Dolmen Burren Challenge 2012, Sunday April 1st

harringtonp

Previously known as the Dolmen Midwest and Coastal Tour, this year's tour is on April 1st, starting at 10am. For those who have done it before, please note the new starting location in Ennis. Details in the jpg below.

moby2101

Can ye turn the wind machine off this year?? Jazes that was a hurricane blowing last year!

BRILLIANT day out for anyone who hasn't done it before. Really looking forward to doing this again! Hope the apple tart is on the menu again!

Dubba

Any link to the route? I can't find any info from my friend google :pac:

coastwatch

Looks like there's 195km route, finishing on Inishmaan? That's original

colm_gti

I like the look of this! Anyone on here doing it?

harringtonp

Dubba wrote: »

Any link to the route? I can't find any info from my friend google :pac:

The routes are as follows:

130k
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/72853388

90k
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/72855308

60k
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/72855892

The 130K covers a lot of the same ground as the Etape Hibernia:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104864200

and would be a good recce for those planning on doing it later in the year.

Food stop in Lisdoonvarna as in previous years

WakeyTyke

colm_gti wrote: »

I like the look of this! Anyone on here doing it?

Excellent cycle - can thoroughly recommend it.

Unfortunately a gang of us are traveling out to cycle in Majorca that day so can't do it this year:(

colm_gti

Do you have to register/pay in advance or can you turn up on the day and enter?

harringtonp

colm_gti wrote: »

Do you have to register/pay in advance or can you turn up on the day and enter?

Like most club organised tours you just turn up on the day and enter. In fact pre registration is not possible.

wanderer 22

Any idea of the sort of numbers they usually get for this? I'd be interested in going for it but not if its just 50 club riders and I get dropped on the first drag!

harringtonp

colm18 wrote: »

Any idea of the sort of numbers they usually get for this? I'd be interested in going for it but not if its just 50 club riders and I get dropped on the first drag!

I think it was about 150 last year but not completely sure, it certainly wasn't less, may have been more. Will get back if I get a definite figure.

concretehead73

i hope this weather will hold out for sunday, last year was a great day wind and all:D

harringtonp

concretehead73 wrote: »

i hope this weather will hold out for sunday, last year was a great day wind and all:D

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=47735

haybob

AS a form of protest for not being notified of the route taken AGAIN I may or may not bring cows up and down the road during the race.

I'm very cross with the event organisers again no information again, but for the decency of one poster I would not have known about the race.

A SMALL BIT OF CONSIDERATION GOES A LONG WAY there are other road user too

WakeyTyke

haybob wrote: »

AS a form of protest for not being notified of the route taken AGAIN I may or may not bring cows up and down the road during the race.

I'm very cross with the event organisers again no information again, but for the decency of one poster I would not have known about the race.

A SMALL BIT OF CONSIDERATION GOES A LONG WAY there are other road user too

So bringing cows up and down a road isn't being inconsiderate to other road users:mad:

Your rants are making me embarrassed to be a Clareman:o

moby2101

haybob wrote: »

AS a form of protest for not being notified of the route taken AGAIN I may or may not bring cows up and down the road during the race.

I'm very cross with the event organisers again no information again, but for the decency of one poster I would not have known about the race.

A SMALL BIT OF CONSIDERATION GOES A LONG WAY there are other road user too

Can you please refrain from posting/starting threads in the cycling forum ..the cattle forum is that way>>

Captain Havoc

haybob wrote: »

AS a form of protest for not being notified of the route taken AGAIN I may or may not bring cows up and down the road during the race.

I'm very cross with the event organisers again no information again, but for the decency of one poster I would not have known about the race.

A SMALL BIT OF CONSIDERATION GOES A LONG WAY there are other road user too

Do you inform your neighbors every time you move your cows? I know we never did nor I neighboring farms inform us.

skerry

Anyway, whatever about the above, are there many planning on doing this on Sunday? Option of three routes, 130km route is tough enough, a good test of the legs at this time of the year though. Weather is meant to hold up and there's not many nicer places in the country to cycle on a fine day. I for one am most definitely in.

CheGuedara

In, and think there'll be another 4-5 of the Gang traveling up for it too. If the weather stays anything like it has been it'll be a great day on a bike.

harringtonp

Thanks to all who participated in this. Turnout was a little lower than hoped for (110) but conditions were perfect and I think a great day was had by all.

Only unexpected event was the horse fair in Ennistymon but cyclists seemed quite happy to wait in the sun for the lead car on the other side of the bridge.

There is a great set of photos from the event at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaniepower/sets/72157629720170793/

I'd imagine most participants will feature somewhere or other in there.

andy69

harringtonp wrote: »

...conditions were perfect and I think a great day was had by all.

+1 it certainly was a great day, and the views out over Galway Bay and to the Aran Islands was amazing!! Was well worth getting up at 6.30am to make the trip down!

will be back for this again next time, and better prepared for 'the hand' so I don't lose that front group again!

CheGuedara

Gonna weigh in with a big +1 also - great route and organisation and an event I'm going to happily recommend to others for 2013.

Thoroughly enjoyed the slight hammerfest after Ballyvaughan and got caught doing a bit of chaperoning our two female entrants between Lisdoonvarna and Milltown Malbay before being left off the hook for an ITT home.

harringtonp

Some stats for the 130KM at

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/164114147

Gives a good idea of the route and climbs involved.

DKO

What a day for it! Wish I had given to a go...

Keep_Her_Lit

He seems surprisingly comfortable, nevertheless.

DKO

Ah sure that fellas a machine!

skerry

'The Hand' is tough enough with a saddle. Kudos to that guy.