Joining a club and getting into racing

allez

So this year i'm thinking of joining a club to meet a few cycling friends and what not. I'm based out in Killiney and judging by activity it seems like its either Orwell or Bray as the best clubs in my area but if theres any others do let me know.

I'm used to cycling in a small bunch so im not too fearful of that aspect but i'd like to try my hands at a few races next year too. Is there an entry level cat for lads like meself? Currently average about 25-30kmph over my solo rides depending on the climbing involved. Im presuming in much bigger bunches that will go up a little bit.

Cheers for any advice and if you'd like to follow me on strava here is my profile, shameless plug> http://www.strava.com/athletes/493854

Zyzz

Also interested in this

dermabrasion

There is St. Tiernan's CC. Based in Dundrum/Sandyford area. We are about 60-70 members, and we love purple!
We have a decent enough bunch racing mainly in A3 and A4 and a few in A2. Over the coming winter months, we have training rides on a saturday morning 9:30. Usually split into a racing, an intermediate and a touring group.
In the season, there is usually a crew turning up to most open races around Leinster and beyond throughout the year so there are teammates and car pooling, and we regularly send teams to stage races such as Omagh, Charleville.
We participate in http://theclubleague.com a league with Lucan, IRC, UCD and South Dublin CC's which runs on a Thursday evening during the spring and summer. This is probably the best spot to learn how to race, as it is graded by ability and you can move up as you get on. It is also a great way to get race fit.
Clubs website:http://www.sttiernanscc.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/145922275429462/

buffalo

allez wrote: »

I'm used to cycling in a small bunch so im not too fearful of that aspect but i'd like to try my hands at a few races next year too. Is there an entry level cat for lads like meself? Currently average about 25-30kmph over my solo rides depending on the climbing involved. Im presuming in much bigger bunches that will go up a little bit.

In terms of entry level, for open racing you'd be starting in A4, but a club league is a much nicer introduction to racing - a more friendly and approachable environment focussed on safe and enjoyable racing rather than all out competition.

Orwell run a club league with just our own riders, so you'd just be racing against clubmates, with the experienced ones obviously open to sharing advice and tips. Last we ran workshops with coaches, and had training groups targetting different races (Gorey, the Rás, etc) as well as more general A4 or A3 groups.

Have a read over http://www.orwellwheelers.org/news-and-events/540-winter-faq.html and if you've any questions, just shout.

J Madone

With Bray myself, good mix of abilities, and we run our own club league with up to 60 riders on the day. With a few interclub races with Sorrento aswell.Our club spins leave Kilmacanogue flyover at 10 am every Saturday and Sunday with the routes posted in advance on www.braywheelers.com. This caters for all levels
The racing training group spins will start the beginning of November,leaving at 9.30am.
We have a purpose built clubhouse in Bray although we don't consider ourselves posh ;0)
Several of our members ride out from dunlaoire area towards the meet up point so you won't be lonely!
And lastly all our training takes place on the lovely Wicklow roads.
Look forward to seeing you on the road
JM

allez

What kinda of standards are ya gonna be looking at for A4 races? I don't wanna get shot out the back and left behind for the foxes and badgers to take advantage of.

Captain Havoc

You have to compete in 6 league races next year before you can race A4.

daragh_

Captain Havoc wrote: »

You have to compete in 6 league races next year before you can race A4.

Hadn't heard that. Good idea. Might be a problem for Clubs who have had issues running leagues surely?

daragh_

OP. Link to Sorrento CC as mentioned up thread.

http://www.sorrentocyclingclub.com/site/

duffyshuffle

How early do club races start? So you might not be able to race an A4 race before summer, seems ludicrous

smurphy29

allez wrote: »

What kinda of standards are ya gonna be looking at for A4 races? I don't wanna get shot out the back and left behind for the foxes and badgers to take advantage of.

Don't worry about getting dropped. If you get dropped, welcome to the club. If you don't, you don't.

Hadn't heard abuot the six-club-race rule, but it's an interesting one. Given that most club racing doesn't start until the summer, it could lend a different dynamic to the early season A4 racing. It will help you no end though; contrary to what you might think most club races are harder than open A4 racing, because you're usually riding in a smaller bunch in a handicap race, so the onus is on the group to stay away/catch the group ahead, so it's hard work and often more exciting than open A4 racing.

Plastik

Now you have to qualify before you can race in what was the entry level cat? That's a pity. Last year the racing season started in mid-Feb and the club leagues not until sometime in April. Plus 6 weeks for new people and you have ruled out a large chunk of the season - and the licence is expensive enough as it is. Is there any more detail in relation to this proposal? Clearly a matter for another thread.

To the OP, I'm out in Bray with J.Mod - great club with something for everybody.

Harrybelafonte

Do we have a source for this rule change?

spyderski

Captain Havoc wrote: »

You have to compete in 6 league races next year before you can race A4.

