Sportives for starting off

helloworld15

Any sportives you guys would rec for starting off? Had a look at that cal on cycling ireland too but also not sure which ones would be the best to start with.Thanks:)

Captain Havoc

Most sportives will have a shorter route for you to try anyway. Maybe avoid any that go over the Wicklow mountains though.

Buzwaldo

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Most sportives will have a shorter route for you to try anyway. Maybe avoid any that go over the Wicklow mountains though.

And also avoid your Tour de KK 110 route - was my first sportive (having only done 60km max distance prior - thought the T de KK 70 wasn't enough of a step up from regular 60k spins), but not beginner friendly unless you can climb like a monkey
Nearly killed me, but I suppose what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

DD Mikasa

Tour de Foothills was a good start off one for me back in 2012. think the changed the route somewhat last year tho. I couldnt make it last year. If waiting for later in the year Tour de Kildare looks flat as a pancake. Tour de Connemara looks a good spin too - not too many hills.

07Lapierre

DD Mikasa wrote: »

Tour de Foothills was a good start off one for me back in 2012. think the changed the route somewhat last year tho. I couldnt make it last year. If waiting for later in the year Tour de Kildare looks flat as a pancake. Tour de Connemara looks a good spin too - not too many hills.

+1 Tour De Foothills is a well run event ... Not too easy, not too hard and just the right distance at that time of year.

marvin80

Any of the An Post cycles are a good start (the shorter 60k routes).


http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCycling/An_Post_Cycle_Series/

MB Lacey

The Kilkenny 110 was my 4th sportive last year and I thought it was difficult enough - constant hills.
Tour of Louth 105 was good, but there's a section of road at the top of Jenkinson's hill which headache inducing for about 5km.

My favourite last year was the Tour of Meath 100km - I'd say it would be an ideal one to start with.

nordicb

As mentioned, Kilkenny is hard, short steep climbs, many of them.
An Post tends to make routes artificially long and hilly.

shaka

110 tour de Kilkenny is genuinely harder than some 160 cycles I've done other than that the shorter routes on sportive a are always doable

Dermot Illogical

MB Lacey wrote: »

My favourite last year was the Tour of Meath 100km - I'd say it would be an ideal one to start with.

I agree. It's one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a gentle introduction. Very little climbing and nicely sheltered most of the way.

ROK ON

The Ring of Kerry is a great introduction - about 50% of the riders are complete novices and they nearly all get around.

Mostly flat apart from two drags. Huge support and great atmosphere.
170k is no joke i. Terms of distance. I did it back in 2007 for the first time and have not looked back.

Craig06

I'd hardly call Moll's Gap a drag in fairness.

ROK ON

Craig06 wrote: »

I'd hardly call Moll's Gap a drag in fairness.

I would. The highest gradient on Molls from Kenmare is as you leave town - hits 7% for all of 100m.
After that it's consistently between 2-4%.

A drag. Saggart in Co Dublin is a similar elevation to Molls and no one would consider that a climb.

shaka

Craig06 wrote: »

I'd hardly call Moll's Gap a drag in fairness.

I would , not steep anywhere just a constant 'drag'