How many sportives do you get in each year?

terrydel

Three so far for me this year, lap de gaps, mick byrne 160 and Wicklow 200. That would be typical for me in a summer.
I've Tour de Kilkenny lined up and probably a charity cycle with old work colleagues in September.
I'd like to fit one more in, probably in August.
6 would be a good total for me this year.

I'm finding them a better way to train than solo sessions this year, so lap de gaps and MB160 were good training for W200, that kind of approach.

Next year I'd love to try the Maratona Dles Dolomites again and would see Irish sportives as my training for that.

Whats a typical number for boardsies in a summer?

godtabh

Zero.

Unless the Evil counts but I didnt finish Daragh_'s route so still zero.

dastardly00

I've only been taking part in sportives for the last few years. I normally manage to do about five or six per year. The ones that I have done multiple times and that I earmark on my calendar are the Croí Tour de Lough Corrib and Tour de Conamara (both Galway), Tour de Kilkenny, and Tour de Burren. And then I would often manage to do a couple more ones around Galway/Kilkenny/Clare depending if the dates suit.

I find them a great motivator for training, and I'd like to do a few more in other parts of the country. And to do a sportive on an iconic route in Europe would be the dream

shamrock2004

This is my first summer on the bike (took up cycling in April) and have completed - Lap de gaps, Mick Byrne 200, Tour of louth, Wicklow 200, Tour of Meath, Cycle Ataxia, Ring of Kerry. That's enough for me, for now. Going to try my hand at a race next before the summer is out - for the craic!

andy69

I love doing them - try to get as many as I can in during the year. If they're within say 2hrs from home then I'll head on over to them. Weather dependent of course .

We make a weekend of it with some of them (like Burren and Waterford for example).

So far this year...
- Pat Jones Edenderry
- Orwell Randonnee
- An Post Sligo
- Tour of the Heartlands
Missed the Mt Leinster this year as I was away training for Marmotte, but have done the last 5 of them I think.
- Mick Byrne
- An Post Burren
- La Marmotte

And planned then is...
- An Post Meath this weekend
- Tour de Kilkenny
- Tour of Kildare
- Leinster Loop
- An Post Waterford
- Pat Colgan Tullamore
- Humpy Hundred Carlow
- An Post Rebel Tour

...probably one or two more before the end of the (my) season in October.

The joys of childfree living! ha!

ednwireland

3 or 4 mainly smaller local events, the big events are just getting too expensive for what you get

Daroxtar

shamrock2004 wrote: »

....(took up cycling in April)and have completed - Lap de gaps, Mick Byrne 200, Tour of louth, Wicklow 200, Tour of Meath, Cycle Ataxia, Ring of Kerry

Fkn hell, you don't mess about do you? Well done.

I do a few each year. Did the Ox mountains sportive, Tour of Meath this weekend, planning to do SKT and Reservoir Dog. I spend most of my time on the bike on my own but enjoy the buzz of a big day out.
Next year I wouldn't mind giving the Mick Byrne a shot.

RobFowl

Depends on how the racing goes. If racing well enough then only 2 or so but if not racing much and not injured then have done as many as 10.

ILIKEFOOD

haul d'naul, lap de gaps, mick byrne, ww200, ni gran fondo so far - meath heritage this weekend, not sure what else ill do, get a few races in hopefully, festival season has put a halt to more recent weekend spins...last festival season i think for me, getting old

crosstownk

I usually get in anything from one to zero. I'm not a big fan of sportives. I like to leave from my house and finish at my house. If the start is close by I'll do it. I hate having to load the bike into the car and set off.

More importantly, I like to get home and get straight into the shower rather than load the bike into the car for the journey home.

I'm just as happy doing similar distances solo.

I did the Tallaght Hospital charity spin this year as the start was at the hospital just 6km from house.

Maybe I'm just turning into an old, unsociable crank.

