Race Around Ireland 2012

emtroche

The 2012 Race Around Ireland will start on Sunday 9th, September 2012.

Registration is now open and this year we have a number of different registration options to try and help people with the cost. You can see these options here.
http://www.racearoundireland.com/register.asp

You can also sign up for our newsletter through our website or "like" our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland for regular news and updates.

The 2012 event will be the 4th running of the event and we are looking into a number of exciting ways of making the Race bigger and better than ever!

One of the major talking points of the 2011 Race was the addition of GPS tracking. We will once again have this fantastic service for the 2012 Race and we are working with the suppliers, BlackBlox, on ways to improve it.

The Race is one of the most unique cycling experiences in Europe and is the only one of it's kind in Britain or Ireland. It is the 2nd highest ranked Ultra Marathon race in the world after the Race Across America. While the solo category of the Race is seen as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world the team category is well within the capabilities of the majority of cyclists, whether they are keen racers or casual leisure cyclists.

The Race could also be viewed as great team building exercise for companies or organisations. The logisitics of getting racers and crew around the country in a few days really brings people together and provides them with a unique experience which they will always have in common. In the past 2 years we have had teams from Cadbury and Microsoft who have been delighted with the experience. Kiearn Keane crew chief with Team Microsoft Base 2 Race in 2011 said "the Race was the best team-building exercise we have ever undertaken in Microsoft".

One of the things which keeps me motivated with regard to the organising of this event is the visible, positive and often quite powerful effect the Race has on the people who take part, whether they are racers, crew or officials.

So......WHO'S IN?

murf85

emtroche wrote: »

The 2012 Race Around Ireland will start on Sunday 9th, September 2012.

Registration is now open and this year we have a number of different registration options to try and help people with the cost. You can see these options here.
http://www.racearoundireland.com/register.asp

You can also sign up for our newsletter through our website or "like" our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland for regular news and updates.

The 2012 event will be the 4th running of the event and we are looking into a number of exciting ways of making the Race bigger and better than ever!

One of the major talking points of the 2011 Race was the addition of GPS tracking. We will once again have this fantastic service for the 2012 Race and we are working with the suppliers, BlackBlox, on ways to improve it.

The Race is one of the most unique cycling experiences in Europe and is the only one of it's kind in Britain or Ireland. It is the 2nd highest ranked Ultra Marathon race in the world after the Race Across America. While the solo category of the Race is seen as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world the team category is well within the capabilities of the majority of cyclists, whether they are keen racers or casual leisure cyclists.

The Race could also be viewed as great team building exercise for companies or organisations. The logisitics of getting racers and crew around the country in a few days really brings people together and provides them with a unique experience which they will always have in common. In the past 2 years we have had teams from Cadbury and Microsoft who have been delighted with the experience. Kiearn Keane crew chief with Team Microsoft Base 2 Race in 2011 said "the Race was the best team-building exercise we have ever undertaken in Microsoft".

One of the things which keeps me motivated with regard to the organising of this event is the visible, positive and often quite powerful effect the Race has on the people who take part, whether they are racers, crew or officials.

So......WHO'S IN?

As long as I can get a team together, I'm in!

granda

i,m seriously thinking about trying to get a team together as well.

CramCycle

emtroche wrote: »

The 2012 Race Around Ireland will start on Sunday 9th, September 2012.

So......WHO'S IN?

I am in, SOLO, all I need is a support team. Anyone want to drive behind me for a few days?

Beasty

Posted at 2.41 on a Saturday morning ... good night out was it CramCycle?

Seriously though, that's one helluva a challenge you've set yourself - good luck. I won't be driving around behind you, but there may be other ways I can help (some of my lights have already done that trip, so could help show you the way;))

greenmat

Would love to try that. How much support do teams of 4 realistically need for this event. 2 vans, 1 for food, water, spare parts/bikes to follow rider and another van/camper van for resting in? Anyone completed the event, what support did you have?

Beasty

There was a boards team of 4 last year - thread here will give a flavour of what was involved;)

CramCycle

Beasty wrote: »

Posted at 2.41 on a Saturday morning ... good night out was it CramCycle?

Alas I wish it was but I was actually just getting in the door from work, I have been thinking about it for awhile and had planned to do it in 2013 but realised if I didn't sign up now while I could that I never would. A talk with one of the the organisers over a few beers a few weeks ago pretty much sealed the deal. All I needed was to see could I afford it.

