*** Orwell Wheelers Weekend Away ***

Just a reminder below in regard to the Orwell weekend away which was posted earlier in the summer, there has been a great response, so if you are thinking about it, give the hotel a ring. Best value weekend you will ever get.



The “Tour de Slieveblooms” will take place on Saturday the 26th of October, the bank holiday weekend.

Here is the plan:

Drive to Portlaoise, and leave the car at The Midlands Park Hotel.

Depart hotel on spin around the challenging Slieve blooms, routes will be advised later.

Dinner in hotel restaurant followed by the craic in Portlaoise town.

Sunday morning, following breakfast head on second spin, or travel home, whatever suits.

All spinners will have the use of the leisure center at Hotel before traveling home.

The cost, Dinner Bed & Breakfast, 3 people sharing, 75 each, 2 people sharing 85 each, single room 115.

Great deal, great hotel, great company, great spins.

Contact the hotel on 057-8678588, group booking in my name, the rooms will be all gone fairly quick.

Colm F.

Good evening all.

Just a quick note about the upcoming weekend away.

As you know we are heading on a tour of the Slieve Bloom Mountains on Saturday the 26th of October.

The hotel is currently fully booked, but do not despair if you still want to travel, as a good few members have booked single rooms and I know they would only be too glad to share with a fellow member, so anyone still interested please let me know.

Current plan is to leave the hotel on the spin at 10am, would you believe though that if Ireland get to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup the match will be either on that morning at 9am, or the Sunday morning at 9am. I know it does not look likely at the moment but as the social secretary one has to prepare for all eventualities .

Below see the routes for the day, one has three climbs, The Cut, Wolftrap, and Glendine, at about 98k, while the second one just has The Cut & Wolftrap, and is a longer spin back to hotel at 105k. Arrangements have been made for a food stops in Giltraps licensed premises in Kinnity Co.Offaly which is at the 50k mark.

www.strava.com/routes/21993070
www.strava.com/routes/21992882

Dinner will served in the hotel at 8pm, and then maybe a few late drinks and a bit of music locally. I have arranged for winter time saving to kick in from 2am on the Sunday, so everyone will have an extra hours sleep.

A spin will take place from 10am on Sunday morning, details to be arranged, any suggestions welcome. All Sunday spinners should check out of their respective rooms before cycling and arrangements have been made to use the leisure facilities on return from the cycling before heading back to Dublin.

More updates closer to the time.

Regards

Colm F.

Update: Room has been cancelled.

If anyone is still looking for accommodation in Portlaoise for the Saturday night, I have a single room booked in a hotel just a two-minute walk from the Midlands Park. I no longer need the room, so if anyone would like to take it up before I cancel it, please message me for details.

Hi Colm Jim Davenport here ,I would to join the weekend away. I have a swag (which is an Australian sleeping bag with a mattress attached) and will sleep on the floor. I am I interested in sharing a room with other Male members. I am a bit of a Balladier and can bring a guitar if that is suitable.
Take care,
Jim

Good man Jim, do you sing Waltzing Matilda. Your very welcome on the weekend but we will have to find you a bed, leave it with me.

Jim give me a shout on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Good evening all.

Just to notify everyone of the final details for the weekend away. The plan is to leave the hotel from 10am sharp, we should have 4 groups with 10 to 12 in each group. I ask everyone with Garmin's to please load up the routes which are below.

We will be stopping for refreshments in Giltraps of Kinnity, they tell me they will have the fire lighting for us. ( Hopefully not for drying the clothes).

On arrival back at the hotel the bikes will be stored securely at the rear, beside the leisure centre, same place as last year.

As you know their is a leisure centre so bring your swim attire if you want to avail of the those facilities ( Watch out for Ann Horan with her binoculars :) )

Dinner is due to be served at 8pm in the Triog Restaurant, and if any person has dietary requirements please pm me. ( Mr T Wy... that means private message)

I believe we have a balladeer among us who will be bringing his guitar, so if anyone else is musically talented please feel free to bring along your instrument.

On Sunday at at time to be decided anyone who fancies another spin can head off and the hotel leisure facilities will be at their disposal on return.

That’s all folks, see you Saturday.

Colm F.


www.strava.com/routes/21993070
www.strava.com/routes/21992882

Just a quick note to persons going on the weekend away the currently forecasted weather is to be dry but very cold so please dress accordingly. Additionally can people with Garmin or other devices please download the following route which may come into play for weather reasons.

Thanks Joe Fitzpatrick for posing the other routes, maybe you could put this one up as well.

ridewithgps.com/routes/31361461