Tour de Boyne Valley - Sept 10th 2017

this looks worthwhile, €40 which includes a jacket, part of the Skoda series of cycles

http://tourdeboynevalley.ie/

fat bloke

A constant moan of mine for sportive websites:

Put the fupping DATE of the event in the title!!!!!!

moonshadow

September 10th

triggermortis

Starting a new job so don't know if I'll be off or not yet, but I'll do this if I'm not working.

Eamonnator

I did this last year.
It has the potential to be a great event.
However, it was completely let down by the abysmal marshalling.
I hope, that the organisers have taken on board the constructive criticism, that was levelled at them after last year's spin.

kavanagh_h

I hope so too eamonator. I did 14 sportives last year including the other two excellent celtic sportives. This was the worst. A lot of that was due to the cold miserable weather but there was an awful lot that could have been improved on.

Eamonnator

I have just noticed that this event is being hosted and organised by Drogheda Wheelers, a change from last year.
I have no doubt, that there will be no cause for complaint this year.

P_1

Eamonnator wrote: »

I have just noticed that this event is being hosted and organised by Drogheda Wheelers, a change from last year.
I have no doubt, that there will be no cause for complaint this year.

Wasn't it organised by the same club last year?

That was a cold and miserable day in the saddle.

Kop Idol

Yup, I did it last year. Absolute miserable day didn't help it to be fair. Presume Stephen Roche isn't attaching himself to it this year.

Some constructive criticisms from last year left on their facebook page. Would hope they iron out the creases the second time around...and the weather is better :'(

https://www.facebook.com/BoyneValleyClassic/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
(Mixed this up with another sportive I did...the East Meath Tour which was organised by the Drogheda Wheelers)

Eamonnator

P_1 wrote: »

Wasn't it organised by the same club last year?

That was a cold and miserable day in the saddle.

Laurence Roche organised it last year.

Harrybelafonte

Jesus the complaints on the FB page, marshalling seemed to be an issue, but moaning about unmarked potholes?

Harrybelafonte

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Jesus the complaints on the FB page, marshalling seemed to be an issue, but moaning about unmarked potholes?

Did you see the pictures of the road in question ? Like something out of a horror movie for cyclists :eek:

wav1

P_1 wrote: »

Wasn't it organised by the same club last year?

That was a cold and miserable day in the saddle.

Not organised by Drogheda Wheelers last year but this year the club has taken it on as part of a general partnership with Skoda who sponsored Ras Na N'og earlier in the season..We very much hope that the organisation this year will banish all memories of last years efforts [and they will]

Eamonnator

wav1 wrote: »

Not organised by Drogheda Wheelers last year but this year the club has taken it on as part of a general partnership with Skoda who sponsored Ras Na N'og earlier in the season..We very much hope that the organisation this year will banish all memories of last years efforts [and they will]

As I said earlier, this has the potential to be a great Sportive.
I feel confident, that this year, it WILL reach it's potential.
Well done to DWCC for taking this on.

P_1

Apologies, mixed my clubs up

With the right weather it has the potential to be a great route. Up to Annagassan was glorious last year but the less said about the slog in the rain through Meath the better.

positron

Never been part of sportives or any kind of organised rides, so sorry if this is a silky question, what are etiquttes of such an event other than being safe and road legal? Do you need to reasonably fast, or is it like take your time and finish? Any cut off times? Thanks!

Wishbone Ash

positron wrote: »

Never been part of sportives or any kind of organised rides, so sorry if this is a silky question, what are etiquttes of such an event other than being safe and road legal? Do you need to reasonably fast, or is it like take your time and finish? Any cut off times? Thanks!

You can travel at whatever speed suits you. Some will treat it like a race and hammer along at 35km/h but most people will be in the 25/26/27/28km/h bracket.Some sportives arrange riders into groups according to their normal speeds.

Generally cut off times are reasonably generous and would cater for those who may not average more than 20km/h. If you miss the cut off time, usually you can continue but it may mean that there may be no marshals/support near the end.

You will be expected to have a roadworthy bike and a helmet. You would also be expected to deal with standard punctures yourself - mechanical support is there for more serious issues.

EDIT: most also require a Cycling Ireland Licence. Sometimes it's possible to purchase a one day licence on the day.

Eamonnator

Bump.

brocbrocach

Anyone have a start time for this? Can't see one anywhere and the site just says it'll be updated...

Can't wait !!!!! Herself even got us matching jerseys because I'm told these things are important :rolleyes:

Now that start time is mentioned I thought it was 8:30 so I best double check.

dastardly00

Deleted User wrote: »

Can't wait !!!!! Herself even got us matching jerseys because I'm told these things are important :rolleyes:

His & Her jerseys...






(sorry Enfilade, I couldn't resist)

dastardly00

dastardly00 wrote: »

His & Her jerseys...






(sorry Enfilade, I couldn't resist)

I'm just praying they look ok , haven't seen them. Was just told to keep an eye out for the post man

heraldo

brocbrocach wrote: »

Anyone have a start time for this? Can't see one anywhere and the site just says it'll be updated...