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!:)

Harrybelafonte

spyderski wrote: »

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!:)

I know where everyone is coming from. but not every club can set up a league, not are they included in group leagues. Does that leave certain members of clubs left in a position where they need to beg to get on to the list?

daragh_

@Captain Havoc. Do you have a reference for this? Also a thread on the subject would be a good idea - rather than hijacking this one.

smurphy29

I presume this puts the kibosh on one day licences too?

Lusk_Doyle

smurphy29 wrote: »

I presume this puts the kibosh on one day licences too?

Already done away with in April of this year IIRC.

smurphy29

Ah ok, I thought it was an annual thing whee you could get a one-dayer up to april. But they're gone completely?

Harrybelafonte

smurphy29 wrote: »

Ah ok, I thought it was an annual thing whee you could get a one-dayer up to april. But they're gone completely?

A new thread has started here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057065782

Sr. Assumpta

smurphy29 wrote: »

Ah ok, I thought it was an annual thing whee you could get a one-dayer up to april. But they're gone completely?

From Minutes of CI AGM 2012 (follow link from CI website for full minutes):

22. One-day Licences (Cycling Ireland Board)


[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]That current rule G1.15:

[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]"An appropriate One Day Licence will permit the holder to participate as a rider in Cycling Ireland Events – excluding Criteriums, Stage Races & all National Championships; or as an official. This satisfies the requirements of rule T1. Such licence grants the holder membership of Cycling Ireland for insurance purposes only, in respect of that event only."

[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Be replaced with:

An appropriate One Day Licence will permit the holder to participate as a rider in Cycling Ireland Event, excluding: Criteriums, Stage Races, National Championships
[/FONT]
[/FONT]or open races on or after 01st April each year[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. [/FONT][/FONT]Officials may take out a One Day Licence at any time[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. Such One Day Licences fulfil the requirements of rule T1 and grants the holder membership of Cycling Ireland for insurance purposes only, in respect of that event only." [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
And add an additional rule under G1:

[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
"
[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Members of a Cycling Ireland affiliated club holding a club competition licence may participate in Open Races promoted by the club of which they are a member.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]" [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Page 25 of 103 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
This was proposed by Sam Mc Ardle seconded by John Horgan. However Jack Watson proposed an amendment which was seconded by Liam Walker. The amendment was as follows:

An appropriate One Day Licence will permit the holder to participate as a rider in Cycling Ireland Event, excluding: Criteriums, Stage Races, National Championships
[/FONT]
[/FONT]or open massed start or handicap road races on or after 01st April each year[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. [/FONT][/FONT]Officials may take out a One Day Licence at any time[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. Such One Day Licences fulfil the requirements of rule T1 and grants the holder membership of Cycling Ireland for insurance purposes only, in respect of that event only." [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]
The meeting accepted this by unanimous vote to become the substantive motion.

It was agreed by the President that this motion be split into two separate motions.

Part (a) relating to the abolition of one day licences after the first of April was passed unanimously following the proposal of Fiona Cooke seconded by Liam Walker.

Part (b) relating to club competition licensed members being able to ride their own club open races was passed unanimously on the proposal of Liam Walker seconded by Ger Campbell. "
[/FONT]
[/FONT]

Sr. Assumpta

CI AGM 2013 is on next Saturday, 26th October, details here: http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/News/AGM-2013---Final-notice.aspx

Come along... hear the debates, vote on the topics (with your club's allocated vote(s)), and have your say.... get the facts, not the rumours and hearsay.

Random, I know.

smurphy29

Sr. Assumpta wrote: »

From Minutes of CI AGM 2012 (follow link from CI website for full minutes):

22. One-day Licences (Cycling Ireland Board)


[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]That current rule G1.15: [/FONT]



[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]"An appropriate One Day Licence will permit the holder to participate as a rider in Cycling Ireland Events – excluding Criteriums, Stage Races & all National Championships; or as an official. This satisfies the requirements of rule T1. Such licence grants the holder membership of Cycling Ireland for insurance purposes only, in respect of that event only." [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]



[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Be replaced with: [/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri]An appropriate One Day Licence will permit the holder to participate as a rider in Cycling Ireland Event, excluding: Criteriums, Stage Races, National Championships [/FONT]


[/FONT]or open races on or after 01st April each year[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. [/FONT][/FONT]Officials may take out a One Day Licence at any time[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]. Such One Day Licences fulfil the requirements of rule T1 and grants the holder membership of Cycling Ireland for insurance purposes only, in respect of that event only." [/FONT][/FONT]

Ah, so it is in each year. Thanks Sr.Assumpta. Surely it makes no sense whatsoever to have one day licences that expire after April if you need to have six club races that you can't do until May under your belt before you can start an open race?