New route for Rebel Tour 2012

on_the_nickel

Looks like a great route, glad they changed it as I wouldn't have bothered doing it this year if it was the same route as the last 2 years.

Not sure the Kerry folk will be pleased with the encroachment - name change in the offing?

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/97342447

http://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/2012anpostrebeltour

jinkypolly

Well if they want to drastically slash the numbers of entrants they've picked the right routes.

ashleey

Agreed. They've just added 2 hours on to the drive to the start. Unless you live in west cork.

Morrisseeee

A nice way to start the sportive, a wee climb of 8km @ 3.4% :eek:

funnights74

Very strange idea to put the starting point 90 Kms from Cork, the die hards will make the effort to venture down but it's hardly going to encourage any new and undecided cyclists to sign up.
I know this year the An post series have varied the routes of the various sportives they run which is a good thing but to my knowledge this is the only one that has moved hook line and sinker to a whole new location.

insinkerator

For anyone curious:

55k route
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/97331137

85k route
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/97370293

The 55k route is an out and back. Not nearly as enjoyable as a loop imo, and with big numbers of cyclists on both sides of the road, I imagine any motorists will be that bit extra peeved at it.

I understand wanting to move it to glengariff from a scenery perspective, but having the start so far from Cork will have a huge impact on numbers. I wonder will they have taken into account that nearly everyone that does it will drive to the start point, and have sorted parking etc...

ROK ON

Class, pure unadulterated class.

While Glengariff is a little bit out of the way, the route chosen is absolutely spectacular. It is comprises two of my favourite training routes combined into a figure of 8.

Anyone who does this will not be disappointed - The ring of Beara taking in the Healy Pass has some truly iconic cycling.

BTW I have never done a rebel tour and have no connection with the organisers. I hope to do this one however.

ford2600

I for one am signing up because of the new route, smashing countryside altogether, some of my favourite cycling roads. Healy pass is really beautiful.

I know the Caha Pass right of the bat isn't ideal but, get highest climb in while fresh!:D:eek:

I live beside Cork and haven't ever bothered the other years but have always except for honeymoon done Waterford and Burren spins.

I think the 55/60k spin out and back to Kenmare is awful and way too much climbing for typical 60k cyclists.

All in all I can't wait, wonder are they going to rename it "Kingdom West Cork Tour" anyone? "Ring Of Beara Cycle"?;)

funnights74 wrote: »

Very strange idea to put the starting point 90 Kms from Cork, the die hards will make the effort to venture down but it's hardly going to encourage any new and undecided cyclists to sign up.
I know this year the An post series have varied the routes of the various sportives they run which is a good thing but to my knowledge this is the only one that has moved hook line and sinker to a whole new location.

Dubba

Looks like a nice route, get to cycle some roads I haven't done before.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to push the sign on / start till a bit later in the morning than normal for a sportive to accommodate people who have to travel (most people), that way hopefully keeping the numbers up.

on_the_nickel

I think with that route, it's got potential to be one of the best sportives in the country.

lescol

This is a great location, hopefully, I'll be there! I remember doing a ring of Beara sportive many years ago, it left from a hotel in Kenmare, fantastic route. Twice over the Healy Pass is going to be fun.

el Bastardo

jinkypolly wrote: »

Well if they want to drastically slash the numbers of entrants they've picked the right routes.

Might be great riding, but it's the arsehole of Ireland; Miles from everywhere! I've nae car and even if I did, I'm not sure I could be bothered with the drive each way (and that's only to the city).

vistafinder

Yaaa now thats a cycle route. I cant wait for it. As for the driveing long distance I have left home from west Cork at 3.30 in the morning to get to events and to do what I love doing most. If ye make the effort it will be worth it. Some of the best views in the world on a finre day.

kingoffifa

vistafinder wrote: »

Yaaa now thats a cycle route. I cant wait for it. As for the driveing long distance I have left home from west Cork at 3.30 in the morning to get to events and to do what I love doing most. If ye make the effort it will be worth it. Some of the best views in the world on a finre day.

i am from beara - mighty mighty beara.

and what he said. awesome place to cycle or just to look at

nilhg

I'm well up for this, timing is perfect, after (hopefully) the harvest but before we start sowing again and in a fabulous part of the country.

Someone just needs to organise the weather now......

ashleey

The route will be fantastic. Just hoping to convince the family to make it a weekend away. Stayed over the weekend in Kinsale last year which worked well. I definitely won't be making it a day trip from Kilkenny. Some posters are inviting a row with less than flattering comments about where west cork is. I can't believe they got away with it

rash

Would love to do this, had always wanted to do the Healy pass. The conor pass challenge is one the same day and is closer to home. Tough choice.

Roger Hassenforder

ashleey wrote: »

The route will be fantastic. Just hoping to convince the family to make it a weekend away. Stayed over the weekend in Kinsale last year which worked well. I definitely won't be making it a day trip from Kilkenny. Some posters are inviting a row with less than flattering comments about where west cork is. I can't believe they got away with it

dont worry, we know where they live!;)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/252606124827790/

Max_Charger

el Bastardo wrote: »

Might be great riding, but it's the arsehole of Ireland; Miles from everywhere! I've nae car and even if I did, I'm not sure I could be bothered with the drive each way (and that's only to the city).

