Rás Dhun na nGall 2013

colm_gti

Heading up with a couple of lads from the club. Registration paid, accommodation provisionally booked, large tub of vasoline ready....:rolleyes:

Anyone else planning to do it?

Early bird registration finishes today for anyone thinking of entering...

daragh_

colm_gti wrote: »

large tub of vasoline ready....:rolleyes:

Must. Not. Comment.

buffalo

Still in like Flynn. Planning on using my Frankenstein face to scare the competition into staying the hell away from me.

...hopefully behind me somewhere.

DirkVoodoo

buffalo wrote: »

Still in like Flynn. Planning on using my Frankenstein face to scare the competition into staying the hell away from me.

...hopefully behind me somewhere.

And the Laurens Ten Damme award goes to...

Wishbone Ash

buffalo wrote: »

Planning on using my Frankenstein face to scare the competition

Frankenstein was a doctor. He looked relatively ordinary and certainly won't scare anyone.



He did however create a monster and inexplicably most people call that monster Frankenstein!








OK.........I'll get my coat.

fat bloke

Anyone any idea what time you could feasibly leave Dublin at on friday and make the start?

I'd like to go but I can't take the day off work

colm_gti

fat bloke wrote: »

Anyone any idea what time you could feasibly leave Dublin at on friday and make the start?

I'd like to go but I can't take the day off work

Depends how fast you're willing to drive

Must be what, 300kms from Dublin? Sign on is open til 7:15 pm, could probably get away with leaving at 4 if you were going like the clappers?

buffalo

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Frankenstein was a doctor. He looked relatively ordinary and certainly won't scare anyone.



He did however create a monster and inexplicably most people call that monster Frankenstein!








OK.........I'll get my coat.

I knew that. Now I hate myself a little bit. Also you though.

fat bloke wrote: »

Anyone any idea what time you could feasibly leave Dublin at on friday and make the start?

I'd like to go but I can't take the day off work

I took a half day last year, made it with time to stop off at the accommodation on the way.

Wishbone Ash

colm_gti wrote: »

Must be what, 300kms from Dublin?

Nah- Letterkenny is about 250kms. Donegal Town is much further south. I'd say about 230/240kms. I'd allow about 3.5 hours driving.

ednwireland

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Nah- Letterkenny is about 250kms. Donegal Town is much further south. I'd say about 230/240kms. I'd allow about 3.5 hours driving.

except the race is based in ardara !

258km

https://maps.google.ie/maps?safe=off&hl=en&q=dublin+ardara&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45921128,d.ZGU&biw=1920&bih=990&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

spoke2cun

Does anyone know the route and the dates for this year's race. Cheers.

ednwireland

http://www.fourmasterscycling.com/about_ras.php#

draft stage details http://www.fourmasterscycling.com/images/forms/Stage%20details%202013%20draft.doc
(same as last year)

2013 Ras Dhun na nGall three-day stage race will take place in Ardara, Co. Donegal on the 31st , 1st and 2nd of June

entries close 24th may

DKO

This looks deadly... had to say it :-)

Huff n Puff

count me in for this one Colm. Thanks for the Early Bird warning, just got in last night on time.

Course looks very interesting. See ye all up there.

smithslist

colm_gti wrote: »

accommodation provisionally booked.

My entry is in, was looking for accommodation, where is there to book as hotel in Adara there is no rooms available.

ednwireland

only one hotel in ardara, the nesbitt arms, otherwise its b&b's

(or the highlands hotel in 20 mins away in glenties)

donegal town 30 mins away has the mill park, the abbey , the central ( and solis lough eske and harveys point - if your loaded)

otherwise b and b's

keelang

there is also the lake house hotel in Narin about 10 minutes from Ardara

colm_gti

Lads, ring the accommodation officer, they have loads of places booked up to put people entering the race into.

ednwireland

colm_gti wrote: »

Lads, ring the accommodation officer, they have loads of places booked up to put people entering the race into.

didnt even know they had one !

buffalo

colm_gti wrote: »

Lads, ring the accommodation officer, they have loads of places booked up to put people entering the race into.

