KARE Tour de Foothills 2014

quirkee

And we are back for more!! This years event we are delighted to say is on Sunday April 13th. Our facebook page and website will go live next Wednesday.
We have had a good chat with the weather gods and they, hopefully, will shine on us this year!! Once again we are delighted that Naas GAA Club will be our host. Naas Cycling Club are our supporting club and we will confirm our routes very shortly, they will hopefully be the same as last year...but drier!!

Blessorider

Sorry to be flogging a dead horse after last years controversy, but timing chips this year yes or no ?

Bikerbhoy

Blessorider wrote: »

Sorry to be flogging a dead horse after last years controversy, but timing chips this year yes or no ?

For the sake of our sanity hopefully not.........

joxerjohn

No chips this year, Naas CC again supporting the event and all looking forward to a great early season event.

circular flexing

Good news!

Eamonnator

joxerjohn wrote: »

No chips this year, Naas CC again supporting the event and all looking forward to a great early season event.

Rice or pasta for me, please.

laraghrider

Blessorider wrote: »

Sorry to be flogging a dead horse after last years controversy, but timing chips this year yes or no ?

Leave it out will ya! Don't you have another event to be planning

kildarecommuter

Is website up yet ?

Shedite27

I see the website is up now, €46 entry witha jersey, €26 without. Think I'll enter. First time. Looks a nice spot.

loinnsigh

Website is up but I recommend you stick on your sunglasses before you open it. I'm temporarily blinded... :cool:
Looking forward to the event though

quirkee

We are looking forward to a great event this year. We are not going with timing chips this year I can confirm. The routes up are temporary for the moment and will be confirmed shortly. We hope to keep it to the same as last year as feedback was positive last year on the route. The jersey will be posted soon also for all to see. Looking forward to a great event this year again.

kildarecommuter

quirkee wrote: »

We are looking forward to a great event this year. We are not going with timing chips this year I can confirm. The routes up are temporary for the moment and will be confirmed shortly. We hope to keep it to the same as last year as feedback was positive last year on the route. The jersey will be posted soon also for all to see. Looking forward to a great event this year again.

Looked at registration are jerseys only small to large didn't seem to xl ?

kencoo

Did this last year. Small enough turnout then due to a bit of controversy on the time chips.
Good route though, not too long and 2 food stops along the way plus dinner afterwards. Well worth it for an early season cycle. Hopefully the weather is better this year!

Roadtoad

I note today is the last day (?really?) for booking the new cycling jerseys.

quirkee

Last Friday was the last day for ordering jerseys as we want to be sure we have them on the day for people. Its our first time ordering jerseys and in an effort to keep costs to a minimum this year we are only ordering what is being looked for. We intend to make this bigger next year but this we want to be sure of time lines and ensure no-one goes without on the day.
we are looking forward to great event again this year and look forward to seeing as many of you out touring the foothills of Kildare/West Wicklow as possible.

Inquitus

quirkee wrote: »

Last Friday was the last day for ordering jerseys as we want to be sure we have them on the day for people. Its our first time ordering jerseys and in an effort to keep costs to a minimum this year we are only ordering what is being looked for. We intend to make this bigger next year but this we want to be sure of time lines and ensure no-one goes without on the day.
we are looking forward to great event again this year and look forward to seeing as many of you out touring the foothills of Kildare/West Wicklow as possible.

So if I register now I pay for a jersey but don't get one?

quirkee

No, entry up to last Friday was €46 to include a jersey. Now pre-entry is €26 but there is no jersey. This pre-registration is open until a week prior to the event, following that then it is only entry on the day at €30.

Inquitus

quirkee wrote: »

No, entry up to last Friday was €46 to include a jersey. Now pre-entry is €26 but there is no jersey. This pre-registration is open until a week prior to the event, following that then it is only entry on the day at €30.

Thanks for the clarification, I note the order entry form still asks for a size with the now reduced entry fee, hence the question.

brayblue24

quirkee wrote: »

Last Friday was the last day for ordering jerseys as we want to be sure we have them on the day for people. Its our first time ordering jerseys and in an effort to keep costs to a minimum this year we are only ordering what is being looked for. We intend to make this bigger next year but this we want to be sure of time lines and ensure no-one goes without on the day.
we are looking forward to great event again this year and look forward to seeing as many of you out touring the foothills of Kildare/West Wicklow as possible.

I did this sportive (and thoroughly enjoyed it) a couple of years ago. The reason I didn't enter this year is because the jerseys only went to size L. Any reason for this as I can't be the only XL out there?

