A summary of our current initiatives on the Leisure side for the 2017 Winter Spins.

 

Changes are afoot. Darkness is encroaching on our evening’s stretch. Pavements and clouds the same shade of dark grey. Leg warmer and long sleeve base layers more frequently in our wash lines. Once packed Sportive and Racing Calendars are now sparsely populated. An increasing amount of leaves on cars, the precursor to frosted windshields. Zwift and TrainerRoad depleting their Northern Hemisphere marketing budgets. The use of #CrossIsComing is lessening whilst #CrossIsHere is nearing fever pitch. It can only mean one thing. Summer is over and the House Stark’s words are more accurate than ever. Winter, my sweet Summer children, is coming. 

Our Leisure Sub-Committee, after their successful Wicklow 200 Training Groups, debut of Leisure Challenges, inaugural Saturday Summer Spins and well organised new Club Sportives, are getting back to The Old Faithful. The beloved Winter Spins are being planned. The Leisure Sub-Committee’s Initiatives for Winter 2017 are summarised below.

 

Request for Leaders for Winter Spins

Colm Featherstone and Joe Fitzpatrick are organising the routes and leaders for the upcoming season of Winter Spins. The routes are mostly the same as last year’s ones. The new season starts on October 8th. Our White and Yellow Groups are in need of leaders. They would like to hear from the participants of the Ride Leader Courses over the last two years.

The role of the leader is to introduce themselves to the group beforehand, know the route, protect riders that are suffering, provide correct directions and ensure that the group is riding in a cooperative and safe manner. In saying that, all riders are expected to take responsibility for themselves, be aware of the route, fueling options to avoid bonking and prevailing weather conditions.

Our Orange and Red groups are self-lead, but all riders should also be ensuring that groups are riding correctly. The Orange and Red groups are free to appoint a leader if they feel it is necessary.

As the old saying goes, “Many Hands Make Light Work”. If we can get a large roster of leaders, it will work better for everyone’s availability. In the club we have business owners and employees, for whom December will be a busy trading time. Cyclocross racers, who have a stacked October and November for Leinster races. Riders planning a tropical holiday.

There will be a Winter Spins Information Night for Leaders on Wednesday October 4th in The Goat Bar and Grill in Kilmacud starting at 19:00.

 

Forum Thread: Winter Miles bring Safer Summer Smiles.

Current Status and Actions: Please sign up to lead a Winter Spin on the thread. Attend the Information Night on October 4th.

 

Progressive Bike Technique Programmes

The initial running of this four week course is already underway and is being delivered by Aidan Hammond. The first course is fully booked. So Bryan Johnston and Dee Currid are seeking numbers for the second running of the course, aiming for a November/December timeframe. The syllabus will help riders to improve their bike handling skills and build the techniques to bunch ride confidently.

 

Forum Thread: Next Progressive Bike Technique Programme

Current Status and Actions: If you are interested in the second course, please add your name to the thread.

 

Foundation in Cycling Coaching Award

This is the Cycling Ireland “Foundation in Cycling Coaching Award”. It teaches attendees the basics in Cycling Coaching. It is currently fully booked out. It is on Saturday 7th October. Leonard Kaye has posted a good description in the thread below.

 

Forum Thread: Cycling Coaching Course

Current Status and Actions: Attend and pass the course.

 

Spirit of Leisure Award 2017

Leonard Kaye is seeking nominations for this year’s award. So many members contribute to making Orwell Wheelers the great club we are proud to be a part of. Send your nomination to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your reason for nominating them. More details in the forum post. The closing date is Sunday 24th September 2017.

 

Forum Thread: Spirit of Leisure Award 2017

Current Status and Actions: Submit your vote for the winner.

 

Female and Male Rookie of the Year Awards 2017

Leonard Kaye is seeking nominations for this year’s awards. Technically a rookie is a beginner, a starter, somebody that is just doing or trying something for the first time. Send your nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your reason for nominating them. More details in the forum post. The closing date is Sunday 24th September 2017.

 

Forum Thread: Rookie of the Year Awards 2017

Current Status and Actions: Submit your vote for the winner.

 

Prize Giving Night

Organised by Social Rep, Ann Horan, will take place in Paddy Cullen's Pub on the Merrion Rd. As this event will take place at 19:00. The event will run after 21:00, so there are no minors permitted on the premisses, after that time.

The awards above, and the other awards for Leisure and Racing will be presented at the annual Prize Giving Night. Racing awards will be presented to the Club Champions. Leisure awards will be presented for the Leisure Challenges conquerors.

 

Forum Thread: Prize Giving Night 2017 Sep 30th - Leisure and Racing