07Lapierre

Lap the gaps
Mt Leinster challenge
Granfondo Ventoux
Ring of Kerry
And signed up for the Leinster loop!

An average year so far.

triggermortis

I've only done one this year- tour of Louth. At the moment I'm hard pressed to get time to get out for any great distance to get some miles in the legs so paying to do an event I'm not prepared for isn't much good to me at the moment. I'd like to do a few more but I find I'm working when most are on lately

kavanagh_h

Mallorca 167
Westport gran fondo
Tour de conamara skoda
Stephen roche balrothery
Cycle ataxia
Yellow furze
Cabra king of the castles
Westportif skoda

Meath heritage
Ennis gran fondo skoda
Watrford an post all booked
Plan to do stephen roche skoda
Probabky some more. They get me on the bike!

godtabh

crosstownk wrote: »

I usually get in anything from one to zero. I'm not a big fan of sportives. I like to leave from my house and finish at my house. If the start is close by I'll do it. I hate having to load the bike into the car and set off.

More importantly, I like to get home and get straight into the shower rather than load the bike into the car for the journey home.

I'm just as happy doing similar distances solo.

I did the Tallaght Hospital charity spin this year as the start was at the hospital just 6km from house.

Maybe I'm just turning into an old, unsociable crank.

Turning?

I'd be the same as you. The only thing close to me would be thre Orwell spin and I'm usually away for it. I also do 99% of my rides solo

morana

2. tour of Meath on Sunday and the Great dublin City Bike ride...or whatever its called.

I look forward to sunday but I tell you what these sportives are pricey!!! €36 entry fee.

Goal for sunday is to beat 4 hours for 100km...I know dont say it!!!!

Jawgap

Zero.

I used to do about a dozen a year, including all the An Posts, but then I came to realise that it's become a bit of a waste of money.

dahat

I do a few locally mainly ones associated with the schools and well deserving charities. I only started road cycling in January so I'm keen now but i will likely reduce them next year as €20 each time is pricey for what is basically a sandwich and coffee after it.

I haven't done some of the bigger ones yet but i am registered for the Sean Kelly 160km in August, looming forward to that tbh.

Oh yeah, as i dont have a racing license i more often than not end up at the front end of the local ones which end up pacy, likely wrong but i tend to end up "racing" them.

dastardly00

Jawgap wrote: »

Zero.

I used to do about a dozen a year, including all the An Posts, but then I came to realise that it's become a bit of a waste of money.

A waste of money because they can be quite expensive, or is there any other reason?

Jawgap

dastardly00 wrote: »

A waste of money because they can be quite expensive, or is there any other reason?

Expense is relative!!

I don't mind paying if you get value - it seems prices are going up but value isn't - I like my goody bags

Plus, by not doing them I've found I'm less likely to encounter large groups who don't know how to cycle in groups or tw@ts who think it's a race

man_no_plan

None yet.

I thought I was the only poor soul riding alone!

I'll do the tour De Kilkenny, Leinster loop and the reservoir dog this summer and try to impress myself with how much faster I can go in a group.

PukkaStukka

The issue of cost is real and for someone on limited means, it is a real barrier to participating. The cost rises further still when you add fuel and accommodation to the list.

I did a local sportive to raise a few quid for our local GAA team, the proceeds of which cover the cost of the kids summer cost. Cost: €40 and for something well worthy.

I did the ROK earlier this month and was accompanied by wife and child. Entry cost €90. Fuel and food from Fri-Sun incl was approx. €80. Accommodation for two nights was €200 (which was cheap). Even leaving the cost of taking a day of work to travel down, I'm still down almost €400 before I turn a wheel.

I was supposed to do the Tour de Connemara but withdrew when my mate pulled out. That too would've nailed me for the thick end of €200 with entry fees, accommodation, fuel and maintenance whilst away.

I'm doing the Tour of Meath on Sunday and that is just entry fee and fuel. We're still looking at €60 or so

The point in all of this is entry fees have crept up recently, but more often than not, the cost of getting to and overnighting at some events adds even more significantly to the overall burden of cost.

