Etape Hibernia - August 22 2010

lescol

Enjoyed the cycle. I thought it was well organised, if a bit "shouty" with the ordering people around. I arrived just as my wave was being sent to the starting corral so was lucky in not having to wait. It seemed ages before any sort of group formed but finally settled into one where I met Jawgap. I'm not sure where he went later, but I was looking for the Boards.ie jersey. After one of the water stops there was no more group riding, which is a pity. Met Lafors later in the ride. Rode to Ennis with a guy from Scotland and finished with a sprint over the line to much applause, which was very nice.

My Polar says 4hrs 3mins, the website says 5hrs 17mins! Guess I talked too much at one of the stops, a local had walked over to see what it was all about.

A highlight was the amount of support from the people lining the roads with plenty of "Go Boardsie" being called out.

I was pleased enough with my riding after 2 months off, felt quite a bit of pain around 60-70k and my legs wouldn't respond on some of the humps so I ended up small ring-big ring-small ring...

Overall, a good event. Won't be back though as I prefer the longer climbs.

Signal_ rabbit

I thoroughly enjoyed the event, I thought it was well organised and yes it was very British but in fairness it was run by a British company so what do we expect. The road surfaces were cat but i'm used to that down here. I had no problem with the 'no' food at feed stations as I always bring my own anyway (my wifes special flapjack recipe), so that wasn't a problem for me.

I met up with Penexpers and lafors, and chatted with them for a bit, I have to say I think the new kit is awesome. I lost sight of Penexpers as he slowed for a photo shot, hope you enjoy the rest of the week.

Myself and Joff stayed in the Woodstock hotel and they treated us very well with an early morning breakfast and a safe place to store the bikes.

A big thanks to the people in Clare for coming out to cheer us on I made a point of waving and thanking them as I went past, it made the event imo.

I only have two gripes:

1) Bad signage to the registration and the start point and
2) All the empty gel wrappers along the road, come on guys! I passed a club who were sponsored by a massive hotel in Kerry and one dude fecked his wrapper in the hedge, I asked them not to as I went past.

rayr

Yeah thats always a problem when no sambos and only Zip****e bars and gels, people generally dont like that stickiness in their pockets . Still your right and it should nt happen.

on_the_nickel

As I assume the organisers will be looking through this thread for feedback, so here's some from someone who entered, paid, but then didn't do it.

The major reason being the Saturday registration. I live in Cork, so had the choice of paying for a hotel on the Saturday night, or driving up and back twice for the event. With all the other commitments I have (kids, work, having to drive to and from Limerick twice a week already), and other sportives to choose from, neither was an option.

If that's resolved, I'll give this a go next year. If not, I most definitely won't.

QueensGael

I'd prefer if they had mailed out the timing chips and numbers, like other events (e.g. Dingle Marathon) do. The postage cost isn't large on this.
Would have saved a lot of people the hike to Ennis on Saturday.

Harpz

Mrs Harpz and I had a great time at the Etape Hibernia. Beautiful scenery and not a drop of rain all day.

We stayed in a little B+B and the lady there had porridge and fresh scones made at 6 for us. She even made us a packed lunch (sandwiches and chocolate) and let us shower in her private shower after the race, as the rooms were fully booked for the next day.

@sheep that was me watering a gatepost. That was my "how does one turn around with one's willy hanging out" face.

We especially liked the locals cheering us on and shouting "well done" even though we were hours behind the first group.

Also thanks to the Motorbike marshall who gave me a spare tube when the valve snapped on my spare tube.

lescol

There should be pictures here from Tues:- http://www.sportcam.net/Race.aspx?id=138

ashleey

lescol wrote: »

There should be pictures here from Tues:- http://www.sportcam.net/Race.aspx?id=138

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaniepower/sets/72157624663091057/

(you may need to login yourself)

rigal

I started cycling regulary this spring as an alternative to running which my injury prone legs didn't like. This was my fourth sportive/charity cycle, did WW100/Louth and ROK earlier this summer. While I'm far from experienced I've done a fair few "commercial" and club running events over the past three to four years and by comparison this race was up there with the best of them in terms of event organisation and my overall enjoyment.

