An Post Cycle Series

jmccar

Having cycled in all of the an post cycle series i would like to record my thanks for the series and share a few memories with my fellow boardies.
First up Sligo(60km): I could not believe just how big the crowd was that day. I have been away from cycling for a good few years and how it has changed. Sligo - memorable for weather,route, food and showers afterwards. Con - poor t shirt.
Meath(100km) Pros - Marshals on every junction, food stops, jersey(although being from dublin I have to go outside the county to wear it!!), finishing in front of Colm O'Rourke!, the finish - glorious sunshine in the lawn in front of trim castle and plenty more food there. Con - none.
Tour de Burren(60Km) - Pro: getting up corkscrew hill WITHOUT getting out of saddle, cheesecake in lisdoon and ice cream at finish. Con - no showers
Sean Kelly Tour (90Km). I went with my son as we were celebrating our same date birthday(me 60). Pro - lovely Jersey, Flahivans flapjacks (the countryside seemed straight out of a Flahivan advert - so its Flahivans porridge from now on), the killer hills, the lovely tea and cake at the finish. Con - The feed station running out of food at tramore.
Cork Rebel Tour(80Km). Pro - meeting Eoin from waterford near start and enjoying conversation on route, enduring the sand blast on Garretstown beach, the sight of the car parking in the centre of Ballinspittle and remembering what a charming country we live in, the sight of the probably U12's hurling match at the food station there with the suspiciously overage goalkeeper(at least 40!), the food station, Kinsale, the memory of targeting my crash spot in the hedge after a prolonged wheel wobble due to severe crosswind after crest of final climb going into Cork( as it turned out I regained control). Con: the lack of a marshall where we rejoined a national primary road at the bottom of a hill on the way into Kinsale, the cold showers in the dressing rooms between the car park and finish line in CIT(I did not have a shower there but found hot showers in the registration complex later - there was a sign for the cold shower but none for the hot ones), the lack of a cup of tea afterwards.
So there you have it - the good and the bad. I have really enjoyed the series - i saw parts of the country I normally do not see and it is beautiful. The voluntary effort and community involvement that goes into staging there events reafirms the wealth we have in this country, namely its people and their generosity. We have a magnificant road network and it enables easy travel to all events - long may they continue and if I have been critical it's only to point out that main roads should be marshalled, a hot shower is welcome especially for those who have travelled far and a cup of tea at the end enhances the social aspect of the events. Keep up the good work though and see you next year!

AthenryLeads

jmccar wrote: »

Con: the lack of a marshall where we rejoined a national primary road at the bottom of a hill on the way into Kinsale

I thought the Marshalling up to Kinsale was great but then for some reason no one. Really could have done with some coming into Cork City.
The heavy traffic combined with cyclists everywhere was not an ideal finish to the day.

Overall I enjoyed the day. I did the Tour de Burren as well and really enjoyed that too. For the most part the An Post cycles are a great success.

Looking forward to trying to get them all done next year

Lambretta

I completed the An Post tour of Meath, the organisation and sporting atmosphere on the day was a tremendous. The Series should be marketed to cyclists abroad as a boost to our tourism.


Does anyone know if there is a special jersey for compelting all the An Post sportives? I think I heard mention of this somehwere.

raindodger

jmccar wrote: »

