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FAQ for Beginners

DO I NEED TO OWN A BOTTECCHIA BIKE TO BE PART OF THE CLUB?

No! is the simple answer, Our Club is based out of Chain Driven Cycles on High Street.
Stephen’s main brand is “Bottecchia” hence the name, but he sells a lot of different brands too. We have plenty of members cycling other brands of bike (see above photo from a recent Sunday spin) and they don’t have to be purchased off Stephen either, but if you don’t have a thick skin and be prepared for friendly stick at the coffee shop 🙂  

WHAT COST IS INVOLVED WITH JOINING THE CLUB?

There is no charge for joining the club, We have no real costs involved in running the club, you do however have to be a member of Cycling Ireland, this costs €20 per year, if you do Sportives during the year you’ll get the money back anyway from a discounted price.

DO I NEED TO WEAR ALL THE LYCRA CLOTHES AND WEAR CYCLING SHOES?

No you Don’t , but after a few hours on a saddle you’ll be glad of the padded shorts, to start off with you do not need the Cycling shoes but they help immensely once you get going and in group rides you will not be able to do without, if you are apprehensive about them it isn’t a problem to start without them and build your confidence up.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANT KEEP UP WITH THE PACE?

Our 3-week academy will be designed to keep the group together, it will be all about getting people pedaling. It will not be to see who’s fit, who’s fast and who’s better. We want to encourage people to cycle and join our club to keep fit, improve and enjoy the sport. If you’re struggling at the back you will not be left alone.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A PUNCTURE?

Shit happens! There will be plenty people around to help, it’s about teamwork and we’ll all wait until the puncture is fixed before we all keep going together.

Beginners tips (wrote by a beginner)

  • Make sure you’re well hydrated, take on plenty of water starting the day before your ride, continue that morning and during the ride.
  • Have a Good breakfast, be properly fuelled, have snacks in your pocket to have every 45 minutes on rides to keep your energy levels up.
  • Make sure you have a well-functioning bike, make sure brakes are working , your chain is oiled properly and your tyre pressure is checked before each ride.
  • Make sure you are comfortable on your bike. This means making sure your saddle is at a proper height, make sure the distance to the handle bars suits your reach. This isn’t just a case of it looking ok,  get someone who knows what they’re talking about to do a bike fit (Stephen, Chain Driven Cycles) when you’re not comfortable you won’t pedal. When you are properly fitted you’ll go further for longer and enjoy pedalling.
  • You have two legs for pedalling (most of us) which is important but if you’re starting off in group cycling you also have two ears for listening which is just as important. It’s not as easy as it looks, when a group is working together It makes for a more efficient ride. Listen to the experienced lads who will make your cycle more enjoyable and help you work 30% less and go a hell of a lot further. Buy a heart monitor and Bike computer to help you monitor your progress during a ride and over a period of time, Strava is a great point of reference to challenge yourself.