Women's Cycling Ireland » Positive Cycle

Tips for the Orwell Women’s League

Heather — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:12 +0000

Read on for some tips for round one of the league which is sponsored by Joe Daly’s Cycles. Thanks to Aideen Collard for the tips.

Just a quick note to say that I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you who can make it to the 1st Round of the Orwell Ladies Criterium League tomorrow evening, Tuesday 13th April 2010, kindly sponsored by Joe Daly’s Cycles, Dundrum, comprising of a straight 5km time-trial, slightly downhill for the first 2km then draggy for the final 3km)- see http://www.mapmyride.com/route/ie/glencullen/804126867351311198 for the route, sign-on outside Johnny Fox’s Pub from 6.30pm for a 7pm start- try to be there early but we will try to accommodate late-comers. We’ve already had a great response and with your help & this fine weather, hope to have a record turn-out of ladies racing.

A few last minute tips & reminders:

- Bring a warm jacket, lights & reflector belt if cycling home, a snack, carb drink & racing licence (Club Competition, Open or €10 for a one-day licence) & €5 for sign-on. Any licence or membership queries can be sorted out at sign-on.

- If you can’t face cycling up the hill to Johnny Fox’s Pub, Orla Hendron is offering a shuttle van from the Belarmine Roundabout (beside the 1st turn up to start) in Stepaside from approx 6.20pm- please ring/text Orla on 086 2500754 to arrange. We can also organise a lift home for you & the bike if needed but it should be all downhill! Please take care riding to and from the race.

- Warm up well before the TT – not on the circuit after the start (so as not to get in the way of other riders doing their TT) and watch out for cars, etc as the roads will not be clsoed to traffic.

- When you sign-on, you will be given a start time. Please ensure you are near the start-line 5 minutes before your allotted time. The starter will give you a time warning and when it is your turn, a holder will hold you on the bike with your feet cleated or strapped in and you will be given a count-down to the start. Riders will start at 1 minute intervals starting at 7.01pm in sign-on order.

Some tips for your first time trial:

(1) Start on the drops and and stay in the drops as it is the most aero-dynamic position (unless you have TT bars).

(2) Make sure that your bike is in a gear that will give you a good start, probably the big ring & in the middle of your sprockets.

(3) Don’t ride out too hard (and risk blowing up!!) and as the first part of the TT is slightly downhill, notch your gears up (harder), then in the last 2-3km which get increasingly draggy notch your gears down (easier). Give the final km everything so you have nothing left in the tank when you cross the finish line. Try to keep a good consistent pace with an effort that you can sustain for approx 8-10 mins. Remember its just 10 minutes of pushing yourself (pain!!) but it will soon be over quickly and you’ll be glad you did it afterwards!

(4) Don’t worry about anyone else’s time or equipment or other riders passing you & remember you are racing against yourself- just ride your hardest and do your personal best. If passing a rider, please pass safely on the right-hand side & no slip-streaming!

(5) No need to feel nervous, just relax, its a fun social night aimed at introducing beginners to the racing scene and also an opportunity to meet other like-minded cyclists!

- After your time trial, turn around and roll back down towards the Pub & use the other roads for a cool-down cycle if necessary.

- Food will be served in the Pub from 7.30pm and prize-giving will be @ 8pm when your times will also be available. You can purchase drinks from the bar.

- Be careful if wearing cycling shoes whilst walking around the area (especially as the floor in the Pub is slippery) & please don’t lean bikes against other patron’s cars.

We hope to have write-ups and pictures on the main cycling websites (www.orwellwheelers.org, www.irishcycling.com & www.womenscycling.ie) asap after each night of racing.

Please feel free to ring me with any queries.

Enjoy!

Aideen

Tel: 087 4179967

Try-A-Cycle!!! Dublin – September 13th

Heather — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:03:53 +0000

For those of you not entering Rás na mBan, you should check out the 10km inaugural “try-a-cycle” which will be rolling out from three separate suburban locations across Dublin.

