Leisure

The leisure group (formerly the touring group) is for those looking to enjoy cycling at a more relaxed pace in a friendly, less competitive atmosphere. This part of the club has grown exponentially in the last couple of years and has become a huge part of 'Team Orwell'. We have a wide range of riders from beginners wanting to do their first sportive, all the way up to the elite leisure riders looking to take on challenges such as the Étape du Tour. Members of our group will participate in many of the year's sportives, like the Tour of Kildare, the Mount Leinster Challenge, the An Post Cycle Series and the Wicklow 200.

Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford - Kelly Comeragh Challenge 160k - 26th August, 2012

Orwell Wheelers again well represented at the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford in both the 100k and 160k. Wonderful scenery and the welcome provided by the people of Waterford ensured a return in 2013.

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Martin Earley Tour of Kildare – Marie Keating Foundation – 12th August, 2012

The 11th annual Martin Earley Tour of Kildare, in association with Naas Cycling Club, took place on Sunday the 12th of August with approximately 600 cyclists taking part. Again Orwell Wheelers were well represented at this event.

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Wicklow 200 - 10th June 2012

Again this year a large number of Orwell Wheelers members took part in the Wicklow 200 which is a non-competitive cycle which covers 200 kilometres around the roads of beautiful County Wicklow. It is a very challenging route which includes many climbs, big and small, with some up to a height of 500 metres. The total climb is over 2000 metres. Well done to all who took part and indeed for those on the maiden voyage a huge sense of accomplishment.

Wicklow 200 Route Profile

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Mount Leinster Challenge - May 2012

This year's event took place on Saturday 19th May 2012. The same painful climbs of Mount Leinster awaited us! 300 participants took part in the event of which 32 participants were from Orwell Wheelers (100k & 140k), this is a tremendous turnout from any one cycling club. Congratulations to all who took part.

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Orwell Wheelers Randonnée - May 2012

Orwell Wheelers ran its hugely successful annual Randonnée on the 5th May, 2012 over a challenging route through the Wicklow Mountains. This event was again in support of the Irish Hospice Foundation and was the perfect warm-up for those taking part in the Wicklow 200 or indeed greater challenges such as the Marmotte/Etape!

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Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford - August 2011

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Read Billy Parker's report of the tour.

Ring of Kerry - July 2011

For those of you who did not have the pleasure of a wonderful weekend in Killarney and the joy of cycling the Ring in perfect weather, check out this video of Eileen on Molls Gap. Denis features on the descent as the camera shutter speed was not sufficiently fast to capture him on the ascent, he was just a blur.

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Kare Tour de Foothills - April 2011

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Pictures from the An Post Tour of Meath are now in the Photo Gallery.

Many of the members of Orwell took part in the epic Wicklow 200 of 2011. The conditions were horrendous and many of the cyclists who signed up for the event quite understandably did not complete the course. Here are the stories from 2 first-timers who survived the day and lived to tell.

The second best decision I ever made... by Billy Parker
I survived 200k of torture-fest and was somehow still smiling… by Jacqui Howard

Mentored Sunday spins with the club are now in progress and the mileage will start to gradually increase. This is the best way to build your fitness for the coming year. Groups of all levels leave from Joe Daly's. With the end of the mentored fall/winter Sunday spins, our group spins move to Saturday mornings starting from Joe Daly's. Get on the mailing list for start times and routes. The spins are longer and hillier, but we regroup at the top of most hills and, as usual, somewhere along the way, we will take the time to pour into some unsuspecting coffee shop for refuelling.

Beginner cyclists are encouraged to come out first on our mentored Sunday spins in the fall and winter. These are run every Sunday from Joe Daly's in Dundrum. A note will be put on the website when they are to start. They are leisurely in nature and cover a distance of between 60-80km (coffee stop included). They will build up in distance and speed after Christmas. These Sunday spins will build your fitness gradually and give you the confidence to cycle in a group. We have group leaders out each week who will introduce you to the Orwell "Experience". They will pass on tips on road safety, bike positioning, the use of the correct gears and, when the unexpected big "P" happens (puncture), they will show you how quick it is to fix and ride on again.

Ensure you have the following: