Wild Atlantic Way Sportif 13-29 Sept

Anyone else thinking of doing a stage or 2?
45e for a stage, includes a jersey, jacket and lunch, seems good

https://wildatlanticwaycyclesportif.ie/

2 Wheels Good

Hoping to do stages 1 and 2 as they're near home

StevieGriff

Hoping to do Day 4. Jersey looks great, compared to the usual dog vomit inspired sportif jerseys. Full support with transfer and Jersey for €45 is incredible.

magicbastarder

i wonder will they have to change the last stage - i note it doesn't take in the full wild atlantic way in inishowen, but some of the roads it seems to take in are ones which sustained damage this week AFAIK.

Inquitus

How much is it to do the whole lot? Anyone know, can't find it without registering.

dastardly00

Inquitus wrote: »

How much is it to do the whole lot? Anyone know, can't find it without registering.

On the main page it says €90 for multi-day stages including overnight.

So €90 x 17 stages = €1,530.
That's my guess anyway.

wowy

It was too late this year to get sorted, but I'm half-thinking about splitting it next year and doing the first half in the April event and then the remaining stages in September.

dastardly00

Thinking of doing stage 9 as it's closest to home.
The transfer back to the start point and having a kit bag at the finish point is class. Might plan out if I could do other stages.

dastardly00

It sounds like the version in Spring next year will be tougher.

The April/May 2018 Cycle Sportif will be geared very much to the Club Cyclist looking to get some serious miles into the legs in preparation for the season ahead. The route will be split in four blocks of four stages and will facilitate Cycling clubs both in Ireland and abroad use the event as a pre – season training camp.

AnthonyCny

At least 3 of the roads in that route in Inishowen are gone. One around Malin head will take ages to fix. The other ones should be ready.

The route also completely avoids Mamore Gap,I would of thought that a lot of cyclists would want to tackle it.

dastardly00

Weepsie wrote: »

The season starts in February/March doesn't it?

Haven't a clue. I don't race :P

dastardly00

So have any Boardsies took part in this yet?

They are going from Bantry to Sneem today.
Anyone know what the numbers are like so far. From looking at the video of the start of stage 1, there were about 35-50 riders. I wonder if there are many doing the whole thing.

at1withmyself

Registered for Friday spin from roundstone but no confirmation email yet so hope all is good.

dastardly00 wrote: »

So have any Boardsies took part in this yet?

They are going from Bantry to Sneem today.
Anyone know what the numbers are like so far. From looking at the video of the start of stage 1, there were about 35-50 riders. I wonder if there are many doing the whole thing.

Arthurdaly

Numbers look quite small based upon the pictures I have seen, still hoping to get a few stages in closer to the weekend if the weather is decent. I want that jersey:)

Roger Hassenforder

dastardly00 wrote: »

So have any Boardsies took part in this yet?

They are going from Bantry to Sneem today.
Anyone know what the numbers are like so far. From looking at the video of the start of stage 1, there were about 35-50 riders. I wonder if there are many doing the whole thing.

https://vimeo.com/233721876?ref=fb-share&1

I'd say numbers not great.
Met a few of them coming back towards Kinsale solo on Wednesday.
Class jersey though

dastardly00

About 40 cyclists in this tweeted photo from today.

https://twitter.com/PauricByrne/status/910153071623360514

I was hoping to do the stage on Thursday but I'm having trouble with my back at the moment so it's a no-go for me unfortunately

two wheels good

The fab weather of the first 5-6 days just a distant memory now. Must be a bit grim around Fanore today. No update en-route yet on Twitter WAW Sportif

Animella

Signed up for Achill- Ballina. Couldn't resist, its on a Sunday and it's great value for the jersey, jacket, lunch and transfers.
Fingers crossed it won't be TOO wild!

marvin80

Animella wrote: »

Signed up for Achill- Ballina. Couldn't resist, its on a Sunday and it's great value for the jersey, jacket, lunch and transfers.
Fingers crossed it won't be TOO wild!

