Cycling Ireland Best Leisure Event Award 2018 and so on

Mercian Pro

Not overly impressed with the shortlisted leisure events on the CI website. To save you looking it up, they are:
The Great Dublin Bike Ride (winner in 2015 and CI a "stakeholder"!)
The Inishowen 100
Old Velos Vintage Classic (3rd nomination in 3 years)
Turas na mBan
The Ultimate Burren MBT Challenge

Other than ensuring a good geographical spread and including some specialised events, it's hard to the basis for the selection. A lot of extremely well run and testing sportives have been ignored such as the Reservoir Dog and the Rebel Tour.

Is it time for a Boards Sportif of the Year award?

Andy Magic

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Is it time for a Boards Sportif of the Year award?

Great shout on that.

I can see why the great Dublin Bike ride is top of the list, I did it this year and it is extremely well run.

uck51js9zml2yt

A boards outing would just end up in a row and everyone getting carded:)

Beasty

Andy Magic wrote: »

I can see why the great Dublin Bike ride is top of the list, I did it this year and it is extremely well run.

They discovered a way posting them alphabetically while ignoring the Thes

Beasty

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Is it time for a Boards Sportif of the Year award?

Many years ago we ran annual awards threads but they fell by the wayside

Maybe time to recycle the concept...

uck51js9zml2yt

Beasty wrote: »

Many years ago we ran annual awards threads but they fell by the wayside

Maybe time to recycle the concept...

I saw what you did there:D

Beasty

I personally do not think they should include their own event. They can throw much more money at this then any club could risk and get the Guards to effectively run rolling road closures. They also can line up high profile sponsors. Add it all up and despite the amount they charge there are bound to be a lot of votes heading their way.

Might be different if they allowed "down" votes though!!

Redfence74

Can't believe the Donegal bay one isn't on it ....great event ...tough day on bike ...and very well organised...

Beasty

Redfence74 wrote: »

Can't believe the Donegal bay one isn't on it ....great event ...tough day on bike ...and very well organised...

Guess if they put really popular ones in the list it may reduce the chances of the GDBR winning

:pac:

smacl

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Is it time for a Boards Sportif of the Year award?

Voting to be held over pints at Glenmalure lodge maybe? Missed events this year due to injury, but Reservoir Dog would have got my vote last year for sure.

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

...Is it time for a Boards Sportif of the Year award?

Boards Evil Ride would have to win of course!

Mercian Pro

Redfence74 wrote: »

Can't believe the Donegal bay one isn't on it ....great event ...tough day on bike ...and very well organised...

It certainly would have been on the top of my list last year but unfortunately I couldn't make it this year. Glad to hear it's still as tough and well organised as before.

Carawaystick

Beasty wrote: »

I personally do not think they should include their own event. They can throw much more money at this then any club could risk and get the Guards to effectively run rolling road closures. They also can line up high profile sponsors. Add it all up and despite the amount they charge there are bound to be a lot of votes heading their way.

It's a bit fr ted
sometimes the people running the draw win the draw...

Daroxtar

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Boards Evil Ride would have to win of course!

You can only vote on a sportive if you've done it and if you've done the Evil your vote should be discounted by reason of insanity

Matt Bianco

I’m not sure if audax would qualify in the strictest sense but the Mick Byrne puts many to shame in terms of organization, support and dedication of Paul and all in Audax Ireland and Sorrento CC

NamelessPhil

Audax Ireland events come under the Leisure section of Cycling Ireland. In that case there's no reason why the Mick Byrne couldn't be nominated.

Borderfox

Reservoir Dog for me this year, GDBR was well organised but a bit meh in terms of everything else

terrydel

Resevoir Dog for me, followed by Cliffs of Moher cycle challenge the best for me this year.

Eamonnator

Weepsie wrote: »

I've never done the GDBR but it should lose out for having such a dull route as much of it goes through industrial estates essentially.

And for daring to cross the border into Co. Meath.

marvin80

Tour de Kilkenny was a great event. Very well organised, great food stops and a tough, hilly route taking in some lovely parts of Kilkenny.