Thanks for this btw, she sorted us out. We possibly would've spent a long while trying to find somewhere she hadn't provisionally grabbed otherwise!

mistermatthew

You boys gonna get to see some real mountains. Was riding with a killybegs man last week around there and he seemed pretty convinced the rest of Ireland is flat in comparison.

ednwireland

Entries for Rás Dhun na nGall 2013 are closing at midnight this Friday 24th May. If you need to make any amendments to your entry please also ensure that it is done by this date. Please double check your date of birth and licence category as any errors noted after the entry list goes to print cannot be amended.

buffalo

ednwireland wrote: »

Entries for Rás Dhun na nGall 2013 are closing at midnight this Friday 24th May. If you need to make any amendments to your entry please also ensure that it is done by this date. Please double check your date of birth and licence category as any errors noted after the entry list goes to print cannot be amended.

Thanks for that, need to update my licence. *humblebrag*

ednwireland

Entries for Rás Dhun na nGall 2013 are closing tonight at midnight.

ednwireland

heres hoping this lasts the weekend (probably totally jinxed it now)

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2013/05/29/what-a-scorcher-sunny-day-ahead-as-summer-arrives-in-donegal-and-its-going-to-get-even-better/

see you there ( i'll be in the clapped out blue primera painting roads and putting up signs)

joker77

Yes, yes you have (just jinxed it)

Saturday's forecast for Ardara is for a LOT of rain.

http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Ulster/Ardara/long.html

buffalo

Gavin Noble is coming? FFFFFFFUUUU...

Huff n Puff

buffalo wrote: »

Gavin Noble is coming? FFFFFFFUUUU...

Ah Buffalo, you are hardly scared of a little ol' triathlete?! Sure it is well known they can't cycle for sh1t

you must be eyeing up a high finishing position yourself??

ednwireland

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irish-international-triathlete-and-olympian-gavin-noble-to-ride-ras-dun-na-ngall/

i havent even seen a start list how come sticky bottle have harrumph

buffalo

ednwireland wrote: »

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irish-international-triathlete-and-olympian-gavin-noble-to-ride-ras-dun-na-ngall/

i havent even seen a start list how come sticky bottle have harrumph

http://www.fourmasterscycling.com/images/forms/Draft%20entry%20list%202013.pdf
http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/full-startlist-for-ras-dun-na-ngall-2013-getting-underway-on-friday/

They've been paying more attention than you. :P

Huff n Puff wrote: »

Ah Buffalo, you are hardly scared of a little ol' triathlete?! Sure it is well known they can't cycle for sh1t

you must be eyeing up a high finishing position yourself??

I'll see how it goes, but I've been eating a lot of biscuits and drinking too many pints this week to be properly competitive.

ednwireland

buffalo wrote: »

They've been paying more attention than you. :P
.

silly me i looked under 'entry list' on the website

ednwireland

well stage one was run of at a fierce pace ! results are supposed to be going on sticky bottle.

race report http://www.fourmasterscycling.com/displaynews.php?num=29

results

http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/danny-bruton-celebrates-european-champs-selection-with-stage-win-yellow-in-donegal/

Stage One Results, Friday May 31st

Ardara – Ardara 52.1km

1 Bruton,Danny STA NRPT Standard Life 1h13’28″ (42.55kph average)

2 Downey,Mark ULS Cycling Ulster 1h13’28″

3 Harkins,Stephen MAD Team Madigan 1h13’30″ @02″;

4 McKenna,Sean UCD UCD 1h13’30″ @ s/t

5 Doyle,Cathal CAR Carn Wheelers 1h13’30″ @ s/t

6 McCauley,Craig ULS Cycling Ulster 1h13’30″ @ s/t

7 Noble,Gavin LB Lakeland B 1h13’30″ @ s/t

8 Hinch,Philip BRO BrotherenCycles 1h13’30″ @ s/t

9 Parker,Barrick UCD UCD 1h13’48″ @20″;

10 McBride,Peter ERR Errigal CC 1h13’48″ @ s/t

11 Byrne,Stephen USH Usher IRC 1h13’48″ @ s/t

12 Henegan,Kieran WL Western Lakes 1h13’48″ @ s/t

dedocdude

Lucky it's not the an post Ras's comm officiating there, groupetto at 19mins, winners time 1hr 13, puts them at about 26% if my poor maths is correct. You might think that not possible seeing as the stage was only just over 30 miles, but I rode this race once and was convinced the roads were paved with sponge.

buffalo

Gavin Noble - half man, half machine.

edit: also, ow. This race is way harder than I remember last year.

Bambaata

Go on the triathlete

Im heading to Bundoran for the weekend so might nip out tomorrow to catch some of this.

Fr D Maugire

buffalo wrote: »

Gavin Noble - half man, half machine.

edit: also, ow. This race is way harder than I remember last year.