Was hoping to do a few stages of this but time wouldn't allow.

Let us know how you get on and hope you get decent weather.

LollipopJimmy

I'm trying to swing next Friday off in work to do the final stage. I did another section of the Wild Atlantic Way a few weeks ago and there was a lad from Failte Ireland telling us about this

lissard

I have to say the multi-day aspect of this could be very tempting. Would make for a fun few days with a couple of friends. I might pencil it in around the May bank holiday next year.

Animella

at1withmyself wrote: »

Registered for Friday spin from roundstone but no confirmation email yet so hope all is good.

Did you do it?

DeepBlue

I'm just back from doing Stage 10 from Roundstone to Leenane.
Have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

With heavy rain overnight it looked like it might be a wet and miserable start but the rain had cleared in the morning leaving a glorious, sunny morning in Connemara with the only reminder of the rain being the wet roads.
About 40-50 of us rolled out from Roundstone with a lead car keeping us pretty much together until the top of the Sky Road. We had fantastic weather with the sun out, fabulous scenery and a friendly, chatty bunch of cyclists.

Organisationally it was a pretty slick operation with the four or five guys involved in organising all very affable and easy to deal with.

After about 70K we stopped for lunch in Letterfrack at the Connemara National Park tearooms and had soup with brown bread and sambos and tea/coffee followed by cakes. It was a nice change having a sit -down meal on a sportive.

After lunch I realised I'd forgotten to refill my water and isotonic bottles only to arrive back out to my bike to find that they'd been filled for me. Now that's service!!

Overall it was my most enjoyable sportive this year. I guess the small numbers helps a lot towards that as it felt more friendly and inclusive and also that probably made it easier to manage for the organisers.

I think 3 people are doing the full run of all 17 stages. Quite a lot seem to be doing a run of 2 or 3 stages and more again have done one stage and then come back days later to do another stage.

If you get a chance to do any of the remaining stages I'd highly recommend it. I *think* there's also a deal that if you do two stages you can get your accommodation for the night between the stages and an evening meal for 45 euro.

I believe next year they plan to run the event twice - first in April/May and then again in September. They've treated this year as a test run more or less.

DeepBlue

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

https://vimeo.com/233721876?ref=fb-share&1

I'd say numbers not great.
Met a few of them coming back towards Kinsale solo on Wednesday.
Class jersey though

Just on the numbers thing - they were saying that next year the number they're looking to get for the stages will be about 150 so I'd expect that there will never be massive numbers turning out for this event i.e. thousands. It's not really geared for that.

Roger Hassenforder

DeepBlue wrote: »

Just on the numbers thing - they were saying that next year the number they're looking to get for the stages will be about 150 so I'd expect that there will never be massive numbers turning out for this event i.e. thousands. It's not really geared for that.

I thought for the first leg, they have a few more.

Did they do much advertising? Only heard about it here.

at1withmyself

Animella wrote: »

Did you do it?

Ya I made the trip out the Roundstone and joined the cycle. Not long into the cycle one of the road captains started questioning me for not wearing the jersey or jacket, I wasn't aware it was mandatory and am more comfortable in my own gear (it cost enough money!), he kept going on which kinda annoyed me as it was not mentioned that you had to wear these.

Pace was gentle enough with a nice westerly breeze making the first half tough enough. Once on top of the climb at Sky Road we stopped for a photo, if you check the facebook you'll notice me missing as I was not allowed because I didn't have the jersey or jacket on me! Kept a gentle pace then to Letterfrack. Got some soup, sandwiches and cakes with tea and coffee.

After Letterfrack a few of us pushed on back to Leenane with a nice tail wind, the option there was a bus back to the start or stay the night. I had decided already that morning that I'd cycle back to Roundstone which gave a nice loop around Connemara through the Inagh Valley.

