Skoda Cycle Series

marvin80

The inaugural Škoda Cycle Series 2014 officially launched January 15th 2014. The Škoda Cycle Series 2014 is organised by INM Regional’s who have put together a series of seven cycle sportives around Ireland taking place from April-September 2014 offering two course distances ranging from 50-80k and 100-160k.

All routes have been chosen to incorporate some of the most breathtaking countryside across Ireland. The Škoda Cycle Series has something to suit everyone, whether you are a novice cyclist and looking for a new challenge, or someone who can easily notch up 50km just for fun, you are perfect for any or all of these events.

The concept of the series is that all of the events are chip-timed however; these events are not races and the idea behind the event is to help leisure cyclists improve over the series.

Each individual sportive series provides the opportunity to support local charities and cycle clubs.

http://www.fitmagazine.ie/magazine/article/join-the-inm-regionals-for-the-skoda-cycle-series-2014

ednwireland

not much info there, registration doesnt seem to work either

freddie_

Have no info on the rest of the series but some info on the Westport leg can be found at www.westportif.ie.
The site is showing last years event but it will be running the same routes again this year.
More information on all the events is due out on Monday.

godtabh

Indo reporting this and spelt Skoda wrong

ednwireland

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/tv-star-vogue-signs-up-for-scenic-cycles-29921078.html

wondered why the indo was reporting it

Ernest Oreo

Good idea.
Presumably one can select to do a few events, rather than sign up to a summer of cycling furiously around Ireland?

Peter T

Anyone know anything about the IRD Duhallow Sportive ? Its my local area so an obvious interest is there.

Edit: Never mind just scrolled down the page. (Facepalm)

marvin80

Looks like registration is open.
No route maps up yet unfortunately.
They give an idea of the route but it'd be nice to see the actual map and also if there's any climbs.

Sammy mainstreet

Check out the Westportif event it is part of the series and has 40, 80 and 160 km routes.
It starts in Westport and goes through Delphi and into Leenane and through the valley at Killary Fjord.
The event finishes in Westport with plenty to do after for the night.

Westport holds a Crit in the middle of the town on the night after the race.

Check out: http://www.westportif.ie/

kimbaines

The Kerry Section of the Sportive is the first day of the Kingdom Alliance Sportive - Tour of Kerry. This is in fact a 3 day event with options for 50 or 100 miles each day. Registration is now open €30 per day and all three days with jersey for €105. This was a great event last year.
www.tkas.ie

No Pants

godtabh wrote: »

Indo reporting this and spelt Skoda wrong

If that's all they got wrong, it's their best copy in a long time.

Lhotse

The Tour of Wicklow leg of the Skoda Cycle Series takes place on Saturday 12th April 2014.

Chip timed, all standards of cyclist very welcome. Starts and finishes at Bray Emmetts GAA club. Proceeds to Bray Cancer Support.

60km route map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/346411557

110km route map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/346423501

Online entry €30 now open at link below:
http://www.fitmagazine.ie/events/race/skoda-cycle-series-wicklow-sportive

Eamonnator

Lhotse wrote: »

The Tour of Wicklow leg of the Skoda Cycle Series takes place on Saturday 12th April 2014.

Chip timed, all standards of cyclist very welcome. Starts and finishes at Bray Emmetts GAA club. Proceeds to Bray Cancer Support.

60km route map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/346411557

110km route map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/346423501

Online entry €30 now open at link below:
http://www.fitmagazine.ie/events/race/skoda-cycle-series-wicklow-sportive

"Chip timed".
Can someone, who knows how to do it, please insert a "can of worms" to this thread, please.

Lhotse

Don't worry Eamonn I have been assured that the timing chips are optional for those who want them

Ernest Oreo

€30 a bit steep for these events??

golfhead

Got an email about a series of leisure cycles being organised around the country.

Details in the link below.


http://www.fitmagazine.ie/events/race/sligo-champions-sportive

ednwireland

golfhead wrote: »

Got an email about a series of leisure cycles being organised around the country.