Seriously though, that's one helluva a challenge you've set yourself - good luck. I won't be driving around behind you, but there may be other ways I can help (some of my lights have already done that trip, so could help show you the way;))

Any help is appreciated, my only issue is that I am not allowed do it without support :cool:

EDIT: Now to start the training log

niceonetom

Good man Cram!

I was part of a 4-man a couple of years ago. It's an awesome event and a monumental challenge. I have the utmost respect for anyone who steps up to the solo challenge (or 2-man or 4-man for that matter, but solo is a different beast), and I hope you get a lot of support and good advice from the forum.

The logistics are as big a challenge as the riding. I'm not kidding. The riding hard but simple - turn the pedals. The logistics is hard and complicated, so try to talk to those who have done it solo or those who've supported them and take notes.

I'm sure there are a few reading this who have advice and maybe equipment or eve time) to donate. Good luck you crazy bastard!

emtroche

CramCycle wrote: »

Alas I wish it was but I was actually just getting in the door from work, I have been thinking about it for awhile and had planned to do it in 2013 but realised if I didn't sign up now while I could that I never would. A talk with one of the the organisers over a few beers a few weeks ago pretty much sealed the deal. All I needed was to see could I afford it.

Good to have you on board horse! Let me know if theres anything i can help you with.

CramCycle

emtroche wrote: »

Good to have you on board horse! Let me know if theres anything i can help you with.

Drivers, sorting out a van at the minute, may have a loan of one from a former workplace but if not it will have to be rented. 1 full time driver confirmed and a back up support car confirmed. This is going to cost a bomb.

If you know anyone willing to be sponsors (and or drivers) it would be appreciated.

CramCycle

4 people signed up for the solo already, on the plus side this means 5th place is a worst case scenario at the minute.

Found this video to make me feel better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrmWuWxoGL0

Lumen

CramCycle wrote: »

4 people signed up for the solo already, on the plus side this means 5th place is a worst case scenario at the minute.

Finishing is winning.

Caroline_ie

Marc, if you need tips from a fund raising point of view, I can tell you what I know. Just email me.

Oh by the way ... you're mad.

pc11

I'm interested in joining a team, probably an 8 man team.

mak78

Best of luck CramCycle, sounds like an epic challenge.
And heres me thinking I was aiming high by targeting the Wicklow200 this year - but it pales into insignificance beside RaceAroundIreland. Much respect !

Sounds like you need to get some fundraising going

daragh_

pc11 wrote: »

I'm interested in joining a team, probably an 8 man team.

Same here. A few of us have been knocking the idea about. The logistics and finding the time to organise it are a bit problematic for me at the moment though

emtroche

We're looking for people to help us with this years Race.

Any help at all would be brilliant.

We need marshals and headquarters staff mainly but if you have any experience or skills (media, photography for example) which you feel might be helpful please give us a shout.

Fuel costs during the event will be covered.

It'll look great on your CV too!

If anybody is interested you can pm me here or email me at emmet@racearoundireland.com

emtroche

This years Race Around Ireland will start in Trim, Co. Meath in front of Trim Castle. The race starts on Sunday 9th September and will finish at Navan Enterprise Centre. On Saturday 8th September we will have our racer presentations in the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim and this is open to anybody.

This year is looking set to be the biggest and best yet. So far we have 13 solo racers entered from Ireland, England, Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland and Monaco. Valerio Zamboni will be back to defend his title and will be aiming to finish the Race as the UMCA World Champion once again. We are also welcoming back Wyatt Van Wendels, Seán Ó hIarnáin, Eoin Ryan, Donncha Cuttriss, John MacCormaic and Ricky Geoghegan. Duncan McKenzie will also take part in the solo category after having raced as part of an 8 person team for the two previous editions of the Race. Having such an experienced field suggests that this year will be the most hotly contest Race to date. We are also awaiting confirmation of a few more racers who have potential to lift the standard even higher.

In the 4-person category we have Team Youghal who took part in the 3 previous editions of the Race and last years Race Across America as an 8-person team. We have a team from Austria led by Jürgen Gruber of Groox Productions who featured the Race Around Ireland as part of their movie "Its all about". UK team "Strategic Lions" are also taking part in the 4-person category. They won the 8-person category in the Race Across America in 2011 and the team includes John Tanner who can list 3 Rás stage wins, 2 British Road Race championships and 5 Premier Calendar overall wins amongst his palmarès. Racing alongside John will be Kevin Dawson who is also a Rás stage winner and current holder of the British 100 mile time trial record. The 8-person category sees the return of the team who took part last year as Sunflower pedal Power and the previous year as Team Cadbury.

