Newbie Spins Leixlip/Lucan/Maynooth

Gillwill

Hi,

Complete newbie to cycling here. Anyone one interested in heading out on some short spins to get into the spirit of cycling? Maybe 5, 10k to start with? Living in Leixlip. Female, 29 years of age.

Mycroft H

Gillwill wrote: »

Hi,

Complete newbie to cycling here. Anyone one interested in heading out on some short spins to get into the spirit of cycling? Maybe 5, 10k to start with? Living in Leixlip. Female, 29 years of age.

Lucan Cycling club is near enough to you, maybe worth a look.


Spins round maynooth? I may be up for it. I'm the other side of Kilcock. I'm away for the next month though. I'm getting bored of cycling on my own.

Sean02

Talk to Jimmy Stagg but you might be better getting your own group together. If you know Leixlip The Moor of Meath route is an ideal and safe one to use up to 20K and can be extended towards Dunboyne / Maynooth easely as you get fitter. Enjoy

bogmanfan

Lucan Cycling Club run beginner spins on Saturday mornings. These are usually 50km, at a fairly easy pace of around 25km/h. They don't seem to be on at the moment, but will start up again in September I think.

jaqian

I wouldn't do less than 10km starting off it isn't as far as you might think. I think its about 7m Im old money. Find a nice road and cycle for 30min if you still feel fit and alert extend to an hour then turn for home. You will be surprised how far you can travel at a leisurely pace Im that time. If you have a smartphone then download a free gps app like RunKeeper, MyTracks or my favourite Strava. Its fun to see where you have ridden and your avg speed and as you improve you will see your distance and speed increase.

Most of all have fun :-)

Gillwill

Any takers on this?

jaqian

Gillwill wrote: »

Any takers on this?

Unfortunately its a bit out of the way for me. You could also check out the Facebook group... Dublin Social Cycle Group. I think some of the group are based near you.

seamus

You probably won't find many takers for a 5 or 10k spin. The effort of meeting up would hardly seem worth it - in many cases you'd have to travel 5km just to the meeting point

It's not the same as running - even crawling along, 5k will only take 20 minutes and you won't be knackered afterwards.

Use mapmyride.com or similar to come up with a 5km route starting and ending at your house, then go and cycle it. You will be genuinely surprised at how short it seems and how quickly you did it, and probably by the time you get back home you'll want to go out and kep cycling.

I would generally recommend the minimum distance for an absolute beginner to be 20km on the flat. It's less than an hour's cycling usually, and unlike a stationary bike in a gym that's not an hour of constant effort so pretty much anyone can do it.

5 or 10km distances are fine if you haven't been on a bike in a while; they will help you build up your confidence. But you won't find yourself very exercised afterwards

Scober

A group meet @ Apple green between leixlip and celbridge on saturday morning's. Very leisurely pace and lots of encourgement and guidance for those starting off. It would be worth a look in my opinion as you could start doing low milage with them and steadily bring it up, max they do is 50k on a saturday which would be achievable in a very short time once you get a few training sessions under your belt. I've noticed that there are more female cyclists attending recently all beginners. PM me if you want further info.

rp

Gillwill wrote: »

Any takers on this?

yeah I'd give it a lash - I'm recovering from a heart attack, and I've been doing an easy 25km loop, Maynooth/Leixlip/Celbridge/Barberstown and back

mp31

Gillwill wrote: »

Hi,

Complete newbie to cycling here. Anyone one interested in heading out on some short spins to get into the spirit of cycling? Maybe 5, 10k to start with? Living in Leixlip. Female, 29 years of age.

I suggest these two routes to start with:
a. Leixlip - Maynooth via Intel. Go as far as the Tesco roundabout and come back.
b. Leixslip - Celbridge. Go as far as the last petrol station and come back.

I followed these routes a lot when I started last year (I'm in Maynooth) and just repeated them on a spin to build up distance. The roads are flat and in good condition. The Maynooth road has good wide shoulders so the traffic won't annoy you as much. The Celbridge road has a smoooooth new surface for a good section and riding on it is bliss.

BostonB

Maybe consider going to the Phoenix Park and doing some laps there. Lots of people around at the weekend.

Heres another group.
http://www.orwellwheelers.org/other-stuff/368-ladies-spins-news.html

Sean02

If you live in Leixlip I recomment that you use the wonderful St. Catherines Park which extends to Spa hotel. Of course this highly illegal due to the stupid bye laws, however if cyclists dont make a stand KCC an SDCoCo will never change these laws. (I stand corrected if this has happened in last year ).

KevinKL

i

Gillwill wrote: »

Hi,

Complete newbie to cycling here. Anyone one interested in heading out on some short spins to get into the spirit of cycling? Maybe 5, 10k to start with? Living in Leixlip. Female, 29 years of age.

Mua

Scober wrote: »

A group meet @ Apple green between leixlip and celbridge on saturday morning's. Very leisurely pace and lots of encourgement and guidance for those starting off. It would be worth a look in my opinion as you could start doing low milage with them and steadily bring it up, max they do is 50k on a saturday which would be achievable in a very short time once you get a few training sessions under your belt. I've noticed that there are more female cyclists attending recently all beginners. PM me if you want further info.

Hi,
Does this group still meet? Trying to get back into cycling and build up to a 100km cycle in may.
Thanks

Mua

Gillwill wrote: »

Any takers on this?

Hi,
Did you get any takers??
Am looking to start back myself, am in maynooth. There's plenty of routes around here but some company would make it better.
Thanks

Amz

Mua wrote: »

Hi,
Did you get any takers??
Am looking to start back myself, am in maynooth. There's plenty of routes around here but some company would make it better.
Thanks

I know the Lucan cycling club beginner's group ate doing Saturday morning spins again.

