Wild Atlantic Way 2100km Audax
Completed by David Costello in 2024, the Wild Atlantic Way Audax is a 2,126km route that follows the West of Ireland Tourist Trail from...
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Racing
Orwell members take part in all shades of racing, men's and women's, road, track and off-road, from U12 all the way up to veterans.
The Club League Introduction
The Club League has always been the basis of racing within the club since it's first racing season in 1949. It has followed various different formats across the years, sometimes combined with other clubs, sometimes on our own.
Through the glory days of the Kelly-Roche era the league was a great success, and in the early 1990s the newly founded St. Tiernans came to race within the Orwell league, but with numbers dwindling each year the decision was finally taken to merge with the Irish Road Club's league in 1995. This new Inter-club league was originally called the AMEV(IRC)/Bell(Orwell) league, and comprised of the IMBRC, the Irish Road Club, Orwell Wheelers and St. Tiernans. Staggs (Lucan) joined in 1997, and in 98 IMBRC were replaced briefly by UCD. While a number of other clubs dropped in and out of the league for a season or two along the way those four clubs formed the core of the league for the following 16 years. The league grew into a massive success, but in the years up to 2013 it became a victim of that success, with huge numbers turning up on Thursday evenings.
By 2013, the numbers racing in the Inter-Club League had grown so much that Orwell – as the biggest club in the ICL - made the decision at an EGM to return to an Orwell only league. In 2023, numbers racing in both leagues had stabilised and Orwell rejoined the Inter-Club League. The Orwell League Trophy is now awarded to the highest placed Orwell Rider in the Inter-Club League.
The Inter-Club League now consists of Orwell Wheelers, St. Tiernans Cycling Club, Lucan Cycling Road Club, Sundrive Track Team, Blanch Wheelies, and Clondalkin Cycling Club.
Also known as CX, this is a branch of cycle sport which combines many of the skills used in standard road and mountain biking with an added emphasis being placed on bike handling skills as the riders navigate the sometimes bumpy and muddy terrain. Cyclocross races take place over short distances of around 1-3km on off road surfaces such as grass, dirt and mud in locations such as woods and fields.
The cyclocross season runs during the winter. The races are usually on circuits with a certain number of laps and often include obstacles which the cyclists must overcome. Uniquely to CX you often have dismount, carry and then remount back onto your bike during a race to get through some of these obstacles.
Audax
Audax riders do not compete against each other, but against the clock: success in an event is measured by completion inside the time limit.
Also known as Randonneuring, this is a branch of cycle sport in which participants attempt to cycle long distances within a predefined time limit.
Participation in Audaxing in the club is growing year on year, with members participating in events at home and abroad.
Orwell Wheelers organise a number of events on the Audax Ireland Calendar.
For more on audaxing s, see audaxireland.org
Orwell Audax Events
Typically held in March, this is a beginner-friendly route aimed at first time Audaxers and PBP hopefuls. Navigation is straightforward with total climbing of less than 1,000m (and the lumpier bits are towards the end). The route leaves Dublin heading in an anti-clockwise direction for Leixlip and on to Kilbeggan before turning south and looping back toward Dublin via Monasterevin and the Curragh.
The time limit for completing this event is 13 hours 30minutes.
Audax Reports & Information
Women's Cycling at Orwell Wheelers
In recent years, Orwell women have had a growing presence in racing and leisure cycling in the Dublin area and around the country, achieving and exceeding their goals at many different levels. We have also introduced dozens of women to the sport of cycling through beginner spins and skill sessions.
Women's Crit League
Orwell have been running a women's crit league in some format since 2010, beginning with Winning Solutions sponsoring prizes before Wheelworx came on board. The Sandyford-based criteriums were ably run by Aideen Collard, Dave McLoughlin, Jen Sheridan and a merry band of helpers.
They gradually incorporated Corkagh Park when it opened, and eventually the league moved there but added a road race and time trials for variety. Orla Hendron and Mags Donnelly took on the task of organisers since 2014, and since then it has been organised by Orla with help from a combination of different members.
In 2018 we were delighted to have Appleby Jewelers come on board as sponsors.
Past Crit League Winners
2010
Joanna Hickey
Usher IRC
2011
Sandra Fitzgerald
Lucan CRC
2012
Mel Späeth
Cycleways
2013
Patricia Buckley
Orwell Wheelers
2014
Sandra Fitzgerald
Garda CC
2015
Orla Montague
Dublin Wheelers
2016
Orla Montague
Dublin Wheelers
2017
Kate Earlie
St. Tiernans
2018
Jennifer Bates
Team Gerard DHL
Youth Cycling at Orwell Wheelers
Most Sundays throughout the year, Orwell Youths hold cycling sessions. In these we aim to teach the children bike handling skills, to help them keep fit, to give them confidence in riding a bike, both at a competitive level and more importantly in their day to day lives. The majority of these coaching sessions run from 10-12 at the Corkagh Park Cycle Racing Track.
Overview
The year is split roughly into two parts - October to March, and April to August. From Autumn to Spring we will concentrate on skills and cycling in a fairly controlled environment - both at Corkagh Park and on the road. We also use Sundrive Track, Lucan BMX and Ticknock or Ballinastoe Mountain biking and spin along the canal cycle paths. We hope to offer a wide range of activities and have decent sized groups in different age and ability categories.
In the Summer we usually go further afield, taking in a few road trips, a few races and some sportives as well as spins from Joe Dalys.
Youth/Junior
Orwell has a vibrant and active youth and junior section, including girls! Youths in cycling are under 16, while juniors are 16-18 years of age.
Youths in cycling are U16, while junior is 16-18 years of age. Anyone interested in joining the youth or junior section should contact the Youth Rep.
Please note that parental consent will be needed to join a youth or junior group in Orwell Wheelers.
AGE GROUPS
The age groups which are referred to below are set out by Cycling Ireland and are based on year of birth / calendar year.
2nd Year Junior
2006
U14
2010/2011
1st Year Junior
2007
U12
2012/2013
U16
2008/2009
U10
2014 & Later
Who is Orwell Youths cycling for?
The lessons are open to cyclists from 6-16, boys and girls, and of any ability. Exercises will be age and ability appropriate. We encourage mixing of the groups and adopt a very inclusive approach.
Road Spins in the summer are open to those who are physically able for the distances from 30k up and mature enough to be comfortable cycling on the open roads. These spins usually leave from Joe Daly's at 10:00 on a Sunday but please check calendar for a given week. We aim to be back between 12 & 12.30.
Routes vary each week and the distances and speed are governed by the ability of the riders that show up and the number of leaders available.
There are reports from some of the major events on the youth calendar available from the menu above.
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