Rules & Formats | Orwell Wheelers

Rules

Eligibility

1.1. You must be a current member of the club and have paid your league fees before the deadline for this year’s league.

1.2. You must either hold a Cycling Ireland Limited Competition or Full Competition licence

1.3. The league is open to all riders from U16 and above. U16 must be accompanied to races by at least one parent.

Conduct

2.1. Riders must at all times obey the instructions of race organisers and marshals.

2.2. Rides must at all times obey the rules of the road. Remember that the roads are open, so other traffic may take priority over the race. Marshals cannot guarantee that a junction or road will be clear.

2.3. Stay behind the lead car at all times, unless the driver pulls in and waves you on.

2.4. Dangerous and reckless riding will not be tolerated and may be subject to sanctions.

2.5. Any behaviour that may damage the reputation of the club may lead to sanction, including parking in unauthorised areas, public urination, disputes with members of the public, etc..

2.6. Riders are expected to know the course of the race. It is not the duty of the lead car nor the marshals to direct riders, only to warn other traffic of an approaching race.

Marshalling

3.1. Participants are required to marshal two events throughout the year. Failure to fulfil marshalling duties will result in automatic suspension from the league for one year.

Attire and equipment

4.1. Standard UCI rules apply for road and TT events. As per UCI rules, no extraneous equipment may be mounted on bikes, such as video cameras, mudguards, etc.

4.2 You must wear an Orwell jersey.

4.3 No earphones or phone use allowed during races.

Club championships

5.1. Every year the club holds a few events to decide the Club Champ for various disciplines - Road Race, 10TT, 25TT and Hill Climb. Medals are awarded to the top three finishers of each gender, as long as at least two competitors of that gender sign on.

5.2. Only league members are permitted to ride the various championship events. These are league events, and all placers must be allocated points. If you wish to sign up for the league, and only ride one or two championship events, that is allowed. You can ride as few or as many events as you wish, but you will be required to marshal at least two races.

Handicap categories

6.1. There are four categories in the league, from slowest to fastest: Limit, Semi-limit, Semi-scratch, Scratch. All new riders will start in Limit, unless they're known to be able for a higher category. If you feel you have been placed in an inappropriate category, please contact the league committee.

6.2. If you get a few good results, you may be upgraded based on performance. If you win 15 points, you will be automatically upgraded. Generally riders aren't downgraded unless they bring it to the attention of the league committee.

Scoring

7.1. Riders receive 5 points for signing on, and additional points for placing. Generally to the first six in each race – 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.

7.2. At the end of the league, your worst five results, excluding championship events, are disregarded. So you can miss five races without being affected for the total score.

7.3. Any tied scores in the overall will be ordered by the number of wins each rider received - if a rider has more 1st places, they are placed higher. If there is also a tied on number of wins, then 2nd places are used, and so on.

7.4. There are generally prizes for the top ten riders, and the highest placed woman.

Sanctions

8.1. The league committee may impose a range of sanctions against riders found to breached the rules. These may include expulsions, suspension, disqualification, relegation and docking of points.

Sign-on

9.1. Sign-on generally closes ten minutes before the start of your race. If you miss sign-on, you won't be allowed race – no exceptions.

9.2. If parking your car during a race, put your valuables in the boot. If you want, or if you cycle up, you can give your bag to the lead car.

9.3. Please use consideration when parking – we use each sign-on area multiple times, and have to return year on year. Keeping residents happy is vital to the smooth running of the league.

Format

Marshalling

Written by Brian Mc

Published: 15 October 2014

The league is run by a set of volunteer organisers – they make sure the races run smoothly and safely. Every participant is also asked to marshal for one or two races throughout the league. Marshalling involves asking traffic to stop or slow so that the race can pass through safely.

Responsibilities

You can see when you are due to marshal from the marshal roster, which is shared on the Inter Club League WhatsApp community If you cannot make the date assigned to you, it is your responsibility to arrange a replacement. Use the forum or WhatsApp to organise swaps – you can also do this to make sure you get to do the races you want (e.g. the 25TT if you're a good tester).

If you (or your swap) do not show up for your marshalling slot, you will be suspended from the league with immediate effect. You may then reapply to join the league, and it is at the league committee's discretion whether to let people back in or not, and whether conditions may be attached.

On the week of the race, you will receive a text from the organiser to remind you. If you have organised a replacement, reply to let the organiser know the name of your replacement by Wednesday. However, you must make sure to remind your replacement, and that they show up on the night. The organiser will not track any swaps or changes. Whoever prints and signs the sheet (as long as it's legible) will get the marshalling points.

If you are marshalling yourself, there's no need to reply to the text. Take a note of the number, so if you are running late on the night, you can let the organiser know.

