much on Dublin's cycling clubs, I've heard of Orwell Wheelers, and saw Dublin Wheelers, Swords, and UCD Cycle Club online but thats about it.

I am going to join one because I reckon it'd be good for getting a regular training routine going over the autumn and winter. However, I have nothing to go on as to which one to join, so I thought I'd ask here!

What are the options for cycling clubs around Dublin, what are the merits of the different clubs, and which one is good to join for a newbie like myself?

Cheers

Morgan

I guess you should join one which is based close to you. Or go on spins with a few to see which you prefer.

Here's a list of CI affiliated clubs:
http://www.cyclingireland.ie/html/site/cyclingireland/club.jsp?t=Find%20A%20Club#

Raam

Hi Mitteman, it might be handiest to join the one closest to you.
I, along with many from here, am in Swords. The club holds small league races every week in North County Dublin. If you live near there it makes it easy to get to them. I live near Raheny so it's possible to cycle out and back from them. The purpose of the league is to try develop riders so they can progress to open races.

rottenhat

There's plenty here from Orwell Wheelers as well and they have decent sized racing and touring sections. Their rides start from Dundrum so they'd be a southside alternative. If you're far on the southside of the city, Bray Wheelers are also a very active club.

mitteman

Handiness will probably be the deciding factor, there is a good long list on Cycling Ireland website (inc. a good few offroad clubs) but it's not entirely clear where each club is based.

I'm in Smithfield at the moment, would there be any clubs with similar development ideas as those in Swords in the locale??

Raam

mitteman wrote: »

Handiness will probably be the deciding factor, there is a good long list on Cycling Ireland website (inc. a good few offroad clubs) but it's not entirely clear where each club is based.

I'm in Smithfield at the moment, would there be any clubs with similar development ideas as those in Swords in the locale??

Dublin Wheelers isn't a million miles from you. They meet in Glasnevin. Many people from that club ride in the Swords league also, along with people from Orwell, Stamullen and some other clubs. Non-club members also race. Races are always in the country side: Meath, North County Dublin, Wicklow and further afield for some of the bigger ones. There is an inter club league for Orwell, Usher, Lucan, UCD and St Tiernans (I think). This year there was also races in the Phoenix Park during the week.

blorg

Orwell Wheelers are unquestionably the club to join. :pac:

Seriously though, if you are in Smithfield, you can basically take your pick, you are central most of the clubs will be heading out of the city anyway so northside or southside doesn't particularly matter. Orwell spin meets are typically Dundrum or the Phoenix Park, while the club league alternates between Batterstown in Meath and Brittas for a loop in Wicklow. Autumn is the perfect time to join and when clubs will be most oriented towards getting new members up to speed.

We do have a very good club league if you want to get into racing, run together with Lucan, Usher IRC, St Tiernans and UCD. I have found Orwell very welcoming. Many non-racers go out on the training spins BTW, at least half the club is non-racing.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

the club league alternates between Batterstown in Meath and Brittas for a loop in Wicklow.

Do you only have two circuits for your league? We've raced six different ones in our league this year.

blorg

Raam wrote: »

Do you only have two circuits for your league? We've raced six different ones in our league this year.

The circuits vary a bit, mainly variations on where the finishing line is though, we have had two distinct circuits out of Brittas with finishing line in five different variations there. Opening race was also a different circuit out of Dunboyne as were the TTs obviously. I certainly don't mind getting to know the circuits, it gives a big advantage

Raam

blorg wrote: »

The circuits vary a bit, mainly variations on where the finishing line is though, we have had two distinct circuits out of Brittas with finishing line in five different variations there. Opening race was also a different circuit out of Dunboyne as were the TTs obviously. I certainly don't mind getting to know the circuits, it gives a big advantage

We had a new one yesterday, you would like it. 5 ascents of the Three Sisters somewhere out past Oldtown near Naul. Not a large or steep hill by any means, but enough to cause damage to the groups.

Billy Whizz

Raam wrote: »

We had a new one yesterday, you would like it. 5 ascents of the Three Sisters somewhere out past Oldtown near Naul. Not a large or steep hill by any means, but enough to cause damage to the groups.

Is this the circuit for Wednesday? Did the limit groups stay away again?!

Raam

Billy Whizz wrote: »

Is this the circuit for Wednesday? Did the limit groups stay away again?!

I think it's the same one for Wednesday. We caught them with 2 laps to go, or close to that.

Billy Whizz

Raam wrote: »

I think it's the same one for Wednesday. We caught them with 2 laps to go, or close to that.

Hey, you're in one of the limit groups! Looking forward to the new circuit alright, know those roads reasonably well. Who won in the end? Has the league been decided yet?!

