Bike racing

Ryder

Would like to try time trialling (ideally) or racing next year. With work and family commitments there is no way that i can join a club. Is it possible to just buy a CI License and go to events?

Quigs Snr

Yes it is, you can ride unattached. A full race license is around 140 a year. (Normally about 25 quid cheaper through a club). You can do it online on the cyclingireland.ie site. Don't rush though because they work via calendar year so it won't be valid till January anyway.

emtroche

Cycling Ireland AGM is on 14th November.

Two of the motions for review are:

4. That One Day Licences as they are presently administered should be abolished. By Balbriggan CC

5. That One Day Licences should be replaced by One Day Licence Vouchers in a similar design to be administered by Cycling Ireland Admin. A cyclist could apply to Cycling Ireland Admin for a book (Min 5) of vouchers for €50. When a cyclist wishes to enter a race, they would then submit a completed voucher to the relevant Commissaire who will then submit it with their Comms Report. Unused vouchers can be returned to CI for refund or re- allocation the following season. By Balbriggan CC

Chips Lovell

Ryder wrote: »

Would like to try time trialling (ideally) or racing next year. With work and family commitments there is no way that i can join a club. Is it possible to just buy a CI License and go to events?

As Quigs said, you can. However, joining a club often only entails as much of a commitment as you want it to be, i.e. you can join and just show up for races if you want. Club leagues are often a better intro to racing than jumping straight into open races, which would be quite higher in standard.

blorg

I would strongly advise joining a club, you will learn how to race far better in a club league than throwing yourself into open races. Mass start racing in particular is relatively technical and a club is a better place to get used to racing in tight bunches.

As Tonto says the commitment required is minimal, in our own club to race the league (well over 20 races worth) all you have to do is marshall one race.

Where are you based?

Ryder

As always, really appreciate the replies guys. Know that i would be a liability racing so would prefer time trialling. A bit old now at 32 to be learning the tricks of bunch sprints. Am based in Dublin Blorg, but with kid on the way, know that my training will be even more unpredictable than now. (have to work part of most weekends so thats why i foot make the sat spins). So time trialling it is for next year...

Raam

Ryder wrote: »

As always, really appreciate the replies guys. Know that i would be a liability racing so would prefer time trialling. A bit old now at 32 to be learning the tricks of bunch sprints. Am based in Dublin Blorg, but with kid on the way, know that my training will be even more unpredictable than now. (have to work part of most weekends so thats why i foot make the sat spins). So time trialling it is for next year...

Ah you're never too old, mate. I was a year younger than you when I started racing... that was this year

godihatethehils

Raam wrote: »

Ah you're never too old, mate. I was a year younger than you when I started racing... that was this year

and he won the league....:)

velo.2010

Jaysus Im younger than the lot of yee and still feel a bit old to be getting into racing! Anyway I have similar thoughts to you Ryder though would like to give Raam a fright in some of those uphill TT's. Heres to next year.

blorg

@Ryder- 32 is not old. I started racing this year at 33.

@velo.2010- not going to happen. Focus on attainable goals

I would still think you are best off joining a club. I know Dublin Wheelers run a time trial series which I believe is open to invitees of other clubs.

velo.2010

@Blorg, I said fright! not beat.:) Considering a TT rig or perhaps a second road bike specifcally for training. The yoke I have is a bit too nice for winter training while the hardfront/rear MTB is a bit too heavy to do justice.

shaungil

Ryder,

I feel your pain re the thoughts of group riding etc as I started late at 33 also. I much prefer TT as it's less skilful re drafting etc and feel it's truer test of a cyclist however............

There is a great buzz in racing esp starting in club league (mainly towing Raam to the bottom of a hill through a headwind and then seeing him disappear up it). You find your standard and improve much quicker. You learn handling skills push yourself much harder and have a load of other people whose brain you can pick.

While boards is great if you race with someone and watch what they do and then ask them about it afterwards you will earn so much more. Just holding a wheel for 20 yards after you think you are going to vomit can be much more satisfying than sprinting for a place. Oh I miss racing.....

The open races were a different story but there is new grading next year so no-one knows how it is going to pan out.

Also there's not as many TT's as you might think they are far more popular in the UK.

Shaun

LastGasp

You're all a bunch of youngsters - 47 and counting ! Mind you I don't race, but I've been out for a few spins with Orwell, and I might give some of the Club events a go next year if it doen't kill me !

blorg wrote: »

@Ryder- 32 is not old. I started racing this year at 33.