Details in the link below.


http://www.fitmagazine.ie/events/race/sligo-champions-sportive

or you could use the forum search function - threads merged

bit expensive for what for what they are imo

MichealD

Lhotse wrote: »

Don't worry Eamonn I have been assured that the timing chips are optional for those who want them

Just to reopen the can of worms on a Sunday morning.....!


2.12 A rider must participate with a timing chip and shall not ride with another rider’s number or timing chip.


(from rules PDF)

alfalad

Does anyone know if there is a proper map for the Sligo route yet? All i can see is the tiny google maps box on the website. Wondering it there are many hills in it. Thanks in advance.

darkvalley

alfalad wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a proper map for the Sligo route yet? All i can see is the tiny google maps box on the website. Wondering it there are many hills in it. Thanks in advance.

No hills of any great worth on that route, bit of a drag here and there on it but nothing above 4 or 5%. Depending on the day I'd say wind could be the biggest issue. It will be my first sportive so looking forward to it. If you are doing it, watch out for the auld fella with the over priced bike and kit who has obviously never cycled in a group before!!

Felloffmebike

darkvalley wrote: »

No hills of any great worth on that route, bit of a drag here and there on it but nothing above 4 or 5%. Depending on the day I'd say wind could be the biggest issue. It will be my first sportive so looking forward to it. If you are doing it, watch out for the auld fella with the over priced bike and kit who has obviously never cycled in a group before!!

And watch out as well for the young guns who watch too much telly, think they're in the Giro and weave in and out of the group or shoot up the outside on the wrong side of the road into on coming traffic. Some of us older guys often know what we're doing, hard to believe I know ....

EaSwe

Hard to see it on the website. Which way is in or out. Does it take in Ballykilcash ?

darkvalley wrote: »

No hills of any great worth on that route, bit of a drag here and there on it but nothing above 4 or 5%. Depending on the day I'd say wind could be the biggest issue. It will be my first sportive so looking forward to it. If you are doing it, watch out for the auld fella with the over priced bike and kit who has obviously never cycled in a group before!!

HivemindXX

alfalad wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a proper map for the Sligo route yet? All i can see is the tiny google maps box on the website. Wondering it there are many hills in it. Thanks in advance.

At the bottom of this page (http://tkas.ie/index.php/the-stages/) there are links to the Garmin site for each route. This gives distance and an elevation profile.

EaSwe

HivemindXX wrote: »

At the bottom of this page (http://tkas.ie/index.php/the-stages/) there are links to the Garmin site for each route. This gives distance and an elevation profile.

Where?

darkvalley

EaSwe wrote: »

Hard to see it on the website. Which way is in or out. Does it take in Ballykilcash ?

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/359687681 Thats the route as best I can make out

EaSwe

darkvalley wrote: »

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/359687681 Thats the route as best I can make out

Route is on private

darkvalley

EaSwe wrote: »

Route is on private

Never used that site before. Think I have it accessible now.:) According to that there is only 680m acent over the 100km.

EaSwe

darkvalley wrote: »

Never used that site before. Think I have it accessible now.:) According to that there is only 680m acent over the 100km.

Thanks for that. If it's that route, to answer alfalad's question, there's a short but steep climb near Dromore West at Ballykilcash and coming up the R298 is a bit of a drag for a few km. Nothing major though

mf2909

Did i not see €45 for some of them but included a t shirt?

Ernest Oreo

think you have the option of a shirt on all
presume it'll be a piece of crap, at that price

20 quid woulda been a decent pitch for these events
their call, i guess

funnights74

The routes page for the tour of Kerry is slightly mis-leading, they have the route maps for last year and this year on the same page. What are stages 1,2,and 3 this year were another way around last year. They also have 2 stages down for Sunday the 2nd of June but i think that's a bit of a typo!!
I might do the first 2 stages, not sure about the 3rd day a 170 Km slog which includes the Conor pass is not for me, and do not under estimate Sliabh Mish, a right little sting in the tail there!!:eek: