An Post Meath heritage cycle tour 2014

The Noble Nudge

Nothing on yet for this spin that I can see,
http://www.meathsports.ie/cycle-tour/routes/160km-royal-challenge.html
Trying to get the gps for the Garmin but no joy from the website link,
Anyone have it handy?
Never did it before any feedback??
thanks

Inspector Coptoor

Sorry to hijack this thread BUT

I've signed up to do the 160km (did the 100km last year) but the crew I was gonna do it with have pulled out.

Any boardsies fancy taking a relative noob with them around for this spin?

Koobcam

Did this two years ago. Great event, but the roads were really in bad shape in some areas, so might be worth bringing the winter bike for this one. Some nasty little hills as well, short and very steep.

cavan4sam

i'm intending to do this
i had a look at last years route on strava and it doesnt look like there is a lot of climbing in it
i think it said for last years cycle there was only 200m odd of an elevation gain

Daroxtar

I've signed up for the 100, it'll be my first sportive. Was supposed to be doing it with mates but they've abandoned ship. Details of the 100 km here.
http://www.meathsports.ie/cycle-tour/routes/100km-royal-tour.html
I did a bit of recon a few weeks ago. 3 hills, tara and skryne one after another and then slane about 25 k later. None of them are massive. Plenty of rolling road after slane might sap the energy a bit. Looking forward to it though.

I'm wondering about one thing, I'm getting a new bike next week switching from hybrid to road. Would I be as well sticking with the trusty hybrid which I've done 100km on before, rather than risk being buckled with my back from doing a 100k on a bike I'm not used to?

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Signed up on my own for the 100km. First sportive. Kinda nervous but also excited. I'll drive the route next week to get a feel for it.

gripcasey

Signed up for 100km myself. It will be my first time not just been cycling by myself, only started cycling this year. Looking forward to it, little nervy though.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

What kind of distance would one want to be comfortable with to completw the 100 km? Can do 80km solo with a bit left in the legs. That too little?

Consey

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

What kind of distance would one want to be comfortable with to completw the 100 km? Can do 80km solo with a bit left in the legs. That too little?[/Q

Not a bother doing the 100km if you can manage 80km solo with a bit to spare. The fun and excitement of the day would carry you through. In fact, if you could do 100+ solo I'd say you could manage 160 on the day, though prob would be best do the 100km as planned and enjoy it.

It's a fairly flat sportive. No need to drive it in advance either - better to enjoy on the day !

Inspector Coptoor

Nah, you'll be fine with that.
My longest spin for the 100km last year was 60km & it was fine.
It's a flat spin for the most part do after the hill of Tara you could be averaging 28-30km/hr.

I'm up to 115km now and looking forward to the 160 now

Daroxtar

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

What kind of distance would one want to be comfortable with to completw the 100 km? Can do 80km solo with a bit left in the legs. That too little?

I did my first 100 on my own about 6 weeks back, most I'd done before that was 75. I felt worse after the 75. You'll be fine

jamesd

Myself and 2 buddies are thinking of doing the 100km, did three 60kms sportives this year so hoping to be ok for the 100km as we did the tour de burren which was very hilly.
Would be interested in meeting up with a few to make a group of 6 or 8 for the spin if simular speed as us.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

jamesd wrote: »

Myself and 2 buddies are thinking of doing the 100km, did three 60kms sportives this year so hoping to be ok for the 100km as we did the tour de burren which was very hilly.
Would be interested in meeting up with a few to make a group of 6 or 8 for the spin if simular speed as us.

What kind of speed are you thinking?

jamesd

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

What kind of speed are you thinking?

Nothing too fast to be honest but can share a link to my strava tomorrow from my laptop I think. Did an average of 25km speed for the Galway croi cycle and an average of 22.4km speed for burren cycle as was hilly. Since this is a bit longer would be thinking a bit slower.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

I'm thinking around 25 as well. Think my normal solo speed is a it faster but I'd be happy to just get around it.

jamesd

I'll be chatting my 2 friends over the weekend and will post up here when we book and can then arrange if we can get a few of us in a group as we went in a group of 8 for a 60km in Portumna Galway and the rotation made it very easy.

sullzz

I'll probably be doing this myself but will be only doing the 100k as I have to be home early

carltonleon

Doing the 160km. Just wondering if the 77km by 11am or they turn you back to the 100km is rigidly enforced ?
I doubt it but just wondering

Koobcam

cavan4sam wrote: »

i'm intending to do this
i had a look at last years route on strava and it doesnt look like there is a lot of climbing in it
i think it said for last years cycle there was only 200m odd of an elevation gain

Looks like the route this year is different from 2012 when I did it, and also from 2013. Last two years had around 1,100 metres of climbing, which I think is mainly short and very steep hills. This, coupled with the fairly bumpy roads makes it quite a hard day in the saddle, but really a great event and well worth doing-I've only done this and the Sean Kelly of the five An post events, but they seem to be very well organised, and feedback on the other three seems also to be very positive.

