Another busy week ahead for Scott Orwell Wheelers - everything from Audax to the start of the Club League!

AUDAX:

The Midlands 300 will take place on Sunday the 31st of March and is the second of 3 Audax events which will be hosted by Scott Orwell Wheelers in 2019. This event is a great stepping stone for anyone thinking of trying a longer Audax after a 200km, the experienced or those starting on the road to PBP qualification.

Despite passing over the Slieve Bloom mountains on the approach to the second control this is still by some way the flattest 300 in the country. Aimed at first-timers and PBP / LEL hopefuls alike, navigation is straightforward and towns offering shops, cafes and garages for refuelling can be found at regular intervals along the route.

The route starts and finishes at Joe Daly Cycles; it is a total of 300.33km and has a total ascent of 1,715 with a maximum elevation of 461m.

We wish all the participants the best of luck and we have our fingers and toes crossed that the weather stays good this time around!!

 

CLUB LEAGUE:

Its back!!! Here we go, the club league kicks off again this Thursday the 4th of April with the now traditional Pine Forrest Time Trial. This is the same course as has been used for the past five years, and has proven a popular starting point.

The course is just short of 5K, and rises gradually for the first 4 of that before kicking up sharply in the final kilometre. Mapmyride link .

Keep an eye out on the Club Forum - Racing Thread for full details and also a thread for signing up.

 

Dick leading the way in a club league race 2018

If you are interested in giving the Club League a go but aren't sure about racing then come to Corkagh Park on Saturday the 6th of April for an Introduction to Racing Workshop which will be given by Dick O'Brien.

Starting at 9am this is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of giving the Club League a go this year. It is also a chance for more experienced racers to hone their skills and get race ready after the winter.

The session will cover bunch riding, bike handling, cornering, and race tactics. There will also be a chance to do some practice races at the end.

This is open to all club members and sign on will be in Corkagh Park on the day.

 

YOUTHS:

All good things must come to an end and so after 28 weeks our winter season draws to a close and this Sunday, the 31st of March,sees the last of the weekend sessions in Corkagh Park.

During the long winter Youth riders have been out in all sorts of weather, gone BMXing , CXing and MTBing , seen the herons ( or cranes) on the canal , traipsed up to Slade Valley GC and out to Celbridge . They have had guest coaches, Aidan & Michelle Hammond and Mick Considine + team ,had an overnight camp in the Glencree valley , did the street velodrome, seen the big houses , had fitness and wellness session, another one on training advice and generally learned our trade. 

For the last session there is a road spin planned for the older group who are there, which will be led by Ivan while the younger ones will be put through their paces in the park by Louis.

Saturday – March 30th – YTOS U16 boys and girls Team Time Trial training.

 

Sunday 31st March: the PJ Logan Cup is being hosted by Island Wheelers in Cookstown – for the older and more experienced racers this is part of the national selection process and we have a number going up to it. Race Pack is here https://www.islandwheelers.com/2019/03/2019-p-j-logan-race-pack-event-information/ . Good luck to everyone racing!

 

RACING:

The IVCA League Round 2 takes place this Sunday in Kentstown with the first race off at 9am. Sign on is usually open from 8am.  After round 1 and some good showings from our new Scott Orwell members we will be looking forward to more results this week! www.theivca.com

Romano in action in R1 (photo thanks to Brendan Culleton)

3R Mobility Paracycling Series Round 1
Athlone Institute of Technology is the venue for the first round of the 3R Mobility Paracycling Series on Saturday.
The 10km time trial on the Athlone Road will feature riders in all categories.
 
EVENT LINK: HERE
CLUB Shannonside Cycling Club
DATE: Saturday, 30rd March
START: 10am, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

 

Des Hanlon Memorial - the first event of the National League Series for 2019!
The 38th edition of one of Ireland's biggest one-day bike races, the Des Hanlon Memorial, will also be the first round of both the Women's and Men's National Road Series.
Riders assemble at Leinster Marts, Killeshin Road from 9.30am onwards ahead of the roll out at 12 noon.
The women's race is 67km and the men's equivalent 133km while the A3/Junior race over 100km and the A4s race over 67km.

FACEBOOK EVENT: HERE
CLUB: Carlow RCC
DATE: Sunday, 31st March
START: 12pm, Leinster Marts, Killeshin Road, County Carlow.

 

OFF ROAD/MTB:

Dirt Dames 2019 - this sounds like a great event and one to have a go at!
Gravity Bike Club stage their unique, women-only enduro mountain bike event in Glencullen, County Dublin on Saturday.
Four categories are catered for: Junior (14-17-years old); Baggy Shorts (beginner-friendly); Experienced and Pro.
 
EVENT WEBSITE: HERE
FACEBOOK EVENT: HERE
CLUB: Gravity BC
DATE: Saturday, 30th March
START: 10am, Glencullen Adventure Park, Newtown, Glencullen, Co Dublin

 

LEISURE:

SRAC Atlantic Challenge - a little bit of a drive but stunning scenery guaranteed!
Seán Kelly and Sonia O'Sullivan will be among the riders on the start line of one of Ireland's prettiest leisure bike rides, the SRAC Atlantic Challenge. The Conor Pass is just one of the challenges on both the 100km and 135km routes on offer.

EVENT WEBSITE: HERE
FACEBOOK EVENT: HERE
CLUB: SRAC
DATE: Saturday, 30th March 
START: 9am, Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

 

Tour of Carlingford - not too far up the road from us for this event
Slieve Gullion Wheelers' Tour of Carlingford starts as usual from Silverbridge GFC on Sunday. Registration opens a 9am and the ridens begins at 10am first heading south to Dundalk and then speeds downhill to the historic village of Carlingford for a tea /coffee at The Four Seasons Hotel. The route then continues north into Newry, up the Camlough Road to the finish at Silverbridge, a total of 50miles.

EVENT LINK: HERE
CLUB: Slieve Gullion Wheelers
DATE: Sunday, 31st March
START: 10am, Silverbridge GFC, Fords Cross, County Armagh.

 

For full details on these events and many others around the country check out the Cycling Ireland Website Leisure & Racing Events Pages.