News2023-11-28T12:54:00+00:00

NEWS

CLICK HERE for our Calendar of Events.

STAY HERE for all other News.

Rás Tailteann 2024

Bray Wheelers is proud to announce that for the first time in almost twenty years we will be entering a team into the Rás Tailteann, commonly known as the Rás.

The 2024 edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from Wednesday, May 22nd to Sunday, May 26th. This will be the 69th edition of the race.

For those who don’t know, the history of Bray Wheelers is steeped in racing and some of the greatest riders in the club have featured heavily in the Ras. This year it will be 50 years since one of the club’s greatest ever riders won the Rás. On June 30th 1974 after racing from Carlow to Dublin over a 113km route, Bray Wheelers and native of Bray, Peter Doyle rode into Dublin as winner of Irelands greatest cycling challenge.

This capped off a remarkable list of achievements, the Shay Elliott, the National Championship, the Tour of Ireland and now the Ras. By winning the Ras Peter became the first man to have won both the Tour of Ireland and the Ras. He also won the Tour of Scotland and the Milk Race which was one of the top amateur races in Europe in the 1970’s.

Peter had professional offers and could have even rode the Tour de France in 1969. He rode the Olympics in 1968 for Ireland and again in 1972 all while a member of our club.

As was recorded in the club archives:

“Peter Doyle won the Ras Tailtean (sic) to become the first rider to win both major Irish stage races. But these outstanding results were a real team effort and couldn’t have been achieved without the help of the other Bray riders including Philip O’Brien, Jimmy Doyle, Liam Mc Kenna, Shay Kelly, Noel O’Neill, Denis Kearns, Gerry Pearson, Tommy Campbell Jimmy Clarke, Pat Norton, John D’arcy alongside Peter Crinnion’s direction and Paddy Martin’s back up.” 

This year we are proud to say that for the first time since (when) Bray Wheelers has the talent and will compete at the highest level once again. Conor Verbruggen, Jack Conroy, Craig Byrne, Rob McKenna, Caoilin Considine and Greg Clarke will take to the start line on the 22 of May in Tullamore to take on Stage 1 and ride with the spirit of Peters win in 1974 which we’ll represent on the Bray Wheelers crest.

From Tullamore the first stage finish will be in Kilmallock. This will be the first-ever Rás Tailteann stage to finish in the County Limerick town. The 2024 edition will also have finishes in Sneem, County Kerry on the famous ‘Ring of Kerry’, Cahir, County Tipperary which will see the first finish there since 1967 and Kildare Town, County Kildare with the fifth and final stage of the 2024 Rás Tailteann finishing in Bective, County Meath where the race will take in three laps of a 14.1KM spectator-friendly finishing circuit which is a great opportunity to maybe ride down and cheer the lads on. 784.8KM of Irish roads awaits the lads this year with a total of eighteen categorised climbs over the five stages, including two Category One climbs on stages two and four.

The team is sponsored by Clara Joinery and is registered as Clara Joinery Bray Wheelers for the duration of the race in sponsorship tradition. A great thank you to Danny Conroy for his partnership and help to make this a reality. Danny and Rob Magee will be managing the team and a mechanic, masseuse and a driver will also be joining the team.

More information on the team and logistics coming soon. If you think you can help the team in anyway do let myself or Rob Magee know.

Paul O’Neill, Rob Magee

March 21, 2024|Categories: News, Racing|

Bray Wheelers Celebrate 75 Years

Bray Wheelers 75th Anniversary

Bray Wheelers is celebrating our 75th Anniversary in 2024.
The club was founded back in 1949 and has a rich and proud history of supporting cycling at all levels from the super competitive to the more leisure oriented cyclists.

We will be holding a number of themed events that we have planned throughout the year to celebrate this superb milestone in our club’s history.

Please keep an eye on the website, and our social media channels for events.

February 26, 2024|Categories: Beginners, Leisure, News, Racing, Youth|

Tuesday Night Race Training

Tuesday Night Race Training

Reminder that the Tuesday Night Race Training, which started on Tuesday 6th February at 7.30pm, is running for a further 7 weeks. Meet from our usual meeting point for club spins at the southbound roundabout in Kilmacanogue and sign on from 7.20 pm. Please bring your Cycling Ireland license number for 2024. All participants must wear a reflective jacket or vest and have a working front and rear light.

