Tour of Ireland

okgirl

hi, just wondering if anyone know the exact route through Rathdrum village tomorrow for the Tour of Ireland. Where would be the best advantage point to view?

Muller_1

Coming from laragh straight along the vale of Clara through the main street of Rathdrum, there is a hotspot sprint there. At the x roads past the church there are turning right on the main road to Woodenbridge. I'd say the x road would be a good spot.

okgirl

Muller 1,
Thanks for the advice. I thought that was the route but thought the sprint maybe back on the road after the turn. Think I will try to get there early to get a good place on the cornor so.

Muller_1

The sprint is at the post office in rathdrum

bcmf

Is it on telly anywhere?

Captain Havoc

It's on Versus in the US so there's a chance you'll see it on justin here

bcmf

no chance our national brodcaster, that we pay to keep going ,will show an hour or so of it.

Captain Havoc

No, our national broadcaster would rather show telly bingo and rugrats than an event with the third greatest cyclist of all time (I know this varies from site to site but this site says third) and the road champions of Denmark, Norway, Germany and Great Britain, national teams of Ireland and Australia. I hope I haven't upset anyone in the bingo forum but there's no way it can be as interesting or important as the biggest cycling race of the Irish calendar.

sy

Highlights on Eurosport at 23.00 hours on Friday night

Captain Havoc

I did forget to mention that at least it's getting an hours highlights at 7.30

bcmf

saw a cervelo team car heading for the airport so they are here as well. Hopefully Hushvod and Haussler are here. I could of course check but just amnt bothered.

manofthemoment

Im thinking of how/where to intercept the tour tomorrow. One is to just drive to Thomastown and watch it spin by. Another plan was to park somehwere in the are of Mount Leinster, cycle up and wait for them to go over the summit like Im at the TDF!

I can't figure out from googlemaps what road it will actually be on. Can anyone give me any ideas about what road exaclty it's going to be on and where I could park and cycle up? Thanks a lot!

Esroh

manofthemoment wrote: »

Im thinking of how/where to intercept the tour tomorrow. One is to just drive to Thomastown and watch it spin by. Another plan was to park somehwere in the are of Mount Leinster, cycle up and wait for them to go over the summit like Im at the TDF!

I can't figure out from googlemaps what road it will actually be on. Can anyone give me any ideas about what road exaclty it's going to be on and where I could park and cycle up? Thanks a lot!

If you can get to Thomastown why not drive/cycle to Inistoige and wathch them go up by Woodstock

RobFowl

bcmf wrote: »

Is it on telly anywhere?

RTÉ transmission times

Friday 21st August: 7.30 - 8.30pm
Saturday 22nd August: 7.00 - 8.00pm
Sunday 23rd August: 8.00 - 9.00pm

Captain Havoc

If you're going to Mt. Leinster it's the nine stones as far as I'm aware, and I wouldn't go to Thomastown, you'd be better off going to Inistioge or even the sprint point in Borris.

michaelm

Went to the Ritz Carlton this evening - loads of activity and no restrictions whatsoever, with the exception of Lance who arrived with a Garda escort and some minders - went straight from the car to the hotel room. Cav was totally different, posed willingly with anyone that asked and was an absolute gent. I have posted just a couple of pics on my flickr account

jwshooter

michaelm wrote: »

Went to the Ritz Carlton this evening - loads of activity and no restrictions whatsoever, with the exception of Lance who arrived with a Garda escort and some minders - went straight from the car to the hotel room. Cav was totally different, posed willingly with anyone that asked and was an absolute gent. I have posted just a couple of pics on my flickr account

cool

jwshooter

jerseyeire wrote: »

If you're going to Mt. Leinster it's the nine stones as far as I'm aware, and I wouldn't go to Thomastown, you'd be better off going to Inistioge or even the sprint point in Borris.

woodcock hill ,what time would a lad want to be there at je,

Captain Havoc

jwshooter wrote: »

woodcock hill ,what time would a lad want to be there at je,

It's 13h35 on the TOI site, link

manofthemoment

Thanks guys, will try either Borris or Inistoge. Was Woodstock that sharp climb over the river up through the back of the village on the Tour of Kilkenny?

Captain Havoc

manofthemoment wrote: »

Thanks guys, will try either Borris or Inistoge. Was Woodstock that sharp climb over the river up through the back of the village on the Tour of Kilkenny?