Having cycled in all of the an post cycle series i would like to record my thanks for the series and share a few memories with my fellow boardies.
First up Sligo(60km): I could not believe just how big the crowd was that day. I have been away from cycling for a good few years and how it has changed. Sligo - memorable for weather,route, food and showers afterwards. Con - poor t shirt.
Meath(100km) Pros - Marshals on every junction, food stops, jersey(although being from dublin I have to go outside the county to wear it!!), finishing in front of Colm O'Rourke!, the finish - glorious sunshine ion the lawn in front of trim castle and plenty more food there. Con - none.
Tour de Burren(60Km) - Pro: getting up corkscrew hill WITHOUT getting out of saddle, cheesecake in lisdoon and ice cream at finish. Con - no showers
Sean Kelly Tour (90Km). I went with my son as we were celebrating our same date birthday(me 60). Pro - lovely Jersey, Flahivans flapjacks (the countryside seemed straight out of a Flahivan advert - so its Flahivans porridge from now on), the killer hills, the lovely tea and cake at the finish. Con - The feed station running out of food at tramore.
Cork Rebel Tour(80Km). Pro - meeting Eoin from waterford near start and enjoying conversation on route, enduring the sand blast on Garretstown beach, the sight of the car parking in the centre of Ballinspittle and remembering what a charming country we live in, the sight of the probably U12's hurling match at the food station there with the suspiciously overage goalkeeper(at least 40!), the food station, Kinsale, the memory of targeting my crash spot in the hedge after a prolonged wheel wobble due to severe crosswind after crest of final climb going into Cork( as it turned out I regained control). Con: the lack of a marshall where we rejoined a national primary road at the bottom of a hill on the way into Kinsale, the cold showers in the dressing rooms between the car park and finish line in CIT(I did not have a shower there but found hot showers in the registration complex later - there was a sign for the cold shower but none for the hot ones), the lack of a cup of tea afterwards.
So there you have it - the good and the bad. I have really enjoyed the series - i saw parts of the country I normally do not see and it is beautiful. The voluntary effort and community involvement that goes into staging there events reafirms the wealth we have in this country, namely its people and their generosity. We have a magnificant road network and it enables easy travel to all events - long may they continue and if I have been critical it's only to point out that main roads should be marshalled, a hot shower is welcome especially for those who have travelled far and a cup of tea at the end enhances the social aspect of the events. Keep up the good work though and see you next year!

must agree about not having a marshal where we hit the main road on the rebel tour it could have been dangerous with speed up coming down the hill,food stops were great could have eaten enough to last the week,think i got that same crosswind seemed to come out of no where blew the bike sideways.

HivemindXX

I did the mid range cycles in Meath, Waterford and Cork. I certainly want to thank An Post and all the organisers, these events were great and importantly they were very inclusive. I saw all sorts of people out participating in these and that has got to be good for cycling in general in this country.

Meath was outstanding for the incredible marshalling. Seriously I can't overstate how good the marshals were on the route I did. They probably had the best food although I think the huge slab of carrot cake might have been a mistake if the food stop hadn't come so close to the end. The carnival atmosphere at the finish line as well was awesome.

Waterford had the most enthusiastic spectators with many people sitting outside their houses (presumably) on the road side cheering us on and, at one point, kids running along side offering cups of water and hand picked blackberries, one them also offered the morale boosting but slightly inaccurate "only one hill to go".

Cork had great scenery down around Kinsale. I've never ridden through a sand storm before so that was interesting. They probably the best parking facilities of the three. They also had the amazing trick of opening a window in the overall very poor weather so that during my five hours on the bike I managed to keep almost entirely dry. I even had some sunburn on my ankles and wrists the next day which I certainly wasn't expecting.

maroonandwhite

The An Post Series is , in general , I would consider , a great sucess . Part of this is due to the high number of participants , giving a great sense of occasion . You really feel as if you are at an event . Its well organised - save for a few gliches . These will be hopefully ironed out with experience ..for example , the final few miles in Cork are potentially dangerous given the status of the road and the speed and frequency of traffic .The route in Meath was an improvement on last year ...

The only enemy of these events will be the entry fee ..there are many events competing for limited income at the moment ...

long may they continue ..

AthenryLeads

maroonandwhite wrote: »

The only enemy of these events will be the entry fee ..there are many events competing for limited income at the moment ...

long may they continue ..

They are a small bit on the pricey side but I suppose when you consider that for the €36 you get enough food to feed a small army, a decent jersey (excluding the Burren) and a great day on the bike I think it's decent value.
I'd love to know the actual running cost of these events. Probably making a few quid...

Junior

AthenryLeads wrote: »

They are a small bit on the pricey side but I suppose when you consider that for the €36 you get enough food to feed a small army, a decent jersey (excluding the Burren) and a great day on the bike I think it's decent value.
I'd love to know the actual running cost of these events. Probably making a few quid...

