Ladies and gents, we have the final info on the weekend away! Make sure to have a read through - there's lots of pertinent info!
First and foremost, MAKE SURE YOUR BIKE IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER BEFORE YOU EMBARK UPON YOUR JOURNEY TO CARLOW!
Check your brakes NOW, make sure you have good pressure in your tyres and if there has been a niggley noise coming from your bike that you’ve been meaning to get checked out, do it! This is a long spin, numbers are big, and while cycling in a group, we are all depending on each other to ride safely.
Bag Drop
Strictly one bag per person. Ryanair rules apply. Please pack lightly and label your bag.
You have two options for dropping off your bag.
You can drop it to Joe Daly’s before close of business on Thursday the 13th.
Alternatively, you can drop it to Katryn Keogh’s house on Friday between 8pm and 9pm (no later!). Log into forum for location.
Please note that if you are staying in accommodation other than the Seven Oaks, you must collect your bag from the Seven Oaks on Saturday evening.
Meeting time and place
Please bear in mind your own level of ability when choosing a route and a group.(I would suggest you cycle with the colour group that you usually ride with on Sunday spins.)
We would like everyone to choose their colour group in advance, to make sure that we have suitable leaders for the various groups. This will also help with the food stops on the way down as we can let them know how many to expect and staff for.
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK http://doodle.com/ayi3eet2mkvsknt2 AND MAKE YOUR CHOICE, AS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYBODY IS INCLUDED!
Make sure you are well prepared for all weather conditions. Also ensure that you have enough energy bars, drinks, etc., to keep yourself going. Bring a pump, spare tubes and any other equipment you would normally bring for your long Sunday spin as there will be no support car.
Routes
Please take time to familiarise yourself with the route you choose. Don’t rely on someone else to lead you. If you think it may be helpful, print out the map and bring it with you. All of the files can be uploaded to Garmins as a .gpx/.tcx file. So if you have a Garmin please do use that feature.
White and Yellow
The short route: Meeting at the Pope’s Cross in the Phoenix Park at 10am sharp.
Route: 97km with 575m climbing
This group will be stopping outside Newbridge at the Curragh Café. They're giving a 10% discount on all items.
Orange and Red
The longer, more demanding route: Meeting across from Joe Daly’s at 10am sharp.
Route: 118km with 1281m climbing
This group will be stopping at the stonecutter’s café in Aughrim. They have assured me that they will be well staffed on the day and have a special deal of tea/coffee and a scone for €4 instead of the usual €5.
Dinner and Entertainment
Dinner in the Seven Oaks Hotel is at 19:00. To encourage people to mix and mingle, you will collect a number from me on entering the dining room and you must sit at this table. There will be over 80 people at the dinner, so hopefully everyone will make some new friends!
The Foundry nightclub have set aside an area, and are offering discounted entry of €7 instead of the usual €10 if we get there before 23:45. A sprawling club with several different bars, there should be something for almost everyone there.
Route home
The way back is the same for everyone. http://www.strava.com/routes/1131827 Coffee stops will be dependent on weather/quantity of alcohol consumed.
Bag collection
On return ALL BAGS WILL BE RETURNED TO JOE DALY’S. The bags will be available for collection from 13:30-14:30 on Sunday. After this time they will be locked safely into Joe Daly’s where you can come and collect them during the week.
Looking forward to a great weekend away.
Ann Horan,
Social Rep
Smiling faces on the morning after, on last year's weekend away