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to converge in Dublin city for a unique new event which aims to attract 3,000 people of all ages to cycle 10 kilometres from three different suburban locations across the capital.

The inaugural ‘Tri-A-Cycle’ event is being organised to take place on Sunday, September 13th by Cycling Ireland in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Ireland to give families an opportunity to enjoy cycling in the city.

The organisers have devised three 10 kilometre routes from locations in the North, West and South of Dublin which will take cyclists to Irishtown Stadium where an open-air event involving music, food entertainers, work-shops and other cycling related activities will greet those crossing the finish line.

“The event is being organised to encourage people to take up cycling as a leisure activity and also as a sport. Cycling is one of the greenest and cheapest forms of exercise that families can enjoy and its health benefits are often overlooked,” explained Geoff Liffey, Chief Executive of Cycling Ireland.

Starting points have been selected in Dun Laoghaire, Bull Island and Kilmainham and the Gardai will escort riders on all three routes to organise rolling closures of roads and junctions. Experienced cyclists will accompany each group as marshals and they will also be supported by the emergency services.

“We have already started to contact schools, youth and community organisations and cycling clubs throughout Dublin to encourage them to participate in the event. Anyone over 8 years of age can turn up on the day, there is no entry fee and each group will cycle at a leisurely pace to the finish in Irishtown,” Geoff added.

Cyclists are invited to take their place on the starting lines at the seafront car park on Windsor Terrace in Dun Laoghaire, at Causeway Road at Bull Island and at the Modern Art Museum in Kilmainham at 10.30 a.m. on the day. Each cycle will start at 11 a.m. sharp and will arrive at Irishtown Stadium just over an hour later.

“The event has been devised to help leisure cyclists and those who are interested in trying their hand at bicycle racing to get the most out of the sport,” Geoff explained.

“Some of Ireland’s top coaches and cyclists will host workshops at the open-air event in Irishtown Stadium and they will provide information on fitness and safety as well as advice on bike set up, positioning and maintenance. Even the most experienced cyclist will find something to benefit them,” he said.

“The expert presenters will also provide dietary and training tips and will be available to answer questions. Participants and visitors can also learn how to join local cycling clubs and what they can do if they are interested in participating in races and leisure cycles,” Geoff continued.

10 kilometre route from Dun Laoghaire: Windsor Terrace – Seapoint – Blackrock Village -Rock Road – Strand Road Sandymount – Irishtown.

10 Kilometre route from Bull Island: Causeway Road – Clontarf – Alfie Byrne Road – East Wall – East Link Bridge – Irishtown.

10 Kilometre route from Kilmainham: Kilmainham Modern Art Museum – Suir Road – the line of the Grand Canal to Lesson Street – Baggot Street – Bath Avenue – Irishtown.

Ladies Tour of Lough Gill – Sept 26th

Heather — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:38:08 +0000

Innisfree Wheelers will be holding a women’s only 40km fun cycle ride in Sligo on 26th Sept. This is an ideal tour for beginners, or any women looking to get involved in their first cycling event, it is also a charity event - in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

This is the third year of the event which is a 40km fun event aimed at getting ladies involved in cycling.
The event is funded by the Irish Sports Council through their Women in Sport programme and is coordinated
locally by the Sligo Sports Partnership.The event route is a circuit of the very picturesque Lough Gill and in turn
is known as the Ladies Tour Of Lough Gill.This year for the first time we are linking it to a charity the
Marie Keating Foundation.All entry fees on the day will be contributed to this fund.Details of the event are as follows

Ladies Tour of Lough Gill Saturday 26th September
Route 40km
Registration from 10am with Start at 11am from Sligo I.T.
Entry Fee 10 euro for Cycling Ireland members 20 euro for non Cycling Ireland (includes one day licence)
All info on event from club website www.innisfreewheelers.com

Women’s Cycling Day – Dungarvan: photos

Heather — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:07:57 +0000

Check out the photos from the Women’s Cycling Day in Dungarvan last weekend. Photos by Paddy Doran, REPORT ADDED.