Not racing but I also get the impression that it is harder as well, more people being dropped early from what I see. First person dropped yesterday was in the first 5k and a lot were dropped by the first KOH. Same today on afternoon stage.

buffalo

Stage 1
That was fast. Especially the opening 5km. Was going to go for the first KOM, but as I went, I had a lad sitting on my wheel. He wouldn't come around and work, and I wasn't going to tow him up, so sat up. Went back too far through the bunch and was in a bad spot both at the KOM line, and when the break went.

A Dublin Wheeler jumped and started to bridge at one point, so went to go with him, but he was unlucky to puncture. Didn't think I had the legs to bridge solo, back to the bunch. Helped with the chasing, but the break stayed away to the close.

Stage 2
Was looking forward to this, but didn't go to script. Warmed up on the rollers - first time ever, was kinda fun. But soon as I was on the road, I knew it wasn't going to happen - strong headwind had me in the little ring within 500m. Energy was gone before the climb, where I tried to get some time back, but demoralised and tired I don't think I was too successful. Was close to throwing up with about 150m to go.

Stage 3
Ow. Just ow. Gavin Noble had us lined out at 50kmph+ for what felt like half the stage. Was close to cracking and dropping the wheel more than once.
Attacked a few times in the first part of the day, but couldn't get anything to stick. Paid for the efforts later, legs just wouldn't respond on the hills - had to get to the front at the bottom of the climbs to give myself room to go backwards through the bunch.
Some of a break stayed away, I have no idea how - those guys must be serious powerhouses. Tried to get up in the bunch sprint, I'd say I wound up outside the top ten though, went too early and legs started to cramp before the line.

I'm simply shattered now, but it's been a great race so far in terms of organisation. Some dodgy riding on Friday night with such a big bunch, and today a solo break came back, and leaned on me as he rejoined. Obviously he was bit tired after the effort and misjudged - scary moment, but no harm done.

boege

Great write up Buffalo. Watching from the cavalcade, we could not believe the number of times we saw the peloton lined out.

My lad came up with aspirations but the pace of this race has been animal. Well done on bunch finish today. Given what we watched that was a fine achievement.

ednwireland

http://fourmasterscycling.com/display_ras_news.php?num=30

Ras Dhun na nGall
Stage 2 Results
Maghera - Maghera 01 June 2013
Stage 2 Stage Result
Issued: 01 Jun 2013, 12:48

---

Organisation: Four Masters CC Country: IRL
Winner's Time: 07'39.91" Deadline: None
Race Dist: 1.80miles / 2.89 kms
Speed: 14.09 mph / 22.66 kph

---

1 144 Stanley,Andrew DCU DCU 07'39.91"
2 136 Noble,Gavin LB Lakeland B 07'46.41" @06.50"
3 122 Long,Neil DWC Dublin Whls 07'53.13" @13.22"
4 15 Downey,Mark ULS Cycling Ulster 08'01.56" @21.65"
5 89 Harkins,Stephen MAD Team Madigan 08'13.13" @33.22"
6 146 Fettiplace,James PHB Phoenix B 08'17.29" @37.38"
7 74 Millar,Mike PHA Phoenix A 08'21.66" @41.75"
--- 118 Hinch,Philip BRO BrotherenCycles 08'21.66" @ s/t
9 119 Collins,Noel CAD CaldwellCycles 08'24.19" @44.28"
10 145 Dillon,Colm LIM Limerick CC 08'25.30" @45.39"

http://fourmasterscycling.com/highlight_page.php?num=3#

Ras Dhun na nGall
Stage 3 Results
Ardara - Ardara 01 June 2013
Issued: 01 Jun 2013, 18:24

---

1 18 McCauley,Craig ULS Cycling Ulster 2h08'03"
2 53 Woods,Des NEW Newry Wheelers 2h08'05" @02"
3 71 Donald,Alex PHA Phoenix A 2h08'10" @07"
4 15 Downey,Mark ULS Cycling Ulster 2h08'18" @15"
5 118 Hinch,Philip BRO BrotherenCycles 2h08'25" @22"
6 114 Kane,Bobby BAN BannWhlsCC 2h08'25" @ s/t
7 100 Scully,Shane NEN Visit Nenagh.ie 2h08'25" @ s/t
8 21 Lagan,Damien DBC Donegal Bay CC 2h08'25" @ s/t
9 96 Breheny,Joseph UCD UCD 2h08'25" @ s/t
10 97 Parker,Barrick UCD UCD 2h08'25" @ s/t

hope the signage is up to scratch and i'm knackered as well
__________________

Hmmzis

Well done Buffalo!!! That's an absolutely fantastic result, now I think we all want a full race report from you

colm_gti

Animal performance by buffalo to take the win on what was probably the hardest stage of the weekend!

