Rebel Tour of Cork Glengarriff, 9th September 2017

BailMeOut

Great news - The Rebel Tour of Cork returns to Glengarriff for the 6th year on the 9th of September 2017!

- See more at: http://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/an-post-rebel-tour#sthash.RS5j7cHV.dpuf

.......The Rebel Tour is back for 2017......
The Rebel Tour of Cork will return to Glengarriff on Saturday 9th September 2017. The event will form the final leg in this year's Sport Ireland Cycle Series (previously known as the An Post Cycle Series).
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD announced the launch of the 2017 Sport Ireland Cycle Series at an event in Dublin earlier this week.
The other events in the Sport Ireland Cycle Series 2017 will take place in Sligo (April 29th & 30th), Clare (June 17th), Meath (July 29th & 30th) & Waterford (August 19th & 20th).
Registration for The Sport Ireland Rebel Tour of Cork opens mid-March.
Click here for more info - www.corkrebeltour.ie

dogsears

Interesting. I thought there was talk of a change of route or base town but that must have been shelved.

marvin80

Any recommendations for the best town to stay for the weekend (Glengarriff, Bantry or Kenmare)??

montyt

It's a tough event but very enjoyable, looking forward to 2017. There are a few options 85 km, 130 km (by turning right in castletownbear) and the 160 km

marvin80

Entries open for this:

http://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/an-post-rebel-tour

DeepBlue

Ha, I just signed up for the 160K. I'm officially crazy. :eek: :eek: :eek:

marvin80

Has anyone stayed in the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry for this? Do they allow you to keep your bike in the room?

BailMeOut

marvin80 wrote: »

Has anyone stayed in the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry for this? Do they allow you to keep your bike in the room?

if they do not let you bring to your room they will have some option to store your bike overnight. Just shoot them an email and ask (or call).

marvin80

BailMeOut wrote: »

if they do not let you bring to your room they will have some option to store your bike overnight. Just shoot them an email and ask (or call).

Thanks for the advice

Andalucia

I stayed there two years ago for Rebel, no bother bringing bike to room

PrzemoF

I signed up for it long time ago, 4 days left, but there was no email about starting number collection or any goodie bag like it was in 2015. Is it going to happen on the day or I missed something? I registered through the eventmaster.ie and I have 2 tickets for 2 separate names/email accounts.

lissard

It's on their website:

http://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/signindetails

Thursday 7th September - Gaelscoil Ui Riordain - (5-8 pm)
Friday 8th September - Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff - (5-8 pm)
Saturday 9th September - Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff - (7am until half an hour before each event)
160k - Sign In Closed @ 08:15
85k - Sign In Closed @ 09:30
55k - Sign In Closed @ 10:30

DeepBlue

lissard wrote: »

Thursday 7th September - Gaelscoil Ui Riordain - (5-8 pm)

Thanks for posting that. I didn't spot the option to register in Ballincollig so that should save a bit of time on Saturday.

I can't decide whether to stick with the 160km or chicken out and go for the 85km route.
I took a drive around the route last Friday and the section between Cahermore and Urhan looked pretty brutal with a series of energy-sapping, short but very steep climbs.
On the one hand I want to be able to say I did the 160km challenge but on the other hand I don't want to risk a DNF. Also that whole section is probably the most scenic part of the route.

My training has been an average of about 30K on my own four or five days a week with the odd 80K/100K thrown in. Average speed would be about 22/23 km/h.

Any advice on whether to risk it or play safe?

Mercian Pro

DeepBlue wrote: »

Thanks for posting that. I didn't spot the option to register in Ballincollig so that should save a bit of time on Saturday.

I can't decide whether to stick with the 160km or chicken out and go for the 85km route.
I took a drive around the route last Friday and the section between Cahermore and Urhan looked pretty brutal with a series of energy-sapping, short but very steep climbs.
On the one hand I want to be able to say I did the 160km challenge but on the other hand I don't want to risk a DNF. Also that whole section is probably the most scenic part of the route.

My training has been an average of about 30K on my own four or five days a week with the odd 80K/100K thrown in. Average speed would be about 22/23 km/h.

Any advice on whether to risk it or play safe?

If the 80/100K cycles have included a few hills, I'd go for it. First time I did it two years ago a good few 160 cyclists turned left back to Glengarriff after coming down from the Healy Pass the first time. It was raining heavily at the time but cleared up long before we got to Castletownbere and was glorious out by Allihies.

I am sure you will be able to team up with a group for a lot of the flatter bits but make sure to take the climbs at your own pace. Enjoy

BailMeOut

DeepBlue wrote: »

Thanks for posting that. I didn't spot the option to register in Ballincollig so that should save a bit of time on Saturday.

I can't decide whether to stick with the 160km or chicken out and go for the 85km route.
I took a drive around the route last Friday and the section between Cahermore and Urhan looked pretty brutal with a series of energy-sapping, short but very steep climbs.
On the one hand I want to be able to say I did the 160km challenge but on the other hand I don't want to risk a DNF. Also that whole section is probably the most scenic part of the route.

My training has been an average of about 30K on my own four or five days a week with the odd 80K/100K thrown in. Average speed would be about 22/23 km/h.

Any advice on whether to risk it or play safe?

The 160 is not easy but there is a great sense of achievement once done. I have done the 160km twice and the 85km three times and doing the 85 again on Sat as am nowhere in shape for the longer one again this year. There is a 3rd option as there is a official shortcut available for the 160 which shaves off at least 20kms.

lissard

The western tip of Beara is definitely the toughest part of the route. Loads of short steep ramps, quite like Lake Drive in Wicklow if you're familiar with that purgatory. On the plus side it's jaw-droppingly beautiful and definitely worth doing. I missed that section last year by dawdling too long in the first food stop. By the time I arrived in Castletownbere i'd missed the time cut (1.30pm) and was diverted to Eyeries. Won't be making that mistake this year. Worst case scenario, if the legs are screwed at the second food stop reroute via Castletownbere and avoid the Healy Pass.

Michael_Myers

Does anybody have an entry that they are not using ? Will pay !

Thanks

BailMeOut

Michael_Myers wrote: »

Does anybody have an entry that they are not using ? Will pay !

Thanks

I just registered for two spots a few mins ago online. They say entries close at noon today but I was still able to order.

Michael_Myers

BailMeOut wrote: »

I just registered for two spots a few mins ago online. They say entries close at noon today but I was still able to order.

Tried again and it worked this time!

BailMeOut

Bantry Bay weather via Windguru if anyone is interested

https://www.windguru.cz/89357

Looks like a decent day ahead of us.

DeepBlue

lissard wrote: »

The western tip of Beara is definitely the toughest part of the route. Loads of short steep ramps, quite like Lake Drive in Wicklow if you're familiar with that purgatory. On the plus side it's jaw-droppingly beautiful and definitely worth doing.

Yeah, this is my main reason for wanting to do it.

By the way on Saturday do keep an eye out for heavy traffic on the way up the Healy Pass. :pac:

Quick question though - is it possible to start early? Say, an hour before the official start time or so?

gurteen

Have an entry for anyone looking for one as will not be able to make it on Saturday
PM me if interested

Roger Hassenforder

DeepBlue wrote: »

Yeah, this is my main reason for wanting to do it.

By the way on Saturday do keep an eye out for heavy traffic on the way up the Healy Pass. :pac:

Quick question though - is it possible to start early? Say, an hour before the official start time or so?

A good shot of punters will be gone ahead of the official starts, here's a continuous trickle from Glengarriff. Food stop(s) might not be open though

Mercian Pro

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

A good shot of punters will be gone ahead of the official starts, here's a continuous trickle from Glengarriff. Food stop(s) might not be open though

From the Info Pack just issued by the organisers:

"Participants MUST NOT begin their event ahead of the LEAD CAR as the route will not be OPEN. This means that there will be no marshals, no medical cover, no support vehicles, no food or water stops and critically, no event insurance.".

lissard

According to the volunteers I chatted to in the food stop last year, there were people arriving at first stop 60 mins after the start. To do that they'd have had to hit the road a good hour early. If I'm ready I'll be hitting the road, no point getting cold when you're as slow as I am.