Inspector Coptoor

carltonleon wrote: »

Doing the 160km. Just wondering if the 77km by 11am or they turn you back to the 100km is rigidly enforced ?
I doubt it but just wondering

I'm not sure, that's why I'm keen to try and form a bit of a group to share the work
I

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Koobcam wrote: »

Looks like the route this year is different from 2012 when I did it, and also from 2013. Last two years had around 1,100 metres of climbing, which I think is mainly short and very steep hills. This, coupled with the fairly bumpy roads makes it quite a hard day in the saddle, but really a great event and well worth doing-I've only done this and the Sean Kelly of the five An post events, but they seem to be very well organised, and feedback on the other three seems also to be very positive.

Preparing my arse for the worst so. No jokes lads come on. We're all grown ups here.

Doc07

jamesd wrote: »

Myself and 2 buddies are thinking of doing the 100km, did three 60kms sportives this year so hoping to be ok for the 100km as we did the tour de burren which was very hilly.
Would be interested in meeting up with a few to make a group of 6 or 8 for the spin if simular speed as us.

I'm hoping to this if work/babysitting allows. Was planning on the 160km but like the idea of 100 in a group at decent pace. I'm fairly novice but did Tour de Burren in 4hours(96k). Delighted to join up with your gang if I can make it on the day.

Regards

Doc

Shedite27

Had a look at the 160k version of this. It mentions a cutoff at the 7km mark after 3hours. Does this sound a little fast? You need to be averaging 26km/h over 3 hours to make that. Am I misreading that?

If you miss the cutoff, you're sent on a route that cuts out the food stop too.

"Start Time:
Sunday 27th July at 8am from Castle Street,Trim

Cut-off applies at 77km on the 160km route. Cyclists not through this point before 11am will be directed to Moynalty village and back on to the 160km route. This measure is taken in the interest of health & safety and out of respect to the volunteers out on the course."

ht9zni1gs28crp

If you have signed up to the 160k then sensibly you should be well able to travel the first 77k in well under the 3hour mark. If you cant then I may suggest that the 160k isn't for you.

Its actually quite a sensible cutoff made by the organisers I think.

Eamonnator

I would have thought, that there were lots of cyclists, capable of 160K, who would be very happy with an average of 26kph. In fact, I would suggest, that if that limit is adhered to, a lot of riders will be diverted off the long route.

Shedite27

Ember Bald Canoe wrote: »

If you have signed up to the 160k then sensibly you should be well able to travel the first 77k in well under the 3hour mark. If you cant then I may suggest that the 160k isn't for you.

Its actually quite a sensible cutoff made by the organisers I think.

Well I could travel 77k in 3hrs, but probably wouldn't in a sportif. As Eamonator said, I'm guessing a lot of people wouldn't read the small print and would be shy of 77km after 3hrs.

sullzz

Shedite27 wrote: »

Well I could travel 77k in 3hrs, but probably wouldn't in a sportif. As Eamonator said, I'm guessing a lot of people wouldn't read the small print and would be shy of 77km after 3hrs.

Why not in a sportif , it'd me much easier to do it than on your own , get in with a decent group and you'll be flying

Inspector Coptoor

So.....


Anyone doing the 160 want to form a group to ensure the 77km cut off is reached before the three hour time limit?

The Noble Nudge

I emailed the organisers I have the 3 routes on gpx if anyone needs them i can email them to you PM me,
Now to see if I successfully transferred it to my Garmin.........

Dcully

Signed up for this but my sister decided to have her 40th the night before.
Doubt ill make it now but if i can swing things at all i will.
I done my first 100k sportive last month at the tour de bog 105k and i was fine completed inside the time i gave myself of 4.5 hours and got home in 3hrs 58mins,only minor issue was a bit of a sore neck for a few hours afterwards.
Previous to that was doing 60k-ish spins on my own so people worried should be fine.
Just back from a solo 75k spin today,cant get enough of cycling now.
Im making hay while sun shines as ill have to quit for the winter like last winter because of asthma, i will be like a bear with a sore head for them few months.

Zen0

Ember Bald Canoe wrote: »

If you have signed up to the 160k then sensibly you should be well able to travel the first 77k in well under the 3hour mark. If you cant then I may suggest that the 160k isn't for you.

Its actually quite a sensible cutoff made by the organisers I think.

As someone who recently completed the Wicklow 200 at an average speed of 20km/h, that statement just doesn't stand up. I know I can cycle the distance, but as somebody who does almost all of their cycling on steep hills, I don't know of I can match the required pace on the flat. I'd be mighty peed off to be diverted onto a 100k route after signing up to the 160. That cut off point is a real disincentive to sign up to this event. There are plenty of cyclists capable of the distance but who may not make that pace.

Cakewheels

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

So.....


Anyone doing the 160 want to form a group to ensure the 77km cut off is reached before the three hour time limit?

I might be interested. I know I can do distance, as I completed the 160 in Waterford last year, which is an awful lot hillier than Meath, but my racer is old and heavy, and so far I haven't had a lot of luck in finding groups to drop in with for long periods so it's hard to know how fast I can go in a group. On my own I often seem to average around 22 km/hr, but with a good number of stretches that are a lot faster. A lot depends on the road surface as well I suppose. I imagine they might be fairly strict in enforcing the time cut unfortunately. It does seem a little harsh that the alternative route skips the food stop, but maybe it passes the 100km route food stop?

