Tour of Meath

ponner

Hi all,
Theres a group of us considering doing the 130 km cycle on the day.Has anyone any idea of the pace or is it just a leisurely pace with it being a fundraiser? Any info appreciated.
Regards,
Paul

Captain Havoc

Sportives are done at your own pace. You'll generally get into a group going at a pace that you feel comfortable with but towards the end you may end up on your own. The goal is to complete the thing, not to be the first over the line.

Welshkev

I'm thinking of doing the 130k too, but I'll definitely be doing it at a 'leisurely pace' shall we say - I ride a lot of that anyway, so doing about 25kph is prob where I'll be at - if that means coming last (not that it's a race) then so be it

couerdelion

Last year there was a large group at the front the looked like it was going to stay together but as soon as we got to the Hill of Tara it splintered and was pockets of riders then all the way round.

Thought it was a really scenic sportive and not as flat as I thought it was going to be.

Welshkev

Was it well signposted? And what was it like for food stops and general support?

couerdelion

Kevinleeowen wrote: »

Was it well signposted? And what was it like for food stops and general support?

My report from last year:

Sunday 29th July - An Post Heritage Tour of MeathI signed up for this ages ago, or as soon as entries opened more or less. 160km around Meath and from what I've seen meath is pretty flat other than the hill of tara. I was wrong.

Signed up and got a lovely pink cycle top. Back to the car, bike out, new top on and down to the start line. Everyone doing the 160km set off at the same time. Much prefered this to the Wicklow 200 where it was set off when you feel like it. Was part of the 'peleton' until the hill of tara when my legendary climbing skills came to the fore and I slipped off the back. That set the pattern for the day. Speed along at that back of a group and then drop off the back as soon as an incline came along.
After 50km or so my legs had gone and I was running on empty. I still had 110km to do. The first food stop came at 80km and I struggled to get any calories in. I had been taking on gels but my stomach was saying no to the sandwiches and salads so it was just a little bit of them and a banana and chocolate.
Off I went again and felt I was going backwards at some points. It was another 50km to the next stop and the weather was horrible in parts. Raining then sunny. Feet were soaked but my arms were red. The last few kms to the stop dragged. I sat down and felt like crying. another banana and a coffee and just 20kms to go.
It took a while this time for me to warm-up and then I was counting down the kms.
Finally hit the finish and then into the food tent. Sandwich, muffin and another coffee. Back tot he car and a handful of midget gems for the sugar rush.

I was dissapointed by the number of people taking on gels and then throwing the wrappers into the verge. Does it matter if the cycle top gets sticky from an empty pack, it's getting washed afterwards anyway!

The tour itself was a really well organised event, fantastic marshalling (I tried to say thanks to everyone as I passed) and good signage. The route was spectacular in places too (hill of tara, newgrange, boyne valley...)

t'bear

please excuse the interruption, but I think there is a crossed wire here, is the OP asking about the 130k spin on Paddy's weekend vs the An Post Tour later in the year?

couerdelion

t'bear wrote: »

please excuse the interruption, but I think there is a crossed wire here, is the OP asking about the 130k spin on Paddy's weekend vs the An Post Tour later in the year?

I think you're right - (s)he's talking about the "Tour de Meath" which is 130km. "Tour of Meath" is 160km.

Welshkev

t'bear wrote: »

please excuse the interruption, but I think there is a crossed wire here, is the OP asking about the 130k spin on Paddy's weekend vs the An Post Tour later in the year?

Think so...this 130km is from Ratoath GAA, whereas the Meath Heritage tour is from Trim and organised by An Post

jester1980

hey all, i want o complete in one of these cycles this year, has some a link to a calendar for the sportiff cycles please. Sorry if an obvious answer.

funkyjebus

jester1980 wrote: »

hey all, i want o complete in one of these cycles this year, has some a link to a calendar for the sportiff cycles please. Sorry if an obvious answer.

http://www.overthehillcc.com/clubComms/LeisureEventcalendar2013forClubreview14Dec12.pdf

ponner

Sorry folks, it was the Tour de Meath I was asking about. Thanks for the link to your report. I always enjoy reading reports from others. Good to know that everyone has a bad day from time to time and not just me.
Cheers
Paul

Felloffmebike

Is there a link to the Ratoath event? Is there a shorter route - 60km or so?

ponner

Felloffmebike wrote: »

Is there a link to the Ratoath event? Is there a shorter route - 60km or so?

Rathoathgaa.ie all the information and course routes for both distances on there

2011abc

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Sportives are done at your own pace. You'll generally get into a group going at a pace that you feel comfortable with but towards the end you may end up on your own. The goal is to complete the thing, not to be the first over the line.

May be goin back a decade or so but quite a few of the 'field' didnt/dont seem to be aware of this ...West Wicklow 100 was as hard fought as the Shay Elliot some years !(People willing to dice with traffic ,breaking red lights at successive junctions along Tallaght by pass !!!)

Tombo2001

Will this go ahead if its sub-zero overnight on Friday night?