Group Spins
Group Spins Ride times for Saturday and Sunday are 08:30 spring/summer and 09:00 autumn/winter and will move to an earlier time in spring.
Our Sunday club spins are an enjoyable social experience where the group rides together at a suitable pace for all, with a stop for coffee and a chat.
There are several groups and we encourage people to ride with the appropriately paced group.
Depending on the numbers turning up, the following groups will leave from outside the Clontarf GAA club on Seafield Road each Sunday:
- Red Group: Pace 29+ and distance 70 to 100+km
- Orange 28 to 29km/h and 80 to 100+km
- Yellow Group: Pace 26 to 27km/h and distance 70 to 100+km
- Blue Group: Pace 23 to 25km/h and distance 70 to 90km
- White Group: Pace 20 to 23km/h and distance 50 to 65km
During winter months the pace and distance will usually be lower and the social coffee stop will often be at the end of the ride.
Yellow, Blue and White Groups normally have a social coffee stop near the half-way mark during the rest of the year.
Group members should ride at a suitable pace for the group, not consistently riding off the front and not pushing the pace to a level where other members are struggling.
Links to the proposed routes of rides for Yellow, Blue and White groups will be posted to the club WhatsApp group on the Friday evening. These can be downloaded to many gps units e.g. Garmin 500, 800 and 1000 series and to Wahoo Elemnt and Roam units.
Road surfaces and conditions can change so caution should be exercised if cycling a posted route that you have not cycled on recently. Register with https://ridewithgps.com/ to download these.
New and inexperienced members will normally ride with either the Blue or White groups and existing members will offer guidance to help new members.
There is also an informal Saturday morning club ride leaving from the GAA club which is open to club members only. The pace and distance of this ride is agreed by the group on the day.
How to download the CCC Ride with GPS routes to a Garmin or Wahoo
Initial Set-Up
Download the Ride with GPS App (RWGPS) to your phone and set up an account, the free version works fine. Then link your RWGPS account to either your Garmin or Wahoo accounts. These links show you how to do it: Garmin IQ Wahoo
Downloading a Route
Press the route link in the WhatsApp message and the RWGPS app will open on your phone showing the route. Press the Save button and then press Save to Pinned.
On a Garmin device press IQ usually on bottom right. Press Ride with GPS. Press Pinned Routes. Select the route and press Download and Ride.
On a Wahoo device turn it on. On your phone open the Wahoo Elemnt or Roam App. Press Choose a Route. The route you pinned earlier in the RWGPS should be listed. Press the route name and then press Select. The ride will be downloaded to your Wahoo gps unit. Go to the routes page on the Wahoo, press the sort button and then press starred, Select your route.
Club Spins
Suggested CCC Routes for Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd November 2024
PLEASE ADJUST PACE AS ROADS MAY BE SLICK FROM RAIN & LEAVES, MUDGUARDS MANDATORY. TAKE EXTRA CARE CORNERING
Current forecast for Saturday: Dry, 11-13C, Easterly wind 10km/h.
Saturday spin: Group decides route depending on numbers and ability.
Current forecast for Sunday: Dry, 10-13C, South Easterly 15-20km/h.
CHANGE OF START TIME FOR WINTER TO 9.00 a.m. FOR ALL SPINS
All groups depart Clontarf GAA Club 9.00a.m.
Group sizes of up to 12. Groups to pace ride so that members can comfortably complete spin, riding at a safe speed for the conditions and singling out where necessary. Take care on narrow roads and steep descents.
Red Group 29km/h+ Group decides route.
Orange Group 28-29km/h Nevitt Nags Head Garristown 77km 450mt.
Out by the Estuary to Nevitt. Coffee stop @ Garristown 43km. Home via Oldtown & the Runways.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48930234
Yellow Group 26-27km/h Ballyboughal – Nags Head – Oldtown 67km 350mt Out by the Estuary and Balheary to Nags Head. Coffee in Oldtown 41km. Home via St Margarets & the airport. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34178269
Blue and White Groups 24-25 km/h Ballyboughal – Oldtown 54km 254mt
Out by the Airport and Swords Bypass to Ballyoughal.
Coffee in Oltown, 28km. Home via the Runways. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48930357
Thursday Social Spin to Howth leaves 6.30pm from 360 Cycles. Lights front and back required. Ride along cycle path at a reduced speed, singled out and being considerate to other cyclists.
Refreshments at The Tram.
