Downhill Road Blitz, Sunday 20 Oct 2013

Tutschel

In case you have previously missed the big announcement about Ireland's first International Downhill Road Race, the Downhill Road Blitz, consider yourselves now informed. The event takes place on Sunday 20 October 2013, descending Red Lane, Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow.

This promises to be the cycling spectacle of the year. Already confirmed for the event are top world class downhill road racing specialists from Cantal Team Road in France, former World #1 (2008/09) Guillaume Gualandi and multiple podium standers Fred Mazières and David Lacoste, as well as ex track team pursuit World Champion Christian Lademann from Germany, also a podium regular. Among them, on the international downhill road racing circuit, they have an impressive 9 finals appearances, including 7 podium finishes, 2 runner up titles and 1 overall victory as well as many competition performance records.

The format of the race will be based on the highly successful Red Bull Road Rage series. Here is a clip of the last event which was held in Bosnia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9o-7TM1yBQ

More information on the race via the event website: http://downhillroadblitz.com/

Places are strictly limited, so book your place in Irish cycling history and sign up now. Please note, this event is online registration only.

Thanks. See you there!

check_six

Who is the dude in the Bray gear? Is he the fella that made the Mt Leinster descent video?

Eamonnator

It says in the "terms and conditions" , that 1 day licences are available.
I understood, that 1 day licences haven't been available since April.
Is this a Cycling Ireland sanctioned event? Will C.I. Insurance cover members, who race this event?.

Scrappy600

Eamonnator wrote: »

It says in the "terms and conditions" , that 1 day licences are available.
I understood, that 1 day licences haven't been available since April.
Is this a Cycling Ireland sanctioned event? Will C.I. Insurance cover members, who race this event?.

I got a 1 day licence for douce enduro last month, still in use for events

mahoo

jaysus. thats a dangerous enough descent without having 3 other cyclists gunning for the same line as you. surface isnt great either. hope they have some hay bails out!

AstraMonti

That's a very easy descent, I would have picked Cruagh road starting from the old military road.

Edit: Just saw the above post, what's dangerous about it? The roads will be closed to traffic.

Harrybelafonte

I won't be able to compete, but if we're allowed spectate, I'll be there.

buffalo

Will definitely be out to watch, doubt I'd be able to compete.

Eamonnator

I hadn't read the "partners" bit, until now. I'm sure, if Bray Wheelers and Biking.ie have anything to do with it, it will be a properly run event.

Harrybelafonte

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I won't be able to compete, but if we're allowed spectate, I'll be there.

D'oh!



The Downhill Road Blitz will be an exciting spectator friendly event for all age groups. It will also be wheelchair access friendly.

As safety is our primary concern, there will be designated spectator viewing points only along the course, with all other stretches of the course being strictly off limits to the public while racing is in progress. The designated spectator viewing points will be clearly indicted with race marshals present at all times to ensure spectator and rider safety.

It is imperative that all spectators once in place, remain in their designated viewing point until racing is over. This means that spectators must take up viewing positions before 9:55 on Sunday morning and be prepared to remain there until all qualifying heats have been run. Qualifying is set to conclude no later than 13:00.

Spectators who wish to view the elimination rounds track side, must again take up positions before 13:55. Similarly, they must be prepared to remain there until the final run has concluded. This will run no later than 16:30.

DaithiMC

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

D'oh!



The Downhill Road Blitz will be an exciting spectator friendly event for all age groups. It will also be wheelchair access friendly.

Apologies, had to comment, having done this climb a few times over the Summer Red Lane is (at least to me!) barely bike access friendly going up it!

I have not gone down it yet but this will be a great event to watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6tMwaszBdU

25sean

check_six wrote: »

Who is the dude in the Bray gear? Is he the fella that made the Mt Leinster descent video?

Janos Kohler, Bray Wheelers, 2013 Red Bull Road Rage Champion!!

Darkglasses

How come nobody else uses a bike like Kohler's? Looks like by far the most sensible bike for a downhill tarmac race.

LennoxR

Darkglasses wrote: »

How come nobody else uses a bike like Kohler's? Looks like by far the most sensible bike for a downhill tarmac race.

Probably because it attracts downhill mtb racer types, who use their converted cross country bikes. But in one of the other videos (Poland I think) he comes second in a final where it's all road bikes.

kumate_champ07

Darkglasses wrote: »

How come nobody else uses a bike like Kohler's? Looks like by far the most sensible bike for a downhill tarmac race.

it's custom made, not sure if its a UCI legal but Red Bull Road Rage is an independent organization

He's finished strongly in track this year, should do well if racing this course which I presume he will

Tutschel

Darkglasses wrote: »

How come nobody else uses a bike like Kohler's? Looks like by far the most sensible bike for a downhill tarmac race.