The scenery was amazing and has me questioning why the Tour of Connemara stopped going around these roads. Support was very good and bike marshals were at every major junction. Good positive vibe from the cyclist who were from all over the country and good luck to the 3 souls doing the full route.

Smaller numbers would work better so above 150 people would be hard to manage as the small numbers allow all type of riders cycle at there own pace.

I get the advertisement thing but people should be able to wear what they like, I just wanted to ride my bike and enjoy the day but felt the jersey/jacket carry on was unnecessary.

Animella

Thanks at1withmyself. I guess they are really trying to push advertising with the jerseys. Glad you enjoyed it and that the food and support was good.
Have to say I only heard about the event during the week too. If I'd known about it earlier I might have trained for it! I should get around but it's longer than I'm used to.

two wheels good

DeepBlue wrote: »

......
I believe next year they plan to run the event twice - first in April/May and then again in September. They've treated this year as a test run more or less.

Yes, I was told this too. Specific dates were actually mentioned.
As mentioned in another post, the number of cyclist on the event is planned to increase significantly. Registration charges also expected to rise. So grab the good value this time if you can. (BTW I'm not connected with the organisors.)

In the first few stages there was a film crew on hand gathering promo material for Failte Ireland. I expect the matching jersey were an important factor in this. Anyway, they looked great in a bunch.

DeepBlue

two wheels good wrote: »

Specific dates were actually mentioned.

They've put the dates up already on the site - https://wildatlanticwaycyclesportif.ie/irelanduk-cycling-club-early-bird-registration-offer/

At lunch Keith was saying that they expect to be open for registrations early next week for the 2018 Sportif.

This year's deal of two stages plus accommodation, evening meal and breakfast for 90 euro total along with being returned with your bike back to your start point seems crazy good value and I wish I'd known about it earlier.

Rojo

I'm about to sign up for Tuesday to Friday stages... Don't know how I'll get home from Muff without causing too much of a headache though! :-/

EDIT:

Just been chatting with the team online and they can transfer you back to your car on the Saturday... So think I'll be driving up to Donegal!

dastardly00

Rojo wrote: »

I'm about to sign up for Tuesday to Friday stages... Don't know how I'll get home from Muff without causing too much of a headache though! :-/

EDIT:

Just been chatting with the team online and they can transfer you back to your car on the Saturday... So think I'll be driving up to Donegal!

Wow that's great!

HappyHiker

You'll have a blast Rojo! I did 2 stages Friday and Saturday. Friday's spin included the Sky Road which was stunning. Yesterday was marred by the weather (they had to shorten it by 40km because of the crosswinds approaching Achill which threatened to blow us off the bikes) but it was fun getting blown up the Doolough Valley when the wind was behind us! Lunch on Friday was in the Connemara National Park. Saturday included a coffee stop and a lunch stop. €45 for dinner, bed and breakfast was fab value for money - I doubt it will be as cheap next year. And yes, the jerseys are lovely.

Rojo

HappyHiker wrote: »

You'll have a blast Rojo! I did 2 stages Friday and Saturday. Friday's spin included the Sky Road which was stunning. Yesterday was marred by the weather (they had to shorten it by 40km because of the crosswinds approaching Achill which threatened to blow us off the bikes) but it was fun getting blown up the Doolough Valley when the wind was behind us! Lunch on Friday was in the Connemara National Park. Saturday included a coffee stop and a lunch stop. €45 for dinner, bed and breakfast was fab value for money - I doubt it will be as cheap next year. And yes, the jerseys are lovely.

Wihoo - great to hear! It's coming up as €90 for overnights, how do I get the cheaper deal of €45? :-o

DeepBlue

Rojo wrote: »

Wihoo - great to hear! It's coming up as €90 for overnights, how do I get the cheaper deal of €45? :-o

I think the €90 is the cheaper deal which includes two stages (which would otherwise cost 45 each) plus your accommodation with dinner and breakfast.
Hopefully someone who knows for certain can verify.