This is suitable to increase your fitness for Leisure Cyclist also.

All club members are welcome.

February 26, 2024|Categories: Beginners, Leisure, News, Racing, Youth|

Velocity – 4 week intro to youth cycling

Velocity

Four week intro to youth cycling 15–18 yrs

Free membership of Bray Wheelers for U18s
  • SIGN-UP: http://tinyurl.com/BWCC-Velocity-2024
  • EMAIL: bwccyouth@gmail.com
  • WHERE: Clubhouse, Schools Road, Boghall, Bray, Co Wicklow, meet 9.45am, depart 10am
  • WHEN:
    Week 1 – Sun 24th March at 9.45am
    Week 2 – Sun 7th April at 9.45am
    Week 3 – Sun 14th April at 9.45am
    Week 4 – Sun 21st April at 9.45am – Section of Bray Wheelers Spring Classic
Free to enter! Coaching and cycling spins with qualified Cycling Ireland Coaches

www.braywheelers.ie

Bray Wheelers – Celebrating 75 Years – 1949–2024

Cycling Ireland Club of the Year 2019

February 25, 2024|Categories: Beginners, Leisure, News, Racing, Youth|

Conquer the Distance: Go from 25–75k in 5 weeks

Conquer the Distance:

Go from 25k to 75k in 5 weeks

  • Sign-up: https://tinyurl.com/ConquerDistance2024
  • Email: conquerthedistance@gmail.com
  • Contact: Emily Loughran 086 264 0527

This open programme is aimed at all cyclists who want to quickly increase their distance, learn group riding skills and find new routes to conquer both hills and distance. The programme will launch on March 24th and will run for 5 weeks, where participants can take part in the finale with the BWCC Spring Classic on Sunday 21st April. Please spread the word.

ALL WELCOME
  • Week 1 – Sun 24th March at 10am – 25k
  • Week 2 – Sat 30th March at 10am – 37.5k (details TBC)
  • Week 3 – Sun 7th April at 10am – 50k
  • Week 4 – Sun 14th April at 10am – 62.5k
  • Week 5 – Sun 21st April at 10am – 75k finale at Bray Wheelers Spring Classic (€20 entry)

Meet at 9.45am at Bray Wheelers Clubhouse and spins leave at 10am sharp (Schools Road, Boghall, Bray, Co Wicklow).

WANT A PERSONAL CHALLENGE?
  • Get fitter and meet new people, build distance and confidence, hills and descents, and cycling in a group.
  • Spins are for people who can cycle 25k and would like to improve all aspects of their cycling performance.
  • If you joined before or want to start again our coaches would be delighted to see you.
  • You will need a helmet, racing bicycle in good working order, spare tubes, tyre levers, pump, mobile phone, water bottle, food (banana, energy bar), and money for coffee stop.
  • Spins will run in all weathers and will have hills on some days so be prepared with the correct clothing.
  • Spins are for adults (separate Velocity programme for youth)
  • Bray Wheelers members – free (finale BWCC Spring Classic is €20 entry fee)
  • Non-members – first three rides free, then welcome to join the club.
  • Annual membership is €50 (U18s are free).

www.braywheelers.ie

Bray Wheelers – Celebrating 75 Years – 1949–2024

Cycling Ireland Club of the Year 2019

February 25, 2024|Categories: Beginners, Leisure, News|

Bray Wheelers Pub Quiz – 20 March 2024

Bray Wheelers Pub Quiz

Open to all

Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/BWCC-Pub-Quiz

In support of the Rás Team

  • WHERE: O’Driscolls Seaside Pub, Bray Seafront
  • WHEN: Wednesday 20th March, 8pm sharp
  • PRICE: €50 per table of 4

All proceeds from the Quiz will go towards the club funds to support the Bray Wheelers team who will be proudly competing in this year’s Rás, to mark the club’s 75th Anniversary. We have already secured some fantastic spot prizes from our cycling retail friends as well as support from local Bray businesses to make this a fun night for all.

As this is an OPEN event please bring friends and family for a super night out.

www.braywheelers.ie

Bray Wheelers – Celebrating 75 Years – 1949–2024

Cycling Ireland Club of the Year 2019

February 24, 2024|Categories: News, Racing|
Go to Top