Whether it\u2019s tucking into the peloton or tucking into brunch midway through a leisurely weekend roll, one thing is for sure; getting on your bike is a whole lot more fun when you\u2019ve got some company! You might be looking for a social group, or perhaps something a little more competitive, but whatever the case there\u2019s bound to be a collective within striking distance.<\/p>\n
To list every club from Malin to Mizen would take longer than an ascent of the Alpe d’Huez, of course, so make sure to seek out the options closest to you \u2013 but to get things rolling, we\u2019ve picked out a selection of the racing and leisure clubs around the country that you might soon call your new cycling home…<\/p>\n
While this Louth lot do a bit of everything you could fancy \u2013 racing, MTB, BMX and more \u2013 the largest cohort of the club is the leisure cyclists. From non-competitive open events to training spins, the focus is on scenic routes and sparkling chat \u2013 as well as the perennial search for the perfect coffee and cake stop along the way! There\u2019s an impressive underage setup, too, which means riders of any age can find themselves a spot amongst the action!<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Scott-Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club, Dundrum, Co. Dublin<\/strong><\/p>\n Boasting more than 750 members, this club caters for cyclists of all experiences and ages \u2013 with the ethos of combining biking with banter at the heart of it all. Spins on Sundays through the winter and Saturdays through the summer, with some fun leisure challenges thrown in to keep things interesting, mean it\u2019s an all-year-round affair \u2013 and there\u2019s always the option to step up to their sizeable competitive ranks if you begin to hanker for something a little more serious…<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dungarvan Cycling Club, Co. Waterford<\/strong><\/p>\n The sunny south-east has become a bit of a cycling hub in recent years, as demonstrated by this coastal collective. Leisure is the primary focus at the club, with organised activities for all manner of levels and age groups. Most importantly, there are plenty of highly experienced cyclists to lend a hand along the way \u2013 and, with some of the most scenic routes in the country right on the doorstep, the eye-candy is definitely guaranteed!<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As one of the largest and most diverse clubs in the country, it\u2019s little surprise that leisure riders in the south-west are well catered to by the Killarney club. Organised rides for every ability are led by trained Ride Leaders, and there\u2019s even an off-road leisure programme to sink your teeth into. Perhaps most worthy of note is their fantastic mentoring programme, that helps adult riders who need support to get back into road cycling; if you feel you\u2019ve been missing out, there\u2019s no excuse for not to get back to it!<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Challenge CC \u2013 Galway<\/strong><\/p>\n Abiding by the old cliche that there\u2019s no \u2018I\u2019 in team, the city of the Tribes is home to a club that caters to all \u2013 but places a special emphasis on the leisure cyclist. Gathering large groups of enthusiasts for weekend spins, where there\u2019s more attention paid to the scones than the split times, it\u2019s a great way to get out on the bike and enjoy the inevitable craic along the way. Of course, if you find yourself bitten by the bug then you\u2019ll be well looked after too; as the name suggests, there\u2019s always a goal to set yourself as you progress…<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Racing Clubs<\/strong><\/p>\n Dublin Wheelers, Santry, Co Dublin<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s some 88 years since a half-dozen pals decided to set up a club; in the decades since, they\u2019ve carved out a reputation as one of the nation\u2019s finest. While the social side of things has never been neglected, the path to the top is well-worn for the Santry-based group, with A1 and A2 racers a regular part of the collective. It\u2019s a perfect starting point for those interested in getting into racing, with plenty of experienced heads to guide the way…<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kanturk O\u2019Leary Stone Cycling Club, Co Cork<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to an impressive track record, it\u2019s hard to imagine many comparing to the famous Cork club; 2020 Olympian Eddie Dunbar numbers among those to have cut their teeth there, while Sam Bennett wore the green and blue for four years early in his journey. Home to one of the only outdoor velodromes in the country, there\u2019s a special emphasis placed on youth level development, so for younger riders eyeing up a long and successful time in the saddle, this is one to really take note of!<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club <\/strong><\/p>\n Surrounded by some of the best cycling terrain in the country, it should come as little surprise that the Kerry town is known for producing some prolific pedallers \u2013 and no small number have come through this club. Its rich racing pedigree continues to this day, with three-a-week training sessions complemented by regular training camps at home and abroad and educational sessions on nutrition, strength and conditioning and more.<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Castlebar Cycling Club, Co. Mayo<\/strong><\/p>\n The biggest and longest-standing club in Mayo caters to beginners and elite riders, male and female, from youth to veteran \u2013 with a traditional focus on road racing. As well as turning out plenty of contenders on the national stage, there\u2019s also a well-developed league scene in the Maritime county, which means that riders of all abilities can get a taste of competition. It\u2019s one for all-rounders, too, and plenty of adventure and triathlon competitors sharpen their skills with the club…<\/p>\n Find out more <\/strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Cuchulainn Cycling Club<\/strong>, Dundalk, Co. Louth<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Killarney Cycling <\/strong>Club, Co. Kerry<\/strong><\/p>\n