Sign-on

We need to have our marshals in position before we start any racing, so you should turn up about 30mins before race start, so that you have time to get to your location. The organiser will assign you a location on the night. If you can bring a car or motorbike to the race, let the organiser know as well – cars are great for getting to the farthest locations, or as lead car/bike.

When you show up on the night, find the organiser at sign-on – you will need to sign on as a marshal. If it's your first time, let them know, and they can try pair you with a more experienced hand.

Duties

Bring a hi-viz vest or jacket if you have one. The organiser may provide you with one but don't presume we will have them every night. Bring a whistle to warn marshals of riders approaching (one blast), or warn riders of danger (continuous blasts).

Familiarise yourself with your assigned location, so you know which the race will pass through. When the lead car passes through, stop traffic well back from the junction. We have no legal right to stop traffic, all we can do is politely ask people if they'd please wait a minute or so while the race passes through. If they are impatient, explain it should only take less than a minute. If a motorist insists on passing, marshals should warn racers and stop them if necessary.

All marshals are also reminded to be polite and courteous when dealing with anyone outside the race. Remember residents are dealing with races more than once a fortnight, and can be understandably annoyed. Any aggression or confrontation on our part will only antagonise them further. It's become more of an issue in recent years, and we need to be on our best behaviour.

As a marshal, you'll be standing around doing nothing for 80% of the night. Dress warmly – lycra will not cut it unless it's blazing sunshine. A pair of runners or slip-ons are better than wearing down your cleats.

Other handy things to bring: a broom, for sweeping gravel out of the race line; a stopwatch, if you want to give riders a gap to the break or the bunch in front. If bringing a camera, remember your first priority is keeping the riders safe.

Hand signals

When performing marshalling duties, there are a couple of handy pointers:

raise and wave flag to signal to warn approaching drivers to slow down
your other hand should point the riders in the direction of travel. Riders should know the course, so this is not a priority if there are any unusual situations.
if necessary, warn riders about cars on right after junction by shouting, 'car right', etc.
if necessary, wave hands up and down to slow down riders. Shout 'slow' or 'steady'.
if necessary, hold hands above head and wave from X shape to Y shape to stop riders. Shout 'stop', or blow your whistle continuously.

Spelling

The noun - a marshal, the person - is spelled with one L.

The verb - to marshall, "s/he is marshalling" - is spelled with two Ls.

Crits

Written by Brian Mc

Published: 15 October 2014

Corkagh Park

Location and Parking

See Locations for how to get there, and details of parking and what to do with bags and valuables.

The car park closes early at the start of the year, so don't get locked in!

Racing

The circuit is about 1.3km around, with a gentle drag up to the finish line. Most races are run anti-clockwise on the biggest loop.

It's a perfect venue to give newer riders a chance to hone their skills in a controlled, supervised environment. There's no risk of vehicular traffic, and no kerbs, potholes or gravel. Knowing the right line through the corners is essential, but be aware of the riders around you - don't take a line that will cut across and endanger someone else, and be wary in case this happens to you.

In terms of racing, Corkagh Park can't compare to a proper road race, but criterium racing has its own thrills - Brian Ahern puts it best:

“For anybody who's thinking - "20mins of racing - what's the point?" - Don't be fooled! It's a savage little circuit where you'll learn to corner at speed and sprint out of corners, close gaps and if there is a wind blowing the race will potentially be split to pieces. Be aggressive and you'll be rewarded for it.

"It's certainly different to riding a handicapped road event but I think it's a great addition to the league that will help you improve a lot of the basic simple skills that are sometimes lacking in some of the strongest of road riders. It's great training to bring you on.”

Mondello

Location and Parking

We also run crits in Mondello:

When you arrive there you need to cross the finish straight to get into the central pit area where we will have sign on.

We stress to all members that it is absolutely forbidden to take your car for a spin around the track either before or after our race. (We are only permitted to drive on the track in the event that we need to deal with an incident).

Driving on the track could have serious insurance implications for Mondello Park and the driver concerned if it has not been pre-booked and the club have given an undertaking that this will not happen.

Racing

The lap is about 3.5km around, with a sharp downhill hairpin leading into a long flat finishing straight. Most races are run anti-clockwise on the biggest loop.

Time Trials

Written by Brian Mc

Published: 15 October 2014

Typically there are four TT events each year in the league. A time trial is pure test of power – riders set off a minute apart, and are timed to the finish. Fastest time wins - simple.

There are usually points for the 6 fastest riders in each ability group, so 24 placings to compete for altogether, but beyond that every finisher will get a time, so no matter how badly you think you might fare it's always worth practising your time trialling to see how you do, and then work on improving.

