Tour de Cure

lismore7

I've noticed that there has been little mention yet of the TDC Saturday week 3rd May?
I'm aiming to do the 160k for the first time and it's also the first time for me doing this particular charity sportif.
Anyone do the TDC 160k last year?
And if so, what's it like?

thebouldwhacker

It's great fun, it may be the first outing for many peoples bling and summer bits. For those who race it's a chance to flex their cycling muscles without taking themselves too seriously, for beginner roadies it's a great chance to push themselves and try and stay with the faster and more aggressive bikes and for the leisure cyclists it's a great chance to soak up a sense of atmosphere that only such a cycling event can deliver. Oh yea and a little matter of Roche milling about chatting and signing autographs.
Train for it but on the day relax into the circuit. It's not the hardest sportive by a long shot but still demands respect. There are no hard gradients but it's a challenge all the same.
The amount of mechanicals in the first 20 km is usually a spectacle in itself so make sure the bike is ready for what lies ahead.
Enjoy and say hi to boardsies!

clod71

I noticed this particular disclaimer on the registration page.

Cost of entry 165/100km Routes is 25euro and the 50km is 20euro. This covers the Food Stops. Helmet covers/caps are compulsory in 2014 and all those who do not wear this cap over their helment will be deemed to be riding the route for free and will not have registered. Do not do this please.

Now, have to admit I find that being a bit off... Is that even legal?
I understand that people who do not pay should not be allowed at food stops (and maybe rightly so!), but take them off the roads? Aren't the roads public?

lismore7

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

It's great fun, it may be the first outing for many peoples bling and summer bits. For those who race it's a chance to flex their cycling muscles without taking themselves too seriously, for beginner roadies it's a great chance to push themselves and try and stay with the faster and more aggressive bikes and for the leisure cyclists it's a great chance to soak up a sense of atmosphere that only such a cycling event can deliver. Oh yea and a little matter of Roche milling about chatting and signing autographs.
Train for it but on the day relax into the circuit. It's not the hardest sportive by a long shot but still demands respect. There are no hard gradients but it's a challenge all the same.
The amount of mechanicals in the first 20 km is usually a spectacle in itself so make sure the bike is ready for what lies ahead.
Enjoy and say hi to boardsies!

Thanks "thebouldwhacker"
Have been training since Jan and it was to be my first 160k sportif.
Unfortunately got struck down with flu Wednesday & been pretty ill.
Training was well on schedual up to this week, having done 100k+ last few weeks.
Not been on a bike since last Sunday and won't be until this Sunday at earliest but won't be up to doing 100k.
Gutted, as don't know if I'll have sufficient recovery time before next Saturday.

krissovo

This will be my first 100k, unfortunately I have been on a crazy project at work so no training for past 6 weeks.....I think I may struggle

jinkypolly

clod71 wrote: »

I noticed this particular disclaimer on the registration page.



Now, have to admit I find that being a bit off... Is that even legal?
I understand that people who do not pay should not be allowed at food stops (and maybe rightly so!), but take them off the roads? Aren't the roads public?

Where does it say they will 'take them off the roads'?

clod71

jinkypolly wrote: »

Where does it say they will 'take them off the roads'?

- Cost of entry 165/100km Routes is 25euro and the 50km is 20euro. This covers the Food Stops. Helmet covers/caps are compulsory in 2014 and all those who do not wear this cap over their helment will be deemed to be riding the route for free and will not have registered. Do not do this please.

- Follow us via our Facebook Page & Twitter Feed please for live updates and competitions.

---

Maybe it's my english Jinky... "deemed to be riding the route for free"?

jinkypolly

clod71 wrote: »

- Cost of entry 165/100km Routes is 25euro and the 50km is 20euro. This covers the Food Stops. Helmet covers/caps are compulsory in 2014 and all those who do not wear this cap over their helment will be deemed to be riding the route for free and will not have registered. Do not do this please.

