Cycling club is wheely doing the business

Rachel Farrell 

THE Scott-Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club is paving the way for female cyclists in the Dundrum area this year.

The Orwell Women’s League begins with a 10-mile time trial on April 10.

“It’s for all abilities of women who want to start racing,” explained public relations officer Louise Keane.

The league involves three races in Corkagh Park, followed by a road race and another 10-mile time trial for participants to track their progress.

Earlier this year, 16-year-old Lara Gillespie brought the club’s name to the forefront.

“Lara’s a junior superstar, she’s the Irish National Cyclocross champion for women, even though she’s only 16,” Louise explained.

“She competed for Ireland in the 2018 World Cyclocross Championships there a few weeks ago.”

The Wesley College student finished 23rd in the Elite Women’s field, and 2nd in her age category.

The club also hosts an introductory cycling course for women, spanning over a 10-week period.

“They are taught everything about cycling from training, maintenance, how to deal with punctures, cycling on the road and in a group,” Louise explained. “It’s a great way for women to get into cycling.”

Both beginners and advanced cyclists are welcome, with the advanced team tackling the Wicklow 200.

Founded in 1948, the Dundrum-based club celebrates its 70th birthday this year.

With over 600 members, Louise says the club peaked in popularity last year.

“The club is so popular at the moment that we’ve actually had to close membership,” she revealed.

“We have a restricted amount of how many people we can have in the club.”

One of the club’s biggest events is the Stephen Roche Grand Prix. Running annually since 1995, this year’s race takes place on June 20. The prix begins with a fun race for novice children, followed by the juniors, women’s and men’s races.

“Last year Nicholas Roche (son of World Road Race Champion Stephen Roche) was there to present the prizes. It’s a good evening, its fast, exciting racing as well,” Louise says.

“You get a decent local turn out, the estate closes down for the night because people can’t drive in. And you get all the locals out to watch and the parents of the kids racing too.”