Rambling Man

They are mostly overpriced. Some of the better value ones have been well flagged on this forum. I'll do 4 or 5 sportives this year. All within a short radius of home.

Perhaps the organisers look at the bikes and think, this lot can afford it.

terrydel

godtabh wrote: »

Turning?

I'd be the same as you. The only thing close to me would be thre Orwell spin and I'm usually away for it. I also do 99% of my rides solo

I do an awful lot of my cycling solo. We should start an anti-social cycling club, founder members, terrydel, godtabh and crosstownk!

Joking apart, if anyone is ever stuck for someone to do a spin with, I'd be happy to tag along!

fat bloke

I used to do a lot more but after filling a second wardrobe with "free" jerseys and gilets I just had to call a halt. :rolleyes:

Jawgap

terrydel wrote: »

I do an awful lot of my cycling solo. We should start an anti-social cycling club, founder members, terrydel, godtabh and crosstownk!

Joking apart, if anyone is ever stuck for someone to do a spin with, I'd be happy to tag along!

Anti-social cycling club.......that would appeal to me, so count me out

At the moment my preference is for solo cycling - my own pace and my own route - I don't have to travel far to the start and the food stops are amazing

man_no_plan

terrydel wrote: »

I do an awful lot of my cycling solo. We should start an anti-social cycling club, founder members, terrydel, godtabh and crosstownk!

Joking apart, if anyone is ever stuck for someone to do a spin with, I'd be happy to tag along!

I don't get an invite?

shamrock2004

Daroxtar wrote: »

Fkn hell, you don't mess about do you? Well done.

Cheers pal and kudos to you too! I got hooked a lot quicker than I thought I would, plus I have the time to go full steam at it for now.

The Noble Nudge

Havent done any this year.....not even an Evil 300 attempt....
Did bag a foreign holiday and a new bike but that might be just coincidence

BremoreDave

I've only done two this year so far.
Saddle up for Epilepsy in Mayo , just as an excuse for a week-end away with the OH, and the Stephen Roche 3 county in Balrothery , which was more a local club spin .
I have signed up for the Meath Heritage this week-end and I might do the Reservoir Dog and Skoda Boyne Valley classic , both in Sept.
I have avoided a lot of the local charity sportives this year as I would rather spend the available time on a club spin.

nak

Usually one road sportive as part of a holiday - this year Paris Roubaix. Don't do much road riding these days. Plus one off road Cooley Thriller hopefully this year.

NamelessPhil

Sportives are why I turned to audax events. All of the distance, none of the crappy jerseys or goody bags, no spurious charity fund raisers and audaxes are a great way to see the countryside.

Come over to the darkside ... it's lovely! Audax Ireland

07Lapierre

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Sportives are why I turned to audax events. All of the distance, none of the crappy jerseys or goody bags, no spurious charity fund raisers and audaxes are a great way to see the countryside.

Come over to the darkside ... it's lovely! Audax Ireland

Eh you pay to cycle on your own? With no support? No marshals at junctions etc.

terrydel

man_no_plan wrote: »

I don't get an invite?

Ah go on so, 4 is enough for a quorum!

NamelessPhil

07Lapierre wrote: »

Eh you pay to cycle on your own? With no support? No marshals at junctions etc.

You're not necessarily on your own. It'll teach you how to navigate. You won't have bunches of numpties all over the roads. You'll develop an appreciation of garage forecourt cuisine and there are some fine cafes around the country. Some of the best people to bodge and help you out of a mechanical are audaxers, if you have to bring your own kit with you, you certainly know how to use it!

It's great, there are some fantastic quiet routes around the country that no sportive would ever go down.