- Follow us via our Facebook Page & Twitter Feed please for live updates and competitions.

---

Maybe it's my english Jinky... "deemed to be riding the route for free"?

Ah right, I thought there was somewhere on their site that the said they were stopping people on the road. It looks like they are just strongly hinting that it's bad form to do the route without registering.
Are you doing it this year clod?

clod71

jinkypolly wrote: »

Ah right, I thought there was somewhere on their site that the said they were stopping people on the road. It looks like they are just strongly hinting that it's bad form to do the route without registering.
Are you doing it this year clod?

Yep, but surely not as fast as you I registered earlier this week. Looking forward to it, as I missed it last year.

lismore7

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

It's great fun, it may be the first outing for many peoples bling and summer bits. For those who race it's a chance to flex their cycling muscles without taking themselves too seriously, for beginner roadies it's a great chance to push themselves and try and stay with the faster and more aggressive bikes and for the leisure cyclists it's a great chance to soak up a sense of atmosphere that only such a cycling event can deliver. Oh yea and a little matter of Roche milling about chatting and signing autographs.
Train for it but on the day relax into the circuit. It's not the hardest sportive by a long shot but still demands respect. There are no hard gradients but it's a challenge all the same.
The amount of mechanicals in the first 20 km is usually a spectacle in itself so make sure the bike is ready for what lies ahead.
Enjoy and say hi to boardsies!

As you've done the 160k TDC before, or anyone else reading this post???
Will all the 160k riders, be fit as fleas and going at a fairly high average speed?
I've been training on the hardest half of the TDC course, so the climbs don't hold any fears for me, but this is my first 160k (been training up to 103k) and my average speed is only around 22-23 kph.
I don't fancy being Tail End Charlie and bringing up the rear like Billy No Mates!!!!
If that was going to be the case, I'd sadly drop back to the 100k.

clod71

lismore7 wrote: »

As you've done the 160k TDC before, or anyone else reading this post???
Will all the 160k riders, be fit as fleas and going at a fairly high average speed?
I've been training on the hardest half of the TDC course, so the climbs don't hold any fears for me, but this is my first 160k (been training up to 103k) and my average speed is only around 22-23 kph.
I don't fancy being Tail End Charlie and bringing up the rear like Billy No Mates!!!!
If that was going to be the case, I'd sadly drop back to the 100k.

It will be very fast for the first 30k up to Youghal I'd say, then It'll calm down a bit... Keep eating and drinking, pace yourself and find someone to ride it with... The last 35/40 km after Lismore are a bit bumpy, it isn't an easy finish.

eoz

Looking forward to this myself. Doing the 160. Longest spin so far was 140. Would there be many doing the 160?

karlmyson

It's a great event. I haven't missed one since it started in 2009 (it was a 200k that year!).
The pace will be manic down to the Youghal bypass, and then the first natural 'selection' will be made. Be careful of inexperience on this first 20-30k. I've seen some crazy manoeuvres on the road to Castlemartyr with cyclists 5 abreast doing mad things! Look after yourself on the road for that first hour.
After the turn up to Clashmore off the N25 it'll settle a bit and the groups will be smaller as people find their level.
The two food stops are good - Ballymacarbery & Lismore.
As someone else said, the finishing 30k from Tallow often catches people out - if you think the top of the Vee is the end of the hard cycling, it's not. The difficulty of the route lies in the final 50km and you need to hold some energy to complete it in style.
The fast boys will complete it at 33km/h-ish, but there will be plenty who amble around at a more pleasant pace too, with riders right across the spectrum of speeds.
Good long range weather forecast for the weekend - the most important thing is to enjoy it!

karlmyson

Now that I think of it, last year the route went through Youghal town rather than over the bypass, so there may be no selection there!

eoz

Anyone see the awful helmet covers? I can't see too many leaving them on for the duration of the cycle!!!!

lismore7

eoz wrote: »

Anyone see the awful helmet covers? I can't see too many leaving them on for the duration of the cycle!!!!

