Whether it’s 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’ve got some company! You might be looking for a social group, or perhaps something a little more competitive, but whatever the case there’s bound to be a collective within striking distance.
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 – but to get things rolling, we’ve picked out a selection of the racing and leisure clubs around the country that you might soon call your new cycling home…
Cuchulainn Cycling Club, Dundalk, Co. Louth
While this Louth lot do a bit of everything you could fancy – racing, MTB, BMX and more – 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 – as well as the perennial search for the perfect coffee and cake stop along the way! There’s an impressive underage setup, too, which means riders of any age can find themselves a spot amongst the action!
Find out more here.
Scott-Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club, Dundrum, Co. Dublin
Boasting more than 750 members, this club caters for cyclists of all experiences and ages – 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’s an all-year-round affair – and there’s always the option to step up to their sizeable competitive ranks if you begin to hanker for something a little more serious…
Find out more here.
Dungarvan Cycling Club, Co. Waterford
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 – and, with some of the most scenic routes in the country right on the doorstep, the eye-candy is definitely guaranteed!
Find out more here.
Killarney Cycling Club, Co. Kerry
As one of the largest and most diverse clubs in the country, it’s 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’s 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’ve been missing out, there’s no excuse for not to get back to it!
Find out more here.
Challenge CC – Galway
Abiding by the old cliche that there’s no ‘I’ in team, the city of the Tribes is home to a club that caters to all – but places a special emphasis on the leisure cyclist. Gathering large groups of enthusiasts for weekend spins, where there’s more attention paid to the scones than the split times, it’s 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’ll be well looked after too; as the name suggests, there’s always a goal to set yourself as you progress…
Find out more here.
Racing Clubs
Dublin Wheelers, Santry, Co Dublin
It’s some 88 years since a half-dozen pals decided to set up a club; in the decades since, they’ve carved out a reputation as one of the nation’s 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’s a perfect starting point for those interested in getting into racing, with plenty of experienced heads to guide the way…
Find out more here.
Kanturk O’Leary Stone Cycling Club, Co Cork
When it comes to an impressive track record, it’s 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’s 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!
Find out more here.
Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club
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 – 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.
Find out more here.
Castlebar Cycling Club, Co. Mayo
The biggest and longest-standing club in Mayo caters to beginners and elite riders, male and female, from youth to veteran – with a traditional focus on road racing. As well as turning out plenty of contenders on the national stage, there’s also a well-developed league scene in the Maritime county, which means that riders of all abilities can get a taste of competition. It’s one for all-rounders, too, and plenty of adventure and triathlon competitors sharpen their skills with the club…
Find out more here.
Before you saddle up to join a group ride, check out our top tips to keep you safe.
