Cycling Ireland - worth joining for non racer types?

Domane

Been doing most of the major Sportives like the An Post series and I always wondered why the Cycling Ireland members got a discount on entry. So is it worth joining CI, apart from reduced entry fees and the personal accident insurance? I'm not in a club and have no plans to join one btw as I get my cycling in when work and kids allow and I couldn't guarantee that I'd be available for the regular Sunday morning spins that most seem to do.

com1

The reduced fee is because of the CI insurance. The sportive organisers dont have to pay an insurance premium for your entry as your CI membership covers it.

There has been some question as to whether the CI ins covers non official training (as a non attached member may always be on non official training as there is no official club sanction for the sessions) I am not sure and have not had the misfortune to test it (yet...).

Domane

Thanks. I'll have to check with CI about whether I'd be covered if I came off the bike and injured myself (again!) even though I'm not in a club, and probably never will be.

Tenzor07

The vast majority of CI members are of the Non-racer type...

Macy0161

com1 wrote: »

There has been some question as to whether the CI ins covers non official training (as a non attached member may always be on non official training as there is no official club sanction for the sessions) I am not sure and have not had the misfortune to test it (yet...).

Part of the discount on the (now closed to new members) cyclesure scheme for CI members was because of the coverage you already have under the CI, so can't see it only being official training tbh.

Domane

Macy0161 wrote: »

Part of the discount on the (now closed to new members) cyclesure scheme for CI members was because of the coverage you already have under the CI, so can't see it only being official training tbh.

Emailed CI last night and got a response first thing this morning about whether I'd be covered under their insurance as a non club member. Turns out I would be covered whether out on my own (individual training they call it), on a club spin or taking part in a sportive. So apart from the useful insurance cover, the quick and helpful response from CI has made my mind up to join Cycling Ireland today.

Wishbone Ash

Domane wrote: »

Turns out I would be covered whether out on my own (individual training they call it), on a club spin or taking part in a sportive....

How do they define 'training'? I spend a fair bit of time cycling but I'd never call it 'training'.

....and what about commuting to/from work?

niallo32

What is the fee if you want insurance and a discount on sportives - I can't understand it from here:

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/membership/membership-prices

niallo32

What is the fee if you want insurance and a discount on sportives - I can't understand it from here:

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/membership/membership-prices

nilhg

niallo32 wrote: »

What is the fee if you want insurance and a discount on sportives - I can't understand it from here:

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/membership/membership-prices

€35 leisure licence + €5 provincial fee or €40 in total, the discount on sportives is not having to pony up a €2 fee for a one day licence at each one.

niallo32

nilhg wrote: »

€35 leisure licence + €5 provincial fee or €40 in total, the discount on sportives is not having to pony up a €2 fee for a one day licence at each one.

Perfect thanks

Domane

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

How do they define 'training'? I spend a fair bit of time cycling but I'd never call it 'training'.

....and what about commuting to/from work?

I'd say any time spent in the saddle is "training" as it makes you that little bit fitter. As for the commute to work, my round trip commute is 80km which I do at least three times a week when the evenings are a bit longer and I'd certainly class that as training:D. When I first started doing it in April,last year, it took me 1hr45 minutes each way. By the time September rolled round, I had that time down to an hour and 15 minutes for the 40km distance. So that's why I call it training!

Beasty

The fact you have that confirmation via e-mail is helpful. The summary of cover linked on the CI website states though that
"Training is deemed to be official sanctioned training only"

Obviously that begs the question as to what constitutes "official sanctioned training". In my own view it could be interpreted as anything officially sanctioned by a club or CI, such as club spins. I've seen personnel from CI suggest commuting is covered. Personally I do not think it can be (although they may settle such claims they may have no obligation to do so). However I also have insurance via the IVCA which provides personal accident cover whenever mounting, dismounting or riding a bike.

Domane

Yeah, I'll keep the email stating that individual training spins are covered just in case!

Problem now is that I can't bloody pay them my fee to join. Neither the PayPal or direct debit methods work as the CI website keeps freezing when I try to pay. I'm awaiting a response from CI to this issue. In the meantime, I'll check out Beasty's tip on insurance cover as a possible alternative.

Domane

FYI, here's the email response from CI on my insurance query:

"The same insurance cover applies to all members regardless of whether they are with a club or not. All members are covered for personal accident and public liability / third party insurance when taking part in individual training, club spins / club training and taking part in events.

Full details on the insurance policies can be found through this link - http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/membership/insurance

If you’ve any further queries please let me know."

com1

I think Beasty means he is insured through his membership of the (IVCA) Irish Veteran Cyclists Association. If you are over 40 (if male) (35 if female I think) you could join them.


I must get onto CI to clarify the insurance issue. I am an unattached member, I joined more or less specifically for the insurance, but most of my time on a bike (far too little at the moment) is for training purposes.


I wonder if I, as an unattached member, can officially sanction my own training?


PS just saw your post with the E-Mail. Clear as mud. My access to the CI site is blocked at the moment so I cant read the blurb but I seem to remember the issue is around what constitutes training. Personally I think that it is being left a bit obscure for wiggle room incase of a large claim.

Domane

I'm 47 in two weeks so I do qualify as a "Veteran"...... Oh dear God!:eek:

com1

Domane wrote: »

I'm 47 in two weeks so I do qualify as a "Veteran"...... Oh dear God!:eek:

Ah sure you're only a whipper snapper. You would probably be one of the young bucks a junior vet...