Yes and I can't wait to see the ToI guys do it in about two minutes tomorrow.

contador2009

jerseyeire wrote: »

If you're going to Mt. Leinster it's the nine stones as far as I'm aware, and I wouldn't go to Thomastown, you'd be better off going to Inistioge or even the sprint point in Borris.

What about parking near bunclody and cycling towards mt leinster? any advice welcome....

Captain Havoc

contador2009 wrote: »

What about parking near bunclody and cycling towards mt leinster? any advice welcome....

I'm not sure of the route but it'd take a while, I'd say give yourself an hour or so. There is a car park at the highest point they'll be going on Mt. Leinster. Here's my last attempt: here

Mucco

Irish Times article here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0821/1224253014152.html

damoz

If i wanted to get to St Patricks Hill on Sunday what time would i need to be there? Race is due at 1:30ish - does it get jammed with people? Or could i get to it easily ? Any tips from anyone with prior experience appreciated.

ROK ON

damoz wrote: »

If i wanted to get to St Patricks Hill on Sunday what time would i need to be there? Race is due at 1:30ish - does it get jammed with people? Or could i get to it easily ? Any tips from anyone with prior experience appreciated.

Can't help, but have a similar query.

I am hoping to bring my 5yr old daughter to the finish line in Killarney tomorrow. Can people at the finish line today post how long they got there before the finish.
Kids aint the most patient, so I am trying to figure out whether it is worthwhile or not.

Thanks

godihatethehils

michaelm wrote: »

Went to the Ritz Carlton this evening - loads of activity and no restrictions whatsoever, with the exception of Lance who arrived with a Garda escort and some minders - went straight from the car to the hotel room. Cav was totally different, posed willingly with anyone that asked and was an absolute gent. I have posted just a couple of pics on my flickr account

Cav is a stylish mofo sans lycra

zzzzzzzz

Was out in powerscourt this morning - great access - walking around where the team cars/buses/trucks were - technically I don't think the public were supposed to be in there but there was nobody stopping anyone from walking around.

Massive crowds around anything with the astana logo on it.

Don't think the gate to powerscourt ever closed.

Podium for sign on was in a bit of a crap place from a spectator point of view - crowds were gathered at the side of it and behind it as the VIP area was directly in front so a lot of people didn't get a great vantage point.

Left before the start and got them at the top of the first KOM. Decent enough crowd at the top - had to park a bit of a walk from the hill.

Will upload some shots in a while.

Met biker joe out there too.

oflahero

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Was out in powerscourt this morning - great access - walking around where the team cars/buses/trucks were - technically I don't think the public were supposed to be in there but there was nobody stopping anyone from walking around.

Massive crowds around anything with the astana logo on it.

Don't think the gate to powerscourt ever closed.

Podium for sign on was in a bit of a crap place from a spectator point of view - crowds were gathered at the side of it and behind it as the VIP area was directly in front so a lot of people didn't get a great vantage point.

Left before the start and got them at the top of the first KOM. Decent enough crowd at the top - had to park a bit of a walk from the hill.

Will upload some shots in a while.

Met biker joe out there too.

+1 on that, great weather, loads of access, usual embarrassing commentary from the podium. Couldn't help but feel sorry for all the other teams & riders, it really is the Lance Show. Riders had to squeeze past the two hosts yabbering away about lance this, lance that on the podium, just to sign on. Still though, great spectacle, and loads and loads of bike porn to fwap over.

ednwireland

live-ish updates are here

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_4275.shtml

tv times

TV Coverage:
RTÉ transmission times
Friday 21st August: 7.30 - 8.30pm
Saturday 22nd August: 7.00 - 8.00pm
Sunday 23rd August: 8.00 - 9.00pm

ITV4 (UK and Satellite/Cable)
Friday 21st August: 7.00 - 8.00pm, (Repeat Saturday 22nd August: 1.00 - 2.00pm)
Saturday 22nd August: 8.00 - 9.00pm, (Repeat Sunday 23rd August: 1.00 - 2.00pm)
Sunday 23rd August: 7.00 - 8.00pm, (Repeat Monday 24th August: 1.00 - 2.00pm)
Monday 24th August (overall highlights): 7.00 - 8.00pm, (Repeat Tuesday 25th August: 1.00 - 2.00pm)

zzzzzzzz

A few pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/off-beat/sets/72157622101071134/

biker_joe

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

A few pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/off-beat/sets/72157622101071134/

Hi Aidan
Good to chat this morning, your quick on the upload ! I should have some up later in the afternoon !