I liked the more competitive feel and the fact that we got timing chips. I don't like stopping for long and would always be aiming for a target time and not to just get around so it suited me to race the clock so to speak. Personally, I had no problem with gels as these are what I prefer, having used them previously in marathons etc, the last thing I want in a race is a cheese sandwich and a bit of cake but that's just me. I enjoyed the closed roads aspect and being able to pass without having to worry about oncoming traffic, taking the race line on corners was good fun too (where it was safe to do so). Mile markers are also not a big problem for me - surely you can do the simple sums if you're used to kms?

When I started reading this thread last week I was pretty surpised how people were so quick to criticise an event before it had even happened. Saturday registration makes sense to me as I'd never consider travelling down from Dublin on the day - although the mail out option, as suggested, would keep everyone happy. Hotel prices were reasonable, ours was fully booked, and having spoken to a few locals shop owners on the Saturday they said it was great to have more custom there for the weekend. A lot of them opened on Sunday especially.

I'm looking forward to next year already.

In summary:

Pros

• well organised and professional staff
• no messing/waiting around for long periods at the start
• route - really enjoyed the scenary through the Burren and along the coast. Didn't think the road surfaces were particularly bad. It is Ireland after all!
• local support all the way around - much appreciated especially over the last 30kms
• good atmosphere at the finish - spectators waiting at the finish were enjoying the craic along with the cyclists

Cons

• T-shirt - disappointing as why would I want a running t-shirt? it's a cycling event.
• Sunday race - not sure the locals would be happy but would be great if they could have it on a Saturday next year as we would have loved to have stayed the night after.

karlmyson

+1 on on_the_nickel's comment above. I agree entirely. Organisers please note. I would have loved to have done the event, but logistically it was made extremely inconvenient and costly for anyone that had to travel.

I'm also in Cork, signed up and paid, not realising that registration had to be done in Clare on the Saturday. Pure unnecessary hassle. Even if it had been possible to register on the day of the event, having a 7am start would have made it a very early day indeed to get there in time.

So I'd like a registration facility on the day of the event, and a sensible starting time. It isn't as if it's a long event, a 10am start would have been feasible.

RobFowl

Didn't do it or register so shouldn't be commenting but Failte Ireland were involved (AFAIK) and probably wanted to get a good proportion of the participants to stay over locally.

Maybe some form of on-line check in could be suggested..

Personally prefer Saturday events so can spend the rest of the weekend with the family without worrying about the Sunday.

WakeyTyke

Whilst I totally agree with the preference for the registration/sign-on to be held on the Sunday morning, prior to the event, it just isn't going to happen.

Take a look at who the chief Irish sponsors of the Etape are - Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Failte Ireland. This is a primarily a tourism event, aimed at attracting cyclists to come and stay in Clare, with the aim of boosting visitors numbers and the local economy.

You can be assured that next year the big emphasis will be on attracting cyclists from the UK mainly, which is I think partly why the event had a slightly 'British' feel and will probably remain that way.

lescol

ashleey wrote: »

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaniepower/sets/72157624663091057/

(you may need to login yourself)

Thanks, found myself on there!

ashleey

Me too. Paging jawgap : as he is in some of the same photos as me.

I emailed Sean Power the photographer offering to pay for 'my' photos. He emailed the originals and describes it as a hobby. Given the commercialism of the event it was a refreshing surprise.

I have offered to contribute to his studio but to no avail. Is there any way that myself and others who find their photos could organise a boards.ie cyclists response that better reflects his excellent photography?

DirkVoodoo

Browsing the photos I came across this: Billy no-mates

It's Lumen!

High Nellie

Just a quick note on the criticism on the Saturday Registration and in defence of the organisers.
I too felt 'done' when I got notice of the Sat reg but I emailed the organisers pointing out that when I paid the 50 quid this wasn't in the deal and it would cost me extra to stay overnight.
I got a rapid reply, saying that the kit could be collected for me if the person collecting it brought a note from me.
While not perfect, it was a reasonable compromise and it worked fine - I met a mate before the start who collected it for me. But it wouldn't work for everyone.
You could see why they they need to see ID etc, but the best solution would be to post the numbers and chip - the 'goody bag' wasn't worth the trouble.
There is a lot of criticism because it isn't like other events in some ways - roads, feeding, timing, etc, etc. The point is that is a different event and a great addition to the calendar.
For examample, I'm from rural Ireland and I chouldn't believe how good the roads were - yes, rough surfaces, but no pot holes.

