2022-2023 Connacht Women’s Gravel Series 


The Connacht Women's Gravel Series is open to female riders of all levels (Credit: Stefanie Carr)


The 2022-2023 Connacht Women’s Gravel Series kicks off on Sunday, November 20th, in Castlebar, Co Mayo. 


The Leisure spin series is open to women of all levels from beginners to competitive riders and will feature six rounds, one each month around the province. 


All levels are catered for – including those new to gravel riding - and those taking part in the first round must ensure they register here and have a gravel, hybrid or mountain bike to compete.  


Islandeady Cycling Club in Castlebar will host the first round on Sunday November 20th at 10 am with an exciting and demanding course and a free lunch provided by the Mayo Sports Partnership. 


Cycling Connacht Women’s Rep Stefanie Carr said: 

“It's inclusive like a sportive. People will be put in groups at the start, and everyone does two hours regardless of which group you're in. The route will be the same, but maybe the faster groups might get through more of it or do more laps. It worked very well last year; it got a lot of women together in the province that didn't know each other before.” 
“It's one of the most successful things that I've ever been a part of. We've gotten lots of women together cycling socially, meeting new friends and lots of friendships have formed as a result of it. We're delighted that we'll have more events this year. It highlights how enjoyable people found it last year.” 


Western Lakes Cycling Club Off-Road Rep Eimear Flannery participated in the series last year and has decided to get involved in hosting a round this year and described the series as a great chance to get to know other women in the province.  


Flannery said: 

“It was a really successful first day (last year), amazing scenery, great leaders and groups to suit all abilities. We'd also have a beginner group who would do 20-25 kilometers just to get a taste of off-road.” 
“Talking to women and clubs after the series ended, they said it was the highlight of their year. It opens people's minds to what's out there and that you don't have to be going around roads. There's a lack of traffic and you don't have to worry about cars or people getting left behind because there are groups for everybody. The leaders of the groups were fantastic.” 
“The good thing about gravel is that it translates very well. People can move into it from both the road and Off-Road side of cycling, it's quite group friendly as well in that if you have different abilities - you're only as good as the most leisurely person in your group.” 
“We decided in our club, I'm Off-Road Rep for my club Western Lakes CC, that we would try and host a round of the series this year. The plans are afoot for the end of January and we're really looking forward to that.” 


More information is available here. 



Connacht Women’s Gravel Series 

Round One – Islandeady Cycling Club, Castlebar – November 20th  

Round Two – Corrib Mountain Bike Club, Galway – December 11th - Enter here

Round Three – Western Lakes Cycling Club, Ballinrobe – January 22nd 

Round Four – North West Mountain Bike Club – February 5th  

Round Five - TBC 

Round Six - TBC