Group Riding Guidelines
Clontarf Cycling Club spins are designed to be sociable and enjoyable activities, so follow these guidelines to keep it safe and enjoyable for everybody on the spin.
Cycle with Respect
- Be respectful of motorists, pedestrians, and fellow cyclists
- Respect your club-mates and look after them on the ride
- Follow the Road Captain’s instructions during the spin
- Use the first 3 to 4 km as a steady paced warm-up, not a race!
- Transition smoothly when rolling over and stay within the agreed pace
- Don’t “half wheel” – keep your handlebars in line with those beside you
- The group will match the slowest rider but where there is a distinct difference within the group and numbers permit, the Captain may split the group
- Cyclists climb at different paces so regroup near the top
- Look out for a rider struggling or getting distanced and call a slower pace
- Do not leave or abandon a group member.
- Go out with the group best matched to your fitness. if you are not feeling 100% go out with a slower group and if you have been riding strongly consider trying a faster group
Safe Riding Rules
- Obey the rules of the road and traffic signs and signals
- Follow the instructions of the Road Captains during the spin
- Ride a steady and predictable line
- Warn others of hazards, e.g. dangerous potholes or if you must brake
- Let the riders behind you know if you need to change your position
- Don’t overlap your wheel with the rear wheel in front
- Where a traffic light turns orange it may safer for the group to continue through
- Tell the Road Captain if you feel ill or unable for the remaining distance or pace.
- Where a rider’s behaviour puts the group at risk let them know, discreetly where possible, and If you get some safety advice accept it gracefully
- Ride in pairs where safe to do so and single out, as necessary, for narrow roads and to allow cars to overtake safely
- Ride at a reduced speed and with caution on cycle tracks.
- Ride singled out on the Clontarf-Sutton cycle track and groups of 5 or more should avoid the cycle track between Clontarf and the Howth Road junction.
- Punctures and mechanicals – make sure that all riders and bikes are off the carriageway. Where a puncture occurs in the final third at least two people should stop with the victim.
- Front and rear lights are always a good idea and must be used in poor light/darkness
- inform the Club Secretary (clontarfccsecretary@gmail.com) of any incidents, accidents or crashes on club spins. The Club Secretary will pass the details to the Club Safety Officer who will take the appropriate actions as required.
What to Bring With You
- A roadworthy bike with brakes and tyres in good condition
- Wear a safety helmet (compulsory). Cycling glasses and gloves/mitts are recommended
- Carry at least two spare tubes, tools and a working pump
- Bring money for a coffee break (€5 to €7) and a fully charged phone
- Carry snacks/ food suitable for the distance and snack about every 20 mins
- Carry one or preferably two water bottles in your bottle cages and drink frequently
- Use an effective rear mudguard in winter or if rain is likely
- Wear your club kit with pride
Guidance for Road Captains
Experienced club members are expected to act as Road Captains for the Blue Group once or twice a year. Committee members may ask someone to act as Road Captain on any particular Sunday.
New and inexperienced members will normally start riding with the Blue Group or White Group after coming out on the introductory spins.
The role of the Road Captains is to help ensure the proper and safe functioning of the club groups so that all group members can have an enjoyable spin.
Before the start of the spin the Ride Captain should announce what colour their group is and should let the group members know the expected average speed, destination, distance and elevation gain if it is a hilly route.
Where a new member has turned up, one of the Blue Ride Captains should have a brief conversation with them to judge their level of experience. Where the new member’s bike appears un-roadworthy they should be advised to have it serviced before coming on a club ride.
Names and contact details of non-members should be sent to the club secretary. Where a rider appears to be inexperienced the Ride Captain should give them some initial advice e.g.
- Not to brake unnecessarily in a group and warn others if they do brake
- To keep a steady and consistent line and not to make sudden changes in direction
- Not to overlap their front wheel with any part of the rear wheel of the bike ahead
The Road Captain should ride at the front for the first 3 to 4 km to ensure a controlled warm up pace. During the ride the Road Captain should make calls on turns, singling out etc. and should give feedback or instructions to the group or group members as required.
Road captains should watch the speed of the group and call reductions in speed if the speed is too high for some group members. The Ride Captain should work with the group to ensure that the group rides safely and that no member is left behind.
Where there is a mechanical or puncture the Road Captain should direct members to a safe location to wait. Where the spin is long and there is not a mid-way coffee stop, the Road Captain should allow for a “nature break” at a suitable location.