The Annebrook Hotel in Mullingar was the place to be for aspiring female cyclists on the 27th-28th March.

Organised by the women’s commission of Cycling Ireland, a weekend of training and learning was organised for women of all levels in Mullingar. The focus of the weekend was to help women to improve their cycling in line with whatever their goals might be. For some the goal was to improve cycling skills, for some it was to learn how to train, and some to learn how to race.
On Saturday morning over 60 riders rolled out of  the grounds of the Annebrook Hotel, divided into 3 groups. The riders were split up based on their ability and experience, and the groups embarked on their separate journeys. The three distances covered were 20km, 40km and 60km, incorporating various pace changes and sprint, strength and interval work, catering for most abilities.
With the help of the Lakeside Wheelers crew we explored some of the great roads that the midlands have to offer, lots of perfect surfaces, relatively quiet roads and very accommodating drivers who showed good support to the unusual sight of 60 women cycling their roads – long may it last!
After the Saturday spin the groups were given a debrief from their various coaches, which opened up into an in depth Q&A session. After a short coffee break, Valerie Considine from the Women’s Commission, gave a short talk on the role of the Women’s Commission within the Cycling Ireland structure, and explained about some of the opportunities that are available to female cyclists. In the evening Diarmaid O Cróinin and Jimmy Synnott were on hand to offer massages to any tired bodies.
Following the Sunday spin the workshop was focusing on bike maintenance. Dave Tansey, from Joe Daly Cycles in Dundrum, demonstrated how to change tubes, while Gary McNulty (Orwell Wheelers) gave a run through of how to look after your bike and the tools that are helpful for maintaining and important to carry with you.
Thanks to everyone for making it a great weekend – it was super seeing women from all around Ireland attending.
While many women were using the weekend to learn some skills for triathlons or sportives, most went home keen to get a taste for racing. Unfortunately, at the moment all the beginner leagues are in Leinster and Ulster, but we would love to offer assistance to anyone who would be interested in running leagues around the country, possibly on the back of their club races or open races.
I would like to thank the following: Jennifer O Reilly and Valerie Considine for organising the camp; Aidan Ryan and Paddy Doran for their expertise coaching, to Dave McLoughlin, Aideen Collard, Gillian McDarby and Richie McCauley for on the road coaching. Thanks also to on the road leaders Orla Hendron, Jenny McCauley,Dave Tansey Valerie Considine and Gary McNulty.
Finally I would like to thank Mark Horohoe and Cathy Flynn from Lakeside Wheelers for all their assistance, and the Annebrook Hotel for being so accommodating.
None of this would be possible without the assistance of women in sport.