Roger Hassenforder

Mercian Pro wrote: »

From the Info Pack just issued by the organisers:

"Participants MUST NOT begin their event ahead of the LEAD CAR as the route will not be OPEN. This means that there will be no marshals, no medical cover, no support vehicles, no food or water stops and critically, no event insurance.".

While it's an organised sportif, they're open public roads. Start when you want.
Just don't expect support!

BailMeOut

I think you are missing the whole point of a sportif by starting early. You can cycle around the Beara Peninsula at any time by yourself or with your usual cycling buddies but getting to do it with a very large bunch of other people is the reason most of us do these events.

knipper

First timer doing the 85. Can I register with my phone or do I need a photocopy?

DeepBlue

knipper wrote: »

First timer doing the 85. Can I register with my phone or do I need a photocopy?

I presume you mean printout rather than photocopy?
They use a scanner so you should be ok with downloading the scanner friendly version of your ticket to your phone.

deeksofdoom

Can you collect the goody bag after the cycle and just register in the morning.

DeepBlue

BailMeOut wrote: »

I think you are missing the whole point of a sportif by starting early. You can cycle around the Beara Peninsula at any time by yourself or with your usual cycling buddies but getting to do it with a very large bunch of other people is the reason most of us do these events.

That's exactly the reason why I'd like to leave early - so that I don't get left behind on my own when the rest of the peloton zoom off into the distance.

selwyn froggitt

I know this is very late in the day but I have a free entry to this event if anybody wants it (A friend from work has had to cancel,and I am trying to shift it on his behalf)

Already registered and have the seat post/helmet sticker and wrist band.

I am based in Cork City,PM me if interested.

Cheers

SF

DeepBlue

Handy bit of detail on the climbs. For some reason I had thought the Healy Pass was higher than the Caha Pass. I guess not.

marvin80

Did the 85k today, just one heavy but quick shower of rain, the wind was ridiculous - the descents were dodgy in parts as a result.

On the other hand, stunning scenery and smashing part of the country.

BikeRacer

Did the 160km. Great day but holy sh1t the wind was unbelievable. Borderline dangerous down around allihies tbh. A gap in a ditch was a guaranteed shove across the road.

funnights74

Same here, the wind climbing caha was "gusty" I was nearly brought to a halt a few times. Thankfully they had a nasty pothole flagged on the Caha descent, it could have been seriously bad. Very well organised all around so quodos to everyone involved. I must remember to bring my legs next year, suffered big time . I suppose it's "character" building.

DeepBlue

My brother got knocked over by the wind just after the top of the Caha pass. Fortunately he was slowing down at the time to stop so just a bit of road rash and a few bruises. I thought the wind made it fairly hairy descending from Caha and had a few "Holy Sh*****t" moments myself.
Saw another guy who had a freak accident when a bit of rock fell from the roof of one the tunnels. It just missed him but bounced off the road and hit him in the knee. He needed a few stitches.
At least the wind helped out blowing us up that last section of the Healy Pass.

The weather brightened up nicely for the second half of the cycle and there was a huge selection of grub at the foodstop.

Just did the 85 in the end. Fair play to those that did the 160.
I hope to be back for the Ring of Beara next year and the Rebel Tour again.

run_Forrest_run

basically DeepBlue said it all in relation to the wind, tough final climb up Caha into the wind and then ferocious and dangerous cross-winds descending Caha. I was settling into the drops for some downhill thrills when a gust took by front wheel and by jesus I got the wobbles. I managed to slow down but it taught me a lesson for the day.

A good day, plenty of service vehicles along the route so well done to the organisers and volunteers.

Mercian Pro

Found the 160 a whole lot tougher this year than two years ago. The wind was an obvious factor especially between Allihies and Eyries but, on the other hand, it did help on the homeward section and the two Healy Pass climbs.

