Leisurecycling.ie and the Wicklow 100/200

alexanderomahon

Just a heads up for those who want to prepare for sportives this year and in particular the Wicklow 100/200.

leisurecycling.ie is up and running and has been recruiting members over the last couple of months. The aims of the group are outlined here. http://www.leisurecycling.ie/mission.html

There is also a couple of facebook pages
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=596420997#!/leisurecyclingireland

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=596420997#!/leisurecycling

Anyway the group has now got kits on order and is planning to get some training sessions organised in the near future with the aim of getting people ready to take part in the Wicklow 100/200.

I got an email recently and it outlines the upcoming plans for the group as follows ..... will be forwarding details of our first meetup and training session soon. We will be splitting into groups depending on level. We will be catering for starter to experienced cyclists, so don't be afraid to come along. This will be open to anyone, so if you have friends that would like to come along please invite them. The purpose of this meetup will be to get people on the road to training for an event like the Wicklow 100/200 so it will contain a climb or two, but don't let this turn you off, you will have plenty of support.

I have also secured the backing of Cycling Ireland through my involvement with their leisure commission. This will give us access to coaching and other resources throughout the year. I will forward more details of our plans for next year soon.

If people are interested in getting more info then you can e mail leisurecycling.ie at admin@leisurecycling.ie

greenmat

Well done to you, hope it goes well which I'm sure it will. Seen the gear on your site, looks great. Great offer too for those in first.

p

Hey - just a small question. 'Leisure' cycling to me would imply not for sport at all - but that doesn't seem to be the case here, or?

From the name, I expecting something like the Slow Bicycle Movement:
http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/copenhagenizing-has-another-name-the-slow-bike-movement.html
http://www.faircompanies.com/videos/view/slow-biking-if-you-think-youre-going-to-sweat-slow-down/

alexanderomahon

p wrote: »

Hey - just a small question. 'Leisure' cycling to me would imply not for sport at all - but that doesn't seem to be the case here, or?

From the name, I expecting something like the Slow Bicycle Movement:
http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/copenhagenizing-has-another-name-the-slow-bike-movement.html
http://www.faircompanies.com/videos/view/slow-biking-if-you-think-youre-going-to-sweat-slow-down/

The definiton of leisure cycling used by leisurecycling.ie is

Leisure Cycling
Leisure cycling, also known as touring cycling, is generally considered to be road cycling over medium to long distances for the benefit of fitness and fun and not competition.

Typically leisure cycling includes charity or fun events, cycling challenges or sportives, reliability trials or timed challenges and audax or very long distances.

In general leisure cycling should suit people at all levels.

p

Cool - thanks for the info!

alexanderomahon

Leisure cycling Ireland are organising a beginners session for anybody interesting in taking up cycling and/or wants to get ready to do a few sportives in 2012. The first session is in the Pheonix Park on January 8th.

I'm just passing this info on but if you have any questions you can put them on the leisure cycling facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/leisurecycling#!/leisurecycling

Here is the info they have put up about their first training spin. Other planned rides coming up include one from Arklow to Bray

If you know anyone thinking of taking up cycling we are organising a beginners session in the Phoenix Park Dublin straight after Christmas. 9k laps and you can do as few or as many as you like. All welcome. Please share.

Loop of the Park - 9 - 18k
Sunday, 8 January 2012 at 09:00 at Phoenix Park..

Consey

Count me in on 8th Jan !

robs1

Are there many people signed up for the club and were will most of the cycles be taking place for training

Consey

Hi again, Where does the cycle start from in the Park at 9am on Sunday ?

Thanks

alexanderomahon

9 am Pheonix park. North Circular Road entrance is the meeting place

Tomred13

Hi
Hopefully Gona pop along on sunday too if im not working. Are there many going ?

jameverywhere

I'm planning on being there on Sunday

alexanderomahon

I'll be there

Jeffm587

Intend to be there also

jameverywhere

can someone be sure to bring a small allen key so I can adjust the cleats on my cycling shoes?! I lost mine TT_TT

alexanderomahon

About 20 people showed at the Pheonix Park for the first spin in preparation for the Wicklow 100/200. The people present had varying levels of experience but nobody was left behind and everybody seemed to enjoy the beautiful Dublin Sunday weather.

Next spins are happening on 22 jan.

One is for miore experienced cyclists aiming at getting ready for the Wicklow 100/200 and is 75k from Arklow to Bray .

Info is here https://www.facebook.com/events/163780423722831/

For those who are less well on in their preparation then there will be another spin in Pheonix Park on 22 January https://www.facebook.com/whitefeathers1#!/events/291836144197873/

Leroy42

OT I know, but since effort is being put in to get the spins etc (which I applaud) do you reckon this is a good way to get some sort of mass start organised.

Obviously not everybody doing the W200/100 but at least if we could get a good 100+ riders at 7am to roll out together and make it something of an event.

smacl

alexanderomahon wrote: »

Next spins are happening on 22 jan.

One is for miore experienced cyclists aiming at getting ready for the Wicklow 100/200 and is 75k from Arklow to Bray .

Info is here https://www.facebook.com/events/163780423722831/

Facebook link not working properly, but from http://www.leisurecycling.ie/events.html I saw this

This one is for the experienced cyclist. We will meet in Bray and Dart to Arklow.

Surely there's plenty of nice routes of whatever length starting from Dublin / Bray that don't involve trying to get a bunch of bikes on the dart? What's the thinking behind a linear route that you have to transport your bike to first, as opposed to a circuit that has all your time spent on the bike?

morann

The Arklow route was suggested by a friend because it's particularly scenic and is not a training session just a trip a few of us are taking.

Generally the routes are circuits, starting with our first training session in Feb.

smacl

Fair enough, I haven't cycled that coast road at all, let us know how it goes. Might be a nice pre-WW200 spin, something like Enniskerry - Sallygap - Laragh - Rathdrum - Arklow - Kilmac - Enniskerry.

What's the story with taking bikes on the Dart? tbh, I didn't even know it went further than graystones. I was looking at taking the bike on a train to Wexford over the summer, but booking was a nightmare and the extra cost was a rip.

letape

smacl wrote: »

Surely there's plenty of nice routes of whatever length starting from Dublin / Bray that don't involve trying to get a bunch of bikes on the dart? What's the thinking behind a linear route that you have to transport your bike to first, as opposed to a circuit that has all your time spent on the bike?

Are there any plans for cycles starting in the South Dublin or Bray area in the coming weeks?

morann

We are doing a 27k loop from Enniskerry on Feb 12. This is mainly for beginners looking at doing the Wicklow 100/200 but it is a loop so we can do it as many times as we like.

If you are interested check the website events page.

letape

Will do and thanks for the reply.

Would be very interested in longer spins from the same location.

morann

Oh and you can bring bikes on the Dart at certain times, off-peak.

Bringing them on the inter-city is a different ball game, have to be booked and there is an extra cost.

alexanderomahon

This morning there is a loop of the Pheonix park at 9 and also the 75 k Arklow to Bray over the Sally Gap.

I've said I'm doing the Sally Gap. It's windy, I cannot climb and the furthest I've ever done is 100k on the flat. Should have agreed to do the loop!!!

alexanderomahon

Did it, got home, bath, got pissed. GREAT DAY - sore legs