Sure did.....we'll all look like a bunch of black heads riding around...what was wrong with wrist bands?

eoz

Is there facilities for a shower afterwards?

thebouldwhacker

lismore7 wrote: »

As you've done the 160k TDC before, or anyone else reading this post???
Will all the 160k riders, be fit as fleas and going at a fairly high average speed?
I've been training on the hardest half of the TDC course, so the climbs don't hold any fears for me, but this is my first 160k (been training up to 103k) and my average speed is only around 22-23 kph.
I don't fancy being Tail End Charlie and bringing up the rear like Billy No Mates!!!!
If that was going to be the case, I'd sadly drop back to the 100k.

Those at the front from the start will be fast as fook but those as the back will be as sloooow as a Sunday coffee stop, find a pace that fits you. It is normal to ride with bunches of people who you have never met, chat with them until the food stop and head off with another group then. One girl I know calls it speed dating cos you get to chat to so many people for a stort time. If your not used to group riding read up on it, chain gang in Kerry have somehow great info on it, stay out of trouble find a group going your pace and enjoy!

thesimpsons

Unless it's freezing cold I can't see anyone wanting to wear the covers, nothing nicer than feeling the wind thru your helmet, keeping u cool. None transferable wristbands makes much more sense and probably far cheaper. I can see people whipping them off, try shove into pocket and end up littering the road when they fall.

funnights74

lismore7 wrote: »

Sure did.....we'll all look like a bunch of black heads riding around...what was wrong with wrist bands?

The 160 is a good workout, the first 120 Km is mostly flat and a few rolling hills, from clogheen/the vee on fatigue may take its toll and that drag out of tallow has many a tired cyclist cursing it, it's not steep but it goes on forever, but overall one of the better sportives on the calendar.

Helmet covers :eek:,What genius came up with that idea? last year no i.d of any kind and surprise surprise they got a lot of freeloaders and this year the "committee" provide this as a solution, i'll stick it in my pocket and have it in hand at the feed stop.

lismore7

What a very wet and cold day on the TDC yesterday.
I did manage the 160k but think I'll downgrade in future to the 100k events and leave the 160ks to the tour de france guys....
Although I wasn't the last, I struggled for pace and spent much of the day cycling on my own.
I also got the feeling that a large number of riders in the 160k level took this charity event very seriously.
I saw so many guys bursting a blood vessel trying to pass others in the first 30k, despite continous pissing rain, water filled pot holes, poor grip and crap visiblity. Yet depsite these awful conditions and with less experienced cyclists around, a large number of the more "elite" riders were tanking along and trying to pass out as many as poss like we were in the Tour de France dash to the finish.
Then the inevitable happened a big crash, taking down a large group of riders.
I'm afraid the 160s arn't for me, I prefer a less compeditive level of charity event cycling, enjoy having the criac with other riders along the way and my average speed is sadly just not good enough for this level.
Did meet a nice group of 3 lads from Limerick who asked me to tag onto them and we brought in the last 30k together. Thanks guys!!
Never been so wet nor so cold on a bike in my life...

funnights74

lismore7 wrote: »

What a very wet and cold day on the TDC yesterday.
I did manage the 160k but think I'll downgrade in future to the 100k events and leave the 160ks to the tour de france guys....
Although I wasn't the last, I struggled for pace and spent much of the day cycling on my own.
I also got the feeling that a large number of riders in the 160k level took this charity event very seriously.
I saw so many guys bursting a blood vessel trying to pass others in the first 30k, despite continous pissing rain, water filled pot holes, poor grip and crap visiblity. Yet depsite these awful conditions and with less experienced cyclists around, a large number of the more "elite" riders were tanking along and trying to pass out as many as poss like we were in the Tour de France dash to the finish.
Then the inevitable happened a big crash, taking down a large group of riders.
I'm afraid the 160s arn't for me, I prefer a less compeditive level of charity event cycling, enjoy having the criac with other riders along the way and my average speed is sadly just not good enough for this level.
Did meet a nice group of 3 lads from Limerick who asked me to tag onto them and we brought in the last 30k together. Thanks guys!!
Never been so wet nor so cold on a bike in my life...