Being solo this year and in a group of five in 2015 was probably more of a issue. I ended up jumping on to a number of club groups as they passed and, even though the shelter and company were very welcome, all were moving at a fair pace. As a result, I ended up averaging 26.5 which was way faster than my previous effort. Thanks to Middleton, Youghal, Castleknock and De Ronde CCs for the train tickets at various stages.

Overall, it was probably one of the toughest and most rewarding sportives of the year. It was also very well organised and marshalled and the gillet is class and will get plenty of use in the months ahead.

Johnny Jukebox

Great event and thanks to the organisers for all their efforts.

First time doing the event and really enjoyed the scenery and the route.

lissard

Finally managed to complete the Rebel Tour. In 2014 I fell and broke my collar bone a week before the event, last year I arrived an hour late and missed the time cut in Castletownbere. This year come hell or high water I was determined to finish the full 160k. Unfortunately in the two weeks running up to the event I got a chest infection which flattened me. I'd signed up for the Reservoir Dog sportive the week before but pulled out as I was afraid it would leave me crocked for my main target. Although I wasn't fully recovered I thought I'd see how things went for the first 60k and see if my chest held up. Fortunately it did and taking a deep breath I turned right after the first food stop, how bad could it be? Pretty bad was the answer!

The wind in the stretch between Casteltownbere and Allihies was epic, it was a full scale effeort in my bottom gear just to keep moving on a 0% incline. The two big climbs out that way are brutal and I was pretty much spent as I crawled all the way to the second food stop. Not too far up the road after the food stop myself and my mate were informed that we were that last two riders on the road. I think everyone else behind had abandoned. From this point on I really must compliment the organisers, we got great encouragement from the moto-marshals and the service vehicles. I had cramps in both legs going up the Healy pass the second time and had to just dial it right back to get to the top.
No problems after that and it was pretty cool being followed home by a race convoy. I managed to overtake one other lad on the run in but we pretty much arrived together. Got a big cheer coming back into Glengarriff which gave me a great lift. A big thank you to the organisers and volunteers, the event was first class.

secman

lissard wrote: »

I think everyone else behind had abandoned. I had craps in both legs going up the Healy pass the second time

No wonder everyone behind you and downwind abandoned. the smell must have been really bad.!

Well done on finishing it .

Mercian Pro

Classic typo secman - thanks for spotting and immortalising it ��

Well done lissard - getting all the way round without shelter when there were a few bale out options is heroic ��

Mercian Pro

Lots of photos now up on the Cork Sports Partnership Facebook page.

.....and not a single one of me

marvin80

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Lots of photos now up on the Cork Sports Partnership Facebook page.

.....and not a single one of me

I feel your pain!!

lissard

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Lots of photos now up on the Cork Sports Partnership Facebook page.

.....and not a single one of me

Same here! Mind you I couldn't really have expected the photographers to stay around all day ;-).

A friend of mine sent me a link to this album taken on the Healy pass. I think nearly everyone in the 160k is in it.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1537898636284491&id=1419705341437155

Mercian Pro

lissard wrote: »

Same here! Mind you I couldn't really have expected the photographers to stay around all day ;-).

A friend of mine sent me a link to this album taken on the Healy pass. I think nearly everyone in the 160k is in it.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1537898636284491&id=1419705341437155

Took a lot of scrolling but I finally found a couple. Thanks lissard

BailMeOut

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Took a lot of scrolling but I finally found a couple. Thanks lissard

are there any photos for the 85km on there?

Morrisseeee

A big shout out to the young girl (& her father) who had a water stop at the Allihies Pass, I was never so glad to see water and a few jellies in all my life

brenlixnaw

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Took a lot of scrolling but I finally found a couple. Thanks lissard

thanks found a picture of myself and mate who did the cycle with me
i wanted a picture to show off to other club members that we did do the 160km
absolutely loved the day and the wind (gust) was terrible but gave you an extra challenge ,ive never gone down hill so slow