Thanks

Bikerbhoy

brayblue24 wrote: »

The reason I didn't enter this year is because the jerseys only went to size L.

Sweet Jeez. . . That's some excuse for not entering an event ? .

brayblue24

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

Sweet Jeez. . . That's some excuse for not entering an event ? .

In your opinion. To which you're entitled, as I am mine.

NeedMoreGears

brayblue24 wrote: »

I did this sportive (and thoroughly enjoyed it) a couple of years ago. The reason I didn't enter this year is because the jerseys only went to size L. Any reason for this as I can't be the only XL out there?

Thanks

Could you not borrow a jersey? *






* suspect I may be missing the point here

brayblue24

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

Could you not borrow a jersey? *






* suspect I may be missing the point here

In fairness that's probably the answer I'd have given too.

In truth, for personal reasons I decided to enter sportives again this year, especially those who support charities, and particularly those with links to cancer research. As we all know on this forum every year we need to replace jerseys etc through wear and tear so I decided that rather than give money to an anonymous website or the LBS I'd look to pay the premium and enter sportives with jerseys so that I could give the few bob extra to the charity rather than the retailer.
Not everybody above agrees with my logic but again that's their opinion, to which they are entitled.

To get back on topic OP my original point was intended to assist you for future years. Yours is a terrific event that I'd like to enter again but unfortunately financially I have to whittle them down to some extent. Hope this helps

PS. In no way is this post a dig at NMG

kildarecommuter

brayblue24 wrote: »

I did this sportive (and thoroughly enjoyed it) a couple of years ago. The reason I didn't enter this year is because the jerseys only went to size L. Any reason for this as I can't be the only XL out there?

Thanks

Wouldn't think so I'm xxl but hoping to become xl!!!

brayblue24

kildarecommuter wrote: »

Wouldn't think so I'm xxl but hoping to become xl!!!

And good luck with it too!!

camroc76

Anyone know what time this event starts at ?

Bikerbhoy

camroc76 wrote: »

Anyone know what time this event starts at ?

10 Bells

Shedite27

Signed up over the weekend. Looking forward to it now.

Eamonnator

I know, there's a map on the official website, but it doesn't show elevation.
Would it be possible to post one here, that shows elevation.

Bikerbhoy

Eamonnator wrote: »

I know, there's a map on the official website, but it doesn't show elevation.
Would it be possible to post one here, that shows elevation.

There is nothing worth talking about on this event

nilhg

Eamonnator wrote: »

I know, there's a map on the official website, but it doesn't show elevation.
Would it be possible to post one here, that shows elevation.

Best effort from what I've seen, may not be exactly right.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4393251

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

There is nothing worth talking about on this event

It's humpy and bumpy and while there are no big long climbs on it there are plenty of spots you can get the HR up if you want.

wanderer 22

Here's my Strava from 2012..not sure whether the route has changed much.

http://www.strava.com/activities/6783880

DD Mikasa

Was taking my time committing to either this or the Skoda Series Tour of Wicklow and since Saturday doesnt suit now the TdF it is. Did it two years ago as my first ever sportive and it was a quality day. Havent that much miles in the legs anyway so the route shouldnt be too taxing.

I havent registered yet. I see on the site it says u can register from 7.30 on the morning. Does anyone know if there is a cut off time for this?

Bikerbhoy

DD Mikasa wrote: »

Was taking my time committing to either this or the Skoda Series Tour of Wicklow and since Saturday doesnt suit now the TdF it is. Did it two years ago as my first ever sportive and it was a quality day. Havent that much miles in the legs anyway so the route shouldnt be too taxing.

I havent registered yet. I see on the site it says u can register from 7.30 on the morning. Does anyone know if there is a cut off time for this?

It would usually be about 30 -15 minutes before roll out which is 10 am I believe

Patrick Mustard

I know it's for a charity but does anyone know if there is a reduced entry fee for cycling Ireland members or is it €30 regardless?

Shedite27

Has anyone received any email or anything for this? Do we just go to the registration desk tomorrow and state our name?

Roadtoad

Same as last year I expect, go to the "pre registration" desk, and take it from there.
Weather looks great, again !

Shedite27

Lovely little day today. Very enjoyable route. Enough hills to keep it interesting without being too exhaustive.

I missed a left turn in Donard, followed the main road around to the right. Joined the route again about 5k down the road thankfully. Presume there was a sign at that junction, not sure how I missed it.