Macy0161

Don't see how they can enter their own event for their own award to be honest! SWMBO is starting to get interested, so not saying I'd never do the GDBR, but I think eas

Didn't do many this year, but Reservoir Dog just about pips the Blackstairs Cycling Challenge. I don't think the later was CI approved anyway, so not sure how that stands on boards.ie awards?

I'd also go back to the SEC 3 Peaks Challenge too (although this year it was the same weekend of the SRAC, which I've entered for 2018).

Wishbone Ash

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Audax Ireland events come under the Leisure section of Cycling Ireland. In that case there's no reason why the Mick Byrne couldn't be nominated.

Leisure and Mick Byrne 200 in the same sentence seems odd - 1000m of climbing in the first 40k!

One of my favourites all the same. It's a pity it falls on the last day of the Ras (the finish of which is on my doorstep).

terrydel

Macy0161 wrote: »

Don't see how they can enter their own event for their own award to be honest! SWMBO is starting to get interested, so not saying I'd never do the GDBR, but I think eas

Didn't do many this year, but Reservoir Dog just about pips the Blackstairs Cycling Challenge. I don't think the later was CI approved anyway, so not sure how that stands on boards.ie awards?

I'd also go back to the SEC 3 Peaks Challenge too (although this year it was the same weekend of the SRAC, which I've entered for 2018).

Too many acronyms.

Macy0161

terrydel wrote: »

Too many acronyms.

Looking at it now, yes probably!

Mercian Pro

Matt Bianco wrote: »

I’m not sure if audax would qualify in the strictest sense but the Mick Byrne puts many to shame in terms of organization, support and dedication of Paul and all in Audax Ireland and Sorrento CC

Can't think of any other event where the organiser (Paul) drives around encouraging participants. That and the creamed rice cones make it a strong contender.

marvin80 wrote: »

Tour de Kilkenny was a great event. Very well organised, great food stops and a tough, hilly route taking in some lovely parts of Kilkenny.

Definitely, and surprisingly, tougher than the revamped Sean Kelly. I'm told the slogan for next year will be 'a lot tougher than it looks!" Very friendly and well organised too.

Can't forget the Orwell Randonnee though it now seems like years ago. A lot of climbing so early in the year and really good burgers to finish.

Eamonnator

The Orwell would get my vote, great event, tough course, well organised, great food, well marshalled.

goldenboots

The Orwell randonee, Reservoir Dog and Tour de Kilkenny were all brilliant events. Great routes, marshalling, support, food, etc.
Didn't do the Mick Byrne 200 this year but it is a great event as well. The hardest sportive I have done in this country.
Shout out as well to the Pedal the Peaks (Pat Colgan) in Tullamore.
Looking forward to doing all the above again in 2018.

Mercian Pro

Based totally unscientifically on the number of positive mentions so far, the Reservoir Dog tops the list followed closely by the Mick Byrne with the Orwell Randonee and Tour de Kilkenny in joint third position.

Interesting that none of these have even been on the CI shortlists over the past three years. Are we all out of touch or are they?

HivemindXX

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Interesting that none of these have even been on the CI shortlists over the past three years. Are we all out of touch or are they?

I think there is a lot of selection bias. Those events you mention are far more like big club cycles and you are getting feedback from people I assume are club cyclists.

If you were able to poll the entrants to all the old An Post, Ring of Kerry, Skoda etc cycles you would get a very different answer.

Without knowing the criteria (which we don't) you can't say which list is more accurate.

Mercian Pro

HivemindXX wrote: »

Without knowing the criteria (which we don't) you can't say which list is more accurate.

So, any thoughts on what the criteria for Best Leisure Event should be?

Corker1

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Based totally unscientifically on the number of positive mentions so far, the Reservoir Dog tops the list followed closely by the Mick Byrne with the Orwell Randonee and Tour de Kilkenny in joint third position.

Interesting that none of these have even been on the CI shortlists over the past three years. Are we all out of touch or are they?

