2014 Women’s Crit League

The Orwell Women’s Crit League is back, and with a brand new format! Moving away from Sandyford, the focus is on encouraging beginners into the sport, but there’s still plenty for the experienced rider! Click through for more!

Updated! Now with sign-up link!

The Orwell Women’s Crit League is back, and with a brand new format! Moving away from Sandyford, the focus is on encouraging beginners into the sport, but there’s still plenty for the experienced rider!

The league starts on Tuesday 8th April with a time trial in Batterstown Co. Meath. This will be the first of two time trials aimed at giving the participants the chance to see how much they have improved over the league’s duration. The other rounds will consist of 3 criteriums at Corkagh Park and a road race at Brittas, Co. Wicklow.

The format of the league is specifically designed to help beginners into the sport. The Corkagh Park circuit is a 1km cycling track that is safe and free of traffic. Riders will be separated into groups based on ability, allowing participants to race against cyclists of the same ability as them. After three rounds at Corkagh Park riders will be more confident and ready for the fifth round of the league, a road race in Brittas. This will once again be handicapped based on ability. The league is ideal for beginners but has traditionally appealed to more experienced riders too as they look to get some interval training under their belt at the start of the season.

The first round of the league takes place on Tuesday 8th April. It will be a 16k time trial starting in Batterstown, Co. Meath. The course will be an out and back route from Batterstown on the Trim road as far as the roundabout at Drumree and back to Batterstown. Under 16s will ride half this distance . The under 16s will go 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.

The Orwell Crit League has become famous for its impressive post race refreshments, there will be no refreshments after the time trial but fear not, they will return after the other races.

The 2014 Orwell Criterium League:

• Tuesday 8th April: 16km time trial (Batterstown, Co. Meath)

• Tuesday 15th April: Criterium race (Corkagh Park)

• Tuesday 22nd April: Criterium race (Corkagh Park)

• Tuesday 29th April: Criterium race (Corkagh Park)

• Tuesday 6th May: Road Race (Brittas, Co. Wicklow)

• Tuesday 13th May: 16km time trial (Batterstown, Co. Meath)

In order to help with organisation of the league, please pre-register your details here.

All participants must be members of CI, and have at least a Limited Competition licence. For all other queries, please contact orwellwomen@gmail.com.