Two main reasons would be, firstly it's not UCI legal (yet) with the disc brakes, and secondly it is unattainable for most people on restricted budgets, especially considering you could only race it in non UCI events.

Tutschel

Tutschel wrote: »

...book your place in Irish cycling history and sign up now. Please note, this event is online registration only.

Thanks. See you there!

There is a special offer for teams of 5 riders or more, with a discounted rate of €30 per rider (€35 full price for race entry only). To qualify for the team prize, there must be at least 5 registered riders, with the best 3 counting.

RobFowl

Mmmmmm @Bcmf if you're on thats 2/5 of a team already....

bcmf

RobFowl wrote: »

Mmmmmm @Bcmf if you're on thats 2/5 of a team already....

Gotta find 3 other nutcases.Thats the problem.

CramCycle

I am in, done this a few times with the Audax Red Lane 600, always wondered what the descent would be like when your not destroyed.

Ryath

bcmf wrote: »

Gotta find 3 other nutcases.Thats the problem.

RobFowl wrote: »

lennymc possibly and I know 1 from swords cc/3dTri....

I'm interested if you need a body. You need Strava descent times as proof of Nutiness?!

Would love to see what I could do when I'm not wrecked from the climbing.

You seen this in the T&C though?

Hard shell helmet, full finger gloves and knee and elbow protections must be worn at all times when on the course. Full chest, dorsal and shoulder impact protection suits, full face helmets and other forms of protective gear are strongly recommended. Full leather motorcycle gear is acceptable so long as the knee and elbow areas have a hard shell protection.

I don't have MTB armour. I do have motorbike leathers and I assume Lenny does as well could never imagine wearing them on the bicycle though just over heat and constrict movement. Maybe just the jacket would be ok. It's not something I worry about normally descending. Maybe all the extra ballast would be a good thing.

Any of you guys have knee and elbow protectors? Suppose I could pick up some as I will probably give MTB a go in the future.

Tutschel

Ryath wrote: »

I don't have MTB armour. I do have motorbike leathers and I assume Lenny does as well could never imagine wearing them on the bicycle though just over heat and constrict movement. Maybe just the jacket would be ok. It's not something I worry about normally descending. Maybe all the extra ballast would be a good thing.

Some of the top downhill road racing specialist in the international circuit wear full leathers, so even if it is slightly more constrictive it hasn't stopped them being competitive. I would't worry about overheating on a 2 minute run. Extra ballast is always a good thing for a descent.

Check out this guy @0:39 and again @0:59 in the white shirt (Fred Mazières is a multiple finalist and will be at the start line on 20 Oct) and also this guy @1:10 (Fabian Christen, also a former finalist) who was probably very happy to be wearing full leathers on this occasion! http://www.zapiks.fr/red-bull-road-rage-saint-lar-1.html

CramCycle

Ryath wrote: »

You seen this in the T&C though?

Hard shell helmet, full finger gloves and knee and elbow protections must be worn at all times when on the course.

Nope, time to start looking to borrow a helmet and elbow/knee protectors

rab!dmonkey

Does the event have any facebook presence? There must have been some good photos and video.

LennoxR

So how did this go?

lennymc

yeah - interested to see how this went. I ended up going cxing instead.

i do have bike leathers btw ryath

rab!dmonkey

Pics from Black Umbrella Productions and Bespoke Cycles on Facebook.

Full results here.

kenmc

Nice crash sequence 2-6 or so on Bespoke page. Was the rider OK?
So much for the "rules" of long finger gloves required!

check_six

kenmc wrote: »

Nice crash sequence 2-6 or so on Bespoke page. Was the rider OK?
So much for the "rules" of long finger gloves required!

Jaysis! He was looking pretty confident in pic 9 as well. He fairly well wrapped up, so hopefully just a dented pride!

Inquitus

Very close to disaster!

CramCycle

Damnit, I thought you couldn't get away with road helmets

rab!dmonkey

Apparently there's a video from Red Bull on the way too.

Tutschel

Inquitus wrote: »

Very close to disaster!

He (Fred Mazières) is an ex-World Cup Downhill Skier and is well used to cutting it very, very fine.

Tutschel

rab!dmonkey wrote: »

Apparently there's a video from Red Bull on the way too.

Here is the clip from Red Bull:

http://www.redbull.com/ie/en/bike/stories/1331617425853/watch-the-action-from-the-downhill-road-blitz

Tutschel

check_six wrote: »

Jaysis! He was looking pretty confident in pic 9 as well. He fairly well wrapped up, so hopefully just a dented pride!

Yeah, he was ok. Swopped bikes and was riding again in the next round. No harm done thanks to the proper protection.