Hardest 3 days I've ever done on a bike, fantastic race though, well done four masters!

wav1

Well done buffalo.Some logic there somewhere.Upgraded without a win and then goes and beats all the A2s.Well done again.

colm_gti

Up to A1 now I presume?

homer simpson

That was some finish today, well done to anyone who made it up to the top after that weekends racing, for anyone not familiar with the climb here is a photo of it, I was standing at the finish line here when i took this photo. Then a photo of buffalo, huge well done, timed his break at the bottom of the hill perfectly...

ednwireland

well done one and all great race fierce pace

final stage results
http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/brian-mcardle-wins-final-stage-at-ras-dhun-na-ngall-as-mark-downey-takes-overall/
Stage 4: Ardara-Glengesh (97.33kms)

1 68 McArdle,Brian DTC DTC Orwell Wheelers 2h41’12″

2 15 Downey,Mark ULS Cycling Ulster 2h41’23″ @11″;

3 136 Noble,Gavin LB Lakeland B 2h41’36″ @24″;

4 74 Millar,Mike PHA Phoenix A 2h41’38″ @26″;

5 97 Parker,Barrick UCD UCD 2h41’38″ @ s/t

6 35 Keeney,Cormac ERR Errigal CC 2h41’38″ @ s/t

7 144 Stanley,Andrew DUC DUCC 2h42’06″ @54″;

8 59 Bruton,Danny STA NRPT Standard Life 2h42’14″ @01’;02″

9 62 Taggart,Matthew STA NRPT Standard Life 2h42’14″ @ s/t

10 14 Walsh,Stephen CAR Carn Wheelers 2h42’20″ @01’;08″



Final General Classification

1 15 Downey,Mark YJ Cycling Ulster 6h11’10″

2 136 Noble,Gavin 2 Lakeland B 6h11’26″ @16″;

3 144 Stanley,Andrew U DUCC 6h11’58″ @48″;

4 74 Millar,Mike 3 Phoenix A 6h12’12″ @01’;02″

5 68 McArdle,Brian 3 DTC Orwell Wheel 6h12’14″ @01’;04″

buffalo

Woke up this (yesterday) morning not knowing what to go for. KOM competition seemed fairly open - polka dots held 9pts, but would be working for the yellow jersey Downey. There was a maximum of 23 points available if a rider got all the KOM climbs of the day. There was also the possibility of a stage win, but I didn't know whether it was better to sit in and then try outclimb everyone, or try get in a break and use the gap as an advantage, but risk tiring myself out. I came down with the aim of getting an outright win of some sort, and with the overall out the window after my wojus TT, these were my two possibilities.

Felt okay as we headed out, watched as a teammate got in the break of the day. That was that then, took the pressure off both my decision and my riding, let me sit in and do nought. Noble was still active, testing the yellow jersey. I managed to go with him once when he jumped, but it was closed down quickly. Ulster were watching him closely.

Took advantage of that to jump myself after a lull, on a downhill, using the descent to catapult myself up the road. A UCD rider with me, though I wasn't sure at first whether he'd work with me. He did, and we powered through Ardara together, screaming crowds urging us on. What a buzz! We caught up with a two-man break of a Bray Wheeler and an Errigal rider. UCD towed us along, and eventually pedalled away from us on the KOH climb, such dead roads. Bray was dropped, but myself and Errigal worked together to keep the pace high.

I wanted to make sure we didn't bring the bunch to my teammate in the break, and with the powerful Noble, Lakeland and the Ulster squad on the front, I did think any move (including my own) was more than likely doomed. So it was a pleasant surprise when both Noble and Downey bridged to us, and Noble towed us to the break pretty much by himself. Errigal did some work, but I wasn't going to help either of the top two GC men keep their spots. My own top 30 placing was pretty expendable! It was all aboard the Noble express then, as things lined out, and various riders chipped in when they could, but it was nigh impossible to get around Noble and ride faster than him. My teammate rode for me, as he had a problem with his derailleur, and wasn't going to get up Glengesh at any speed.