Biker_Joe

bbosco

Some great photos posted up on this thread - thanks!
Was in Laragh this morning, standing on the bridge to get a view of the bunch sweeping round the bend. Bunch was split at that stage with about 20 or so 20-30 secs ahead. Some Cervelo lad seemed to have been dropped off the front group and was having drivetrain problems. He didn't look happy and I could hear his chain clunking and grinding. Strangely reassuring that even the pros have crappy, annoying mechanical problems out on the road.

biker_joe

bbosco wrote: »

Some great photos posted up on this thread - thanks!
Was in Laragh this morning, standing on the bridge to get a view of the bunch sweeping round the bend. Bunch was split at that stage with about 20 or so 20-30 secs ahead. Some Cervelo lad seemed to have been dropped off the front group and was having drivetrain problems. He didn't look happy and I could hear his chain clunking and grinding. Strangely reassuring that even the pros have crappy, annoying mechanical problems out on the road.

I hope that was n't number 31 ??? that's our man !!!

Biker_Joe

bbosco

biker_joe wrote: »

I hope that was n't number 31 ??? that's our man !!!

Biker_Joe

I'd like to say it wasn't but I couldn't be sure. Trying to take in too much in the few seconds while they went by.

michaelm

some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmolamphy

Raam

michaelm wrote: »

some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmolamphy

Wonder why everyone is looking at Cav in this one?!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmolamphy/3842748378/sizes/o/

alfalad

Great photos lads and the weather makes it look really well!

jwshooter

just seen them go up woodstock hill a south african and irish rider leading by a few mins .
lance and co just behind

Stokolan

Few more pics for you. Just at the last 3km mark before the go over the Rockshire road hill in Waterford

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stokolan/sets/72157622102028318/

ED E

Was at the start, got signatures from a few of the MTN lads:)

Pics and a clip up when I find a disk:p

SACH Central

Seeing that Deignan didn't win today it was great to see Downing take the win & Yellow. I wonder has he done enough to ride himself onto Team SKY for next year.

biker_joe

i gotta say it ... i don't like that Downing fella !!! :eek:
too cool for kids !

Biker_Joe

Straatvark

Jay Thomson made me proud today

Some pics of start & Mnt Leinster:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gert.conradie/20090820_TourOfIreland?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDIlMuQ5sHRFQ#

jwshooter

who won today

smithslist

jwshooter wrote: »

who won today

Russ Downing

Here’s the stage result:

1, Russell Downing (CandiTV – Marshall’s Pasta) 196km in 5 hours 10 mins 37 secs
2, Alexander Kolobnev (Saxo Bank) at 2 secs
3, Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank)
4, Philip Deignan (Cervélo Test Team)
5, Haimar Zubeldia (Astana)
6, Marco Pinotti (Columbia HTC) all same time


see bottom:
http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_4275.shtml

mcgratheoin

ROK ON wrote: »

Can't help, but have a similar query.

I am hoping to bring my 5yr old daughter to the finish line in Killarney tomorrow. Can people at the finish line today post how long they got there before the finish.
Kids aint the most patient, so I am trying to figure out whether it is worthwhile or not.

Thanks

Not sure what the finish is like in Killarney - Waterford has a huge run in and plenty of room - I rolled up to the finish with 5 minutes to go and there were no more than 2-3 people deep at the barriers. With a five year old on your shoulders, she'll have the best view in the house.

corkandproud

Last year in Cork you needed to be in the finish area about an hour before the race got there - and that was with no Lance.

That said I'll only be heading in max an hour before they're due in. There should be plenty of room somewhere along the circuit.

biker_joe

http://www.tonyomalleyphotography.com/bikes/TOI2009/

Enjoy folks


Biker Joe

dave2pvd

corkandproud wrote: »

Last year in Cork you needed to be in the finish area about an hour before the race got there - and that was with no Lance.

That said I'll only be heading in max an hour before they're due in. There should be plenty of room somewhere along the circuit.

Anyone have a good map of the Cork circuit? The race website has very little detail.

The tax man

Can you please use the spoiler tags when posting results. It's on TV later and some of us don't(didn't) know results yet. Thanks.