GlennaMaddy

From goskyride.co.uk

Etape Hibernia proves massive hit
Ireland's first ever closed road cycling event heralded great success as top UK riders battle it out

Lumen

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

From goskyride.co.uk

Found it on goskyride.com

ashleey

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

From goskyride.co.uk

Etape Hibernia proves massive hit
Ireland's first ever closed road cycling event heralded great success as top UK riders battle it out

And some pretty useful Irish ones too!

I thought an Irishman won it!

Now I agree with al the criticism of the British slant

ktz84

ashleey wrote: »

And some pretty useful Irish ones too!

I thought an Irishman won it!

Now I agree with al the criticism of the British slant

GoSkyRide is an association between British Cycling and Sky. What else do you expect :rolleyes:

ashleey

ktz84 wrote: »

GoSkyRide is an association between British Cycling and Sky. What else do you expect :rolleyes:

On behalf of my nation I would like to apologise

QueensGael

MAMILs on the radio, enjoy it
http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2010/pc/pod-v-23081017m27ssummeronone.mp3

ktz84

ashleey wrote: »

On behalf of my nation I would like to apologise

Why your country brought a great even to Ireland. They have a well established system for putting the events together and it would have been silly for them not to use all the talent and experience that they developed over the last year in bringing my skyride events throughout Britain to Ireland. Afterall it is their reputation on the line.

The bigger question isn't why a foreign country has brought something new to the calendar but what is Cycling Ireland doing to encourage more people to get their bikes for something other than racing. Diddly squat as far as I can see.

Lumen

ktz84 wrote: »

The bigger question ... what is Cycling Ireland doing...Diddly squat as far as I can see.

Edited for accuracy.

ROK ON

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

From goskyride.co.uk

Etape Hibernia proves massive hit
Ireland's first ever closed road cycling event heralded great success as top UK riders battle it out

Well in their defense Ashlee, Lescol and Lumen hail from perfidious Albion. Having cycled with two of those gents I would have no problem believing that they were the top UK riders referred to :-)

ashleey

If I could have kept up with them I would have found out that there were other new Irish in the event

Jawgap

Maybe because I lived there for a goodly portion of my recent past, but I'm not understanding why people are getting bent out of shape because a British company came over here used their experience and arranged an event employing experienced staff and - quite important from my point of view - trained and experienced marshalls.

Ok, the distances were in miles - but it's not like we adopted the km decades ago - and there was / is a bit of drum bashing going on but I took that (and the commercialism) to be symptomatic of the fact that it was being organised and run by a private enterprise presumably to make a profit and enhance the Sky brand. The commercialism grated a bit, but I just didn't buy anything.

The Saturday registration and the laxity of enforcement on the photo-id rule is getting my goat up, but not much else, except maybe the "twunt" on the megaphone with the yellow shorts - if he's there next year I think I'll hang on to my gels just to squirt them at him as I finish!

But if we are slagging the Brits, can we broaden it out a bit?....... I for one object to cycling to a place called Spanish Point in Ireland.........Black Head should be left out for equality purposes.........and as I'm not a Labour voter, I expect Connolly to be by-passed next year:)

cantalach

Jawgap wrote: »

But if we are slagging the Brits, can we broaden it out a bit?....... I for one object to cycling to a place called Spanish Point in Ireland.........Black Head should be left out for equality purposes.........and as I'm not a Labour voter, I expect Connolly to be by-passed next year:)

I dunno...Spanish Point is so named to honour the shipwrecked survivors of the Spanish Armada who were, after all, trying to conquer England at the time. So few are going to object to that.

And Black Head is only that in the perfidious Saxon tongue. Its original Irish name is a very politically correct Ceann Boirne - Burren Head.

(Very large smiley after all the above.)

Moflojo

cantalach wrote: »

I dunno...Spanish Point is so named to honour the shipwrecked survivors of the Spanish Armada who were, after all, trying to conquer England at the time.

Eh, they only survived the shipwreck. Once they got ashore they were executed by the local chieftain, who considered them invaders.

Our bad...

ROK ON

As an aside. I spent a fair few summers collecting crabs off the pier in Black Hd. Stunning place and great memories.