I’ve always loved the outdoors, although I did once comment that I’d never be seen out in lycra : ) Funny thing is, nobody actually cares what you look like. We’ve all cycled at some stage in our lives, but I only took it up as a hobby in late 2018 and to be honest, i’ve never looked back (except when i’m cycling). Like most, I started as a seasonal cyclist, but gradually my season got longer, to the point that I now cycle all year round.

I find it’s great for my all round fitness and I feel better in myself when I am out on the bike. When I’m not, I miss it. In the beginning, I just went out with a group of friends which culminated in an annual trip abroad. But joining Sandymount Dodder Wheelers added both the security of being in a club and also the bit of discipline I needed to get out on a regular basis for a spin.

I found the various levels of speed within the different groups an excellent way of getting out for a couple of hours where you didn’t feel under pressure to race to the top of the hill or end of the road. Without realising it, my fitness gradually got better over time. There’s also something nice about having that coffee on a Sunday morning with the group when you know a lot of people are still contemplating getting out of bed!

Joining Sandymount Dodder Wheelers cycling club has been one of the best decisions that I have made in the past two years.

As a newcomer I was made feel so welcome. Initially, my reason for joining was to improve my physical fitness and get out more on the roads. However, it quickly became much more than that.

The regular group rides have not only helped me in improving my cycling skills and endurance, but the fun we have during these rides create a strong bond among club members, making the rides even more enjoyable. Cycling etiquette and road safety are important to all riders. I look forward to many more memorable rides and experiences with the club in the future.

PETER McCABE

Riding a bike has been something I have done since I was a very young child. Roads were safer then, it seemed. When I started college, it seemed the most natural thing to cycle to and from it. Going to work, it was a similar scenario although I did notice that not many of my colleagues used bikes. I recall doing a bike-count on the Merrion Road about 20 years ago. There were not many to count.

All that changed with the advent of the Bike-to-Work Scheme. While it took some time for people to embrace it fully, the penny eventually dropped for many drivers who were spending hours behind the driving wheel every day. I upgraded my bike and started cycling further afield. As a Dub, it is slightly embarrassing to admit that I rarely cycled more than 20 km from my home. Once I became a member of the Sandymount Dodder Wheelers, I found myself going further and further afield. I discovered way-off places such as Malahide, Howth, Bray, Greystones and even Enniskerry!

As a club member, I have cycled in many counties in Ireland and hope to cycle in all of them eventually. Being a club member enables me to cycle safely with riders of a similar ability on carefully selected routes. It has also enabled me to cycle in Majorca on a number of ‘away’ trips. I really enjoy going for a spin with a group. No two groups are the same. The chats are varied but the goal is always the same: to enjoy a coffee and return to base safe and sound. I look forward to many years of safe club cycling.

EMMA LONG

I never considered that cycling would be a sport for me. As a long-time runner, I didn’t understand why anyone needed to get as kitted-out and lycra-ed-up as cyclists in order to get some exercise.

It all changed when I went on a family sports holiday in June 2023 and I found myself outside the bike hut on the first day. My intention was to sign up for cycling once or twice during my two week holiday and to spend the rest of the time playing tennis and doing water-sports. I surprised myself (and everyone who knows me) by going on organised spins every day.

I took the plunge and tentatively joined Sandymount Dodder Wheelers in August. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d seen club members on their bikes in their club colours a few times, so I worried a little that the group spins would be treated as competitively as stages of the Tour de France. My concerns rapidly evaporated when they welcomed this absolute novice with a battered, hand-me-down bike that was two sizes too big for her and who didn’t really know how to use gears or how to cycle in a group. I rapidly discovered that everyone in the club just wants to get out safely on bikes with like-minded people for a few hours. I’ve felt really encouraged by everyone I met. They’ve guided me, shared advice with me and helpfully corrected me when I’ve made errors. There is also the unexpected camaraderie of the cycling pack that makes going out in a group a hugely enjoyable way to increase the heart-rate.

The club committee has compiled a great variety of cycling routes that radiate from Sandymount and I’ve been really surprised at the variety of routes and landscapes that can be rapidly accessed on two wheels versus on two feet or in a car. The committee organise many group spins each week and plan them to cater for all levels of cycling. Safety is at the centre of every spin decision; I’ve certainly found that hugely reassuring. The committee also organises other events such as functional workshops, charity fundraisers, trips away to name but a few. It seems like there is always something being planned.

It turned out that there is a lot more fun cycling with a club than I’d contemplated. I’ve still got a lot to learn about the sport and a lot of improving too but I know that with Sandymount Dodder Wheelers I don’t need to go it alone. I look forward to spending many more kilometres on my new-ish, right-sized bike in the company of my new club mates.

JOE & LINDA WALSH

JOE

Joining Sandymount Wheelers has been a fantastic experience. While I enjoyed my previous cycling group, their rides were very focused but lacked structure. The organisation of Sandymount Wheelers is what appeals to me: the pre-arranged rides with diverse groups offering regular rides for all levels.

Since joining, I’ve had multiple great experiences. From challenging climbs like Sa Calobra and Tore Head to participating in numerous sportives. I also find that it is a great club with a with an inclusive culture.

LINDA

I joined Sandymount Dodder Wheelers in 2019 in preparation for the ring of Beara cycle. I had not cycled much before nor been part of a cycling group. I checked for cycling groups in the area and was given a WhatsApp Group from a friend in Bujo. I arranged to go on a group spin and brought Joe along as my ‘plus one’ in case of any issues.

Everyone was very welcoming to me on day one and despite it probably being a red group which I most certainly wasn’t, I was made feel very welcome. I have since been away on many trips both here and in Mallorca which have been great fun and also challenging. It’s great to meet up at the weekends for a Saturday or Sunday morning spin.

As a foreigner in this country and novice when it comes to cycling, joining a cycling club can be intimidating. I am thankful that my colleague introduced me to “Sandymount Dodder Wheelers” , which is a very sociable and prestigious club. What I love about the club is that the members are very welcoming, amicable, and mindful of each other. The club is also well-organised and as safety is a top priority, they have arranged safety trainings and bike maintenances courses which makes us more responsible road users and boosts our confidence in cycling.

Our club is actively participating not only in annual sportive cycling events but also very involved in organising charity spins. They also offer a wide array of group spins that suits your preferred pace, route and distance and I usually go with the green or blue group which I find quite relaxing pace where we always get the chance to squeeze in the coffee/pastry in between while having the great craic with the coolest co-cyclists and go home with a big smile on my face as you are not totally wrecked.