Raam

Billy Whizz wrote: »

Hey, you're in one of the limit groups! Looking forward to the new circuit alright, know those roads reasonably well. Who won in the end? Has the league been decided yet?!

Oh yeah! Well, we (group 3) caught groups 1 and 2, but were never caught ourselves. So yeah, the limit groups stayed away

Derek won, I got second. From what I can see, there is one point in it... my favour. But that's just from me filling in the spreadsheet myself.

Billy Whizz

Building up to a grandstand finish so! If we catch you on Wednesday then let the bribing commence!

Raam

Billy Whizz wrote: »

Building up to a grandstand finish so! If we catch you on Wednesday then let the bribing commence!

Joe says he is putting us in group 4 for Wednesday! It might be sown up for either of us after that race depending on what happens.

mitteman

Cheers for feedback..

Probly a good idea to try a few spins with different clubs just to see how it goes.

@Blorg/other Orwell Wheelers, the webpage says that new members are accepted from October, this hard and fast or would it be possible to have a look over the next few weeks?

shaungil

Raam,

Did you put the route up on Map my ride? If I can make it Wed and am in the same group I'll do domestique for you in exchange for those lights you sent me. They were class and burnt a few retinas as we passed the local at half one as the boozers fell out.

night cycling is a bit freaky but great fun

Shaun

RobFowl

Raam wrote: »

Oh yeah! Well, we (group 3) caught groups 1 and 2, but were never caught ourselves. So yeah, the limit groups stayed away

Derek won, I got second. From what I can see, there is one point in it... my favour. But that's just from me filling in the spreadsheet myself.

Finishes with a hill climb as well
There are 2 Boardies on the trophy already (Me :rolleyes: and Biker_Joe (more than once too))

rottenhat

mitteman wrote: »

@Blorg/other Orwell Wheelers, the webpage says that new members are accepted from October, this hard and fast or would it be possible to have a look over the next few weeks?

I think that a group still goes out on Sunday but it's pretty much ad hoc and it probably wouldn't be exactly beginner friendly, both in the sense that it might be bloody fast and that they might give you the fisheye in case you're a complete novice who doesn't know anything about riding in a group. But I haven't made a single Sunday spin since the winter schedule ended in April so I don't really know. I guess if you're already familiar with riding in a double paceline then you could give it a shot - if not, I'd say probably better to hold off until the introductory spins start up again in October.

You could always rock up to one of the Boards spins of a Saturday. They tend to be a bit disorganised compared to a club spin but newcomers are always welcome and it will give you some idea of the pace of club cycling. A thread usually goes up on Thursday or Friday about it - if not, feel free to start one.

Raam

shaungil wrote: »

Raam,

Did you put the route up on Map my ride? If I can make it Wed and am in the same group I'll do domestique for you in exchange for those lights you sent me. They were class and burnt a few retinas as we passed the local at half one as the boozers fell out.

night cycling is a bit freaky but great fun

Shaun

Here is the route. I saw the blog about your night training spin. I have a replacement attachment for the light. I'll bring it on Wednesday.

ED E

Dublin Fat Heads Anthony Redmond

That sounds like the club for me considering that was a previous nickname of mine:D

Out of interest, whats the average agegroup in these clubs? Excluding college ones of course.

Raam

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

That sounds like the club for me considering that was a previous nickname of mine:D

Out of interest, whats the average agegroup in these clubs? Excluding college ones of course.

Ours goes from juniors to very seniors and everything in between.

ED E

Raam wrote: »

Ours goes from juniors to very seniors and everything in between.

Yeah, I'm just looking at getting away from MTBs right now so I'll probably hold off till next year when chances are I'll be in UCD:) On the other hand a mate is really pushing for a cycling holiday next summer, so training in a club would be usefull. What club are you in(no loyalty in your sig:p)? Orwell would be local to me...

Raam

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Yeah, I'm just looking at getting away from MTBs right now so I'll probably hold off till next year when chances are I'll be in UCD:) On the other hand a mate is really pushing for a cycling holiday next summer, so training in a club would be usefull. What club are you in(no loyalty in your sig:p)? Orwell would be local to me...

I'm with Swords for about 10 months or so.

ED E

Orwell seem a very serious bunch:eek:

rottenhat

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Orwell seem a very serious bunch:eek:

No, no, didn't mean to give that impression at all - we're by and large a very friendly bunch, it's just that if you want to join a Sunday spin at this time of year (i.e. coming to the end of the racing season) I think you would want to be pretty fit and know how to handle yourself in a group. Riding with other people is a skill that takes a bit of learning and if you haven't learned it yet, you could easily and completely unintentionally cause an accident and it'd as likely be someone else who suffered. So most clubs use the winter months as an opportunity to bring in new members, teach them the basic skills of road cycling and let them build fitness over several months before racing season begins again. If you come out to one of the introductory spins in October, I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome.

