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Boards Spin? The A-Maze-ing 100

  • 30-08-2013 01:16PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84 ✭✭


    Just putting this out to the Boardsiverse to see if there is any interest:

    Ride: The A-Maze-ing 100
    Location: North County Dublin
    Date: Saturday 28th Sep
    Time: TBC (morning)
    Meeting Point: IKEA (or back of airport)
    Finish Point: The Grange Cafe, Ballyboughal
    Distance: 100kms
    Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3033797
    Style: Paris-Roubaix / Tro Bro Leon
    Rider: Rouleurs

    Reason: To mark the change of the season from hard efforts to cake-stops.

    Concept: The classics of Northern France provide the inspiration for this ride as there are a number of 'sectors' along this mainly flat route through the beautiful farms of North County Dublin.

    Design: I have designed a route to showcase how amazing North County Dublin is to ride in (for those who don't already know). The hedgerows and options provide a real labyrinthine feel. The twists, turns and sectors along the route ensure that this is far from a dull flat spin. The parcours covers a large distance but within an impressively small area, thereby creating a cool maze effect. It will amaze even those who train on these roads regularly too.

    More detail: Sectors are narrow and heavy farm lanes. Each sector is different, some may bumpier than others, some may have grass strips or pebbles up the middle. Very little of the route is on broken roads, I have scouted the area to ensure the better lanes are used without detracting from the French Flanders feel.

    The heaviness of the ride might make this feel like 150kms even if the distance is 100kms, it will rip the legs from you at some point. You are warned.

    The ride suits hard people with hard bikes. If you moaned at the discovery of a single pebble on Astra Monti's Evil 200, that particular bike is too precious to you for this particular ride.

    I used IKEA as a start-point as it is well known and if you don't know it, it's so big you can't miss it! It should provide secure parking for those who might want to drive out. For those riding out from more northerly directions, it will be possible to join up at the back of the airport at the bus-stop before we head into the maze. There is little to no secure parking there though, if bringing a car park it in IKEA.

    The route finishes in the Grange Cafe in Ballyboughal, I know this is more convenient than IKEA for many people who might live nearby. For those returning to IKEA the exit to the maze is obvious, take a left out of the cafe and follow a really fun road, this leads straight to the back of the airport. It is 16kms from the cafe back to IKEA. It is ca. 25kms from the Grange Cafe back to the Liffey as a guide for anyone who might travel from the south side.

    Being a maze, you might get lost ... that's all part of the fun! If this goes ahead, I expect it to line-out on the sectors and for the group to break up as the heavy route takes its toll. Hopefully a few people will have .gpx files to marshall smaller groups through it. It is possible to quit and head direct to the cafe after 40, 50 or 60k of the route ... but that would mean failure. Let's just say that you wouldn't be deserving of cake ... for the entire winter!

    The worlds are on that weekend. We won't be able to see the Junior race live but we should be back home in time to catch most of the women's race.

    Any interest?


«134

Comments

  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,277 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I'm on for this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,778 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    Clashes with a 200km Audax out of Whitehall, will defo do either this or that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 581 ✭✭✭greenmat


    Maybe this might be better for you. Swords CC Rainbow Sportive, come do the event, showers and grub after and all back in time to Ring Common Sports Centre to watch Dan Martin win the World Championships. Different groups suitable for all and I think there will be a shorter route too, will have to confirm that.


    http://www.rainbowsportive.eu/


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Andy Magic


    I'm interested.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Sounds familiar but count me in


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭colm_gti


    If I'm in the country, I'll be there!