Hit the bottom of the climb, and Errigal went away. Noble and Downey were still watching each other, and as a Phoenix rider made a half-hearted jump, I used him as a springboard to push off and away. Lots of locals shouting for Errigal, but I went past him and away up.

It was hell. I was making awful noises of agony, mucus and saliva falling off my face, just dug in. I could tell from the lack of local cheering that I'd dropped Errigal, but I didn't know how far anyone else was behind. Final turn at 50m, and I could see I had a decent gap. Enough to emulate the pros by zipping up my jersey and raise the arms. \o/

Dragged me well up the GC, and with the teammates pushing hard on the climb as well, we got into team GC. Good day at the office. For me, as always, it was a combination of good luck, hard work, smart riding, and that climbing ability to finish it off.

Thanks to clubmates and the St. Tiernans' lads for a good night stage too. Tried to get into the wrong house when I got home, all the houses look the same on the estate! :pac:

And big thanks to Four Masters for a great race. Far tougher than I remember it being last year, but still as well-marshalled and marked out as ever. Just generally a well-run superb race. If you keep that weather coming, I'll be back again next year if I can, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who fancies themselves a climber.

Rumours that I'm now A1 are yet to be confirmed, and I'm hoping it's not true. :eek:

buffalo

colm_gti wrote: »

Up to A1 now I presume?

Only 14 points, phew!

If I'd ridden two seconds faster in the TT or on Glengesh, I'd have gone to A1 on my A2 debut. Jaysus. Very grateful I took the time to zip up the jersey!

colm_gti

That's a seriously impressive achievement no matter what way you look at it buffalo, well done, you should be chuffed with that one!

Sorry I couldn't have joined ye with the rest of the Tiernans lads, went to get food and dozed off temporarily on one of the benches across the road from the pub, woke up, finished my chips and went home to bed!

Fr D Maugire

Well done Buffalo, that is a very nice win to have on the CV. Was back in the team cars so didn't see much.

Some funny moments from the RAS.

On the last stage(which is truly brutal) a rider from one of our neighbouring clubs was dropped on the second KOH, it was a long away to go on his own and his team car was further up ahead so as we passed him in the car, we asked him if he was ok and if he needed anything?

The response was priceless- "A bit of fitness!!!"

Young lads, eh.

On the hill TT stage, I was shouting encouragement at all the riders as they passed, it was interesting to see the various states they were in, from the guys who were breathing very heavily to those who seemed to fly up. Occasionally I got a muttered "thanks" for the encouragement(which I wasn't expecting) or one on the way down. There was one rider who was a bit different though.

Me: "good man keep it going, almost there"

Rider: "Where is the finish?? Up there where those cars are??"

There were a few people with cars taking photos a bit down from the finish line

Me(slightly in shock): "No, just a bit past there"

Rider: "****"

How anybody had the energy to look up ahead and have a wee conversation on the steepest part of the climb, I will never know. Fair play to anyone who even finished that race, I always knew Donegal was hilly but there is rarely a flat piece of road in Ras Dhun na nGall, up-down, up-down all day long every day.

colm_gti

We had no coverage or wifi were we were staying but I'll chime in with my vague memories from the St Tiernans CC camp...the opposite end of the spectrum to buffalos experience...

Friday morning started full of hope as I collected two team mates early in the day for the long drive to Donegal. The 300km long drive was spent discussing all the potential outcomes for the race, and how we fancied our chances as a team. We got to the house, which was pretty nice, unpacked the cars and went to the race HQ to sign on. Grabbed a quick bite to eat and kitted out for the 'short and flat' stage one, making use of handfulls of one of the lads special leg oil, we were sure race winners!

Short it might have been, but flat it certainly wasn't! The race took off at a vicious pace out of the town, dragged along by the powerhouse that is Gavin Noble! It was a struggle just holding a wheel! I don't remember much of the race, apart from the fact that I was under pressure for 99% of it, and there never seemed to be any let up! Delighted to have finished in the bunch! Good start as far as I was concerned!

