Martin Earley Tour of Kildare

biomed32

hey just wondering if anyone is partaking in this...

http://naascc.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.vfinhdiqigkuvzoi

Captain Havoc

I'll probably be doing it

Vélo

I'm doing it

penexpers

I was intending to do this (I'm practically a local) but I am out of the country that weekend.

mloc123

Had intended but now have a tri on the day before so maybe

unionman

yep

Beasty

I've registered

The route looks reasonably flat:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/kildare/380363116574

rughdh

I'm doing this. Cycling out. Anyone know what the Naas road is like these days in terms of negotiating multi-lane roundabouts? Haven't cycled it since nineteen hundred and eighty six when it was little more than a dirt track.

unionman

The Naas road is a 30km slog from Dublin. Myself and El Tonto cycled to Naas for this last year, this year I'm driving. We had a very tough headwind all the way out, most of it is a gradual uphill drag.

Traffic-wise, that early on a Sunday morning it's not too bad.

The route last year was mostly flat, with one short sharp hill that is very short and very sharp, but easily done.

rughdh

unionman wrote: »

The Naas road is a 30km slog from Dublin. Myself and El Tonto cycled to Naas for this last year, this year I'm driving. We had a very tough headwind all the way out, most of it is a gradual uphill drag.

Traffic-wise, that early on a Sunday morning it's not too bad.

The route last year was mostly flat, with one short sharp hill that is very short and very sharp, but easily done.

Thanks, unionman. Will give it a bash.

mloc123

I see the route passes my door, might latch on to a boards group if there is one... €35 + €10 is a bit steep tho

The tax man

mloc123 wrote: »

I see the route passes my door, might latch on to a boards group if there is one... €35 + €10 is a bit steep tho

Get yourself a licence then.:)

I'm doing this BTW.

Beasty

mloc123 wrote: »

I see the route passes my door, might latch on to a boards group if there is one... €35 + €10 is a bit steep tho

And the proceeds go to charity - The Marie Keeting Foundation

rottenhat

rughdh wrote: »

I'm doing this. Cycling out. Anyone know what the Naas road is like these days in terms of negotiating multi-lane roundabouts? Haven't cycled it since nineteen hundred and eighty six when it was little more than a dirt track.

I'd probably join you for that and I'm sure we could come up with a better route than just banging it up the Naas road. Will consult the OS maps and see. Where are you based? I'm city centre-ish.

Esroh

The tax man wrote: »

Get yourself a licence then.:)

I'm doing this BTW.

+1 The newcomer licence is only 10e this year.

unionman

rottenhat wrote: »

I'd probably join you for that and I'm sure we could come up with a better route than just banging it up the Naas road. Will consult the OS maps and see. Where are you based? I'm city centre-ish.

Out through Newcastle would probably be much more enjoyable. I would not recommend the N7, its just a pain in the arse. Better coming back, mostly downhill and good chance of a tailwind.

rughdh

rottenhat wrote:

rughdh wrote:

I'm doing this. Cycling out. Anyone know what the Naas road is like these days in terms of negotiating multi-lane roundabouts? Haven't cycled it since nineteen hundred and eighty six when it was little more than a dirt track.

I'd probably join you for that and I'm sure we could come up with a better route than just banging it up the Naas road. Will consult the OS maps and see. Where are you based? I'm city centre-ish.

That sounds like a good plan, rottenhat. I'm based about 8km north west of city centre.

unionman wrote: »

Out through Newcastle would probably be much more enjoyable. I would not recommend the N7, its just a pain in the arse. Better coming back, mostly downhill and good chance of a tailwind.

Thanks unionman, will look into that.

leftism

Just signed up for this!

Anyone know the route for the tour? I'm getting conflicting reports on it....

penexpers

Route here:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/kildare/380363116574

Captain Havoc

http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Naas+GAA+%4053.23111200642741,-6.661663055419922&daddr=Kilbride+Rd+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:R758+to:53.07794,-6.528625+to:R756+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+road+to:R407%2FSallins+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FQg-LAMd4Vma_w%3BFVJ6KwMdbRCd_w%3BFUFQKwMdftac_w%3BFZr7KgMdUZWc_w%3BFaJ7KgMdwEac_w%3B%3BFdYeKgMdfk2b_w%3BFeHTKQMdazSb_w%3BFTdlKQMdbSib_w%3BFZTcKAMdsfSa_w%3BFZqyKAMdR2ma_w%3BFZ8RKgMdkAya_w%3BFfw4LAMdPl-a_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=1&mrsp=5&sz=11&via=1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11&sll=53.118345,-6.615829&sspn=0.258386,0.624847&ie=UTF8&ll=53.114224,-6.467514&spn=0.258386,0.624847

I intend to do it myself if I recover ontime. I assume you can sign on the morning?

Beasty

jerseyeire wrote: »

I assume you can sign on the morning?