07Lapierre

NamelessPhil wrote: »

You're not necessarily on your own. It'll teach you how to navigate. You won't have bunches of numpties all over the roads. You'll develop an appreciation of garage forecourt cuisine and there are some fine cafes around the country. Some of the best people to bodge and help you out of a mechanical are audaxers, if you have to bring your own kit with you, you certainly know how to use it!

It's great, there are some fantastic quiet routes around the country that no sportive would ever go down.

Nice try, but your not selling it to me!

BTW i understand why some people don't like sportive's, but my main reason for doing them is the charity element.

Wishbone Ash

07Lapierre wrote: »

Eh you pay to cycle on your own? With no support? No marshals at junctions etc.

...not to mention no foodstops, being alone in the dark and pouring rains for hours on end and then near the end of a 300k you remember that you've forgotten to get proof of passage at a control point 8 hours back, or that there were information controls that you've just become aware of......

....and then your Garmin battery dies!



What's not to like about Audax!

07Lapierre

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...not to mention no foodstops, being alone in the dark and pouring rains for hours on end and then near the end of a 300k you remember that you've forgotten to get proof of passage at a control point 8 hours back, or that there were information controls that you've just become aware of......

....and then your Garmin battery dies!



What's not to like about Audax!

Oh I'm Sold! Cant believe i've been missing out on all that!

NeedMoreGears

I'd usually do 5 or 6. It's nice to have a target to aim at every now and then.

This year will be

Tour De Foothills
Orwell Randonnee
Mick Byrne 200
Tour of Meath
SKT

I'm having a half-hearted debate with myself about the great Dublin bike ride thing, but I probably won't bother

Wishbone Ash

I do shift work and work every second Sunday so it limits my availability but so far this year I've done:

Haul de Naul
Donegal Bay CC Spring Sportive
Orwell Randonee
Carlow CC Slieve Bloom Challenge
Lap de Gaps for DSI
Mick Byrne 200
Mizen to Malin
Wicklow 200
McNally Swords CC Leisure Tour

Booked:

An Post Tour of Meath
Tour of Kilkenny
Tour of Kildare

secman

None

Did them in some previous life.... the only one I did since back on bike over ladt 4 years was murntown to Hook and back about 3 years ago 100km. Left house at 8 am and didn't get back till 5:30 pm. Just turned me right off , loading car up etc driving home sweaty... etc . Whereas I could do one from house and be home by 12 ish.
And no near misses and avoiding newbies on bikes. No offence to newbies..:)

Mercian Pro

Eight last year with the Rebel Tour the best and the Louth Coastal Tour the worst.

Nine so far this year with the Donegal Bay Sportif the highlight so far. Enjoyed the Mick Byrne and Wicklow 200's as it had been a very long time since I had covered that distance. Doing the Meath Heritage Tour on Sunday and will hopefully get to a few more in the months ahead.

Any thoughts on what makes a great Sportif? For me the scenery, value for money and the friendliness of the organisers all rate highly. I'm less pushed about marshalls at every turn, goody bags, jerseys or medals.

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

.....Any thoughts on what makes a great Sportif? For me the scenery, value for money and the friendliness of the organisers all rate highly. I'm less pushed about marshalls at every turn, goody bags, jerseys or medals.

It's hard to beat good scenery on a sportive (Donegal Bay Sportive comes to mind) but I suppose that's an unfair ask on organisers in parts of the country where it's limited. (The Tour of Louth comes to mind - the section Dundalk- Dunleer-Ardee-Dundalk has little appeal and I wonder if it's due to laziness on the part of the organisers rather than route is through the many available minor roads).

I enjoy a good food stop where seating is available where possible rather than eating fig rolls, bananas etc. from the back of a van.

I'm not pushed about goodie bags/freebies especially jerseys/T shirts and medals/certificates - if the event is to raise money surely more would be raised if these were cut out. (Also not practical if cycling to/from the event).

secman

Having said zero.... just got roped into doing DAA charity cycle on 17th September
. Our company are one of the sponsors on the Jersey and ah sure you can represent the company.. it's around North county Dublin... way off my beaten track... it's just a 80 km.

terrydel

secman wrote: »

Having said zero.... just got roped into doing DAA charity cycle on 17th September
. Our company are one of the sponsors on the Jersey and ah sure you can represent the company.. it's around North county Dublin... way off my beaten track... it's just a 80 km.