Once again we will have 24hr tracking of the event and this is a great way to follow the racers and show your support for them. This year we are also delighted to have the support of Meath Tourism and Trim Town Council.

The route is online now and is quite similar to last year. There are a number of small change with one substantial change in the northwest. This year we will have a Time Station in Lifford, Co. Donegal before the Race makes it's way through Castlederg, Belleek and Manorhamilton.

As usual we are looking for helpers. We need peopke to help with registrations of racers, officials for the duration of the Race or a portion of the Race and people to help in our Race headquarters during the event. We've been working on this event for over 4 years now and i have to say it's the most rewarding event i've ver been involved in. For the event to continue into the future we really need to get help. Also if anybody is interesting in crewing for racers they should contact us.

If you want to help or are looking for more information you can pm me here or mail me at emmet@racearoundireland.com
Check out www.racearoundireland.com for all the details about the race and http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland https://twitter.com/racearoundirl for news and updates

lennymc

Best of luck to everyone doing this.

emtroche

Race Around Ireland 2012

On Sunday 9th of September at 7.30pm, cyclists from 9 countries will once again set out on Irish roads in the 4th Race Around Ireland. The Race starts in Trim, Co. Meath outside the mighty Trim Castle and will see solo racers, relay teams and their support crews travel around the country in what is regarded as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world. It is the second highest ranked Race in the Ultra-Marathon Cycling World Cup. There will be live entertainment from 6pm and everybody is welcome to come along and see the racers up close as they set off on their adventure.

This year we are holding a Photo Competition as part of the Race in association with Meath Tourism and Trim Castle. This is open to everybody so we would encourage people to get out and get snapping!

Solo racers will cycle for up to 22 hours as they battle the elements, terrain, competitors and their own physical and psychological demons. Their support crews will ensure the racers have all the necessary mechanical, nutritional, navigational and physiological assistance they need to complete the gruelling event.

With a time limit of 132 hours for solo racers and 96 hours for teams, completing the Race is a challenge which is not to be underestimated. In 2011, racers battled the tail-end of Hurricane Katia however with the forecast looking better for this year and the strongest field to date, the 2012 Race is set to be the most exciting to date.

Among the racers are current Ultra Marathon World Champion and 2011 race Around Ireland winner Valerio Zamboni from Monaco. He will be up against 2010 Race Around Ireland winner Bernd Paul from Germany and former Race Across America finishers Paolo Aste from Italy and Donncha Cuttriss from Cork. Donncha is the only Irish rider to finish the Race Across America in its 31 year history which underlines the challenge involved in a race like this.

In the 4-person team category are the Strategic Lions from England. This team includes racers who are all too familiar to Irish roads and indeed the Irish cycling community, namely 3 time Rás stage winner and double British road race champion John Tanner and Kevin Dawson who has also won a stage of the Rás and is the current British 100 mile time trial record holder. They will be up against Team Youghal who will be competing in the Race for the 4th time, however this is their first year to take the step up from the 8-person to 4 person category.

Racers:

8 Person Team
802 – Team Sunflower Pedalpower (Ireland)
(John Hynes, Justin Hunter, Fergus Caverly, Karl Lawler, Tom Murray, Dan Ferrari, Kevin Kirwan, Peter Byrne)

4 Person Team

404 – Over The Hill (Ireland)
(Donal Scannell, Des Ryan, Mick O’Leary, Brendan Coakley)
403 – It’s All About… (Austria)
(Jürgen Gruber, Alex Karelly, Paul Platzer, Peter Frais)
402 – Strategic Lions (England)
(John Tanner, Kevin Dawson, Colin Humphrey, Duncan Moralee)
401 – Team Youghal (Ireland)
(Ger Flanagan, Christy McCarthy, Thomas Curran, Conor Coleman)

Solo Racers
113 – Jim Fitzpatrick (Ireland - Kilkenny)
112 – Ciaran O’Reilly (Ireland - Meath)
111 – Duncan McKenzie (Scotland)
110 – Jan Larsen (Denmark)
109 – Paolo Aste (Italy)
108 – Andreas Luginbuehl (Switzerland)
107 – Palle Nielsen (Denmark)
106 – Wyatt Van Wendels (England)
105 – Eoin Ryan (Ireland)
104 - Seán Ó hIarnáin (Ireland)
103 – Donncha Cuttriss (Ireland)
102 – Bernd Paul (Germany)
101 – Valerio Zamboni (Monaco)

Once again we will have live 24hr GPS tracking of the racers. This is a great way to follow the Race and makes it much easier for people to go out on the roadside and offer their support and encouragement to these athletes.

