Etape Hibernia - August 22 2010

FrankGrimes

Lumen wrote: »

I don't know about the hares, but this tortoise is going equipped for non-stop.

Mmmm, how very interesting. So you just empty the sachets into it beforehand and sip away as needed? Sounds perfect, but let's say you put in 5 but only use 2 - does the rest of it keep well in the tub for say a week or do you end up throwing the remainder out?

What's the deal with you and the gels anyway - did I read it right that you had 18 in the Orwell Randonnee? I'm guessing that's preparation for the race around Ireland?

Lumen

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Mmmm, how very interesting. So you just empty the sachets into it beforehand and sip away as needed? Sounds perfect, but let's say you put in 5 but only use 2 - does the rest of it keep well in the tub for say a week or do you end up throwing the remainder out?

What's the deal with you and the gels anyway - did I read it right that you had 18 in the Orwell Randonnee? I'm guessing that's preparation for the race around Ireland?

Yes, I'm getting a few bad ideas out of the way before the RAI.

The gels were a stopgap until my 5kg shipment of maltodextrin arrived. I'll be mixing it into water at maximum concentration to produce something gooey and gel-like

penexpers

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Was just wondering - would the lead group be likely to stop at any food point or will they just keep on going? Not that I expect to be with them that long, but interested to know.

With the stories of potentially being only energy gels at the foodstops, I'll be throwing a sambo or two into my jersey pockets to keep me going.

They are predicting under 3 hours 30 for the lead group, so that says no stops to me.

lafors

penexpers wrote: »

They are predicting under 3 hours 30 for the lead group, so that says no stops to me.

38km/h avg? Noice!!

Lumen wrote: »

I don't know about the hares, but this tortoise is going equipped for non-stop.

What gels do you use John Loo-man?

FrankGrimes

Lumen wrote: »

The gels were a stopgap until my 5kg shipment of maltodextrin arrived.

When I first read that sentence I'd no idea what maltodextrin was but it did kinda sound like something you hear some Columbine-type nutjob might use to create some homemade explosives.

Sounds like you could be onto a pretty cost effective winner there with it being high GI and not having as much of the crap that most energy gels have. Will be interested to hear how it works out and what recipe you're using if it's good.

petethedrummer

shg101 wrote: »

I had to google both 'Gilet' and 'Half Wheel'!

Gilet = Cycling Waistcoat.

ktz84

FrankGrimes wrote: »

When I first read that sentence I'd no idea what maltodextrin was but it did kinda sound like something you hear some Columbine-type nutjob might use to create some homemade explosives.

Sounds like you could be onto a pretty cost effective winner there with it being high GI and not having as much of the crap that most energy gels have. Will be interested to hear how it works out and what recipe you're using if it's good.

It's even better mixed in a 2:1 ratio with another sugar. I use fructose. Get mine from same place. I also mix it with 1.6g/ltr of electrolite powder which was great through any sportives and longer rides that I have done this year, especially when hot. I don't cramp on it. I also have caffeine powder but have yet to use it. Keep forgetting I have it.

Harpz

Signal rabbit
Esroh
Lumen
Lafors
buzzingnoise
penexpers
Ashleey
anoble66
Mellon
Jawgap
Twin-go
moby2101
FrankGrimes + 3
smacl + 1
garminguy
theotherone
lescol
Harpz +1

I will be using Sainsburys Grapefruit Hi-juice as my rehydration of choice. It may not be hi-tech but it tastes lovely.
Does anyone have any definitive information on whether there will be a few sambos going at the feed stops?

_sheep

My friend has it in his head that you need to bring your bike to the registration tomorrow for a safety check. He's wrong isnt he?

Esroh

_sheep wrote: »

My friend has it in his head that you need to bring your bike to the registration tomorrow for a safety check. He's wrong isnt he?

I say he is and I not taking mine

buzzingnoise

Harpz wrote: »

Harpz +1

I will be using Sainsburys Grapefruit Hi-juice as my rehydration of choice. It may not be hi-tech but it tastes lovely.

Grapefruit is a negative calorie food buddy, it takes more energy to digest it than you get from it. It may taste nice but unless it's laced with added sugars you're getting nothing from it. On the contrary actually, it may be hindering your performance.

spyderski

Harpz wrote: »

Signal rabbit
Esroh
Lumen
Lafors
buzzingnoise
penexpers
Ashleey
anoble66
Mellon
Jawgap
Twin-go
moby2101
FrankGrimes + 3
smacl + 1
garminguy
theotherone
lescol
Harpz +1
Spyderski

smacl

_sheep wrote: »

My friend has it in his head that you need to bring your bike to the registration tomorrow for a safety check. He's wrong isnt he?

He's wrong, although I seem to remember hearing something similar. You will need photo ID. From the info booklet

During the registration process, you will be required to show a form of photo identification in order to receive your race pack. Within your race pack, you will receive your race number, helmet number, bike number and your timing chip. There will not be a bike check during registration.
(1) Race Number – The race number must be displayed on your back during the event.
(2) Helmet Number – This is a sticker which should be affixed to the front of your helmet.
(3) Bike Number – Stick the number to the handlebars with the number facing forward.
(4) Timing Chip – This chip must be attached to the front wheel of your bike.
The Timing chip is registered to your race number for the results service and will provide times for the race if used properly. Due to the costs of technology, there will be a 10 Euro charge if you lose your timing chip once in your possession. Please ensure that you follow the fixing instructions which will be enclosed in the pack. The timing chip will be detected as you pass over the start and finish lines to provide you with your final timing.

lafors

Heading down from dublin soon. Looking forward to it now, hopefully the rain holds off
Won't be wearing my boards kit tomorrow, wearing my favorite jersey the white giro young riders jersey so I'll keep an eye out for ye all passing me

Good luck to the lads in the first group, John et al

ashleey

Leaving Donegal soon and at least the wind has dropped from yesterday. Rain showers though here in the west. Let's hope it's only the north west. Good luck everyone

velo.2010

Hope its what you guys are expecting and more. Nothing worse than handing over good money and feeling like you were ripped off.

