Orwell Youths Summer 2016
Introduction
As our winter coaching classes come to an end we would like to share with you our plans for summer events and training. There are a huge number of cycling events on over the summer, from Sprocket Rocket and bike week, to 2 day racing, to the Junior Tour, various sportives and leisure cycles and not to forget our regular sessions for the youth members.
Overall
We have selected a few events which we believe offer our Youths a good range of exposure to cycling disciplines. At the ones we have chosen we will aim to provide full support for our members. We hope to have the Orwell bus available where travel is involved and will car pool if necessary. You can see the at schedule, which also has separate tabs for all youth races and leisure events. There is additional information below on the ones we have selected and more details for each will be provided nearer the event.
Orwell Youth One Day Stage Races
We will be hosting an Open multi stage event at Corkagh park on May 7th. This will be a good introduction to open racing for all ages i.e U10/ U12/ U14 / U16 in the familiar environments of Corkagh Park. There will be 3 races for each age group and some skills sessions running alongside to keep everyone entertained.
Racing
Monday night Interclub league - beginning on May 2nd each Monday we will run a series of races at Corkagh Park, open to all ages and to local clubs. This will be a regular fixture over the summer with two separate leagues. Riders can drop in and out as suits their schedule. Our aim is to provide a regular racing series.
Club League races – we are encouraging all youths to take part in the Orwell Club League Time Trial on Tuesday 31st March – this 4.5k course runs from Johnny Foxes to the top of Pine Forest and while being a good test in its own right is also a chance to gain experience of the Club League scene.
Open races
We have selected a series of races where we can offer support, which tend to be well run and which build towards the Leinster Championships at the end of the summer.
On April 2nd – the Hammond TT is run in Roundwood. A 8k relatively flat circuit will build on the experience gained in the club league.
April 16th /17th – Ras na Nog – this two day event in Drogheda is a very good introduction to Open Races. Run on quiet roads it will provide invaluable experience to the youngsters.
May 8th - Deenside Cup – the day after the Orwell Youth One Day Stage Races this event offers riders the opportunity to continue the weekends racing, in Kilkenny.
June 5th – Meath GP – this race will keep the legs turning over and will let our team see how their progress is coming along.
Tuesday June 21st – Stephen Roche GP – this unique event is run on a circuit in a local housing estate.
July 10th – SERC One Day – hosted in Arklow this 2 event, 1 day series is great fun.
August 7th – the Leinster Championships in Kilmessan. If the training has gone well over the summer this is where our riders can have a good day out against their cohorts from Leinster cycling.
August 20th – National Youths in Kanturk – here we mix it up with the best from all provinces in the country. Standards are high here, competition is tough and it is a very rewarding experience.
Hostelling – weekend away
On the weekend of June 18th / 19th we will take the group to a hostel in Wicklow where we can explore the surrounding countryside at our own pace. Wicklow is among the best cycling counties in the country and from our base there we can see parts of it that are normally too far to get to from Dundrum.
Non-competitive touring events
May 1st Willow Wheelers 100 mile charity cycle (please note our participation is still subject to confirmation) - A cycling club based in Willow Park School they run an annual 100 mile charity cycle. It is extremely well run and all but the youngest members will be able to complete it - younger members will have the option of joining in at Maynooth or Chapelizod.
June 26th – The Joe Daly Memorial – this family orientated spin from Dundrum to Enniskerry raises money in memory of a man long associated with the club,Joe Daly in aid of Simpsons Hospital.
Leinster Youths Training events
Leinster Cycling is keen to encourage the development of youths cycling in the province and to that end have organised a number of training days in clubs.
April 23rd will be in Arklow
June 11th will be in The Curragh
Track
There is a regular track league in Sundrive every Wednesday with both Adult and Youth races - two leagues run over the summer and Autumn beginning on April 25th. Please note that riders must be track accredited.
Regular weekend sessions
When we are not attending any of the above events there will be regular Sunday morning sessions, leaving Joe Dalys at 10:00. Younger members may go to a local park for skills and games while older members will in general go on road spins.
Information evening - if you are interested in attending an information evening about these activities please let Jen Sheridan know genevieve_sheridan at yahoo.com and if the demand is there we will arrange one.
A group line up to race at the Orwell Youths Christmas Invitational (photo with thanks to Tony McCluskey)
