The 2016 racing season is a matter of weeks away and the list of things you need to do between now and then is beginning to mount up. To make your life easier we've brought you a check-list of the most important things you must do right now...and shaving your legs isn't one of them.
Get a club?
Even if you only want to take part in a few events this year – be it races or sportives, it really pays to be a member of a club.
Not only will you have access to a group of people to travel to and from events with, you’ll have help throughout that event, be it requiring a spare wheel or a spare gel.
To join a club is easy and can be done through the Cycling Ireland website.
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You’ll get discounted entry for races and sportives, personal accident insurance, competitive bike insurance and cheaper rates on kit.
If you’re not in a club, an A1 racing licence will cost you €155, as opposed to €125 if you’re in a club.
A non-competition licence (also known as a leisure licence) covers you while you’re out training, on club spins, and while participating in leisure tours.
The fee is €40 (€35 for your Cycling Ireland licence along with a €5 provincial levy) if you are based in Leinster, Munster or Connacht and is £26 / €35 (New Member) or £34 / €45 (returning member) if you are based in Ulster.
Get your kit sized?
You might have the best quality kit to train in but if you do join a club you’ll be asked (in the case of sportives) and forced (in races) to wear it – so ensure you get properly fitted for kit.
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Races are hard enough and demand a huge amount of energy and effort to just keep pace, but when you’ve kit a size too big it flaps in the wind or bunches up around your groin…and gives you just one more excuse to throw in the towel…
Get your racing licence?
If you haven’t received your licence or race numbers you should prioritise this now because the season is only a matter of weeks away.
In the event of not receiving either of the above you can download a PDF copy of your licence from the "My Licence" tile of your online account on the Cycling Ireland website.
You can then show this to the officials at sign-on for events and you’ll be issued with temporary numbers for the day.
You do not need to purchase a one day licence if you have already paid for annual membership.
Have your bike fitted and working?
There’s no time like the present to get that creaking bottom bracket fixed or worn chain replaced.
Don’t wait until the last minute for ANYTHING because on the week of the race bike shops will be snowed under with work, your bike will join the back of a long queue, meaning you could be without it for those vital pre-race session – and who would blame a mechanic if he or she charged you more for the ‘express service’.
By now, you should be very comfortable on your bike because changing position takes time to get used to.
Don’t delay…it won’t be alright on the day…
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