The latest event in the Positive Cycle Programme took place in Dungarvan last weekend, with a good turnout of women of all standards and backgrounds, all keen to learn a bit more about cycling.

Positive Cycling is a programme that was established by the Women’s Commission with the support of Women in Sport, which encourages women to get on their bikes. Throughout the year there are various cycling days and training camps where coaches and guest speakers offer their expertise to women who are keen to learn a little more about cycling.

ON Saturday 25th July a group of women gathered in Dungarvan, and under the guidance of top coach, Paddy Doran, they were introduced to the sport. The backgrounds of the riders ranged from Youth to former Internationals, and from women preparing for the Séan Kelly An Post 50km Challenge, to women who had just bought a bike the previous day!

The €5 sign on fee covered a fully coached training session – where bike skills were taught, and everyone was shown how to do roll ups in group cycling and a talk on nutrition by sports physiologist, Aubrey Storey. Emma Walsh explained about the importance of using correct equipment on the bike, and Paddy Doran went through bike set up and maintenance. Valerie Considine (chair of the Women’s Commission) went through the opportunities that are available on the women’s cycling scene in Ireland, handing each participant a positive cycling booklet, which was published by the Women’s Commission earlier this year.

For those who weren’t already members of Cycling Ireland, membership was able to be purchased for €10, as a special introductory offer.

Thanks especially to Emma Walsh, from Dungarvan CC, for working with us in putting the day together. Thanks to Paddy Doran and Aubrey Storey for their excellent presentations. Thanks also to Jane from the Local Sports Partnership for coming along and participating, along with promoting the An Post Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 30th August.

Thanks to all the helpers who chaperoned the groups on the roads, where the women cycled a 25km loop on the Whitechurch road circuit, before the skills session. Thanks to Richie Power, Damian Travers and Frank Browne.

Finally thanks to Women in Sport for the sponsorship to run these events.

We intend on running more of these camps nationwide. If you are interested in getting involved in helping us set up these training days please contact us at queries@womenscycling.ie . The key to the success of the camps is the drive of the people living locally, as was the case in Dungarvan, with Emma Walsh, in Craigavon, with Marian Lamb and Louise Fullerton, and in Blessington.

Women’s Introduction to Cycling – Dungarvan 25th July

Heather — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:49:17 +0000

Calling all women interested in improving their cycling, suitable for all levels… There will be a fully coached cycling day in Dungarvan on Saturday 24th July. Confirm your attendance via email: valerieconsidine@gmail.com

Venue: Park Hotel, Dungarvan

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Cost: €5.00

Programme of events: HERE

Introduction to Cycling for Women – Sat 25th July – Dungarvan

Heather — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:20:14 +0000

Calling all women who are interested in learning more about cycling… the Women’s Commission along with coach Paddy Doran will be presenting an introduction to cycling for women in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, on Saturday 25th July. Read on for the programme of events.

Introduction to Cycling for Women

Womens Cycling Day

Presented by Womens Commission Cycling Ireland

Women’s cycling is a fun, enjoyable and growing sport in Ireland, whether you are interested in cycling for Leisure, Competitions, Road cycling, Track cycling, Mountain biking or simply just want to get fit! This day will be the ideal introduction to cycling for you.

Date: Saturday 25th July 2009

Time 9.30 am to 3.30 pm

Venue: Park Hotel, Dungarvan

Cost €5.00

What you need to bring

Bike with two working brakes – safety helmet – comfortable leisure / cycling gear

Programme

9.30 am registration Tea – Coffee

10 am Introduction to womens cycling

10.30 Safe cycling and Cycling skills and fun (practical)

11.am Group Cycle

12.30 pm Change Tea /coffee

1.15 pm Nutrition for fitness Aubrey Storey

2pm What next. Womens Cycling in Ireland, 2009 programme, current activities – contacts and distribution of positive cycling booklets

Entry fee is €5.00, (If you are not already a member of Cycling Ireland you can purchase a one day licence on the day for €10).