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,277 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    Just saw it doesn't finish in Ikea. Between getting out there and home again it'll be a fair old spin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,547 ✭✭✭funkyjebus


    Sounds like this is a job for the steel bike and 25's. I'm in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,004 ✭✭✭✭billyhead


    I should be able to meet along the route. Good to have a bit of company on my Saturday spin


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭manwithaplan


    greenmat wrote: »
    Maybe this might be better for you. Swords CC Rainbow Sportive, come do the event, showers and grub after and all back in time to Ring Common Sports Centre to watch Dan Martin win the World Championships. Different groups suitable for all and I think there will be a shorter route too, will have to confirm that.


    http://www.rainbowsportive.eu/

    You know it makes sense. Rainbow sportive - also suitable for heterosexuals! There are few opportunities to watch cycling on t' telly in Ireland with a crowd of fans and, with the afterglow of a good spin, it should a good laugh.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 964 ✭✭✭detones


    I like the sounds of this and would love to do it. However I'll be doing the Swords Sportive on thd sunday and I don't think my wife or legs will allow me do this spin the day before, shame.


    Would recommend @bcmf for any route advice. He knows every lane and boreen around these parts. I think he had a garmin grafted to his frontal lobe at some stage. He'll only be happy if its pissing raining on the day though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,182 ✭✭✭buffalo


    The route map looks like the wanderings of a drunk.

    I'm in, a lot of roads I've never been down before. Pair it with the Swords sportive, mega weekend!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    detones wrote: »


    Would recommend @bcmf for any route advice. He knows every lane and boreen around these parts. I think he had a garmin grafted to his frontal lobe at some stage.

    Yeah I did but it commited suicide after a couple if spins as it couldn't handle what I was throwing at it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 588 ✭✭✭t'bear


    I'm in


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    Just saw it doesn't finish in Ikea. Between getting out there and home again it'll be a fair old spin.

    You're well able.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84 ✭✭thebionicdude


    Sounds like this is a job for the steel bike and 25's. I'm in.
    Just the job! I'm jealous. I hope that steel bike pre-dates 1987 so you can ride L'Eroica some day.

    I will be on my alu frame and 23mm tyres likely, running 95/100 or 100/105 psi. People on carbon will be fine once they accept there may be the odd flying pebble and a bit of broken surface. I just wouldn't recommend showing off any brand new and precious deep-section carbon tubs etc.
    Just saw it doesn't finish in Ikea. Between getting out there and home again it'll be a fair old spin.

    Yep, 116k back to IKEA. The time-factor might be more of an issue ... the ride itself will take 3.5-4hrs depending on the group, factor in time for the cake-stop if people fancy and then the ride-home whichever direction. Obviously, some people live closer to the finish but parking a car will be an option for those who are inclined.
    The route map looks like the wanderings of a drunk.

    I'm in, a lot of roads I've never been down before. Pair it with the Swords sportive, mega weekend!

    Ha! Indeed. Mega is the word! This route is inspired by Paris Roubaix, the Swords Sportive looks closer to Tour of Flanders, throw the worlds on top and we'll have had enough bike-kicks to last until Christmas.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,704 ✭✭✭AstraMonti


    Sure why not, I am in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭ian_rush


    Which one?


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 11,672 Mod ✭✭✭✭RobFowl


    I'm in


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭Bloch


    Do I get a medal at the end?
    Will there be coffee available at the start?


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 11,393 Mod ✭✭✭✭Captain Havoc


    Might go, depends what's in the goody bag.

    https://ormondelanguagetours.com

    Walking Tours of Kilkenny in English, French or German.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭Bloch


    I like the ideas of a Paris-Roubaix feel to it. If it's raining though I'm not coming out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    Count me in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,560 ✭✭✭The tax man


    Might go, depends what's in the goody bag.

    A flat pack wardrobe apparently.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,162 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    Anyone cycling out from SCD?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭ghogie91


    I would go if i had my new boards gear, but that wont be here until early October :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 225 ✭✭ChainWhip


    I'm in for this, my first ever Boards spin. Go easy on me ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,560 ✭✭✭The tax man


    Planet X wrote: »
    Anyone cycling out from SCD?

    I'm debating the idea of this. It's the cycle home afterwards that has me thinking about driving over.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,162 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    You'll be grand. I'll take the wardrobe on the back carrier.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,560 ✭✭✭The tax man


    I'll more than likely end up cycling over. At least with the shape of the route bailing early is an option.


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