Rules

The following general rules apply:

There is to be no warming up on the course
TT bikes/wheels and aero kit are all allowed
Club kit (including skinsuits) should be worn, unless you are wearing a plain skinsuit.
No drafting (sitting behind another rider sheltering in their windstream)

If you catch another rider (good for you!) check that there is no traffic coming up behind you before pulling out, and give them loads of room as you pass. Remember they may have no notion that you're steaming through until you have actually passed them. On the other hand, if you are caught, keep on going at your own pace, don't be tempted to try sit on to the rider who has passed you.

When you cross the finish line roll on through, pull over further down the road and don't turn around before checking that it is safe to do so. Anyone doing a U-turn in the vicinity of the finish line will be disqualified.

Please don't hassle the timekeepers for your time- there's no problem asking, but make sure to do it at a time when there aren't any riders coming in.

Sign-on

For the Black Bull TTs, please park by the usual sign-on area. If you're warming up on rollers, it's a lot handier to do it by the line, but the residents in the starting area have complained about their access being blocked. So just park in the usual spot.

Circuits

Hill Climb TT - varies

10TT

25TT

Road Races

Written by Brian Mc

Published: 15 October 2014

Road races are the bread and butter of the common racer in Ireland.

Rules

For those who haven't raced on open roads before, the rules of the road still apply. Anyone seen repeatedly riding on the wrong side of the line will be penalised. Check for overtaking car traffic if moving out of the bunch. Be very cautious on corners - the marshals will do their best to stop traffic back from the junction, but it's not always possible, and drivers are not always co-operative. Obey any orders from marshals, such as to slow down - they're trying to keep you safe.

Basically, use some common sense. It's not worth endangering yourself and others to gain a few places in the bunch. Stupid/reckless riding will be not be tolerated.

Racing

Most road races will be in DMS (delayed mass start) format. That means that there will be a separate race for each handicap group. Scratch will usually start first. Limit and Semi-Limit may race a shorter distance than Scratch and Semi-Scratch. Some races will be a combined pursuit (CP, aka handicapped).

If it's a CP, it's in the interests of each group to work together to both stay away from the chasing groups, or to catch the groups ahead - i.e. if Limit can work together well, and stay out in front without being caught, all the points will go to Limit riders, rather than having to sprint against Scratch riders. Similarly, if Scratch attack each other, and don't get a group effort going, they're unlikely to catch the groups in front, and won't score any points.

In a DMS, attack the hell out of each other and get in the break. Then win the sprint. Easy.

Finish

At the finish, if you didn't get a place, please keep riding through and home. This allows us to clear the area and let traffic flow – again, keeping the residents happy is paramount to the continued success of the league. Please return to the finish line if you think you placed, because we might not have Dave Mc's encyclopaedic knowledge of faces and names to put to the prizes. It's good practice to make sure your name was noted.

Circuits

Black Bull

Sign-on: Varies

Green Sheds

Our usual route northside - out through Batterstown, turn right at the first roundabout to get onto the circuit. Follow the road around the Dunshauglin ring road before turning left for Dunsany. Left at Dunsany, and then left onto the Trim Road, before turning left at the first roundabout. Finish line is on the second drag.

Dorey's Forge

A flat enough loop, but with a steep ramp for the finish.

Mullagh

Not used much in recent years.

Brittas

Inner lakes loop

From Brittas, riders will turn left off the N81 through Manor Kilbride, then turn right onto the circuit and past the bottom of Red Lane. Left turn to cross the northernmost bridge on the lakes, and left again on the far shore to go over the finish line at the top of the drag. After crossing the line, the course drops down the hill and over the bridge, just before the speed ramps turn sharp left for the second lap. This is a very sharp turn, be extremely cautious!

Ballysmuttan finish

Using the inner lakes loop, but turn right at the line to finish at the top of Ballysmuttan climb

Sallygap finish

Using the inner lakes loop, but turn right after Manor Kilbride to climb to the Sallygap crossroads

Blessington

Russborough

Starting just south of Blessington, going through the two roundabouts and out to Ballymore Eustace, and back to the N81 northbound. The descent to Ballymore Eustace is technical and tight, and ends with a sharp left turn. The finish is off the circuit at the gates of Russborough House.

Tulferris

Turn left at Poulaphouca and up the major climb of the circuit. A lumpy lap finishes by dropping down to the bridge and a flat run-in to the line.

Others (Not currently in use)

Golden Ball

Neutralised from Golden Ball to Enniskerry. Keep right at Texaco and sharp right up Curtlestown Hill. Official start is at the shops on left (~6.6km mark). Route continues to top of hill just past the Reconciliation centre, take a sharp right onto Military road and head back to the viewing point to take right turn onto Cruagh Road. After a few kilometres take right turn up Tibradden hill to Glencullen (Johnnie Fox's) and finish.

Blue Light

Mostly replaced by the Golden Ball for the last round of the league.

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.

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