Frequently Asked Questions
"When and where do you train?

Group rides leave from Institute of Technology Sligo at 18:30 on Wednesdays in Summer months. Sunday Spins are at 09:00 and 10:00 in summer and all at 10:00 on Sundays in winter. The shorter ride tends to be the the 10am ride. There are also two spins on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am from Carraroe Car Park. However it is up to you what distance you wish to go. If you wish to turn back at 20K, then a few club members will usually accompany you home! Winter indoor training takes place on Wednesday nights.

Right, so road riding's not my thing, but I do want to race mountain bikes. What do you do?

The Sligo area is quite a hilly terrain, and there is a small group of mountain bikers within IWCC. Club Group Leader, Seamus McGowan rides mountain bike during the winter with a group based near Manorhamilton. There are a number of forest trails in Sligo and Leitrim and good gear and excellent lighting is required. This happens on Wednesday nights during the winter months.

Hmmm, I've ridden a lot but never really raced. Are 'beginners' catered for?

Yes! Any riders wishing to ride a bike are appreciated, regardless of experience.

Well, to be honest, racing isn't my thing, can I just go out and ride with someone for company locally?

Yes, of course. 'Just' going for a ride is fundamental to the sport. Going out, either on or off road, in the local area is very pleasant and a great way to keep fit. If you don't fancy the higher speeds of the road groups, our secretary is the person to get in touch with. If you fancy a chilled out ride off road then email the IWCC mailing list. With around 50 members, there is always someone willing to go out riding!

I like the sound of all this, but I'm worried I'm not fit enough.

That's always something that can be improved upon. If you're road riding, then it would be advisable to go out with the slower groups to start with until you can guage where you stand a little better. With the mountain bike rides, things are generally a little more relaxed and we'll wait for anyone who drops behind. If you plan on coming away on a weekend trip with us, I would advise (unless you're already an experienced rider) that you go out riding with us a few times first, again just so that you know what to expect!

Do you ever get together, out of lycra?

We have been known to...! Every month or so we meet up at the club meetings at 9pm and there is generally a pint or two going on following the meetings. We also have the annual buffet dinner, this happens usually in early December. We also go on a weekend away club trip on the first weekend on October. Most years also we go abroad in April/May for one week. We have travelled as a club group to: France, Majorca, Italy and Wales.