Winter Spins are beginning on Sunday October 5th. The format remains broadly speaking the same as the last number of years and is explained in more detail here.

We surveyed our members at the end last year and over 75% said that you use the spins primarily for "fitness and general health benefits". The routes have been designed with that in mind, offering a range of distances, challenges and paces and with all progressing over the winter. The full list of routes is in the sidebar on the right and may be found here. We will also be running an information session on "How to get the most from your Winter Spins" on Monday October 13th in Ballinteer Community School. The presenter is Anthony Walsh of A1 Coaching.

While recognising that some people have found a group and a pace that they are comfortable with and do not want to go faster or longer there are others who have maxed out their group and continue to improve. To those we ask them to move up to the next group, as inadvertently you are pushing up average speeds in your group. We don’t want Yellow groups doing averages of 30kph – that is what Red is for. It can be a bit nerve-wracking moving up and wondering how you will cope, we believe that if enough do it, then the pace will normalise around the posted speeds. If it turns out that it is too much for you there is no problem going back.

New members are very welcome. In the first 4 weeks (October) and 1 Sunday a month thereafter we will have designated groups, at different ability levels, to welcome new members in. You are welcome to ride up to three times before joining and will be covered by Cycling Irelands insurance policy. You MUST however register HERE before you come on a spin. No register – no spin, as you will not be insured. When you register you will be asked a question about your cycling level and in response you will get an email telling you the Spin Leader to look out for and s/he will have your name and be expecting you. The e-mail will also contain basic spin etiquette (also found here). If you are a member there is no need to register.

Club and Cycling Ireland membership for 2015 opens on 1 November 2014 and covers the 14 month period to 31/12/15. The club welcomes feedback after the spins, what went well, what didn’t and look forward to hearing from you.

Update: For more on winter spins, please see the new post.