Please confirm your attendance with Valerie Considine: valerieconsidine@gmail.com

Report and more photos from the training camp

Heather — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:49:20 +0000

Guest speaker Jamie Costin

The 2009 Cycling Weekend for women was held last weekend in Avon Rí Leisure Complex, in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Combining solid training sessions with training presentations and a talk from guest speaker, Jamie Costin (multiple Olympian), the training camp served as a gathering for cyclists from around the country who wished to improve their skills on the bike. Photos courtesy of Paddy Doran.

Due to the thick fog that greeted us on arrival in Avon Rí, we shuffled around our schedule, and had the training presentations in the morning, before heading out on the bikes. With three presentations on offer, the riders had the choice of two. Richie McCauley (former International rider) is the team manager for the Irish Development Team this year. He talked to the group about the positive effects of including V02 training in your training programme, and distributed sample training programmes, and a sample test that can be used for calculating the speed that you should train at for your interval training.

Top Irish coach Paddy Doran talked about training principles for effective time trialling, and also talked about race tactics. The latter talk was particularly useful for the racers. Paddy works with some of Ireland’s top riders, including Ireland’s best female cyclist, Siobhan Dervan, who finished in 24th place in the 2008 World Championships.

Following this, the riders were split into groups according to the number of years of cycling experience on the application forms. Richie took the racers, with Paddy coaching the triathletes and semi scratch cyclists. Anto Moran took the touring cyclists, while Hugh Byrne was assigned to the beginners. It was fantastic to see so many new faces at the training camp. On Saturday some of the riders realised that they were a bit too strong for their groups – so by day two, with some reshuffling of people, the groups were more evenly matched.

Most of the groups spent much of the Saturday spin picking up tips on cycling skills, and how to ride as a group. Many of the riders were used to cycling alone, or with just one training partner.

The racing group did Lactate Threshold training with Richie, in the form of 10min pieces, with the group working to get a fast pace, akin to riding in a break. By the final piece the pace was rising considerably with the group getting a sniff of home. Richie’s on the bike advice was helpful for the riders, with it doubling as a prime opportunity for Richie to assess the strengths of the riders attending the camp, which was included as part of the criteria for selection on Irish Development Teams.

On Sunday there was a slight change in personnel with Mick Usher stepping in for Hugh Byrne, and Geoff taking the semi scratch group and triathletes. Paddy took the group of leisure cyclists, with the addition of accomplished cyclist Kate Rudd, who was on hand for advice on bike skills for the riders. After the spin the groups taken by Mick and Paddy regrouped for a fun bike skills session.

Hugh Byrne worked with newbie Haiyun Wu, who deserves a prize for being the most improved rider of the weekend. Haiyun came to the camp with little cycling experience, and having never been on a road bike previously. On Saturday she had a steep learning curve, with one to one coaching with Hugh Byrne in the morning, and a bike skills session with former Olympian, Jenny MCauley, in the afternoon. On Sunday she took to the mountain bike with Hugh Byrne, and came home a different rider!

Junior rider Heather Beirne took full advantage of the opportunity to learn from more experienced riders, from helping Jenny with the Saturday skills session to learning how other athletes balance training and study. It’s a good time for her to figure out a routine, with her Leaving Cert another year away.

On Sunday morning the mist that was threatening lifted quickly, and the racing group were led by Jenny over the Wicklow Gap, around by Laragh, and back home via the Sally Gap. It was the same route as last year, with 20min knocked off the time…. not that anyone is counting. The group of 7 were tipping along at a good pace with the lunch deadline driving them on.