Firstly congrats on finishing the 160 on a day like we had, it was tough going for us on the 100 so chapeau for anyone who finished the big loop.Them club guys can really motor along, i was passed by one group and god it was like a truck going by, those guys have some strength. I learned a few years ago that the longer distances are for the serious racing guys, and good for them. Apart from the RoK I'll stick to the medium distance events myself. Except for the weather, and the silly helmet covers a good day all be told, marshalling and signage was fine, and the food stop in lismore is always top class, that drag out of tallow always proves a killer but we survived it.

lismore7

funnights74 wrote: »

Firstly congrats on finishing the 160 on a day like we had, it was tough going for us on the 100 so chapeau for anyone who finished the big loop.Them club guys can really motor along, i was passed by one group and god it was like a truck going by, those guys have some strength. I learned a few years ago that the longer distances are for the serious racing guys, and good for them. Apart from the RoK I'll stick to the medium distance events myself. Except for the weather, and the silly helmet covers a good day all be told, marshalling and signage was fine, and the food stop in lismore is always top class, that drag out of tallow always proves a killer but we survived it.

You did the 100k, Was it good fun?
Do agree regarding the 160k for the "big boys".
Thought I could run with them but was found wanting. There is certainly a much more serious side to the cycling once you step to 160k level.
Agree both food stops were good and thought it was all well organised.
I remember that "cycle truck" going past..... :eek:
Yip, the last drag from Tallow to Middleton was a killer, particularly as muscles were zapped, wet and very cold.
Last climb to the top of the "Vee" was also a tester, as it was into a stiff head wind and driving rain...
Also doing the ROK, see you there....

funnights74

lismore7 wrote: »

You did the 100k, Was it good fun?
Do agree regarding the 160k for the "big boys".
Thought I could run with them but was found wanting. There is certainly a much more serious side to the cycling once you step to 160k level.
Agree both food stops were good and thought it was all well organised.
I remember that "cycle truck" going past..... :eek:
Yip, the last drag from Tallow to Middleton was a killer, particularly as muscles were zapped, wet and very cold.
Last climb to the top of the "Vee" was also a tester, as it was into a stiff head wind and driving rain...
Also doing the ROK, see you there....

Overall the day was fun, had a bit of craic with a few lads along the way, the weather was a pest, that wind seemed to be against us all day but you just have to get on with it. The bike needed a serious scrubdown afterwards, most of east Cork was on it. Next for me is the Comeragh challenge, it's a tough one but I'll give it a lash.

jinkypolly

Did anyone figure out what was going on with the rather surreal site of Ballymacarbry's very own Wehrmacht company patrolling the food stop? Pretty bizarre.

thebouldwhacker

Well done Lismore and all who cycled the route, it was a cold hard day on the bike. Lismore I think what you are saying is true to a certain point, events like the TdC can bring out a certain competitiveness among clubs however 40kmph on the flat can be normal enough for a club and can seem extreme if one isn't used to it. As always though is you see a club misbehaving or riding dangerously drop them an email to point it out. I hadn't heard about the crash, I hope it was ok for all involved. We were at the start, cold, getting wet and could see that the mass start would be a messy affair so headed just before the official start to avoid the madness as described above.
The forecast wrong to say the least and I reckon a lot of people had signed up for the 160 but rode the 100. 160's are great spins and not only for clubs, don't let this colour your decisions for future rides but if a day isn't going right be flexible enough to make choices to make the day better. I'm glad you picked up some riders for the last bit home, makes a difference.

funnights74

jinkypolly wrote: »

Did anyone figure out what was going on with the rather surreal site of Ballymacarbry's very own Wehrmacht company patrolling the food stop? Pretty bizarre.

