Tougher? sean Kelly or rebel tour?

geros29

Just back from rebel tour 160 km.fantastic event.heard couple people saying it was way tougher than skt?I'm not so sure.

Roger Hassenforder

FWIW RebelLite is far tougher than the SKTlite

TimmyoTooleI

It's 3 years since I did the SKT so possible that time eases the pain but I do think RT is marginally tougher. The steepest climbs in SKT are tougher but IMO the relentlessness of the climbing in the RT makes it tougher

Dermot Illogical

I've done both in similar conditions and found the RT much harder.

boege

Comparison is not easy. What makes SKT tough is the monster that is Mahon Falls coming along just when you feeling a but fcuked.

Rebel tour in comparison just slowly grinds you down from the get go.

I got around Rebel tour yesterday without feeling too bad and not having done a lot this year but I did by pacing myself on the climbs ...thank god for my 12-30 :cool:

On balance I think rebel is harder and it would be interesting to see the level of carnage if the weather ever decides to play up some year.

Morrisseeee

Having done both in the last 2 years, my own personal opinion is divided, both are tough, alot of climbing, alot of gradients, but I think it might be down to timing, ie. the RT comes after the SKT & other sportives (and after some hard races for some) so I think the legs are gone at this stage of the year, and hence it feels harder.

On paper the SKT should be tougher, but what might make the RT seem harder or actually feel harder is the amount of short drags & short steep climbs (Allihies section) and then also add in the Caha & 2*Healy passes.

Also, what a way to open a sportive, up the Caha Pass :eek:

PeadarCo

The Sean Kelly has harder climbs but for me overall better road surfaces. Also the lead car out of Dungarven keeps things together for far longer than would naturally be the case if riders were let set their own speed. Unlike on the rebel tour things broke up immediately on the first climb.

Overall I found the Rebel tour tougher for three reasons. What felt like more climbing, worse road surfaces and smaller numbers(more time spend on your own). Even though Tickincor and Mahon Falls are for me far harder than anything on the Rebel Tour route.

Saying that though anyone who can do the Sean Kelly 160 should be well capable of doing the Rebel Tour 160

bellinter

I did both of them this year and would definitely rate the Rebel as the tougher. Yes, Mahon is the hardest individual climb, but the rebel is just a bit more relentless!

There are just so many short drags and short yet very steep climbs that you don't have on the SKT. Both great challenges though! Hopefully have another go at both next year.

ashleey

On the rebel tour you don't get the benefit of Sean Kelly's priceless wit at the lunch stop:

Club mate to Sean

'When you turned off outside Dungarvan, I thought you were going back to get my drinks. You never came back'

Sean to club mate

'You're about to go up Mahon Falls. That's full of water if your bottles are empty...(you cheeky.......)'

urpaceormine

I did both this year and found the Seán Kelly tour much tougher.My average speed was a good bit faster yesterday on the Rebel Tour too. Sometimes depends on how you feel on the day though!Was really disappointed to see no sandwiches at the second food stop, just loads of biscuits,sweets and a bit of fruit.Can't beat the amazing scenery around West Cork though!!

daludo

i haven't done either of these but curious to know how either would compare with tour de burren??

bellinter

daludo wrote: »

i haven't done either of these but curious to know how either would compare with tour de burren??

Did the 3 of these this year. The routes in the rebel and SKT are both a lot tougher but the horrendous weather in the Burren meant that it was probably the hardest day on the bike!

Dermot Illogical

daludo wrote: »

i haven't done either of these but curious to know how either would compare with tour de burren??

I found the Tour de Burren to be the easiest of the three. Elevation for all 3 is similar though.

geros29

Having done both this year and having had day to think about it(and recover) I'm edging towards the rt being tougher.the first climb, can't remember the name. on sk was brutal to be fair but thought the rest were Ok.the short rolling steep hills on rt really took it outta the legs.bit disappointed having waited in line at 2nd food stop to only see biscuits and fruit, a sambo would have been welcome.