I just came across this thread now - a bit belatedly. I was a bit preoccupied at the time. - more anon... Thank you very much for the votes for the Reservoir Dog Sportive and the nice comments. Not being on the Cycling Ireland awards list for best Sportive doesn't bother us at all. What really motivates us is putting on the best sportive we can and knowing that people enjoyed it so much is a real thrill for us. It is never going to be a huge event in the mould of the Great Dublin Bike Ride or the Wicklow 200 because we deliberately limit the numbers. This years Reservoir Dog Sportive is on Sunday 2nd September. The venue is Russborough House again. We have the wheels turning in the background already making arrangements for what we hope will even be a better event this year. Watch this space - we hope to launch the Reservoir Dog website and registration link much earlier this year than previous years.
About the 'preoccupied' bit above. On the October Bank Holiday Sunday last, I am pretty sure that I saw Mercian Pro whizzing down the Sally Gap near Lough Bray as I struggled my way up. I think I shouted 'Hi' at the time. My memory is a little hazy on that. If you thought I looked like I was struggling, that's because I was! I had a heart attack further up the climb and ended up in Tallaght Hospital Cardiac Care unit later that day. But I lived to ride another day thanks to the brilliant care I received in Tallaght Hospital. You posted the results of your poll here the following day. Sorry I missed it at the time...it would have cheered me up, I'm sure

Wishbone Ash

Corker1 wrote: »

...On the October Bank Holiday Sunday last, I am pretty sure that I saw Mercian Pro whizzing down the Sally Gap near Lough Bray as I struggled my way up. I think I shouted 'Hi' at the time. My memory is a little hazy on that. If you thought I looked like I was struggling, that's because I was! I had a heart attack further up the climb and ended up in Tallaght Hospital Cardiac Care unit later that day. But I lived to ride another day thanks to the brilliant care I received in Tallaght Hospital....

Good to hear you're ok again.

(Mercian Pro was indeed in Wicklow and in the vicinity of the Sally Gap/Lough Bray that day according to his Strava calendar).

secman

Corker1 wrote: »

About the 'preoccupied' bit above. On the October Bank Holiday Sunday last, I am pretty sure that I saw Mercian Pro whizzing down the Sally Gap near Lough Bray as I struggled my way up. I think I shouted 'Hi' at the time. My memory is a little hazy on that. If you thought I looked like I was struggling, that's because I was! I had a heart attack further up the climb and ended up in Tallaght Hospital Cardiac Care unit later that day. But I lived to ride another day thanks to the brilliant care I received in Tallaght Hospital. You posted the results of your poll here the following day. Sorry I missed it at the time...it would have cheered me up, I'm sure

Delighted to hear that you are well again, I just happened to be at a physio yesterday with an on going back issue. The physio is my age bracket, just turned 60 and also swims, cycles. He advised me to go to a cardio specialist and get a cardio scan , purely precautionary to have the arteries checked in light of the activities we are involved in, and our age. He did one last October when he turned 60 and all was fine, definitely on my "to do list".
Are you back cycling ?

Corker1

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Good to hear you're ok again.

(Mercian Pro was indeed in Wicklow and in the vicinity of the Sally Gap/Lough Bray that day according to his Strava calendar).

Thanks. It could have been a lot worse!
I thought I saw him alright but it was a very surreal day so I wasn't too sure. Of course I could check my Strava 'Flybys' too or footage from my Fly 6 from that day to see where we passed each other.

Corker1

secman wrote: »

Delighted to hear that you are well again, I just happened to be at a physio yesterday with an on going back issue. The physio is my age bracket, just turned 60 and also swims, cycles. He advised me to go to a cardio specialist and get a cardio scan , purely precautionary to have the arteries checked in light of the activities we are involved in, and our age. He did one last October when he turned 60 and all was fine, definitely on my "to do list".
Are you back cycling ?

Thanks Secman. I am back cycling but have to take it real easy and keep the heart rate fairly low on medical advice. So it's flat roads and short spins for me for the time being. Before my heart attack, I had signed up to do the Mallorca 312 in April this year but that is not going to happen now. But Hey..I can still get out on the bike so all is not lost. A gang from the club are still going to do it so I will do support for them maybe - if they are nice to me
Yeah, it's always worth keeping an eye on your health. I am 49, non-smoker, very active, good diet (if a little fond of cakes). So it was a bolt from the blue for me. The big take away is for me is for people to listen to their bodies and if you have any worrying symptoms while exercising, call an ambulance or get checked out by a medical professional at the earliest opportunity. I do not want to stray into the realms of giving medical advice here, which I know is not permitted but check out the Irish Heart foundation link here https://irishheart.ie/heart-and-stroke-conditions-a-z/heart-attack/#section-symptoms Don't forget that syptoms will vary in every case. If you experience these symptoms - act fast.