The Race has been featured in a movie on Ultra-Marathon cycling called “It’s All About…”. The movie was made by Groox Productions who have entered the Race as a 4-person team and they will be screening a 17 minute feature on last year’s event at the Race launch in the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim at 6pm on Saturday 8th September. A trailer for the movie can be viewed here http://www.iaa-themovie.com/en/the-trailer.html

In November a book will be released entitled “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” which features the Race Around Ireland as one of the 50 toughest events on earth! This puts the Race in the company of other illustrious events such as the South Pole Race, Crocodile Trophy and the Marathon des Sables. A preview of the book can be viewed here http://velopress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sample_WTEC.pdf

This year we are delighted to have the support of Meath Tourism, Meath County Council, Trim Town Council, Trim Chamber of Commerce, Teneo Strategy and the Ireland Funds. We are also grateful for the continuing support of Blackblox, Carvalho Custom, Ordnance Survey Ireland, Cusack Hotels, Andalucian Cycling Experience, Motocrew Switzerland, Cycling Psychology, Planet X, Essence Coffee, Brookdale Partners, DG Group and Body Therapy Ireland. The Race is sanctioned by Cycling Ireland and UMCA and is organised in association with Navan Road Club. Once again our associated charity is Aisling Group International.

For all the details of the Race visit www.racearoundireland.com and http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland for all the latest news.

karltimber

See ye all Sunday evening - will be a great race this year.

Was at start and end last year and the atmosphere was great.

K

emtroche

Race starts tonight at 7.30pm. Live entertainment from 6pm.

Once again thanks to Blackblox we have live 24hr tracking off all the racers

http://race.blackblox.si/

This is a great way to follow the progress of the racers.

It'd be great if as many people as possible could come out to cheer the racers on during the week.

You wouldn't believe the difference a small bit of encouragement can mean to these guys.

ednwireland

been out to watch this the last couple of years, but theyve changed te route to avoid south donegal so wont be out on the roads this year.

have a good race guys

keizer

Not affiliated but RAI is underway again:

Follow progress here: http://race.blackblox.si/

ednwireland

threads merged

Arthurdaly

Did the boards guy that was talking about this make the start line? Cram cycle?

emtroche

Arthurdaly wrote: »

Did the boards guy that was talking about this make the start line? Cram cycle?

He didn't make it unfortunately.

The pre-race strike rate with an event like this is quite high. Getting to the startline is a massive achievement in itself.

All the racers are on the road now. Brutal bit of rain in Trim during the start but conditions are quite warm and there isn't much wind so the racers shouldn't have too bad of a night.


Strategic Lions are belting along. First through Time Station 01 at Ballymascanlan at 21:44. Thats the first 81kms at 38.9 kms per hour!

emtroche

After the first night of the Race:

All racers still in the Race this morning. The only problems during the night where mechanically related (bikes and vehicles). The situation on the road now is Team 402 Strategic Liosn are motoring ahead in the 4-person category. They have 461 kms completed at an average speed of 34.5kms. If they keep this pace up they will smash the race record. Team 404 Over the Hill are next on the road 50kms behind 402. Then 802 who have just gone through TS04 at Malin Head. Team 401 Youghal should be arriving at TS04 very shortly and Team 403 Its All About.. are about 10kms behind them.

In the solo race the 2010 winner Bernd Paul 102 has a good lead over the next 2 racers, Donncha Cuttriss and Jan larsen who are neck and neck. About 13kms behind them we have Eoin Ryan and Palle Nielsen who are also neck and neck. Irish racer Ciaran O'Reilly who set off at a blistering pace last night is currently in 6th position with Duncan McKenzie is in 7th. Behind them we have Jim Fitzpatrick and Valerio Zamboni who are very close together after leaving Coleraine. Seán Ó hIarnáin and Andreas Luginbuehl have just left Bushmills while Wyatt van Wendels and Paolo Aste are both making their way to TS03 at the Giants Causeway after suffering mechanical difficulties during the night.




Keep an eye on the gps tracking and try and get out to give a shout if you can!

emtroche

I'd also like to remind people we have a photo competition running alongside the Race this year.

Get out and get snapping!

Details are here http://www.racearoundireland.com/photo_competition.asp

The Noble Nudge

Emmet just wondering roughly and ill keep an eye when do you expect the lads to getting to Laragh/Sally gap.
I'll get a few lads out to cheer the racers on.
Looking at doing this next year.

