Irish ultra challenge

ken engineer

Hi all.
I want to do the the irish ultra challenge. But I don't no what I need to do it as in do I need a support car a camper, and what would it cost would I need a second bike? If anyone could give me any info and advice it would be great thanks

petethedrummer

Which Ultra Challenge? The Race around Ireland?

ken engineer

petethedrummer wrote: »

Which Ultra Challenge? The Race around Ireland?

Ya the race around ireland. I would be interested in other adverts to get myself ready for it

petethedrummer

http://racearoundireland.com/

It's on in 13 days! How's your training going?

ken engineer

It's on in 13 days! How's your training going?[/quote]

I would be looking to do it next year or the year after

Mefistofelino

It would be worth your while downloading the competitors handbook from the event website to see what you need to have. Having vehicular support is a much about rider safety as helping with logistics.

Take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbJhjDvkhI
Admittedly, it is for the full distance event but gives a very good idea of what is required and, probably more importantly, what your support team will have to do.
There are also some good clips of Joe Barr's attempt to win the race some years back. IIRC, he totalled at least one bike on the event, so that probably answers your "second bike" question.

endacl

Off topic: You should have chosen Kengineer as your username. That would've been cool.

Right! As ye were...

ken engineer

Mefistofelino wrote: »

It would be worth your while downloading the competitors handbook from the event website to see what you need to have. Having vehicular support is a much about rider safety as helping with logistics.
Excellent thanks I'll have a look

ford2600

ken engineer wrote: »

Mefistofelino wrote: »

It would be worth your while downloading the competitors handbook from the event website to see what you need to have. Having vehicular support is a much about rider safety as helping with logistics.
Excellent thanks I'll have a look

http://www.audaxireland.org/

Different in many ways to ultra racing, but a good place to start if you want to step up fro sportive riding to 200km, 300km rides and beyond.

One of this years ultra competitors is a Audax Ireand man, and former RAI second place rider Jim Fitzpatrick is a regular on audax rides.

I'd imagine the ultra event is the ultimate friendship test!! Hard for crew and rider. Not cheap either I would think, between support vehicles, food, accommodation, test runs, gear, mechanics etc.

@emtroche is an occasional poster on here and the event organizer so you pm him, but maybe after this years event!

emtroche

Hi Ken. As ford2600 pointed out I'm the Race Director.

Firstly I should point out that we have 2 races.

The Race Around Ireland is a full 2,200km lap of the entire country.

The Irish Ultra Challenge covers a distance of 1,100km.

Both races are held at the same time and follow the same route from the start in Trim as far as Oranmore. From here the Irish Ultra Challenge comes back across the country to the finish while the Race Around Ireland continues south.

Yes you will need a support vehicle. It is mandatory to have the vehicle directly following you during night hours. A campervan is not essential but most teams will use one.

As it stands our minimum requirement is 2 support crew and 1 vehicle, but to be honest it looks like we will be increasing the minimum requirement for next year.

A second bike is not essential either but I think it would be pretty silly not to have one. As with any bike race you will need a back-up in case something happens. After all if you spend months training and preparing it would be a bit of a disaster to be stopped by a mechanical issue.

With regard to cost well that's something that varies greatly from racer to racer. It all depends really on what your aspirations for the race are.

You can see the rules of the race here http://racearoundireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/RAI-Rule-Book-2016.pdf

And our FAQ here http://racearoundireland.com/faq

Both races are sanctioned by the Ultramarathon Cycling Association and their website has some very informative and useful articles on ultra racing. https://www.ultracycling.com/sections/articles/

ken engineer

Different in many ways to ultra racing, but a good place to start if you want to step up fro sportive riding to 200km, 300km rides and beyond.
Looks interesting. I'll definitely look into this thanks very much

ken engineer

emtroche wrote: »

Hi Ken. As ford2600 pointed out I'm the Race Director.

Firstly I should point out that we have 2 races.



Thanks very much

Chuchote

First (really?) two women joining:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/real-life/charity-cyclists-to-become-the-first-all-female-duo-to-compete-in-gruelling-2150km-race-around-ireland-417342.html

emtroche

Chuchote wrote: »

First (really?) two women joining:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/real-life/charity-cyclists-to-become-the-first-all-female-duo-to-compete-in-gruelling-2150km-race-around-ireland-417342.html

Well actually they're taking part in the Race Around Ireland (not the Irish Ultra Challenge).

But yes they are the first female duo to take part.