The "arsehole of Ireland"? miles from everywhere? Its an hours handy drive from the city, its not half as bad as your making out. I can tell the people who are giving out clearly have never been to the area, its an absolute cracker! I know the area very well as I live in Bantry myself,10 mins away from Glen. I might make this my first sportive if I manage to get my ass in gear

clod71

I think that is cracking route and it would be well worth getting up an hour earlier to get down to Glengariff...
Looking forward to it!

clod71

Registered.

mel.b

Where would people suggest to stay overnight for easy access on the morning of the cycle?

Plastik

Anywhere, it's still only 90minutes max from Cork on the morning. Beautiful, beautiful part of the country for a sportive. I hope they get a good turnout. Y'know, the last two An Post Rebel Tours have been mediocre at best - the first made a terrible mistake of bringing everyone through the city centre at the end, and the route is fairly uneventful bar the loop around the Old Head.

Hopefully this one is well organised. Good grub, good turnout and good weather would make this one of the most spectacular Sportives of the year.

Max_Charger

mel.b wrote: »

Where would people suggest to stay overnight for easy access on the morning of the cycle?

In Bantry there is the Maritime hotel or the Westlodge which both are about 20Km's from the start in Glengariff, Westlodge have an offer on at the moment http://www.groupon.ie/deals/getaways/westlodge-hotel/7379252 if thats any good to you.

kingoffifa

in glengarrif itself:

http://eccleshotel.com/

only ever seen the inside of it for weddings. old hotel with a nice bar anyway

nilhg

mel.b wrote: »

Where would people suggest to stay overnight for easy access on the morning of the cycle?

kingoffifa wrote: »

in glengarrif itself:

http://eccleshotel.com/

only ever seen the inside of it for weddings. old hotel with a nice bar anyway

I booked in to Eccles this morning, we stayed there last year and it was fine.

Sign on is there on the Friday night so that's handy too.

Bantry is no distance away though so the hotels/B&Bs there would be a good option too.

at1withmyself

Went down to this 2 years ago and hoping to go back again but after the Tour De Burren I am sceptical about a mass start up the Caha Pass so will head for the Blasket Blast instead.

Don't think its a good idea putting so many up a hill at the start of a sportiff but will head down over the summer to do the route and see the scenery that all are talking about in the thread. Never done the Healy pass before and twice looks like a good spin.

ROK ON

You are worrying over nothing.
Caha Pass is 8km long.
I have been up it 3 times with over 100 cyclists. It will spread out very quickly. Steepest part of the climb ( drag actually) is at the very start.
Also in Ring Of Kerry, An Post Tour of Waterford and Wicklow 200, literally 1000s of cyclists head up Molls Gap, Powers the Pot, Seskin Hill, Slieve Maan and Shay Elliott without much trouble.

These other sportifs are so large that there are hundreds of people sharing the climb. I mean one of the purposes of sportifs is to cycle with so many other folk.

codie

el Bastardo wrote: »

Might be great riding, but it's the arsehole of Ireland; Miles from everywhere! I've nae car and even if I did, I'm not sure I could be bothered with the drive each way (and that's only to the city).

Maybe you would like it to finish outside your front door.

el Bastardo

codie wrote: »

Maybe you would like it to finish outside your front door.

It almost did last year!

I know it's good riding country, scenic and what not: I meant more that it's the far end of the country, so not easily accessible, rather than a blanket 'West Cork is crap' statement that some seem to have read into it.

ChewyLuey

el Bastardo wrote: »

It almost did last year!

I know it's good riding country, scenic and what not: I meant more that it's the far end of the country, so not easily accessible, rather than a blanket 'West Cork is crap' statement that some seem to have read into it.

Are you sure it's West Cork is the a**ehole of Ireland ?

Roger Hassenforder

just registered
from confirmation email:

"There will be a festival atmosphere in Glengarriff for the An Post Rebel Tour with live music, BBQ's etc taking place in the village after your event. We will also be offering an accommodation rate for the weekend so check out our website on www.corkrebeltour.ie"

should beat CIT!

gooch134

el Bastardo wrote: »

Might be great riding, but it's the arsehole of Ireland; Miles from everywhere! I've nae car and even if I did, I'm not sure I could be bothered with the drive each way (and that's only to the city).

This is a great course. Cycling has caught the imagination of the public like never before. Cyclists travel to france to take part in the etape's Tour De France style and this sportive offers a challenge albeit slightly short of that.

I had little interest in doing the rebel tour. I would really like to take on the etape some day so for now this sportive has bridged that gap for me.

I will be taking part in the Rebel Tour 2012 and I believe many cycling enthusiasts will do likewise.

And all this only 1.5 hour drive from cork. Make a weekend of it. Should be fun. Bring it on !!