I know after last years freeloaders( a rod they made for their own back with no i.d of any type) they were verging on the paranoid this year, hence the silly helmet covers, i didn't wear mine but had it in hand at lismore, hopefully common sense will prevail and a wristband will suffice for next year.

thebouldwhacker

I think jinkypolly was talking about the WWll re-enactment soldiers hanging about. They pulled a nazi flat back troop carrier and and cannon out at one stage, when one boy landed in with rifle in tow and started eating sandwiches no one told him to stop, though he had no helmet cover.
As for those covers personally I found them a tad insulting, they looked so ridiculous (hi vis jackets next year I suppose) and must have cost a few quid which is supposed to be going to the charities. A printed adhesive address label stuck on the helmet would have been just as effective for a fraction of the cost and while I was at the stops the vast majority weren't using the covers anyway so whoever came up that idea should dig out their drawing board again.

djemba djemba

jinkypolly wrote: »

Did anyone figure out what was going on with the rather surreal site of Ballymacarbry's very own Wehrmacht company patrolling the food stop? Pretty bizarre.

To make sure everyone had their helmet cover on

lismore7

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Well done Lismore and all who cycled the route, it was a cold hard day on the bike. Lismore I think what you are saying is true to a certain point, events like the TdC can bring out a certain competitiveness among clubs however 40kmph on the flat can be normal enough for a club and can seem extreme if one isn't used to it. As always though is you see a club misbehaving or riding dangerously drop them an email to point it out. I hadn't heard about the crash, I hope it was ok for all involved. We were at the start, cold, getting wet and could see that the mass start would be a messy affair so headed just before the official start to avoid the madness as described above.
The forecast wrong to say the least and I reckon a lot of people had signed up for the 160 but rode the 100. 160's are great spins and not only for clubs, don't let this colour your decisions for future rides but if a day isn't going right be flexible enough to make choices to make the day better. I'm glad you picked up some riders for the last bit home, makes a difference.

Cheers for the advice.
Couldn't say what riders were acting the b*****, as the visablity was shocking amongst the madness....
I think if the day had been dry and warmer, i might have felt differently about my first 160 but sadly I think that despite my training since Jan, my average speed is not up to the 160 catagory of enjoyment. It's no fun being passed all day long and ending up cycling round on your todd!
Although I did do the 160 and found the climbs okay, I don't think I can sustain and raise my level of training to raise my average speed sufficiently to run with the hounds, after that the fun goes out of it for me......
To me these charity events are all about enjoyment and having fun along the way, being passed but also passing others, helping other riders and being helped by other riders etc etc and soaking up the wonderful atmos.
Sadly I think the 160s are just outa my league.....although i did give a bloody good go!
Commeragh challenge next for me and that's a 100k, so back in my comfort zone.

ford2600

jinkypolly wrote: »

Did anyone figure out what was going on with the rather surreal site of Ballymacarbry's very own Wehrmacht company patrolling the food stop? Pretty bizarre.

They are around a lot mainly local lads.
Have met them on mtb up in woods also.
Takes all types I guess!

One or two of them fond of the pies!

lismore7

Did think the organisers of the TDC had taken the "free loaders" thing a tad seriously at Ballymacarbry and had brought in the the local Nazi SS unit to root out the scroungers cashing in on the food stop.
Expected to see them all rounded up, lined against the wall outside, smoking their last cigarette, wearing blind folds, subsequently being shot and then thrown into a hole in the ground....
Bit of a heavy price to pay for just being a hungry cyclist who didn't pay €40.... Still those boys in Middleton don't muck about, when they said "free loaders" were not welcome...
Actually the Nazi WWII troopers were on their way to a military re-enactment event at Duncannon Fort in Co.Wexford.
Been a few years ago, great criac.