Leisure Programme 2014

Launched with fanfare at the Jesuit Conference Centre in January, the Orwell Leisure Programme for 2014 is packed with events and competitions. Have a read below!

You can see all the events listed in this spreadsheet .

We’re running this programme:

• To encourage participation among members in summer cycling

• To enhance the social aspects of Leisure cycling

• To ensure members are aware of what events are on over the summer

Orwell Leisure Cyclist of the Year

The main tool we are using is the Orwell Leisure Cyclist of the Year competition.

It will run from April to September. (Note that Sunday spins finish at the end of March and begin again in October.)

There are two strands – Sportives and Audaxes – with riding in an event scoring in one or the other but never both.

For Sportives we will focus attention on a limited number of events, which should help focus the participation as there are over 300 events during the year. We will be awarding points for participation and there are six categories with various points awarded. Where there is a choice of distance it doesn’t matter which one you ride (Mick Byrne excepted as this is treated as an audax for the 200 and a sportive for the 100 & 160).

There are:

1. Mass participation events – there are 3 of these and they score 10 points – 1 in each of June, July and August

2. Challenging events which offer something a little different, we’ve usually ridden these before and recommend them – there are 6 of these, 1 a month from April to September (includes Orwell Randonnée which we award points for marshalling only) – these score 5 points

3. Other interesting rides dotted around the country – selected by ourselves – they’re weighted at 3 points – there are 13

4. overseas events – score 8 points recognising the amount of effort that is needed to do these.

5. Multi day events – of which there is 1 – score 8 points recognising the amount of effort that is needed to do this – (Btw currently about 20 Orwell people have booked accommodation)

6. any other event – scores 1

For Audaxes (Audices?), we award points for total kilometres recognising that the challenge in Audax is long distances and figuring out how to get there.

There will be two categories:

1. There are double k’s awarded for a limited number of events (a 400 , a 300 and 6 * 200 , one each month from April to September) where someone has recommended them.

2. any other event scores single k’s

We will also be awarding 3 points for Social events. Social participation is a hugely important part of the programme and we have budgeted to hold 6 Social Events during the season. These are spaced through the main months April to Sept to coincide with the sportive calendar Each Social Event is linked to one of the major sportives of the season but will also recognise participation in events previous to the last Social Event with the exception of the first one on launch One of them will be in Dungarvan tying in with the SKT. We will book a room in a venue and provide refreshments.

A complete list of the events and the attached points can be found here (.xls) – note there are three tabs, sportives scoring more than 1 point, audaxes, all other sportives.

Forum

We have set up a forum at orwellsportives2014.freeforums.net where members can find out anything they need to know about how a particular event, who is going, how to get there, where to meet, what the course is like, etc. Please register there.

Spirit of Leisure

Orwell wishes to recognise those who go out of their way to help and encourage others during training and participation in the Leisure Program. This support helps many people to progress from entry-level events to tackling some of the most challenging Sportives in the country and beyond.

Any Orwell member participating in a Leisure event over the duration of the Leisure Program may nominate a fellow member who they believe deserves recognition for helping, encouraging or otherwise improving the experience of people taking part. All nominations received will be considered towards the Spirit of Leisure award. This award will be presented at the final Leisure Program social incorporating the prize giving night, September 27th 2014.

Nominations should be sent via email to jewilson@tcd.ie and diarmuid.donnelly@gmail.com and include the name of the Sportive event and the reason for nomination.

Miscellaneous

It’s self-assessment, but you will need to e-mail orwell.leisure@gmail.com after you have completed a Sportive or Audax. The Table will be updated regularly (weekly, I hope), and there will be a number of prized including a dedicated jersey and a trophy.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact any member of the Leisure Programme Organising Committee (alphabetically)

• Eileen Byrne

• Garret Connolly

• Diarmuid Donnelly

• Eamonn Eaton

• Louise Nicholls

• Billy Parker

• Stephen Ryan (083 333 6443) Or orwell.leisure@gmail.com

• Jean Wilson