Animella

Fabulous day yesterday on stage 12 from Achill to Ballina. They had to skip the loop of the Currane peninsula on Saturday due to bad weather so we did that yesterday instead.,
First stop was at the very striking Ballycroy visitors centre, on through stunning scenery to lunch in the Talbot Hotel in Belmullet.
The weather really brightened up then with blue skies meaning beautiful blue seas on the coast road. Quick stop for a photo at the Céide fields.
The whole operation was very slick. It was fantastic value. The jersey is really good quality and looks great. It was also a bonus to get the transfer back to the car .
There was about twenty of us cycling, it was the longest stage which might have deterred most leisure cyclists .
The guys running are ride wild and do organised cycle tours which cost a lot more than this so it is obviously well subsidised this year.
Grab a stage if you can!

HappyHiker

Rojo wrote: »

Wihoo - great to hear! It's coming up as €90 for overnights, how do I get the cheaper deal of €45? :-o

It was €45 per stage plus €45 overnight so cost me €135. You have to do 2 or more stages to get the overnight though. You can just select a stage without the overnight after you've registered. Any difficulties use the online chat facility, Keith seems to be always available to answer any questions

Animella

HappyHiker wrote: »

It was €45 per stage plus €45 overnight so cost me €135. You have to do 2 or more stages to get the overnight though. You can just select a stage without the overnight after you've registered. Any difficulties use the online chat facility, Keith seems to be always available to answer any questions

Yeah, I messaged Keith about 11pm during the week when I heard about the sportif and he replied straight away.

NIMAN

I must keep an eye out for all this passing on the last stage.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Booked in for tomorrows stage Ardara to Dunfanaghy.

Early start for me!

ednwireland

came into town yesterday and out again never even saw tham apart form a few flags in the diamond and some outside the mill park hotel this morning. at least they have the weather until tommorrow ......

ht9zni1gs28crp

ednwireland wrote: »

at least they have the weather until tommorrow ......

Weather does read horrendous for tomorrow....really wondering will i bother going now

DeepBlue

Brenden Dazzling Poplar wrote: »

Weather does read horrendous for tomorrow....really wondering will i bother going now

Pehaps see if you can move it to Thursday if that suits. The weather looks a bit better for Donegal on Thursday (well, according to accuweather.com anyway) and back to rain again on Friday.

Alternatively gear up appropriately to keep yourself warm (no point trying to stay completely dry) and HTFU and go out and try to enjoy it. There is a perverse sense of achievement in doing 100K or so in the rain.

Animella

Brenden Dazzling Poplar wrote: »

Weather does read horrendous for tomorrow....really wondering will i bother going now

There shouldn't be a problem changing stages. Message them.
If you can't ,it's worth turning up even to get the jersey and jacket. You've paid for them and they really are lovely.

If conditions are really bad they can pick cyclists up . On Saturday they cut the route short because of strong winds.

Agree with above too, nothing like just gritting your teeth and getting on with it if it's only rain - you'll have a better sense of achievement! It's the Wild Atlantic Way after all!
Best of luck and enjoy!

Rojo

Just did the first day here... super well organised, lovely people all round and the scenery is fantastic. Saw Slieve League for the first time and it is every bit as impressive as I had hoped!

Totally recommend catching a day or two if you can.

Weather does look atrocious for tomorrow... at least skin is waterproof though, right? :-)

Rojo

Just getting around to posting about this. I signed up for the last four days. I would have loved to attempt the whole hog but I only heard about it late into the cycle.

I really can't say enough good things about the whole operation. It was so well organised and everything was just so easy going. It was so lovely knowing I just had to put on my gear, get into the saddle, peddle and enjoy the amazing scenery. Great route, hotels and food. Also met lots of cool people and made some great friends on it.

Registration should be opening up next week or soon enough after that for 2018. I'm dying to do the complete route!

https://wildatlanticwaycyclesportif.ie/

Apologies for posting so many photos... Couldn't stop myself!!