Stickybottle.com reveals new sponsorship deal with 'Orwell Criterium League 2014'

The Orwell Crit League gets underway in Co Meath this evening, newly sponsored by stickybottle.com

The Orwell Wheelers Women’s Criterium League gets underway this evening, Tuesday, and this season is sponsored by stickybottle.com

The league, which was designed to encourage women to try racing, will once again see a time trial at the start and conclusion; book ending the criterium series that runs in the intervening weeks.

Holding the tests at each end of the series was devised to gauge how much riders had improved by taking part.

While the racing has traditionally been held in an industrial estate in Sandyford, south Dublin, it will branch out this season to a number of venues in Wicklow, Dublin and Meath.

The time trials will take place in Batterstown, Co Meath, with the other rounds being held on the purpose built road racing track in Corkagh Park, west Dublin, and in Brittas, Co Wicklow.

The Corkagh Park circuit is a 1km loop that is safe and free of traffic, an essential feature for those using the series as an introduction to racing.

Riders will be separated into groups based on ability, allowing participants to race against those at the same level.

After three rounds at Corkagh Park, riders will hopefully be more confident and ready for the fifth round in Brittas, which takes the form of a road race. That leg will once again be handicapped based on ability.

While the league was devised for beginners by south Dublin club Orwell, it also attracts more experienced riders, with the racing proving a good opportunity for interval or speed training as the evenings get brighter.

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The first round of the league takes place this evening, Tuesday, April 8th, and is a 16km test.

The course is an out and back route from Batterstown on the Trim road, as far as the roundabout at Drumree and back to Batterstown.

U16 riders will do half this distance and will go off first at 6.30pm. For safety all participants should have lights on their bikes; particularly a rear light.

Sign on will be at Black Bull before the race and riders are encouraged to ride out to the start as parking is limited.

There is a marshaled roundabout at the halfway point, but there will be no other marshals on the course.

Cost: €5 per event, or €25 for all six if you pay up front. Pay at sign-on, and please bring exact amount where possible.

Licence: you must have at least a limited competition licence to take part. Please bring this with you to sign-on. No licence, no race. If your licence is pending, please bring a print-out of the email from Cycling Ireland, or a copy on your Smartphone. There are no one-day licences available.

Rules

All riders must obey the rules of the road at all times. The roads will not be closed, and only the roundabout will be marshaled. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, not on your front wheel.
All riders must have at least a rear light.
No warming up on the course.
Aero bikes and equipment are allowed.
Club kit (including skin suits) is preferred, or else plain kit.
No drafting. If you catch another rider check that there is no traffic coming up behind you before pulling out, and give them loads of room as you pass. Remember they may have no notion that you're steaming through until you have actually passed them.
On the other hand, if you are caught, keep on going at your own pace, don't be tempted to try sit on to the rider who has passed you.
When you cross the line, shout out your number (i.e. the minute of your starting time). Without your number, the time-keepers cannot record a time for you.
Please don't hassle the timekeepers for your time - there's no problem asking, but make sure to do it at a time when there aren't any riders coming in.
There will be no toilet facilities available. Anyone caught urinating in public will be disqualified.

Please contact [email protected] with any queries.