After lunch Jamie Costin spoke to the group about the importance of an athlete’s training environment from support network to training partners, and the importance of regular massages. Following his inspiring talk, I know half the camp are on the verge of handing in their notice in work to take their sport to the next level! Jamie is one of the top race walkers in the world. At one point he was ranked 5th in the world, and he represented Ireland in the Sydney and Beijing Olympics. Jamie (who spent some time working in the Cycling Ireland office in 2005) spoke about his motivation in getting back to world level racing following a horrendous car crash that happened 9 days before his race in the Athens Olympics… despite breaking his back in two places Jamie was back at the top, competing in the Beijing Olympics. We’d like to thank Jamie for coming along and inspiring us with his knowledge and experience, and wish him luck with his upcoming races.

Thanks to everyone who helped out for the weekend, Paddy Doran, Richie McCauley for their presentations, and to coaches Hugh Byrne, Anto Moran, Geoff Liffey, Mick Usher and Kate Rudd. Thanks to all the riders for coming and making it a very enjoyable, sociable and competitive training camp. Finally thanks to Jenny McCauley and Valerie Considine for putting in so much work to organising the weekend.

REPORT AND PHOTOS FROM THE TRAINING CAMP

Heather — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:37:04 +0000

Some of the gang at the training camp

Photos courtesy of Paddy Doran.

Training Camp Schedule

Jen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:46 +0000

Womens Training Camp March 21-22^nd 2009

Avon Ri, Blessington, Co Wicklow

Suitable for all abilities, from beginners to experienced racers, leisure riders to triathletes!

Cost is €100 (€75 Youth/Junior) which includes: coaching, speakers, accommodation, lunch sat and sun, 3-course dinner on saturday.

Avon Ri Lakeshore Resort has a pool and gym facilities that you are also welcome to use.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday 21^st

9:00 Sign-on, check-in to apartments

9:40 Assemble for spin, coaches will give a run-thru of training session

10:00 Training spin

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Lecture: bike position for Time Trialling

2:45 Tea and Coffee break

3:00 Lecture: Training, tactics and opportunities for women in cycling

Lecture on advanced training techniques (follow-on from previous training camps)

3:45 Finish

7:00 Dinner

Sunday 22nd

9:15 Assemble for spin, coaches will give a run-thru of todays session

9:30 Training spin

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Motivational talk: Olympian Jamie Costin gives an insight into his athletic career

3:00 Finish

For more information or to sign-up, email jenzerwoman@gmail.com or call 0876119637.

Announcing: Ulster Women’s League

Heather — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:21:23 +0000

The Ulster Womens Association have set up a women only league to encourage women of all abilities to compete in road racing.

womens_association_poster1-2

The purpose of the league is to cater not only for women who have never competed and have an interest, but also for women who have some experience and for women who are competing regularly.

Our aim is to make it as enjoyable and competitive regardless of level of ability and hopefully to help each rider develop in their sport, plus meeting new people along the way. Riders can compete on their Ulster Club race licences or pay for a one day licence on the day of the event.

To do this we are holding 6 women only handicapped races on the end of events currently on the Cycling Ulster calendar. Our races will be separate to the mens races and we will be providing coaching on our first league event.

The coaching will include topics such as safety issues, riding in a bunch and gearing etc with the coach riding around the course with the limit group. Semi-scratch and scratch, you’re on your own! After the first race, riders depending on how they are finding the races can be moved up or down the groups.

We have chosen races that are laps so that we can shorten the race distance to cater for beginners. The races will each be approximately 20-30 miles.

Each rider to finish will receive 5 points and extra points will be allocated to the top six riders over the line at the finish. The top 3 riders will receive prizes at each event. And there will be overall league prizes and winner trophy.

With the launch of the Ulster Womens League SportActive is happy to announce the sponsorship of a perpetual trophy and a cheque for £50 to the 2009 ladies champion.

“We wish the league every success in 2009″

www.sportactive.net SportActive, a cycling and walking holiday provider in Spain and on the continent, is based in L/Derry, N.Ireland and owned and run by Martin Birney and Flora Mittermair. SportActive offers first class cycling camps at their Cycling Centre on the island of Majorca for all levels of cycling. Sean Kelly, 4 times Tour de France Green Jersey winner and No1 ranked pro cyclist for over 4 years straight, hosts choice weeks at the camp in which participants can ride and chat with the legendary “King of the Classics”.

