Which Triathlon Club in Dublin (Pulse/Belpark)?

lizanne83

Hi guys,

I have moved up to Dublin for work a few weeks ago, now living in Milltown (between ranelagh & Dundrum..... close to Rathfarnham!)

As some of you probably know I am a runner for years but now want to turn to tri as I love cycling also, and of course want to train multi-discipline, effectively & stay relatively injury free now. I’m looking at two clubs now: Belpark and Pulse:

Belpark is based in Rathfarnham (10 minute cycle away from me) and they run Tues & Thurs in nutgrove (winter) and bushy park (summer) and cycle from Rathfarnham on Sat / Sundays. One swim in the city (belvedere?) onFriday's (at a small cost). The best thing - membership is free and they're young, social and have many members...

Then there's Pulse Triathlon: They're affiliated with Sportsworld in Terenure (Bushy Park base) with running also Tues & Thurs. But with a turbo/spin Wednesday's (€4 extra or something) and swimming - out in Tallaght which is far out? Also many members…..

But pulse is €55/year. So I'm wondering; is Pulse better that Belpark - does it justify the cost? Or are Belpark just as good?

I would love the social buzz of it too and a good range of ages (diverse) as well as the racing/events/holiday's side of it!

Any tips/information would be great. Both clubs seem quite similar (and convenient locations) but I don't know why one is free & the other 55 for joining - what's the difference/justification?

Thanks!
Lizanne

bryangiggsy

Eenie,meanie,miney,mo.... Pulse

But im biased

RacoonQueen

Go to a few training sessions with both and find which you prefer. Belpark kit has no red on it, so they win on that point.

groovyg

Why not just go along to a few sessions of either club, try them out and then decide, I'm sure you don't have to pay membership fees the first night you turn up. As you are close to Dundrum you also have the option of joining Orwell wheelers if you wanted to although think you would need to join their club, but being a member of that club would allow you to take part in cycle races if you were interested.

Fazz

I had the same dilemma a year or so ago.

Belpark seemed closer (I'm nr Dundrum also), but Pulse were bigger, seemed more active and also nicer colours
Happened that next race saw 2 pulsers on podium steps and I went from there.

I did trial a run session with Belpark but unfortunately no one showed so that was that.

I joined Pulse and am glad I did.

Have a look on website, new members reps there (I'm one) so feel free to email Kim or myself on any questions.
Happy to sort a trial swim/bike/run session.

Regarding location, it's honestly not the be all and end all of a triathlon club.
I do 95% of my training on own at moment, but will run with Sportsworld in new yr.

Swimming would prob be the best value and biking too in terms of your needs.
So try both or else decide which is better located for training with coached sessions so you can improve and learn more.
Tallaght is actually quite close IMO.

It's great seeing and getting to know others at races etc which is easier in a bigger club.
Also the other aspects such as social when houses booked for big race weekends, or training weekends or warm weather training week away also.

Regarding cost, Pulse gives a free bag, hoodie, water bottle and few bits with each membership.
Any funds made are reinvested to the club in the form of training and race gear at reduced costs etc which is great.

Pm or email me if you want any further info.

LCD

A friend of mine got into tris this year & joined Belpark & really liked it.

BTH

From a social aspect Pulse win hands down. I've gate-crashed a pulse party or two and they're a good crowd, and there is always loads of them at races. They're bloody everywhere. Belpark would be a much smaller club and much less visible at races, although their athletes would on average probably be a higher standard. In saying that Pulse have nore than their fair share of top athletes as well, but they would have a very good spread throughout the field.

And no bias here as I'm in neither. (Move northside and join 3D!!)

billyhead

What about Piranha Tri. I was considering joining them

RacoonQueen

billyhead wrote: »

What about Piranha Tri. I was considering joining them

Piranha are a fairly big club as well. Very friendly crowd, all levels catered for. Mostly northside I think.

aficionado

Hey OP,
I'm a newbie member of Belpark and had the same dilema, Really glad I went with them,

I found with the small number of members was easy to get to know people.
Their Tues and Thurs sessions are with Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics which has a large number of members. I ended up joining them at the same time too.

Gives you plenty of options for training if you dont feel like a long cycle and would rather just run some weekends.

They have started up Turbo sessions now too on Wednesdays near Tara St, They are €4 for about 75min and includes Core work and a road bike with turbo if you need it.

Location is great for me also (D6)

PM if you have any questions

lizanne83

Hi guys,


Read all of your comments - really very helpful; thank you. Like some of you suggested, I will try both for the first week or two..... but so far I'm veering on pulse now..... the more people, the more motivation and social buzz perhaps.... and you're right; I have seen a lot of Pulse kit around at running & cycling events..... Nonetheless, I am not ruling Belpark out. I will give both a shot but wanted to get such information from you guys before paying the joining fee for pulse when in fact Belpark might be just as good.... but thinking now that the larger membership is probably with pulse for a good reason. I didn't know about the difference in membership no's until I saw your replies..... Thanks guys! Keep posting; and I will let you know my feedback when I meet them properly in the New Year (or perhaps even next week if they're still training so close to xmas)....

@Billyhead, I head of Pirhana but are they close by here too?

@Groovyg, I see the Orwell wheelers out at some of the cycling sportives also... but they're just a cycling club only; right? Templeogue?

Over the years I have been doing all my training solo as my times have been everywhere juggling fulltime work & studies..... but now that the studies part is over, I want structure & quality routine and social training with a group & to reduce all the solo training as much as possible.

Will keep you posted and thanks again; any further info would be great

Lizanne

Trigal

Bit biased too but for me it's Pulse all the way! Well organised training sessions, very social, great atmosphere at races and apres-tri events. Most of the membership fee goes back into subsidised training and gear for members; one of the main aims of the club is to make triathlon affordable. The membership pack itself is different every year but always useful gear.

There are usually open days early in the new year to give a good insight to the club for potential new members. Keep an eye on their site.

Best of luck.

lizanne83

Thanks Trigal

I will look out for an open evening then for the new year

I think it will be pulse I'll go with then - they're getting the most thumbs up so far :cool:

Fazz

lizanne83 wrote: »

Thanks Trigal

I will look out for an open evening then for the new year

I think it will be pulse I'll go with then - they're getting the most thumbs up so far :cool:

Pulse Open Day - Sat 21st/28th January - tbc

It'll be one of the above dates, will confirm once known.

It'll be on in Westpark gym, Tallaght probably from around about lunchtime.


Opportunity for any prospective new members to come along, hear from committee and members what Pulse is about and talk to current members with any questions etc.

lizanne83

Fazz, thanks for this.

I would really like to go to one of these 2 open days. Typically the dates clash for me. Going to the US with work Fri 20th Jan - Sat 28th Jan..... but my flight arrives back at 10.30am on the 28th so I could go straight there then.

Do you know how long the open day will run till on Sat. 28th - till later in the afternoon/evening I hope!?

Many thanks. I hope to join the trainings from start January anyway