This was annoying me too & I asked them on Fbook. Start time is 9.30

Eamonnator

I'm told that registration is open on Saturday from 4.00pm-8.00pm and on Sunday Morning from 7.30am

heraldo

heraldo wrote: »

This was annoying me too & I asked them on Fbook. Start time is 9.30

So things have changed since last Friday....
Small changes to the routes and the start times:

Long Route – 155km starts 9:00am
Medium Route – 105km starts at 9:30am

http://tourdeboynevalley.ie/event-faq/

hi

Anyone have an entry for this? I've a pal home from Oz interested in doing it.

thanks

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

hi

Anyone have an entry for this? I've a pal home from Oz interested in doing it.

thanks

Someone had some over in the ads http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057783713 not sure if they are still available or not.

wav1

Deleted User wrote: »

hi

Anyone have an entry for this? I've a pal home from Oz interested in doing it.

thanks

PM me and I may be able to sort something

Eamonnator

Registered this evening.
If the set up was anything to go by, this will be a great day tomorrow.
All the volunteers were in matching T-shirts and the whole thing was very professional, the personification of efficiency

kavanagh_h

wav1 wrote: »

PM me and I may be able to sort something

I have an entry if anyone wants it. PM me.

kavanagh_h

I'm looking to swap a large jacket for a medium one.

Eamonnator

Eamonnator wrote: »

Registered this evening.
If the set up was anything to go by, this will be a great day tomorrow.
All the volunteers were in matching T-shirts and the whole thing was very professional, the personification of efficiency

Some set up is right. Felt like a pro signing on

Had the wee one with me so drove over only 3 but is bike mad, didn't catch the lads name I was chatting to for a while but he let her sit up on the top bar of his bike as we chatted. Made her day couldn't wait to get home to tell mammy about being on the big bike

Great atmosphere there in general , hope the weather isn't as bad as today those showers were nasty, I'll be arriving prepared tomorrow.

moonshadow

One of the best organised sportives I've ever been on , no comparison to the mess last year.
Hats off to the Drogheda Wheelers cycling club who took on the marshalling role today they really did a superb job even sacrificing a chance to cycle in it I believe .
Tough route in very testing conditions but faultless with regard to registration, marshalling , foodstops and the reception on return with hot food and teas/coffee was excellent. Well done all!

Eamonnator

moonshadow wrote: »

One of the best organised sportives I've ever been on , no comparison to the mess last year.
Hats off to the Drogheda Wheelers cycling club who took on the marshalling role today they really did a superb job even sacrificing a chance to cycle in it I believe .
Tough route in very testing conditions but faultless with regard to registration, marshalling , foodstops and the reception on return with hot food and teas/coffee was excellent. Well done all!

Ditto.
The muffin, after my curry, was a nice bonus.
Great tough day on the bike.
I sincerely hope that Drogheda Wheelers promote this event again next year.

wav1

Eamonnator wrote: »

Ditto.
The muffin, after my curry, was a nice bonus.
Great tough day on the bike.
I sincerely hope that Drogheda Wheelers promote this event again next year.

Thanks Eamonnator..Was a great effort by every member of the club and fair play to the riders in ''changeable conditions'' and good to see your good self at the head of affairs as you passed by me anyway.Was important to put on a reasonable show to banish the bad press coming out of last year,and to establish it as an annual event,which hopefully will now be easier to attract riders to going forward.

wav1

moonshadow wrote: »

One of the best organised sportives I've ever been on , no comparison to the mess last year.
Hats off to the Drogheda Wheelers cycling club who took on the marshalling role today they really did a superb job even sacrificing a chance to cycle in it I believe .
Tough route in very testing conditions but faultless with regard to registration, marshalling , foodstops and the reception on return with hot food and teas/coffee was excellent. Well done all!

Thanks from Drogheda Wheelers for the comments.

Lusk_Doyle

Did this today with my bro. Was pressed for time so did the shorter route and left at ten to nine. We bated around and got back so early that they weren't ready for us at the finish! No harm done as we were not going to be hanging around anyway but the surprised faces at the finish were funny to see!

The marshals were great help and getting us through the junctions with ease. A typical well run Wav1 event as usual.

32.2 average and my first 100k this year. The cycle was great. Jusy balls out all the way with the wind and then into it and then with it again. The roads were lovely and quiet too. Happy out!

Fighting Tao

I did the 150k route it was excellent today (apart from the wind!) It was so well organised. No queues for registration, food etc. Food was great too. The marshals, guards and all other volunteers were unbelievable. Definitely going to do this next year.

sweetswing

Rolling hills, beautiful food and plenty of it , magnificently we'll run event , I will definitely be back next year "bravo all envolved " ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘

super event, well done!
very well organised, food was great, lots of people at junctions indicating the direction.

Cionn

Good event, the weather was really challenging. Marshalling was first rate and very good. Organisation was great, the stop at 97km was really good, the ladies dishing out the sambo's were very nice and appreciated as I was a bit broken at that stage.
I would say see you next year but I need to check the long range weather forecast first.

Thanks again

Felt like a child at the end with herself getting the napkin to me to clean the curry from my beard and jersey as I shovelled it into me

Great day out, but very testing for me and especially her tiny self in the wind. We got into a routine in of saying "yay" or "boo" depending on the wind direction

I decided it was the right thing to do to cycle the 5km home and she took the car and of course it rained didn't it.

Well done to all involved from the volunteers yesterday at sign on to those involved out on the road today. Will definitely sign up next year if being run by Drogheda Wheelers.

Special shout out to the man with the cat like reflexes who caught my rain coat when it got away from me !!!!!!!

jethrothe2nd

A superlatively well run event from start to finish. Fair play and thanks to all the organisers, marshals and gardai. Lovely route as well. Weather made it challenging in some places but I'll be back next year without question.