According to the website, online entries close at 6pm on Friday, but entries will still be available on the day:

http://naascc.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.vfinhdiqigkuvzoi&pageId=167765

Chips Lovell

Finally remembered to register today.

bcmf

Route looks remarkably like the Tour De Foothills earlier in the summer.

blorg

bcmf wrote: »

Route looks remarkably like the Tour De Foothills earlier in the summer.

Looks pretty different to me, Shapez's map on MapMyRide looks like last year's Martin Early route all right. Are you looking at the right map? The Martin Early is mostly to the north-west of Naas while the Tour de Foothills is to the south-east of it. Note there is a TDF map on the Martin Early page, that goes across the N81, Martin Early goes in the other direction across the M7.

bcmf

Ahhh I was looking at the map on the left of the website not at any of the linky's.

Ant

Looking at the mapmyride route posted above, I reckon I should be able to do this tour on my fixed gear Tricross. I presume I should be fine given that I usually average 25km/h and haven't cycled with a group before.

However the furthest I've ever cycled is 75km and I don't think I'd be up for both cycling to Naas and back on top of the 100km itself. Unfortunately, there's no bus or train leaving in time on Sunday morning. Does anybody have any other ideas or suggestions for other transportation alternatives?

bcmf

Ant wrote: »

Looking at the mapmyride route posted above, I reckon I should be able to do this tour on my fixed gear Tricross. I presume I should be fine given that I usually average 25km/h and haven't cycled with a group before.

However the furthest I've ever cycled is 75km and I don't think I'd be up for both cycling to Naas and back on top of the 100km itself. Unfortunately, there's no bus or train leaving in time on Sunday morning. Does anybody have any other ideas or suggestions for other transportation alternatives?

If you can hang on to the back of the/a group the extra 25km wont really be a problem. I reckon this is going to be fast ala first half of Tour of Louth fast.
I dont and have never ridden a fixie but going that fast in a,what I would imagine to be a big enough group mighnt be the best idea specially if you havent ridden in a bunch before.

petethedrummer

Ant wrote: »

Does anybody have any other ideas or suggestions for other transportation alternatives?

These folks from the Red Cow: http://www.dublincoach.ie/

http://www.dublincoach.ie/DublinCoach_Timetable.pdf

blorg

@Ant- there are a few sharp hills on it, other than that it is flat enough. The hills are sharp though.

This is the general route I plan - note it appears there is a road parallel to the N7.

rottenhat

blorg wrote: »

This is the general route I plan - note it appears there is a road parallel to the N7.

Even if not, I think the N7 won't be too bad at that hour on a Sunday. Could be a bit hairier on the way back of course.

petethedrummer

blorg wrote: »

note it appears there is a road parallel to the N7.

I don't think there is, the route you have planned is as short as possible. I've gone the opposite way a few times this week, due to work re-location.

Also, bear in mind that you will most likely be heading into the wind all the way down.

Captain Havoc

rottenhat wrote: »

Even if not, I think the N7 won't be too bad at that hour on a Sunday. Could be a bit hairier on the way back of course.

Note: Kilkenny v Waterford in Croke park, N7 used by both sets of supporters. Come on the Cats!!!!!

blorg

petethedrummer wrote: »

I don't think there is, the route you have planned is as short as possible. I've gone the opposite way a few times this week, due to work re-location.

Also, bear in mind that you will most likely be heading into the wind all the way down.

I had a look in Mapsource (Garmin software) and there is definitely a road there. Route goes through Kill and alongside the N7 but not on it.

Ant

bcmf wrote: »

If you can hang on to the back of the/a group the extra 25km wont really be a problem. I reckon this is going to be fast ala first half of Tour of Louth fast.
I dont and have never ridden a fixie but going that fast in a,what I would imagine to be a big enough group mighnt be the best idea specially if you havent ridden in a bunch before.

You're starting to put me off now. How fast is Tour of Louth fast? I've done 30 to 35km/h for stretches of 5 to 10km at most but that was when I was really pushing myself and I couldn't see myself sustaining that kind of effort for much longer. I've never been in any kind of road cycling event but I imagined (from reading reports on this board) that groups usually split up based on cyclists' ability. I hope to have a positive - and sociable - experience but if I'm likely to end up cycling the course by myself, there probably isn't much point in doing it. I'd be better off heading down the country to visit my ma.

Thanks Pete for the link to Dublin Coach. I rang them and they said it should be fine to bring a bike as it's unlikely the boot would be full of luggage at that time of the morning.

thebouldwhacker

Ant wrote: »

I've done 30 to 35km/h for stretches of 5 to 10km at most

If you can do that youll be fine. There'll be times youll be flying it and times you wont. Its a short and relitivly flat course so youll be grand. Keep an eye out for boards jerseys and you wount go wrong. Most of all enjoy:)

blorg

Last year the Martin Early was very slow indeed until after the first food stop. Very slow, painfully slow, I was actually getting seriously cold. The car pulled away after the food stop and from then to the finish it was an absolute hammerfest. You could at that stage simply drop back and do it at your own pace however, you will not be the only one.