CramCycle

Arthurdaly wrote: »

Did the boards guy that was talking about this make the start line? Cram cycle?

Alas no, I came off my bike twice over the year and had to take a month off each time with ankle related problems, started training in earnest for next year with hopefully a less injury filled year.

It looks like a fantastic job done by emtroche and co. Having only glimpsed at the level of work they have to do I do not envy them at all (the organisers that is, the participants asked for this).

Good luck to all involved, glad it is going well so far.

Raam

Every year around this time I get jealous of all the competitors. Time has a way of numbing the pain and I was only on a 4 man team. The solos... I dunno how they do it, it's just savage stuff.

ednwireland

strategic lions already through lifford jeez ! :eek:

Raam

They are flying. On for a course record if they keep this up, according to an RAI post on FB.

emtroche

Team 404 Over The Hill on Mamore Gap

Our officials are telling us there isnt a bit of wind on the climb, in stark contrast with the hurricane of last year.

emtroche

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Emmet just wondering roughly and ill keep an eye when do you expect the lads to getting to Laragh/Sally gap.
I'll get a few lads out to cheer the racers on.
Looking at doing this next year.

At this rate Team 402 are estimated to be passing through Laragh at about 5.30am on Wednesday.

Looks like they'll be a good bit ahead by that stage.

Even though it's still very early in the Race it's hard to see them being caught. The gap is opening all the time.

Arthurdaly

CramCycle wrote: »

Alas no, I came off my bike twice over the year and had to take a month off each time with ankle related problems, started training in earnest for next year with hopefully a less injury filled year.

Hard luck man, it sounds like a grueling event and the training requirements must be enourmous. Better luck next year.

ednwireland

emtroche wrote: »

Team 404 Over The Hill on Mamore Gap

Our officials are telling us there isnt a bit of wind on the climb, in stark contrast with the hurricane of last year.

i was up on barnesmore gap last year a (obviously why they avoided it this year) and people were in the little ring on the flat trying to pedal against that wind
anyway shame i'm not going to get to see any of it this year

seamus

Strategic Lions 585km @ 35km/h :eek:

Puts them in contention for a 60 hour finish....fnck me.

emtroche

402 Strategic Lions have passed TS06 Sligo Town. They are motoring!! Still with an average speed of 35.4kms per hour!

karltimber

Was over in trim last night - great setup indeed.
pity about the weather - with having glorious sunshine all last week.

good luck to all of them this week, tracking them all on blackbox and will make it down to see many arrivals as I can,

k

emtroche

Last years winner Valerio Zamboni has reached TS05 at Sligo.

He has slept 10 minutes since the start of the Race! Hardcore! :eek:

kincsem

emtroche wrote: »

Once again thanks to Blackblox we have live 24hr tracking off all the racers
http://race.blackblox.si/

This is a great way to follow the progress of the racers.

The link isn't working for me today, Monday. It was working yesterday.

kincsem

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Emmet just wondering roughly and ill keep an eye when do you expect the lads to getting to Laragh/Sally gap.
I'll get a few lads out to cheer the racers on.
Looking at doing this next year.

Last year I went up there at 01:30 to cheer Valerio Zamboni as he went through. I think I gave him a fright as it was very dark.
I'll go again this year (from Stillorgan). With luck riders will pass in daylight.

k_d

Jimmy fitz just passed lough talt heading for ballina. castlebar for 9.15 all going well.
The danish rider not far behind.

The Noble Nudge

kincsem wrote: »

Last year I went up there at 01:30 to cheer Valerio Zamboni as he went through. I think I gave him a fright as it was very dark.
I'll go again this year (from Stillorgan). With luck riders will pass in daylight.

Where you wearing a flashers coat?:D:D

emtroche

kincsem wrote: »

Last year I went up there at 01:30 to cheer Valerio Zamboni as he went through. I think I gave him a fright as it was very dark.

These lads are easily spooked by that stage!!

ednwireland

hope they got their winter woolies with them, freezing out there

CramCycle

Following Jim Fitzpatrick, awesome performance, great training that Audax malarky :P

emtroche

Strategic Lions expected at finish in Navan at around 13:30. The finish is at the Enterprise Centre off the Trim Road if anybody wants to come down.

Next team is expected to be Over The Hill who should finish around 6:30 tomorrow morning.

The solo racers are entering the mountains of Kerry which is a real battleground. Bernd Paul has a good lead however nothing is ever certain in the solo race.

The 4-person team record for the race is 31.51 kms per hour and the solo record is 19.64 kms per hour.

Both records are on track to be beaten this year!