The Ulster Womens League events are:-

EVENT	DATE	TIME/LOCATION	CONTACT
PHOENIX GP	SUNDAY 1ST MARCH	1PM/CRUMLIN COMMUNITY CENTRE	THE LOVELY BRENDAN McCARTAN (02890584101)
AGHAGALLON CUP	SUNDAY 5TH APRIL/Time to be confirmed	BARTINS BAY, AGHAGALLON	DECLAN NASH (02838832615)
DAVE KANE 16KM TT WOODGREEN	THURSDAY 16TH APRIL	7PM/WOODGREEN	TOMMY LAMB (07799053205)
McCANN CUP	SUNDAY 19TH APRIL	1PM/HALFWAY HOUSE/SESKINORE	SEAMUS KEENAN (0771886795)
Bann Valley Classic	SUNDAY 26TH APRIL	2PM/ ?	LAWRENCE MAGUIRE (0862788497)
Grouchos GP	SATURDAY 9TH MAY		PAUL WILLIAMS (07709454047)
EMYVALE GP	SUNDAY 24TH MAY	?	MICKEY MCKENNA (0863298860)

Any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07515174543 or e-mail lodaro4@hotmail.co.uk
Louise Fullerton

Women’s Training Camp – 21-22 March 09

Heather — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:05:59 +0000

The Women’s Commission, with the support of Women in Sport, will be holding a cycling weekend in Avon Rí, Blessington on March 21-22.

This will be a fully coached camp catering for all levels of female cyclists, from beginners to experienced competitors. The attendees will be split into suitable groups based on ability, and the training spins will vary from one hour to four hours. Everyone is welcome regardless of age or discipline, as we will have a focus on fun bike skills for the youth, and also have a coached mountain bike spin.

Following the training spins there will be the choice of various presentations on training, advanced training, cycling opportunities for women cycling in Ireland and fun bike skills. There will also be a guest motivational speaker. Avon Rí Lakeshore Resort is a leisure complex in Blessington, with a state-of-the-art pool and gym facilities that you are welcome to use.

Last year we held two winter camps in Avon Rí which proved very successful, acting as an introduction to cycling for newer members to the sport. It also was a good opportunity for the competitive riders to come together for a coached training weekend – which is always a welcome break in the long winter. This winter we held several one day camps, along with two trips to an indoor track in Holland. This will be the only weekend winter training camp this year.

WHEN: 21-22 March 2009

WHERE: Avon Rí Lakeshore Resort, Blessington, Co. Wicklow http://www.avonri.com/

COST: €100 including accommodation, lunch Sat/Sun and a 3-course dinner on Saturda night.

COACHING: The cost of coaching and presentations will be covered by the women’s commission with the support of women in sport.

CLOSING DATE: Closing date for sign up is the 11th March.

CONTACT: Please send a completed application form to Jenny McCauley. Application forms can be downloaded from our website http://womenscycling.ie/blog/2009/02/04/womens-cycling-weekend-march-21st-22nd/ and must be accompanied with a cheque made payable to the “Women’s Commission”. Jenny’s address can be found on the application form. Queries can be sent to jenzerwoman@gmail.com.

MEMBERSHIP: Note that if you are not a member of Cycling Ireland you are still welcome to attend the cycling weekend. In order to be covered by the insurance you must purchase one-day licenses for each day. HOWEVER, we recommend that you sign up with Cycling Ireland (info@cyclingireland.ie) as a member – as membership is just €10 for first time members this year! This will work out cheaper for you!

Women’s Events 2009

Heather — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:46:54 +0000

Check out the events page on the right for an outline of some of the events for women in 2009. Check it out HERE

Women’s Cycling Weekend- March 21st-22nd

Heather — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:27:13 +0000

The Women’s Commission of Cycling Ireland will be holding a fully coached training weekend on the weekend of 21-22 March, for women and girls of all ages, standards, and disciplines.