Tour of Louth average over the whole course was over 36km/h for me... So we were going faster than that for much of it, a lot of it was over 40km/h and slower up that big hill in the middle.

IIRC though bcmf made the same comments about certain people riding the Swords thing fixed and they were fine Do you have standard gearing on the Tricross? As if so you would want to up it, 42-18 would be much too low.

petethedrummer

blorg wrote: »

The car pulled away after the food stop and from then to the finish it was an absolute hammerfest.

Hmmmm, I was gonna do the Mourne Sportive on Sunday just to get to know the area, but now you've got me interested in this. If I do go i'll prepare properly the night before unlike the Louth one. Decisions, decisions.

ROK ON

blorg wrote: »

I had a look in Mapsource (Garmin software) and there is definitely a road there. Route goes through Kill and alongside the N7 but not on it.

You are correct - there is a road from Saggart to Rathcoole to Kill - Johnstown (Naas) that is practically along the N7. It is one of my regular spins. It is a lovely road with one nice short sharp hill, and is practically devoid of cars.

bcmf

blorg wrote: »

Tour of Louth average over the whole course was over 36km/h for me... So we were going faster than that for much of it, a lot of it was over 40km/h and A LOT slower up that big hill in the middle.

IIRC though bcmf made the same comments about certain people riding the Swords thing fixed and they were fine .

Not sure if it was me Blorg.Could have been Rob Fowl.Will do a quick search and get back to ya.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

IIRC though bcmf made the same comments about certain people riding the Swords thing fixed and they were fine

We were keeping the pace slow for you guys

bcmf

blorg wrote: »

IIRC though bcmf made the same comments about certain people riding the Swords thing fixed and they were fine .

You remember wrongly.:P It was ...........Billy Whizz......save your vitriol for him.

'68 Fastback

I'm gonna do it...or die trying.
Hey Blorg, saw you i the park on tues. I was going at a snails pace in a South Africa jersey. What's the MTBing like in there?

blorg

'68 wrote:

I'm gonna do it...or die trying.
Hey Blorg, saw you i the park on tues. I was going at a snails pace in a South Africa jersey. What's the MTBing like in there?

MTBing? What's that I've never heard of such a thing... er...

@bcmf- haha sorry for that, I was thinking more of actually on the event, most people seemed to think we were nutters.

bcmf

blorg wrote: »

MTBing? What's that I've never heard of such a thing... er...

@bcmf- haha sorry for that, I was thinking more of actually on the event, most people seemed to think we were nutters.

NOW THATS DIFFERENT.My thought when I arrived and saw the fixies I may have inadvertanly muttered out loud "crazy Fixies"

Ant

blorg wrote: »

Last year the Martin Early was very slow indeed until after the first food stop. Very slow, painfully slow, I was actually getting seriously cold. The car pulled away after the food stop and from then to the finish it was an absolute hammerfest. You could at that stage simply drop back and do it at your own pace however, you will not be the only one.

Tour of Louth average over the whole course was over 36km/h for me... So we were going faster than that for much of it, a lot of it was over 40km/h and slower up that big hill in the middle.

That sounds more encouraging. I don't mind dropping back if I'm not alone. Hopefully next year, my average speed will be closer to 36 than 25km/h.

Do you have standard gearing on the Tricross? As if so you would want to up it, 42-18 would be much too low.

When I got the fixed cog, I kept the same 42-18 ratio. I don't mind spinning out on the down-hills as my knees thank me for it on the uphill. In any case, I won't actually have the opportunity to change over the weekend.

FWIW, I also have both front and back brakes so I can stop as fast as I need to.

Captain Havoc

Show of hands:

1. jerseyeire

bcmf

will have to get special permission as some of her family are staying with us for the week-end.

leftism

just registered!

see ya'll there....

Bikerbhoy

Im there too hope weather keeps up

blorg

Ant wrote: »

When I got the fixed cog, I kept the same 42-18 ratio. I don't mind spinning out on the down-hills as my knees thank me for it on the uphill. In any case, I won't actually have the opportunity to change over the weekend.

FWIW, I also have both front and back brakes so I can stop as fast as I need to.

Do you have a geared bike or is that your only one? To be honest I could see you being dropped by almost any group on that sort of gear ratio, it is really just too low. I swapped the 18 for a 16 on mine pretty sharpish, and even with that it can be tough going to keep up with a group. Remember an average of 25 means you will be going at 35 at some points.

MadHatter

Just registered for this. Did it last year - my first sportive - and really enjoyed it so looking forward to it again. And the weather looks a bit more promising too.

Mrs MadHatter has registered for the 50km, her first foray into mass cycle events. She'll be doing it on her hybrid, if she enjoys it I think another bike purchase may be only round the corner...I'll be posting on the "should have left the credit card at home thread" soon.