Tour of Ireland

Ryder

Had planned to do the etape this year but dont think will be able to get the holidays. Was thinking of the tour as a replacement but it looks more like an escorted cycle than a challenge. Any opinions or does anyone have any other sportive suggestions for after july(prefer abroad)

Raam

I did the TOI in 2008. It's a challenge alright.

barrabus

Raam wrote: »

I did the TOI in 2008. It's a challenge alright.

enjoyable ?
worth it?
would you do it again?

Raam

It was enjoyable, although quite painful at times: Keeper Hill... nasty. I'm not doing it in 2009, but I wouldn't rule it out for the years after that. Value for money? Yes, I thought it was worth it. It's 5 days in 2009. 2008 was 4 days. I was sick for a week after it because of the toll it took on my body.

Ryder

Maybe the website doesnt sell it very well or maybe its just me. Keeping to set groups doesnt sound fun and surely is anticompetitive. Im basing all this purely on last years W200 which was fantastic

Raam

Ryder wrote: »

Maybe the website doesnt sell it very well or maybe its just me. Keeping to set groups doesnt sound fun and surely is anticompetitive. Im basing all this purely on last years W200 which was fantastic

Yeah they try to do that so that the motor bike marshals and police can give you an escort for as much of the distance as possible and allow you to cycle in the rolling road closure. It's not practical for them to be looking after one rider here or another rider there. You can still go and do your own thing if you wish, but I didn't fancy cycling 500 miles on my own so I stuck with a group as much as possible Also you'll be left fending for yourself at junctions as they won't be blocked off. I wouldn't say that keeping to set groups and fun are mutually exclusive. It would certainly be to your benefit to stick with a group, although things get split up big time when you hit the the hills.

cunavalos

I did it this year as well and it was the highlight of my cycling year.from talking to some of the organisers afterwards i got the feeling that they are under a bit of pressure to keep the groups together on the road safety reasons and to make the job of the Garda/PSNI /Motorbike Marshals easier and prevent any traffic problems. I dont necessarily see this as a bad thing and is only likely to be implemented on the busier routes from what i gather it will be every man for himself up and down the hills and on the many boreens they liked to send us down. To be honest i would highly recommend and will do it again soon but i dont have the time to do it next year. You will definitely not spend the whole time riding on your own as it is easy to find people of your own pace and it was the camaraderie and friendly banter i found to be the best part of it.

So in short highly recommended , well organised and if you have the time and the money go for it.

Ryder

Cheers for all the replies. Sounds like its worth thinking about and the 800e all inclusive tag seems good value. I need a good enough excuse to justify getting a new bike!