Inspector Coptoor

I meant to say reached....

Damn predictive text.

I'd be similar enough - 24-25km/hr average & as you said, Meath is relatively flat, so if you're on for it, let me know

Zorba

Anyone got a link to mapmyride or something for the new 160 route ?

cheerspal

http://www.meathsports.ie/cycle-tour/routes/160km-royal-challenge.html

Zorba

cheerspal wrote: »

http://www.meathsports.ie/cycle-tour/routes/160km-royal-challenge.html

Yes been there was looking for a map i could actually see.

Zorba

Weepsie wrote: »

The PDFs have the route that you can see.

Might try and rope some people into this, only problem is getting to trim for 8am unless I get some others involved.

Ahhh had a look at that pdf earlier but when i zoomed in i didn't wait for it to focus itself so thought the map was unreadable ! So had another look and gave it a bit of a chance and hey presto i can see !

Would see like a mapmyride link to see the elevations.

ADW1

Completed all 5 An Post cycles last year and Meath was the easiest of them. Averaged over 34Km/h where as Average for the Rebel Tour and Sean Kelly was 30km/h. Meath cycle last year was relatively flat in comparison to the other an post events.
If your worried about making the cut off time leave 30mins earlier. There usually is a few people that strike off early. If you get into a group your average will be a lot higher than cycling solo so should make the cut off time.

Cakewheels

ADW1 wrote: »

Completed all 5 An Post cycles last year and Meath was the easiest of them. Averaged over 34Km/h where as Average for the Rebel Tour and Sean Kelly was 30km/h. Meath cycle last year was relatively flat in comparison to the other an post events.
If your worried about making the cut off time leave 30mins earlier. There usually is a few people that strike off early. If you get into a group your average will be a lot higher than cycling solo so should make the cut off time.

Is leaving early frowned upon at all? Just wondering as I am presuming that the cutoff is there not because of the time itself but because they assume if you are too slow on that section, you will also be too slow on the whole thing?

Daroxtar

Zorba wrote: »

Ahhh had a look at that pdf earlier but when i zoomed in i didn't wait for it to focus itself so thought the map was unreadable ! So had another look and gave it a bit of a chance and hey presto i can see !

Would see like a mapmyride link to see the elevations.

Here's the 100km on Map My Ride if thats any good to you....
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/424602050

cheerspal

Looks like an easy enough route. Are the roads ****e though?

ADW1

loughgill wrote: »

Is leaving early frowned upon at all? Just wondering as I am presuming that the cutoff is there not because of the time itself but because they assume if you are too slow on that section, you will also be too slow on the whole thing?

At a lot of events people leave earlier, but marshals may not be in place so be careful at roundabouts junctions etc. time can be made up by reducing time at food stops or skipping 1 of them. An Post Meath last year had a lot of cross roads junctions etc in which a lot of them had no marshals in place. A bit disappointing considering it's one of the bigger cycling events. It also lacks the scenic views of the other 4.

Zorba

cheerspal wrote: »

Looks like an easy enough route. Are the roads ****e though?

Most of the roads are grand, the decent off Tara is a bit dodgy but nothing too bad if u take it easy

Zorba

ADW1 wrote: »

It also lacks the scenic views of the other 4.

Sure your not gonna get a chance to see much if your avg is over 34k/hr

Shedite27

loughgill wrote: »

Is leaving early frowned upon at all? Just wondering as I am presuming that the cutoff is there not because of the time itself but because they assume if you are too slow on that section, you will also be too slow on the whole thing?

Only did rebel tour last year and they allowed people to go early but warned them that marshalls/food stops would onyl be there from when the first "official" cyclists got there

ADW1

Zorba wrote: »

Sure your not gonna get a chance to see much if your avg is over 34k/hr

Head down Arse up LOL! spent a lot of time looking down at the back wheel of the bike in front! I think it may have been the lack of sea views that resulted in the higher than average speed!

Zorba

ADW1 wrote: »

Head down Arse up LOL! spent a lot of time looking down at the back wheel of the bike in front! I think it may have been the lack of sea views that resulted in the higher than average speed!

Will have to keep an eye out for your group, will get home quicker !

sullzz

Hmmmmm it looks like I'm going to be the only person doing the 100k .... Is there anyone else planning on doing it

mamax

sullzz wrote: »

Hmmmmm it looks like I'm going to be the only person doing the 100k .... Is there anyone else planning on doing it

Hoping to do it myself

nc6000

Would everyone doing this be on a racing bike as opposed to a mountain bike type bike?

Daroxtar

I'm doing the 100 and more than likely on my hybrid which is basically a 29" mountain bike with 40c tyres. I'm aiming for 4 hours moving time. Probably do the first 2 hours at close to 30kmh, then collapse/throw up going up Slane and crawl the last 2 hours home at 20 kmh