RACING:
Firstly lets start with the Ras which is coming to a climax this weekend! The penultimate stage ends in Naas on Saturday the 26th. There is bound to be a great athmosphere around the town and Naas Cycling Club are trying to get as many people as possible around to support the riders.
The race will leave Carlow at 11am on Saturday, it will come through Laragh sometime between 1pm and 2.15 pm depending on the winds, summiting the Wicklow Gap between 1.20 and 2.30pm. The race then continues down the Gap into Ballymore Eustace and should arrive in Naas between 2pm and 3.30pm – again depending on the winds. There are lots of place there where you could support the team as they pass by. The Wicklow Gap will have lots of atmosphere as well as the finish line in Naas.
On Sunday morning, the 27th of May the final stage of this year’s Rás will start in Naas at 12noon and will make its way to Newbridge, Allen, Summerhill, Dunshaughlin, Naul, and on to Skerries to arrive between 3pm and 4.30pm. Skerries always puts on a great show for the final day. Another fantastic spot to go support our Men of the Rás. They will be well deserving of their ice creams at this point!
Sunday 27th May
Clonmel Cycling Club are holding their one day 2 stage GP on Sunday. There are races for A3, A4 and Women. (the women ride with the A4). Full details are on Cycling Ireland’s website but be warned it has a reputation as being TOUGH!
Thursday 31st May 18
Club League will return to Black Bull this week for a CP (Chase Pusuit). Keep an eye on the club forum for details closer to the date.
Saturday 2nd and Sunday the 3rd June
Scott Orwell Wheelers are proud to be hosting the Orwell Stage Race on the 2nd and 3rd of June. Entries are now open via the Cycling Ireland Portal entry system. Categories include A1, A2, A3, Juniors and Women. The overall winner will receive the Noel O Neill Trophy.
Saturday June 2nd.
Stage 1: TT 11km. Sign on Beehive Pub from 9am. First rider off at 10 by race entry order
Stage 2: Kermesse starts 4pm. Sign on at 3pm Beehive pub - 10 laps of an 8km circuit.
Sunday June 3rd
Stage 3: Road circuit starts 9am. Sign on 8am at the Beehive pub - 4 laps of a 27km circuit.
Prize Giving will be after stage 3 at 2pm in the Beehive pub.
Thursday the 7th June
Club League is in Black Bull again this week for another CP. Please keep an eye on the forum for full details including times and the exact route closer to the date.
Saturday 9th June
The Noel & Kieran Hammond TT will take place in Roundwood. It’s a testing, rolling course that has seen some top class winners over the years. Sign on is in Roundwood GAA club from 8am and the first rider off is at 9.30am. 2 fantastic trophies up for grabs at this event including the Kelly-Roche Trophy – yes that Kelly and that Roche!
WOMEN:
The womens beginner training course continues for the next few weeks with training on Mondays and Thursdays. For full details check https://www.orwellwheelers.org/home/news-and-events/1130-introduction-to-group-cycling-for-women-10-week-program-2018
Summer Racing
The Womens summer league is up and running in Corkagh Park every Tuesday. There are A and B races and prizes each night for the different races. This is a great league, run off the roads on the track in Corkagh Park so a great place to learn racing skills. See http://womenscycling.ie/event/corkagh-park-ladies-race-series-3/ for more details.
YOUTH
This Sunday the 27th, Ivan will lead the spin from Joes - leaving as always at 10:00 .
Monday night racing is back at Corkagh on the 28th . Sign on opens at 6.30 with first race at 7. Open to all ages with 3 races per night . Entry €2.
IVCA: full details on www.theivca.com
26th May – 10mile TT Championship Moy Valley
27th May – IVCA League, Curragh Circuit
29th May – Kelly Cup, 25mile TT, Moy Valley
3rd & 4th June – Usher 2 Day
10th June – Wicklow 100 & 200
TRACK
Wednesday 30th May & 6th June
The Wednesday night track league continues each week. It's a really enjoyable night of hard racing where you can learn how to race on Sundrive Velodrome in a group that suits your ability. Sign-on from 18:20 followed by warm-up, racing starts at 7pm. Accredited riders only. Full post and information - Track Racing Dates for the Diary
LEISURE: Thanks to Leonard Kaye for the info
Sportive season is getting into full speed ahead now! This weekend alone we have the Tour de Connemara, The Ring of Beara and the Mick Byrne to name a few. Best of luck to everyone taking part in these events or any others
Audax:
John Turner is on track, for 2018,to complete three unique Audax Ireland awards.
Firstly John has just completed his FOUR PROVINCES CHALLENGE; this is awarded to anyone who rides a calendar Audax in each of the 4 provinces. i.e. The Birr 200 in Feb, the Midleton 200 in March, The Titanic 200 in April and The Quiet Man 300 this month in Connaught.
Secondly John is half way through his RRTY. Randonneur Round the Year (RRTY) is awarded to any rider who completes at least one approved Audax ride of minimum 200k each month for any 12 consecutive months.
And finally John is half way through his SUPER RANDONNEUR award to complete: 200km, 300km 400km and 600km rides
For two weeks time!
The Wicklow 100 and 200 will take place on Sunday the 10th of June! Keep an eye out on the forum closer to the date as there will be groups forming at different speeds if you arent already in a training group.
But what's next for leisure? What happens now that the Wicklow and ML training groups have hit their targets??
We begin our Summer Saturday cycles on Saturday 16th June. And keep the following dates in your diary.
LEISURE SPECIAL SPINS—DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
As we are enjoying this super weather why not put a few dates in your diary for some upcoming fun spins. All welcome. Routes will be provided catering for all levels – more experienced cyclists can add on before or after:
Blessington Welcome Spin - Sat 14th July 2018
Welcome Spin for Pathways II and Ladies Beginners. Join us in welcoming our newest members for a spin up to Blessington with coffee stop in Russborough House and a “little surprise” on the way home.
Dawn Spin – Sat 11th August 2018
If you are daft enough to want to get out of your bed even earlier on a Saturday morning why not do so and join us for an early morning spin (meeting around 5am) and cycle along the coast to Greystones to see the sun rise and hopefully see some stunning views. We will stop in Charlesland Golf Club for a buffet break-fast.
Bacon Butty Crawl to the Naul Sat 1st September 2018
Come join us for a return of our famous Orwell Bacon Butty Crawl to the Naul. Lovely spin over roads we do not normally travel taking in the coastline on the North side of the city.
Details will be finalised near the time.