The weekend will involve fully coached training sessions, and various presentations. It will also have a social aspect, being located in the Avon Rí complex, in Blessington.

For more details please open the below poster, and download the application form HERE . All queries can be directed to Jenny McCauley at jenzerwoman@gmail.com .

march-training-camp-poster-2

Check out the reports on last year’s training camps JAN HERE and FEB HERE

Ulster Training Camps….

Heather — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:15:45 +0000

The next couple of weeks will see two seperate training camps held in Craigavon in Ulster. The first camp will be for women of all ages and disciplines, this Saturday 24th Jan. More info HERE . There will be a Junior Training Camp – for all Ulster Juniors – on Sat 7th Feb. Read on for more details.

Attention all Cycling Ulster Junior’s

Cycling Ulster are organising a Junior Training Camp for all eligible male and female cyclists who are interested in personal development and in selection for Cycling Ulster teams in 2009. The event will take place on Saturday 7th February at the Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre .

The camp will begin with registration at 9.30am and involve a training spin in the morning along with some Senior Elite riders who will be on hand to provide expert advice on guidance on racing and training. The training spin will be followed by lunch, and an afternoon session giving an overview of 2009 and what is planned including an outline of selection criteria for teams. There will also be an opportunity for a Q & A session, so that riders can contribute their thoughts and ideas towards the Junior programme.

The event will be subsidised by Cycling Ulster, but a nominal fee of £5 per person will be required towards expenses. All interested Junior riders should email road@cyclingulster.com by Thursday 29th January with a personal statement of their aims for 2009, current training plans, and an outline of commitments for the year including exams, family, sponsors etc.

Anyone requiring further information should contact Stephen on 07715 476214.

Road Commission

Cycling Ulster

Women’s Training Camp – Craigavon 24th Jan

Heather — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:32:38 +0000

REMINDER: Please contact me asap if you are interested in attending the training camp in Craigavon on January 24th – as we need numbers by 19th January in order to finalise details for coaches. Contact queries@womenscycling.ie

Women’s Regional Training Camp – Craigavon, 24th January

Heather — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:35:50 +0000

There will be an Ulster based training camp in Craigavon on Saturday 24th January. This will be open to all women regardless of ability, age and discipline. Read on for an outline of the Agenda.

Date: 24th January 2009

Time 10 am to 2.30 pm

Venue: Craigavon Watersports Centre

Cost: £10 for Cycling Ireland/Cycling Ulster Members, £20 for non-members.

What you need to bring

Bike with two working brakes – safety helmet – comfortable leisure / cycling gear

Programme

10am registration Tea – Coffee

10.30 Safe cycling and Cycling skills

11.am Cycle on the road / cycle track or cross country track for mountain bikers

12pm Change Tea /coffee

1pm What next. Womens Cycling in Ireland, 2009 programme, current activities – contacts and distribution of positive cycling booklets

Please contact us at queries @womenscycling.ie before Monday 19th January.

Positive Cycling booklet published

Heather — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:38:49 +0000

With women’s cycling in Ireland going from strength to strength, the women’s commission have recently published a booklet with the basic training and racing principles for female cyclists.

A copy of the booklet has been sent to each club secretary, and more are available at request. This booklet was published as part of our Women in Sport Initiative, with the training advice coming from top coach Paddy Doran, and nutritional information from Beth McCluskey.

This year saw a significant rise in the number of women cycling – with over 550 female members in Cycling Ireland! Irish Times journalist Shane Stokes quoted Valerie Considine in today’s paper HERE

A copy of the booklet will be sent to every female member who takes out a Cycling Ireland license in 2009. Copies are available in the Cycling Ireland office, which can be found HERE . We hope to distribute copies around bike shops over the next couple of months, and will also have copies of the booklet at our training camps and races.