I'm in Leixlip, but I've been too chicken.to head along just yet (only have a touring bike available to meat the mo' so will be laughed out of it )

If you check out Lucan's website/Facebook they have details there.

2011abc

There are people on the Lucan CRC Beginners spins on flat handled bikes and LOADS of ladies!(Well compared to when I was cycling anyway!)So you should enjoy the spins Amy/Gill .Give them a go!Take along a fiver for a coffee and cake!930am Saturday morning outside Stagg Cycles shop Main St Lucan .

MB Lacey

The moor of Meath route mentioned in one of the first posts, does anyone have a link to the route please?
I've looked up all the charity websites but none of them have a map of the route.
Thanks.

Amz

2011abc wrote: »

There are people on the Lucan CRC Beginners spins on flat handled bikes and LOADS of ladies!(Well compared to when I was cycling anyway!)So you should enjoy the spins Amy/Gill .Give them a go!Take along a fiver for a coffee and cake!930am Saturday morning outside Stagg Cycles shop Main St Lucan .

I probably should just bite the bullet and head along.

Can always claim I'm using the tourer as my heavy winter training bike, you'll all back me up, right?

Won't make this weekend as I've a wedding to go to, but maybe the following week. That'll give me loads of time to psych myself up, or out!

Idleater

Amz wrote: »

I probably should just bite the bullet and head along.

Can always claim I'm using the tourer as my heavy winter training bike, you'll all back me up, right?

The bike will be fine, there are all sorts out now. The beginners spin is 50 - 60km. If you want any reassurance, give Jimmy a shout in the shop.
I took them out week before last and they are a great bunch.

velo.2010

What 2011abc said. There are new people turning up for beginner spins every Saturday in Lucan. Plenty of people to cycle along with! The spins are mentored by experienced cyclists with the pace and distance manageable for those who've done some decent spins on their own - if you can do 40km, you'll be fine. As mentioned, please do bring money and two bottles filled along with some food. This Saturday the weather looks good so no excuses!:)

I can understand feeling intimidated first time when you turn up, we've all been there! Seriously though, it'll soon pass and you'll quickly get into it. Plus, if you pick it up and progress well, there is now a dedicated Sportive group who plan to take part in the big leisure rides around the country during the finer weather.

Amz

Thanks guys!

Distance wouldn't really worry me as such, I'm more worried about maintaining speed Haven't been out for a proper spin since October and I've only been playing rugby since then, so not really comparable.

lalorm

Hi Amz,

don't worry too much about the speed. The group travel at around 24 - 26kph average and no one gets left behind. The group always leaves with 2 advanced/senior riders that will ensure that everyone gets around. If you can manage around 25kph on your own, this will be easy for you. If you struggle on the hills, again don't worry as the group will wait either at the top of the hill or at the bottom on the other side. Also one of the advanced guy's will also hang back to ensure everyone is ok and like I said, no one gets left behind on their own.

Check out www.lucancrc.com for details on the spins from the shop and the times etc.

Regards
Mike.

rp

I'm none to interested in those big groups spins, but I'd be up joining a small group (2 or 3), riding Maynooth to somewhere a bit hilly, like Laragh/Annamoe and back (c. 120k) some weekends, if anyone's on for it

seven stars

MB Lacey wrote: »

The moor of Meath route mentioned in one of the first posts, does anyone have a link to the route please?
I've looked up all the charity websites but none of them have a map of the route.
Thanks.

I think it's just the short loop when you turn left after Confey GAA. See this google route for an example. Seems to be about 15km if you come back via Kellystown Lane, but you could always vary the route out towards Dunboyne or Maynooth.

Amz

There were works being done on the L1014 (Kellystown bridge) so that road was closed up until the other day at least, think it's still ongoing. Just to be aware.

seven stars

rp wrote: »

I'm none to interested in those big groups spins, but I'd be up joining a small group (2 or 3), riding Maynooth to somewhere a bit hilly, like Laragh/Annamoe and back (c. 120k) some weekends, if anyone's on for it

If you're the fella I think you might be (that flies past me on the N4), you'll be doing well to find people that can keep up with you. I think I can rule myself out anyway!

seven stars

Amz wrote: »

There were works being done on the L1014 (Kellystown bridge) so that road was closed up until the other day at least, think it's still ongoing. Just to be aware.

Didn't realise that, cheers. An alternative would be to stretch it out to Carton which brings it up to about 20k.

MB Lacey

seven stars wrote: »

I think it's just the short loop when you turn left after Confey GAA. See this google route for an example. Seems to be about 15km if you come back via Kellystown Lane, but you could always vary the route out towards Dunboyne or Maynooth.

Thanks, yeah I went onto Garmin Connect and created a course which included the majority of that loop, thanks.

seven stars

lalorm wrote: »

Hi Amz,

don't worry too much about the speed. The group travel at around 24 - 26kph average and no one gets left behind. The group always leaves with 2 advanced/senior riders that will ensure that everyone gets around. If you can manage around 25kph on your own, this will be easy for you. If you struggle on the hills, again don't worry as the group will wait either at the top of the hill or at the bottom on the other side. Also one of the advanced guy's will also hang back to ensure everyone is ok and like I said, no one gets left behind on their own.

Check out www.lucancrc.com for details on the spins from the shop and the times etc.

Regards
Mike.

Are mudguards a prerequisite for the Lucan club spins? I'm thinking about going along this weekend, although I've never ridden in a group before.

Amz

seven stars wrote: »

Are mudguards a prerequisite for the Lucan club spins? I'm thinking about going along this weekend, although I've never ridden in a group before.

Pretty sure it's just good group cycle etiquette to have mud guards, especially in winter/bad weather.

There's a list of what to bring on the lucancrc website mentioned above.