***** Has the potential to make the Ring of Kerry seem boring*****

doh !! Just after finding out also that the conor pass sportive on the same day. Now I do not know which one I will do. Why do the two most challenging sportives have to be on the same day

mh_cork

Brilliant route!

The route for the past 2 years was awful. No real challenge and mostly on main roads. I lived 1 mile from the start and didnt bother either year.

I have done Caha Pass and Healy Pass numerous times and they are great climbs with terrific views. The descent off Healy Pass is alpine like, with switchbacks (except for the road surface and sheep!). Havent cycled Beara but the group that I cycle with did a Beara loop in May and said it was the best cycle of the year so far.

I've done the RoK a couple of times and this is a harder, but much more enjoyable and scenic route. Yeah, there will be people who wont bother because of the distance from the city. Their loss.

To anyone doing this, keep some in reserve for "The Wall" which is after the last ascent of the Healy Pass and near the end between Adrigole and Glengarrif. Anyone who has done TdeM or Lost Sheep tri will know what I'm talking about!

eoin88

Looks fantastic! I'd seen the route for the previous couple of years and wasn't particularly impressed by it. Really looking forward to getting down to the Beara Peninsula, the last bit of coastline in Cork and Kerry that I've yet to cycle!

FZ

I've only just seen the 160KM route & it looks a cracker.

I've cycled it all in one way or another over the years & couldn't recommend it more highly. I'm going to also commit the sacrilege of saying that the route is more beautiful than the ROK.

The drag from Allihies to Eyries over the broken coast will be a real kick in the guts - I found it harder than either the Caha or Healy passes in that it's very tough to get a rhythm going.

Rallymad

Looks like a really good but tough route much better than last years which was boring in my opinion so think ill be there this year again. One point id like to make was last year the first food stop was dreadfull could not get any tea i stood in line twice for it but they ran out before me and you need a cup of tea to keep you going .

Orion72

All,

I'm living in West Waterford. I have done the rebel tour the past two years. Yes I would agree that the route has become boring and not very scenic until you head for kinsale. But I do question why Glengariff in-spite of it's amazing scenery? Last years numbers were down on previous years and with adding on traveling time and travel expenses they are putting more people off. I fear a lot of Sportive riders won't bother again this year who live outside of Cork and thus the numbers will be down on last years. Best of luck to all those that do take part.

BailMeOut

Just did my fist ROK and as soon as I got back started googling for more cycling events. Just saw this one have just registered so will be my second ever organized cycle. Cannot wait as it looks brilliant.

murph226

Gonna put my name down for this, something to train towards!

Muckers

There ye go. I'm registered and looking forward to the drive from Waterford to the arse hole of Ireland (not)

GT_TDI_150

After just finishing my first 'organised' 80km spin last weekendi signed up for this(85) and the sean kelly spin(100) the same night.

I only averaged 20kph, so i'll be starting near the back so as not to bother quicker riders(and make myself feel good when passing the odd person, great boost that!!).

Just need to get some training in now!!!

Roger Hassenforder

jersey has been released:

GT_TDI_150

how much are the jersey or is it included in the entry fee?

Roger Hassenforder

Twas included in the entry fee last year

jinkypolly

Eccles hotel will be making a packet out of this, all very cosy.

GT_TDI_150

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

Twas included in the entry fee last year

hopefully it is this year too!!

Cape Clear

Will probably stay overnight for this its a pity its clashing with Chain Gang's and Giant Causeway Sportif 2 I'd like to have a cut off

PVMC

Hi all, just back from west Cork. Did the 55km and 85km rebel routes. Slow at 18 kph but very enjoyable. Going to do the Healys Pass again. It's more interesting with the hairpins descent to Adrigole. Heres hoping that the roadworks in Glengarriff will be finished. They seem to be alternating between a "go slow" mode and "complete stop" mode

at1withmyself

Went down on Friday evening to Kerry for the Iveragh 200 and decided to make a weekend of cycling out of it so thought I'd give the 85 km loop a try to see what the Healy Pass was like.

Started in Kenmare in the glorious sunshine late Friday afternoon and went out towards Cloonee, I had no map so was hoping for a sign to the Healy pass and met a fork in the road, I took the left (actual route looks like I should have taken the right). There was a nice drag up for a couple of km and back down so I thought that Healy Pass ain't that hard but when I arrived down the bottom I realised then I was only at the start of the Healy Pass - a nice climb and as above lovely downhill with the hairpins. Back to Glengariff had a nice little drag and then finished by going over the Caha Pass with a nice fast run into Kenmare.

As I missed a small section I only covered 81 km but the extra climb bought the ascent to just over 1000m and covered in 3 hours. Really scenic route and enjoyed the spin. Mental note though I must get a garmin as there was a few moments when I was unsure of where I was!

Edit - Noticed no sign of roadworks so maybe there complete or I missed that part of the route..

GT_TDI_150

Really looking fwd to this and dreading it at the same time!

I just about survived the SKT 100km and signed up for the 85km here(signed up for both on the same day way, way back :eek:) ...

Who's heading down Glengarriff?