The SKT took in 55k - it all goes to charities ..

AthenryLeads

Junior wrote: »

The SKT took in 55k - it all goes to charities ..

Good to hear that

jmccar

One possible way to keep entry fees down might be to have the jersey as an option. This is presuming that part of the entry fee goes towards the jersey. This year I have 3 jerseys and one t shirt. They are high quality and will not wear out. If I go on the series next year, I suppose I will have at least the same. Do I need another jesey? For the last few years I have participated in the BHAA dublin city marathon series races. I get a good quality running top each race. I could sell you running tops!
Some people might only wish to go in their local cycle and a jersey with a nominal(10€?)fee would be a lovely momento. For those wishing to complete the whole series, maybe a combination jersey would be a great incentive.

Any views?

One thing I have noticed over the years is the decline in professional trade jerseys being worn. On the an post series, mostly it's the event jersey followed by club jerseys, then plain and finally pro trade.

ROK ON

Junior wrote: »

The SKT took in 55k - it all goes to charities ..

Jaysus. Fair play.

Think of the money you could make running sportives on a professional basis - ie the cahrity being one's ar*e pocket.

Roger Hassenforder

& Ive a 3.2 megapixel cameraphone, we could cut the sportscam lads out of the gig!

jmccar

Why cut the Sportscam lads out of the gig?

The subsequent purchase of any photos is entirely discretionary and has no bearing on the entry fee.

And btw I have used their services.

I was trying to address a point made by maroonandwhite regarding entry fees!

Roger Hassenforder

i think they'll have to bring in "bring a sense of humour to work scheme"
apologies for any offence there jmccar, the tounge was firmly in cheek.

jmccar

Fair enough Roger, no offence taken

Outdoor enthusiast

jmccar - good feedback. I didn`t get around to the Sligo and SKT in Waterford, but did do Clare, Meath and Cork. I enjoyed all events - would`ve like to see better signage and organisation at the start and finish in Cork. It was very disappointing at end - at this stage now I`m used to fanfare when I cross the line in the cycle series! Marshalling in Clare and Meath superb, food in both places also fabulous. I would like to see the start/finish area taken away from Cork city - lack of marshals and gardai at major junctions on way out (1) and on all on way back in was lethal.
Overall, the series is excellent and I`m looking forward to doing Sligo and Waterford next year in addition to Clare and Meath - even though Cork is my own county, based on experience last saturday, I don`t think i`ll be doing the rebel tour.

maroonandwhite

I would stress that I believe the entry fees to be reasonable in their own right given admin , jersey , assorted goodies and food stops etc ...however if one participates in the full series , which is hard to resist , it amounts to 200 euro plus expenses which will amount to up to 100 euro a pop , depenting on overnight stays etc . Fair play to this series , it does continue to give a decent jersey etc . Other events are now skimping on t- shirts etc whilst still charging pretty hefty entry fees . One must pick and choose I suppose .

gallybander

Did them all bar Meath,definetly the weakest was the Rebel Tour

ashleey

I wouldn't be too critical of the rebel tour. I thought it was well enough organised. I don't think the typhoon at the end helped matters. I would agree that some marshalling at the south ring was needed at the end but in reality if we obey the lights it shouldn't be needed. It wasn't a race. The food provided at the stops was excellent, the jersey was good and you wouldn't be able to get a jersey from wiggle for less than 30 euro.

ashleey

I'm also still getting flashbacks from a wheel wobble in a crosswind at full speed on the last hill to the ring road. There was a report of small localised tornadoes last Saturday!

Captain Havoc

I don't think the jersey is an issue, it's probably paid for by all the sponsorship on it.

Roger Hassenforder

the wind was worse today, im migrating inland.

funnights74

Any dates yet for this years series? I know waterford is August 26th but i've seen anything on the other events.

ednwireland

got this a week ago

Hope you continue to enjoy the great sport of cycling and this email is to alert you to the date for the An Post Tour of Sligo 2012 Cycle which will take place on Sunday 6th May 2012 with 3 events to choose from including the 60K Lough Gill Circuit/ 100K Innisfree Tour/ 160K Ox Mountain Challenge, with the 10K Hazelwood Spin for All taking place on Saturday 5th May.

