Summer Sportive Advice

Needalift · 25-01-2011 9:58pm #1

Hi. Did the Etape Hibernia in the Burren last year and loved it. Want to do more sportives this year. What are the best ones to do? Is there a website that everyone posts their events on (struggling to pick Sportives out from races on the Cycling Ireland website).

Finally, love the idea of cycling through Connemara. Is there a good cycle anyone recommends.

Thanks in advance for any help.

funnights74 · 25-01-2011 10:11pm

You should find most of what you want in here, just scroll through the months and see what you fancy, cheers

http://www.irishcycling.com/events/calendar/whats-on.php

100Suns · 25-01-2011 10:17pm

If you are prepared to go to the continent, La Marmotte takes in the sacred climbs. Great day on a bike.

thebouldwhacker · 25-01-2011 10:32pm

Heres the boards list from the wiki, there was talks of up grading it recently but this is it atm, enjoy

Needalift · 25-01-2011 10:53pm

thanks everyone

funnights74 · 25-01-2011 10:59pm

Thanks thebouldwhacker, super list, i can start booking days off from work now for recovery time lol

Any dates on the skt and cork rebel tour yet as haven't seen anything definite? just registered for the west cork 200 so better ramp up the training,:eek:

seve65 · 25-01-2011 11:21pm

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Heres the boards list from the wiki, there was talks of up grading it recently but this is it atm, enjoy

thanks, could be getting familiar with a pink elephant soon then !

thebouldwhacker · 25-01-2011 11:33pm

Yea, fingers crossed, I was to do it last year but I was ill so I missed it. I'm all over the place this year with work but if things go well it should be a bit calmer by then:)

tawfeeredux · 26-01-2011 12:12am

Needalift wrote: »

...struggling to pick Sportives out from races on the Cycling Ireland website...

You know they have a calendar with just the Leisure events on it?

Needalift wrote: »

What are the best ones to do?

Try the Mick Byrne, Tour de Kilkenny (my favourite from last year), Orwell Sportive, and if you're not into climbing, the Tour of Kildare.

Esroh · 26-01-2011 1:01am

Needalift wrote: »

Hi. Did the Etape Hibernia in the Burren last year and loved it. Want to do more sportives this year. What are the best ones to do? Is there a website that everyone posts their events on (struggling to pick Sportives out from races on the Cycling Ireland website).

Finally, love the idea of cycling through Connemara. Is there a good cycle anyone recommends.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Neither of the Galway clubs run a sportive in the area.
The Croi Lap of the Corrib May 22nd. 75 miles Great Fun.(dont be put off by fund raising requirements they take what you give on day)
Cornamona 50(Maam and Inagh valley's loop) June 18th(same day as An Post Tour de Burren)
Western Lakes Polka Dot July 16th 180km,120km,80k.( Only a bit in Galway)
Are the nearest you will get to organised cycles in Connemara Area.
Otherwise its a matter of getting a map and looking at where you want to go

carthoris · 26-01-2011 2:07pm

Esroh wrote: »

Neither of the Galway clubs run a sportive in the area.
The Croi Lap of the Corrib May 22nd. 75 miles Great Fun.(dont be put off by fund raising requirements they take what you give on day)
Cornamona 50(Maam and Inagh valley's loop) June 18th(same day as An Post Tour de Burren)
Western Lakes Polka Dot July 16th 180km,120km,80k.( Only a bit in Galway)
Are the nearest you will get to organised cycles in Connemara Area.
Otherwise its a matter of getting a map and looking at where you want to go

The Western Lake Polkadot is a really spectacular route. If you do the 180k you *will* be seeing polkadots

theotherone · 26-01-2011 9:03pm

Aware have a cycle over a lovely route. Good sambo's and nice people

http://www.aware.ie/site/comments/connemara_cycle/

seve65 · 26-01-2011 11:52pm

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Yea, fingers crossed, I was to do it last year but I was ill so I missed it. I'm all over the place this year with work but if things go well it should be a bit calmer by then:)

afraid it looks like the pink elephant has gone to northern climes.

thebouldwhacker · 27-01-2011 12:08am

What you talking about Wilis?

26/3/11 PINK ELEPHANT 200 08.00HRS MIDLETON Organiser; Kevin O’Sullivan
Contact; mkos@O2.ie / 086 813 7006 Organising club Midleton C.C

Have you heard different?

seve65 · 27-01-2011 9:28pm

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

What you talking about Wilis?
Have you heard different?

Cycling Ireland website http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/Leisure/Calendar.aspx

Audax Pink Elephant 200
WhenSaturday, Mar 26, 2011
DescriptionContact Kevin O Sullivan @ 02889 521 681 Event Info: 110k,10.30am ,10.30am Clogher Valley Golf Club

carthoris · 27-01-2011 11:09pm

seve65 wrote: »

Cycling Ireland website http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/Leisure/Calendar.aspx

That calendar seems to be fundamentally wrong. E.g the signon for the Tour de Burren is in Lisburn Leisureplex, the Tour de Kilkenny signon is in Coleraine, the Tour of Sligo signon is in Tipperary, the Tour of Mayo signon is in Slane ... and so on.

The dates and names appear to be correct however.

Captain Havoc · 27-01-2011 11:20pm

I can confirm the Tour de Kilkenny will be starting in Coleraine. The club feels due to the popularity of the event, it's time to bring it outside the county.

thebouldwhacker · 28-01-2011 1:30am

Ah right, I was looking at Adaux Ireland web site which states its going ahead as normal:)

karlmyson · 28-01-2011 9:37am

It wouldn't really qualify as the Pink Elephant 200 if you didn't cycle past the eponymous restaurant. Must be a mistake. Recommend it as a good day out on the bike btw.

rottenhat · 28-01-2011 9:50am

Yes, there must be something wrong with the Cycling Ireland database, I think - the Pink Elephant 200 definitely starts from Midleton. I highly recommend Kevin's 300 too, the Borlin 300 at the end of April - I'm working the day of the Pink Elephant but I should be down for the Borlin.