ED E

Oops, never actually saw your post, I was basing that on the site.

I cycle in rush our traffic most of the time so I think I'm pretty aware of my surroundings the majority of the time, but I see how riding in a group could be challenging.

If I get a proper bike within the next few weeks then I'll try and get a few runs in with the lads and get my fitness up a bit. Are the intro runs done throughout October?

rottenhat

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

I cycle in rush our traffic most of the time so I think I'm pretty aware of my surroundings the majority of the time, but I see how riding in a group could be challenging.

I was a courier for many years and thought much the same but this actually made me a very bad cyclist in a group situation - a lot of it is about training yourself to behave in consistent, predictable ways, not braking suddenly, keeping a steady pace, not letting gaps open up, calling obstacles etc.

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

If I get a proper bike within the next few weeks then I'll try and get a few runs in with the lads and get my fitness up a bit. Are the intro runs done throughout October?

I'm not sure when they start - it might be the middle of the month - but they run through to the end of April. There'll be multiple groups going out every Sunday so once you got a little experience you can quickly move up.

blorg

Orwell are a very wide ranging club, at least half of the members don't race, the beginner spins would be very managable I reckon.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

Orwell are a very wide ranging club, at least half of the members don't race, the beginner spins would be very managable I reckon.

How did the TTT go down?

alfalad

Can you be a member of two diff clubs at once? I'm not a member of any at the moment but i hear there is a club starting up close to where I live at home in Meath. They are only up and running a month and don't think anybody races they just try to get out at the weekend etc. I'd like to join to make up the numbers and would be handy when i'm home but given that i spend most of my time up here i wouldn't mind joining a club in dublin and start on these beginner spins to learn the basics etc. It seems that club spins are on Sunday as well which would suit me better.
Granted this is all in an ideal world and it is doubtful i will join one up here but i thought i'd ask!

blorg

Raam wrote: »

How did the TTT go down?

That is this Thursday... Not sure if I have a team yet, have 1 definite and 1 maybe, need another rider. Semi-scratch is certainly a step up but I think I am fitting in OK.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

That is this Thursday... Not sure if I have a team yet, have 1 definite and 1 maybe, need another rider. Semi-scratch is certainly a step up but I think I am fitting in OK.

How do you determine who is on a team? Does it count towards overall points for the league?

blorg

Raam wrote: »

How do you determine who is on a team? Does it count towards overall points for the league?

It's completely up to yourself to organise, you can have whoever as long as they are in the league... It does count all right, quite significantly- 1st to 6th get points and they go to all four riders on the team. Time is based on third rider over the line.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

It's completely up to yourself to organise, you can have whoever as long as they are in the league... It does count all right, quite significantly- 1st to 6th get points and they go to all four riders on the team. Time is based on third rider over the line.

Is there any restriction on team members? I.e. all from one category? Any handicaps applied?

lukester

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Orwell seem a very serious bunch:eek:

Orwell have a touring section that have more casual rides on a Saturday, and you can join those at any time of year. Only know this because I mailed them to ask if they only take new members in the autumn.

If you want to join for the Sunday spins then autumn seems to be the time as they cater for those new to group riding, and those spins are geared towards training for the club leagues, so I was told.

blorg

Raam wrote: »

Is there any restriction on team members? I.e. all from one category? Any handicaps applied?

No restrictions and no handicaps.

adrian522

From the Orwell website:

"Hard shell helmets and road bikes with dropped handlebars are mandatory."

WTF? Does this mean I can't show up on my Giant FCR? Straight handlebars so guess not. Also the helmet I've got was the cheapo €30 one, so I guess I'd probably be turned away....

rottenhat

adrian522 wrote: »

From the Orwell website:

"Hard shell helmets and road bikes with dropped handlebars are mandatory."

WTF? Does this mean I can't show up on my Giant FCR? Straight handlebars so guess not.

I've seen people show up on flat-barred bikes and they haven't been turned away but there will be a discreet suggestion that you get a road bike if you want to keep riding with the club.

adrian522 wrote: »

Also the helmet I've got was the cheapo €30 one, so I guess I'd probably be turned away....

A helmet's a helmet.

godihatethehils

@blorg...will you use tt bars on the team time trial?

Apologies if that's a silly question but it appears that you ride in a line and I'm just wondering if you still use clip on bars (without access to brakes) if that's the case?

thx

blorg

godihatethehils wrote: »

@blorg...will you use tt bars on the team time trial?

Apologies if that's a silly question but it appears that you ride in a line and I'm just wondering if you still use clip on bars (without access to brakes) if that's the case?

thx

I will have them (they are allowed) but I'll only be on them if I am on the front and the road conditions are suitable. I was advised that my goal for my first TTT should be "don't crash into your teammates"