New for 2012:
• The An Post Tour of Sligo will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend
• The event will take place over 2 days with a Bike Blast Family Fun Day taking place on Saturday 5th May thus affording cyclists a chance to cycle with their families in advance of taking on their individual challenge on Sunday
• New foodstop on the 160K Ox Mountain Challenge at 75K into the route (in preparation for the mighty Lough Easkey ascent!)
• A specially designed 2012 Cycling Jersey included in the entry fee for all participants on 60K/100K/160K

Further details are available at www.tourofsligo.ie where you can enter on line or download an entry form.(see attached form)

prob not riding this year

funnights74

Nice one, thanks. Just found out that the tour de burren is on July 23, more details here http://www.tourdeburren.com/. Might just do the 100 this year.
And they did promise to turn the wind off if i remember correctly .

ednwireland

wish someone had turned the wind off over lough easky last year

(at least it made the run home easier in the last 20km with that tailwind )

edgedarr

I see theAn Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour is on Sunday 29th July 2012.

Iwernia

prob not riding this year[/QUOTE]



Retired?

ednwireland

Iwernia wrote: »

prob not riding this year

Retired?[/QUOTE]

back injury , off the bike for 10 weeks doubt i'll be upto the 160km might try the 100 if it clears up by then

trek climber

ednwireland wrote: »

got this a week ago

Hope you continue to enjoy the great sport of cycling and this email is to alert you to the date for the An Post Tour of Sligo 2012 Cycle which will take place on Sunday 6th May 2012 with 3 events to choose from including the 60K Lough Gill Circuit/ 100K Innisfree Tour/ 160K Ox Mountain Challenge, with the 10K Hazelwood Spin for All taking place on Saturday 5th May.

New for 2012:
• The An Post Tour of Sligo will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend
• The event will take place over 2 days with a Bike Blast Family Fun Day taking place on Saturday 5th May thus affording cyclists a chance to cycle with their families in advance of taking on their individual challenge on Sunday
• New foodstop on the 160K Ox Mountain Challenge at 75K into the route (in preparation for the mighty Lough Easkey ascent!)
• A specially designed 2012 Cycling Jersey included in the entry fee for all participants on 60K/100K/160K

Further details are available at www.tourofsligo.ie where you can enter on line or download an entry form.(see attached form)

prob not riding this year

Good to see that they have taken comments from last years 160k cycle on board for this year, last year you had an almost ridiculous situation where the fist stop was after only 30k but the next one wasn't until about 120k, and I like many others skipped the first one because it was far too early. This year there is a stop at 75K

Outdoor enthusiast

Just registered for the An Post Meath Heritage Cycle tour 100km. I receive their newsletter as I did last year`s tour there and saw the photo of this years jersey (albeit that it looks pink) - looks fabulous though. I did ask what the colour for men was and was told.. that real men wear pink! They`ve reliably assured me that the colour is not actually pink.
Either way - its a fab looking piece.

awec

Outdoor enthusiast wrote: »

Just registered for the An Post Meath Heritage Cycle tour 100km. I receive their newsletter as I did last year`s tour there and saw the photo of this years jersey (albeit that it looks pink) - looks fabulous though. I did ask what the colour for men was and was told.. that real men wear pink! They`ve reliably assured me that the colour is not actually pink.
Either way - its a fab looking piece.

Can you post a photo or a link to a photo of the jersey?

