Frequently Asked Questions

People naturally have quite a few questions they ask us before coming out on one of our rides. Here we try to answer some of the more popular ones for you. If you have any other questions about cycling in general or the activites we do then please Contact Us 

1.     I want to ride with you.  How fit do I have to be?

Not particularly.  With the long evenings we have now, we are setting aside Monday nights for beginners – these spins are at an easy pace for about 1hr to 1½hrs and totally dedicated to the person who is a bit apprehensive about cycling in a group.  We will be leaving the main gate at Kilkenny Castle at 7pm sharp – so come along!  And note that helmets are compulsory.

Our target is that you’ll have the bike fitness and confidence to join us in our weekend spin.  Whilst the Sunday spin tends to be a reasonably long spin, our Saturday morning spin is kept to about 2 hours at a more moderate pace.  Although the pace is kept steady you should be reasonably confident that you'll be comfortable doing about 30 miles at an average speed of about 14 - 16 mph.  We meet at 10am at the gates to Kilkenny Castle on a Saturday (as opposed to 9am for the Sunday spin) and aim to be back by midday. 

2.     Is everyone else fast? What if I can’t keep up?

With our Monday spins, no one will be left behind.  We want to encourage people to ride a bike, not leave them behind and put them off cycling for life.  When you join us on our Monday spins, you’ll be joining us who are probably anxious and inexperience as you are.  So there’s no need to be anxious, just come and join us.

Overall, our weekend club rides are not particularly fast, particularly on Saturday mornings. Once you ride on a flat road at 14-16 mph for two hours, you should have no problem with our Saturday spins. That is what we do on tour and it is always easier when you are in a group.  If you really don’t think you can keep up try coming the first 10miles with us until you build up some more endurance and speed.  

3.     Do I have to race?

Not at all. You do as much or as little as you like.  The Club will be participating in inter-club competitions in the region and members will be of course welcomed to participate in these – some members also intends to participate in other races around the country.  But many members only participate in ‘leisure events’, which despite their name can be very challenging (and rewarding) in their own right.

4.     I have just seen Stephen Roche keeping into Pedro Delgado on YouTube. I want to race. What do I have to do?

You’re keen aren’t you!  We can help you.  To keep it simple you need to join Marble City Cyclers and ride our club runs every week in winter to get fitness that will see you through the rest of the year.  Then you also need to get the appropriate license from Cycling Ireland and you’re then ready to cycle in the races of your rankings.  Next year we can look at getting your entry into Tour de France, but the French can be very selective in who they let into that particular race, so don’t get your hopes up too much!!

5.     How far do you go at the Weekends?

On a Sunday, it depends on the weather and who turns up, but generally we go out for about 60 to 100 kilometres.  You can do more or less if you like. You can always cut your tour short if you think it might be a bit much to start with.  On a Saturday, the cycles tend to be approx. two hours long at a pace of 14-16mph, so you’re looking at about 30 miles/50 kilometres.

6.     Hey I’m way fitter than that. Will I leave you slowcoaches behind?

Perhaps.  But these spins are called ‘group spins’ for a reason.  Even Sean Kelly stays within the group when he cycles at home with his club in Carrick-on-Suir – if it’s good enough for him…  During the winter the pace is about keeping the legs fresh and tipping-over, we like to save our fast stuff for the summer.  What’s the point of exhausting yourself on a club run during the winter when the fast and fun stuff happens during the summer?  During the summer, there is likely to be midweek training and there will be a bit faster, more to your liken!!

7.     I only have a mountain bike and I want to go out on the road rides. Is this ok?

The short answer to the question is ‘Yes!’.  However most people use a racer for the obvious reason - even the fittest people on a mountain bike can find it hard to keep up with those on racing bikes.  99.999% of people will convert to a road bike for the longer distances because it gives them that extra comfort, lighter weight and that extra, extra, extra speed.

8.     So where do you go?

The roads are the limit.  We decide mostly on the morning of the spin were we go, depending on the weather, particularly the wind – we like to have a tailwind on our back on the way home, it makes us go fast and feel good!  And as Padraig Harrington says when he took the Flora Cholesterol challenge: ‘if it’s good for me, it’s good for my game’.  We try to get stay away from traffic as much as possible and hit the quieter country roads or stick to roads with a good hard shoulder. We insist on good cycling discipline on main roads.

9.     Do I have to have all the gear?

To be honest, having a bicycle has proven again and again to been very helpful when going cycling.  The bike doesn’t have to be fancy, just reliable.  It is always a good idea to ask around others for advice on what to spend your money on.  There could be a good quality used bikes for sale as well, which would offer excellent value.  We also have our own team jersey which you can buy from the Club.  It is way cheaper than a soccer jersey or the cost of a team cycling jersey in a shop.  Your first day in lycra shorts is always going to be an awkward and difficult time in your life (particularly for the men), but once you get use to them, it is the most comfortable item you can wear for a few hours in the saddle. And you can just wear a tracksuit bottom over them to start with if you prefer.

10. Okay, okay, I’m in, you’ve convinced me. Just cut your yapping and tell me what I need to do next?

Just Contact Us  and we will get you out with people you will enjoy riding with. Or come along on our next spin, Monday at 7pm, Saturday at 10am or Sunday morning at 9am, and introduce yourself!  All cycles leave the main Kilkenny Castle gate.

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!