New Year, New Season!
The New Year and GC15 are fast approaching! Training starts this weekend at 10am with an Introductory 10km cycle and Special Day for Beginners! This will increase by 10km each week and training includes certain mandatory cycles which are to ensure all cyclists are familiar with GC procedures, and with cycling as part of a large group. The full training plan is available on the Training Plan page, and for your first training cycle of GC15, please be sure to be there early (at least 15 minutes) with your Cycling Ireland Insurance details ready so we can get you signed in without delays!
You should also ensure that:
- Your bike is in full working order. If you have any doubts or questions, you should get it looked over by a bike shop ahead of the training spins. Someone may be able to help you on the day if you get there very early, but there is no guarantee.
- You have a spare inner tube (ideally 2!) to fit your tyres – if you get a puncture, there is no guarantee that someone else will have a tube to fit your bike. Similarly, you should have a hand pump.
- You have a well-fitting bicycle helmet – no helmet, no cycle!!
- Appropriate clothes for the conditions, including but not limited to:
- Light rain jacket – Ireland has a “variable” climate and weather, so even if it’s dry setting out, it may not stay that way!
- Padded shorts/tights – especially if you want to sit down again… ever. While you may not feel the benefit of them on the early training cycles, these are invaluable as distances increase.
- Gloves & warm footwear – the cycle is in March, so we do a lot of training in the cold, and if your hands don’t work in the cold, neither might your brakes!
- You have proof of your Cycling Ireland insurance.
- For each training cycle, bring an isotonic drink, some food (such as bananas, chocolate, flapjacks etc) and some shopping money (€3)