Outdoor enthusiast

Link to jersey here -http://www.meathsports.ie/cycle-tour/spin-and-train.htmlits class isn`t it?

awec

I like.

ccull123

Would someone who has registered for the Meath event mind forwrding me the link to the registration page. I cant seem to find it and im either blind as a bat or my browser is playing up:D

awec

ccull123 wrote: »

Would someone who has registered for the Meath event mind forwrding me the link to the registration page. I cant seem to find it and im either blind as a bat or my browser is playing up:D

http://regonline.activeeurope.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1075003

ccull123

Anyone have a link to the route for the 100km meath?

awec

ccull123 wrote: »

Anyone have a link to the route for the 100km meath?

http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/ireland/trim/68993320

Outdoor enthusiast

Anyone doing the An Post Cycle series in Meath (29th July) - early bird prices close on the 19th July?

ccull123

awec wrote: »

http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/ireland/trim/68993320

What would the climbs be like on this in comparison to Howth??
Sorry but I have nothing else to compare it to:(

awec

ccull123 wrote: »

What would the climbs be like on this in comparison to Howth??
Sorry but I have nothing else to compare it to:(

Howth is a cat 4 climb if I remember right, whereas that is a cat5.

So, in theory, the Meath one isn't as bad as Howth.

awec

I see the food stop for the 100km cycle is after 75km. That not a bit late?

thehamo

Just wondering what the Meath 100k would be in comparison to the ring of Kerry? I know it's shorter. It could be more hills!!

Eamonnator

thehamo wrote: »

Just wondering what the Meath 100k would be in comparison to the ring of Kerry? I know it's shorter. It could be more hills!!

The 100K would be a piece of piss, compared to R.O.K.

The 160K would be comparable, almost the same distance, but easier climbs.
The climbs are not nearly as long.

rossie2012

Did the 160 km in the burren how would this compare to the 160 km in meath?

golfhead

According to this (taken from the Meath Sport website), the food stop is at 55KM

100km Royal Tour

This is a new challenging and improved route for 2012.

Cyclists start in Trim heading out the Dublin road R154 for 2km until Jack Quinn’s Pub is in sight, cyclists will take a left turn opposite the pub. This brings the cyclists towards Bective and the cross roads at Crocketts pub. Straight through the cross roads, and onto Bellinter cross taking a right turn towards Tara. This is the first real challenge for cyclists as they have to attack the steep incline up to the Hill of Tara.

From Tara cyclists travel to Skryne where they take in some breath taking views and pass by the famous O’Connell’s pub (famed for the Christmas Guinness advertisement). Cyclists move through Edoxtown and Rathfeigh before they cross the N2. Cyclists now get the chance to open up and get a good 5km spin into Duleek. From Duleek cyclists pass by the historic Newgrange then on to Rosnaree for another climb.

From Fennor cross the cyclists attack the Hill of Slane, then out the Kells road heading for Gormanlough at 55km for a well deserved food stop.

Cyclists proceed to Kilberry and Donaghpatrick and from here join the R147 (Navan/Kells road). Cyclists have a nice spin of 4km on this stretch until they reach Newgate where they turn right and travel into Bohermeen – water stop at 75km.

After Bohermeen cyclists travel to Rathmore. From Rathmore cyclists are heading for home with a fast spin for 6km into Trim to the finish.

ccull123

seems to be a bit of confusion over this food stop. I signed up for the 100km last nite and the email i got today states the food stop is at 75km!

slowcyclist

thehamo wrote: »

Just wondering what the Meath 100k would be in comparison to the ring of Kerry? I know it's shorter. It could be more hills!!

I've done both RoK and Meath 160km. I would suggest that RoK is actually easier. The main difference for me is that RoK follows the main roads and they are well paved. Meath crosses many main roads, which you need to slow down for (and even stop at some), and the surface quality on some of the secondary roads in Meath isn't great. Also, there's a lot less people in Meath, so there is less buzz to carry you along when your spirits flag. Still, it's worthwhile doing it, and if you've done RoK, then Meath 160km won't be a problem - it'll just be a very different experience.

triggermortis

Just signed up for the 100Km (did it last year too). Was tempted to go for 160 but not enough training done and got a health issue to consider

jaqian

Anyone notice how on MapMyRide the 160km "An Post Meath Heritage Cycle" becomes 237km when you zoom in and go fullscreen? Is it just me or is it the worst mapping site ever. There are all kind of loops and doubling back according to the map, which just has to be down to a mapping error.

screenshot...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rncr0ro63i4ren4/crazy_map.JPG

brayblue24

Before I register for this can anyone advise me hoow the jerseys size up. They look great by the way