Saturday morning brought the hillclimb TT up Glengesh (the 'easy' side). We debated whether to cycle out or drive, and drove in the end with a half hour to spare, plenty of time we thought. That was until we ended up behind a car dragging 3 cyclists out the narrow bohreen to the start line at 30km/h. We arrived with about 5 minutes to spare til the first of us was due to start. Enough time for one of the lads to do a 1 minute warm up between dropping his chain, for me to do a 2 minute warm up between taking a piss, and for another to fine tune his saddle position with 45 seconds til his start time. STCC should be renamed LMCC (last minute cc). I'm sure the boys spending 2 hours warming up on their turbos laughed at such amateurs! I was sure this was to be the end of my race going from my climbing abilities, but oddly enough I put in a decent, sub 9 minute time, fastest from the club by about 10 seconds, happy out considering my combined rider and bike weight of about 90kgs! I was sitting 35th on GC, with the rest of the crap climbers behind me going into stage 3 :P

Stage 3, it was all downhill for me from here. I normally only race with water, but I learned on this day that it definitely isn't enough. Another viciously fast start, I was under pressure from the gun and in danger of being dropped from kilometer 0. At about 50km, we went up a corkscrew and at the crest of the hill every muscle in both my legs cramped up, they were crying out for more than just water! They eased up, and myself an an NRPT rider worked our way back up to the cars, through the cars and onto the back of the bunch again, phew! About 15km later, still no let up, Mr. Noble was at the front again really putting the pressure on, and with the group completely lined out, about a kilometer long, gaps started to open up and that was the end of my race, I was out the back and rolling home in a bunch made up of one UCD and 2 NRPT riders, 8 minutes down on the leader, my spirit broken, and my legs close to broken...

Saturday evening, 60% of our team were definite DNS' for Sundays stage 4, and I was also considering it. On a day with three cat 2 KOM's BEFORE the hilltop finish on Glengesh, with the first KOM only 4km into the stage, there was a strong likelihood a lot of peoples race would be over very early on. After much deliberation, 100% of the STCC team lined up for the final day of punishment. I got over the first KOM not under too much pressure, 2nd KOM was also relatively ok, but the 3rd KOM, passing by the house we stayed in was vicious, possibly the most pressure I've ever been under on a bike. I absolutely murdered myself to stay on. This is when the race blew apart, the bunch split into 3 groups. The winning break with buffalo, Noble, the yellow jersey and a few others up the road, a second group that I noticed a clubmate was clinging onto the back of, and another group that I fought to hang onto. Some animal at the front of our group dragged us back across to the middle group, and this stayed together til the bottom of the mighty Glengesh. Words can't really describe that climb, and I don't think pictures give the full impression either. It is about 1500m of pure hell. The switchbacks hit 30% in parts, I hear some lads even got off their bikes in parts it was that bad! It was made slightly easier by the crowds of local cyclists and supporters lining the sides encouraging even the stragglers at the end to 'punch it out' til the line!

The intense buzz of finishing such a viciously hard stage race at the top of Glengesh renewed our energy and we rolled back through the town with broad grins on our faces for the final time on our way home. GC position wasn't even something I cared about anymore, I was happy to have endured the 4 stages!

Stage 5 started that evening in Nancy's bar around a wooden table in a small room, with 5 burgers and 5 creamy pints of Guinness. I never got out of my granny gear, and watched my team mates edge away from me by pint 4, by pint 5 I was well and truly dropped like a hot potato as one of the lads came into his own with another hot on his wheel! I threw in the towel early, went for a bag of chips and dozed off momentarily on a park bench outside the pub. I woke up, finished my chips and headed home, in bed by 11pm, hardcore. Two of the others must have been dropped by the two leaders shortly afterwards as they followed me home with their tails between their legs, leaving the two strongmen to battle it out for stage honours. I don't want to comment on who won as I've only heard one side of the story, but we'll have to have a repeat contest this time next year.

I don't know about the other lads, but I've forgotten the extent of the suffering already, and am looking forward to Rás Dhun na nGall 2014, with the intention of saving a bit more gas for stage 5!

A fantastically run race, with some great touches, made even better by the crowds of locals lining the roads of Ardara to cheer us on as we passed through twice on Stage 4, and again lining the roads at the top of Glengesh!

ednwireland

glad you enjoyed it, i've only worked on it for 4 years but i've never seen it going at that pace (in fact most of the old guys said they hadn't seen anything like it ) friday night was run off in a record time

anyway this should depress you from Gavin nobles twitter on sunday

Pleased my efforts in #rasdonegal, tough stage today, tried just about everything, 2nd overall, back to the pool in the morning !

anyway great to see the turnout

this made me chuckle from stage 3

---

Commissaire Communique

---

Rider No. 40 - Jason McHugh - Fourmasters CC
C.I 14.1 - Holding onto Vehicle - Disqualification

Rider No. 43 - Eamon McBrearty - Fourmasters CC
C.I 46 - Failure to cover entire course by bicycle - Disqualification

The College of Commissaires