Representing any company I've ever worked for would be the last thing I'd want to do :P

smacl

Usually do the Orwell Randonee and WW200, primarily to get my ass into gear for the summer. Like others here I do the vast majority of my cycling solo from the house, and favour the beat up rustic l-roads wherever they're an option, or even light off road. Cycling in big groups on major roads holds no appeal, so if I was to do more organised cycling I'd tend more towards audax than sportifs.

lissard

Approximately one a month for me from late April through to September. Find it a good way to motivate myself as I'm no racer. This year I've done the following:

- Orwell Randonnee
- W200
- Paddy Martin Randonnee
- Martin Codyre Cycle

All in Wicklow and on my doorstep but plan on going further afield for the Rebel Tour in September.

siochain

andy69 wrote: »

I love doing them - try to get as many as I can in during the year. If they're within say 2hrs from home then I'll head on over to them. Weather dependent of course .

We make a weekend of it with some of them (like Burren and Waterford for example).

So far this year...
- Pat Jones Edenderry
- Orwell Randonnee
- An Post Sligo
- Tour of the Heartlands
Missed the Mt Leinster this year as I was away training for Marmotte, but have done the last 5 of them I think.
- Mick Byrne
- An Post Burren
- La Marmotte

And planned then is...
- An Post Meath this weekend
- Tour de Kilkenny
- Tour of Kildare
- Leinster Loop
- An Post Waterford
- Pat Colgan Tullamore
- Humpy Hundred Carlow
- An Post Rebel Tour

...probably one or two more before the end of the (my) season in October.

The joys of childfree living! ha!

Any date yet for HH Carlow ?

siochain

andy69 wrote: »

I love doing them - try to get as many as I can in during the year. If they're within say 2hrs from home then I'll head on over to them. Weather dependent of course .

We make a weekend of it with some of them (like Burren and Waterford for example).

So far this year...
- Pat Jones Edenderry
- Orwell Randonnee
- An Post Sligo
- Tour of the Heartlands
Missed the Mt Leinster this year as I was away training for Marmotte, but have done the last 5 of them I think.
- Mick Byrne
- An Post Burren
- La Marmotte

And planned then is...
- An Post Meath this weekend
- Tour de Kilkenny
- Tour of Kildare
- Leinster Loop
- An Post Waterford
- Pat Colgan Tullamore
- Humpy Hundred Carlow
- An Post Rebel Tour

...probably one or two more before the end of the (my) season in October.

The joys of childfree living! ha!

Any date yet for HH Carlow ?

andy69

siochain wrote: »

Any date yet for HH Carlow ?

I have it in my calendar for the 4th Sept, which unfortunately clashes I think with the Reservoir Dogs spin. Nothing on their FB page except that last year it was on the 6th Sept, so that sort of matches the same weekend for this year. Hopefully we might get one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday....would make for one hell of a weekend! The Carlow HH is really a fantastic route....surprised to be honest that it's not a much bigger event

siochain

andy69 wrote: »

I have it in my calendar for the 4th Sept, which unfortunately clashes I think with the Reservoir Dogs spin. Nothing on their FB page except that last year it was on the 6th Sept, so that sort of matches the same weekend for this year. Hopefully we might get one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday....would make for one hell of a weekend! The Carlow HH is really a fantastic route....surprised to be honest that it's not a much bigger event

Hope there's no clash the climbing in both is appealing , ta

fryup

07Lapierre wrote: »

Nice try, but your not selling it to me!

BTW i understand why some people don't like sportive's, but my main reason for doing them is the charity element.

my main reason for doing them is the social element as well as improving my fitness levels