I'm sure it will be fine.

Signal_ rabbit

Leaving Bantry shortly after lunch and looking forward to it. I think we should name and shame the hotels/B & B's that hike the prices up and refuse to leave out breakfast 'early' in the morning and conversely promote the good and reasonable places for future reference seeing as this is going to run for at least five years.

browneire

Hi folks, turning up on spec to registration today. Anyone know how many places are left at this stage. Don't want two hrs travel to be in vain!

streacy

Hi guys myself and the gf are doing this tomorrow. Herself mailed the etape people during the week and they confirmed that there will not be any sandwiches, hot food or hot drinks at any of the foodstops. Just the water and zipvit products.
Hot food will however be provided after the finish in Ennis.

Best of luck to everyone - hopefully the weather gods will be kind...!

boege

streacy wrote: »

Hi guys myself and the gf are doing this tomorrow. Herself mailed the etape people during the week and they confirmed that there will not be any sandwiches, hot food or hot drinks at any of the foodstops. Just the water and zipvit products.
Hot food will however be provided after the finish in Ennis.

Best of luck to everyone - hopefully the weather gods will be kind...!

I registered this morning at 9.30am and speciically asked if there was any hot drinks, hang sangers or caca milis. Reply was as Streacy has indicated - Zipvit energy products only at all stops on the route. Not sure about finish.

Esroh

Just a word of warning to anyone who is coming into Ennis in the morning from Crusheen/Gort direction whi is like me and not a native do not take exit 14 as they told me road will close at 6am from the 1st roundabout. Go on to the next exit.

Jawgap

Jawgap wrote: »

........

On that last point I stand to be corrected but I'd be willing to bet none of the hotels are being espcially accommodating to participants by way of, for example, providing secure bike storage, a "pasta party" and an early brekkie - "Irish hotels. Putting the spit in hospitality":)

Does anybody know the calorific vlaue of humble pie.........I'll have to carb up on it for tomorrow.......

......staying at the Lynch West County Hotel - we're allowed keep our bikes in the room and brekkie is being served from 5-00am tomorrow (5:30, if you want bacon & eggs!!!).

All the hotel is asking is that bathroom towels are not used to wipe down bikes - cleaning cloths are being provided for that. What kind of hotel won't let you do that!!!:D

Happy to admit I was wrong......:)

browneire

Just registered, it was her second past pack! Thank bjeasus! Drove 3hrs to do it... Best of luck to everyone

penexpers

All checked in here too. Tried some of the ZipVit stuff on the way out and I nearly barfed. Horrid, horrid stuff.

browneire

Better get used to it, looks like a case of 'you'll rake what you're givin' tomorrow!

Esroh

I'll be taking the 'Esroh's Own' energy bars out of the oven in 5 mins so I'll stick with them:D

But I did go and buy some High 5gels as I learnt in Wicklow
'Better the energy gel S**T* you know than the gel S**T* you dont

serendip

Esroh wrote: »

I'll be taking the 'Esroh's Own' energy bars out of the oven in 5 mins

Recipe?

Esroh

This is what I work on it makes a basic baking tray and you would get 10 bar sizes out of it

1 cup flour (all-purpose or whole wheat )
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fine grain natural cane sugar OR brown sugar
1 cup finely shredded non-sweetened coconut/peanut also works
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into little cubes
2 tablespoons golden syrup or honey
zest of one medium orange/diced carrot

1 tablespoon boiling water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 325F degrees Gas 8. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl; flour, oats, sugars, and coconut. Mix well.
In a small saucepan over low heat combine the butter syrup (or honey), and orange zest. Stir until melted and remove from heat. In a small bowl whisk together the boiling water and baking soda. Stir it into the butter. Now pour the butter mixture over the big bowl of oats and stir. Bake for about 12 minutes or until deeply golden in a buttered baking tray . Best to cut out the bar shapes in the dough

buzzingnoise

First impression of Etape Hibernia was not good at all. Arrived at 19:30 and there were no goody bags. Although we registered online months ago we were told we "should have got here earlier then". They opened entry again today apparently and hawked the pre ordered goody bags. The goody bags knocking around were pathetic anyway. Shower gel, a cereal bar and a bundle of advertising. No t-shirt, no jersey a-la tour de cure, sean Kelly tour etc. Attitute in general was poor. When asked why the entry was €54, the response was "the price reflects the high cost of organising an event on closed roads". This is Ireland, closed roads mean nothing to farmers and god help us all if it's sunny those roads will be jammers with cars.
And it's all zipvit stuff tomorrow at the food stops. They can't even give that stuff away for free online.
Disappointed.

cpaul

buzzingnoise wrote: »

First impression of Etape Hibernia was not good at all

Same here. Took me ages to find the place to register (where was the signage?!?) and even though I got my 'goodie' bag I had to actually ask for it...I guess the lad was under instruction not to hand them out unless asked as like you said they must've messed up their allocation.

Ok it was only sign in and hopefully tomorrow i'll be pleasantly suprised but so far all I feel is regret for handing over my €50 to sky. Roll on SK next week! Maybe the man himself should give the etape hibernia crowd some tips as I hear he's lining up tomorrow.