One small thing I'd have liked would have been km markings. I don't have a garmin so had no idea how far I'd gone or was left to go.

Good day out though.

NeedMoreGears

Enjoyed that today. Colder than I had been expecting but managed to find a few good groups. Only did about thirty solo. Happy with 04:21 rolling. Met the taxman and derealbadger in a nice pacy group towards the end

Mycroft H

Shedite27 wrote: »

Lovely little day today. Very enjoyable route. Enough hills to keep it interesting without being too exhaustive.

I missed a left turn in Donard, followed the main road around to the right. Joined the route again about 5k down the road thankfully. Presume there was a sign at that junction, not sure how I missed it.

One small thing I'd have liked would have been km markings. I don't have a garmin so had no idea how far I'd gone or was left to go.

Good day out though.

The signs weren't great at times. Confusing.

purple cow

Covered my longest distance so far today (120km) in the KARE TDF. Enjoyed it except for the puncture I got at 30km. The valve broke on the first replacement tube when it was being pumped. After putting the second tube in, the tyre wouldn't seat properly into the rim. Must have lost 15 minutes there. We ended up at the very back. Thanks to the roving mechanic who used his track pump to get me back in action

quirkee

A big thank you to all who turned out yesterday to support KARE. 450 cyclists started out from Naas Gaa yesterday and the scene looked fabulous as you all left the clubhouse. As usual we are looking for feedback on yesterdays cycle in order to make it as best we can for all our participants. We want to make this the best cycle we can and you can help us do that.
Thanks again for your support!!

DD Mikasa

Re feedback:

1) Make me do more mileage before the event;
2) Make sure my back wheel isnt rubbing against brake for too long at the start; and
3) Make sure I take on food before the food stop before I bonk.

Apart from that I thought the organisation was very good

And perhaps warn folk that it aint as flat as some people make it out to be!

brownian

quirkee wrote: »

A big thank you to all who turned out yesterday to support KARE. 450 cyclists started out from Naas Gaa yesterday and the scene looked fabulous as you all left the clubhouse. As usual we are looking for feedback on yesterdays cycle in order to make it as best we can for all our participants. We want to make this the best cycle we can and you can help us do that.
Thanks again for your support!!

Good day out overall

High points
- food in Donard
- hot food at the end
- most marshalling
- registration/pickup quick and friendly
- coffee at the start

Low points
- very poor signposting to the start...got lost even finding GAA club
- bad signposting leaving Donard. Main road goes right - you had to go left and be looking up the hill to see the TDF sign
- some marshalling (one dodgy junction just after Donard, lots of gravel, no warning from the marshals, another quite a bit later on, where you return to a main road, no marshal at all)

Minor details
'pre-registered' bags in Donard: nobody told anyone what these were. There was a sign, but it was well after lunch that it occurred to me that these were for riders who had not signed up on the day. Maybe I was short of cop-on, but I wasn't alone.

Overall had a good day and would do it again, so don't take this as criticism...just feedback

Shedite27

brownian wrote: »

- bad signposting leaving Donard. Main road goes right - you had to go left and be looking up the hill to see the TDF sign

Glad it wasn't just me

brownian wrote: »

Minor details
'pre-registered' bags in Donard: nobody told anyone what these were. There was a sign, but it was well after lunch that it occurred to me that these were for riders who had not signed up on the day. Maybe I was short of cop-on, but I wasn't alone.

Ah I didn't realise they were for people who pre-registered. I assumed there was an extra you could have upgraded to. Anything good in that pack?

Rua_ri

Shedite27 wrote: »

Glad it wasn't just me
Ah I didn't realise they were for people who pre-registered. I assumed there was an extra you could have upgraded to. Anything good in that pack?

Edit: I was talking about the registration pack and not the food pack. Didn't know about the food packs either.
I have deleted my comments on the registration pack, so as not to cause confusion.

quirkee

Thanks guys for feed back, apologioes for food mix up in Donard, we were caught short of bodies there and we had hoped to be able to have someone there to tell you as you came in to hall but it didnt happen so apologies for that...Sandwich and fruit pre-packed in that bag...
Marshalling was again caught short also and tried our best to get main junctions covered. We did hear some signs were beyond or just at junctions so will look at that for next year. Thansk for comments guys, keep em coming...

DD Mikasa

And photos knocking about from this?

There were defo a few photographers on the route

purple cow

Pics on the Naas Cycling Club Facebook page

quirkee

Good few on Naas Facebook page alright and we are uploading others to the Kare Tour de Foothills facebook page today...watch that space!!!