Mercian Pro

Corker1 wrote: »

About the 'preoccupied' bit above. On the October Bank Holiday Sunday last, I am pretty sure that I saw Mercian Pro whizzing down the Sally Gap near Lough Bray as I struggled my way up. I think I shouted 'Hi' at the time.

Yes, it was me allright and I only recognised you as we passed. That's terrible what happened later but, thankfully, you pulled through and lived to cycle another day. I have had a few health scares in recent years and, while there is a lot of pseudo-medical rubbish on the web, there is some really good "official" advice too.

I was out that day with a friend and his Spanish girlfriend and they have both signed up for the Mallorca 312 as well. I will tell them to look our for the Cogs. Looking forward to seeing the new website for the Reservoir Dog and signing up good and early. See you at Russborough House if not before. Take care.

Gerry

Surprised to not see the Orwell on there. I think it's the best sportive that I've done. Re MTB i presume the reason the Cooley thriller is not on there is that it's a non CI event. It was a fantastic day out on the bike.

Mercian Pro

Almost a year to the day since my original post and here we go again.

This year's nominations exclude all the great events mentioned above but include the GDBR and the Old Velos Classic yet again. Given that the nominations were submitted by the CI Provinces and the Commissions, it's probably no surprise that Ulster, Munster and Connaught all get one each as well as a BMX event and a women only sportif. I had hoped that the Leisure Commissioner might have had more say in the process but his is probably just one voice among many.

Incidently, Phil Skelton of Staying Alive at 1.5 is one of the nominees for Volunteer of the Year and well deserves the votes of any CI members here.

(Mods - can 2017 be dropped from the thread title or changed to 2018?)

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Almost a year to the day since my original post and here we go again.

This year's nominations exclude all the great events mentioned above but include the GDBR......

That's difficult to believe considering the swathe of negativity regarding the traffic fiasco with the GDBR around the western section of the route this year! Is Humphrey Appleby involved in the selection?

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

.... as well as a BMX event....

I think that's just to remind Orwell Wheelers that Ratoath BMX is actually the largest cycling club in the country! :D

Mercian Pro

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think that's just to remind Orwell Wheelers that Ratoath BMX is actually the largest cycling club in the country! :D

You love reminding them of that.😊 I think the fact that there is a BMX Commission might be more to the point.

fat bloke

Rás na mBan for event of the year!!

Valerie Considine for volunteer of the year!!

Vote early and often!!


(Event lasts 5 days, but organising it takes 365.)

ednwireland

Mercian Pro wrote: »

(Mods - can 2017 be dropped from the thread title or changed to 2018?)

done

vote link here
http://www.cyclingireland.ie/cycling-news-item/membership-awards-now-open-for-voting-cycling-ireland-awards-night-2018-tickets-now-on-sale/22187

py

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's difficult to believe considering the swathe of negativity regarding the traffic fiasco with the GDBR around the western section of the route this year!

Disappointing to see GDBR up there this year, was a shambles for the last 1/3 of the event.

Mercian Pro

So the Tour of Monaghan won Leisure Event of the Year.

Anyone do it or know what made it stand out? Good to see they don't call it the Tour de Monaghan anyway

Mercian Pro

At last, some genuinely good sportives have been included in the Leisure Event category of the Cycling Ireland Awards. Maybe the Leisure Commission are having some influence and have been getting good feedback in their post-event questionnaires. Top of the list IMO has to be the Reservoir Dog and, if you agree, you might vote for it at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HZL8CMK

Corker1

Thanks for the kind words and recommendation Mercian Pro. As it happens a CI Leisure Commissionaire assessed The Reservoir Dog Sportive this year. They actually participated in the event, cycling the 125km route and issued us with a very positive report and feedback afterwards. I'm not sure how we will fare in the awards against some of the much larger events that are sure to attract more votes. But while it is nice to have been shortlisted, ultimately for us it's about giving the riders the best day out on the bike possible while raising funds for local charities. We hope to launch the 2020 Reservoir Dog online in a few weeks so watch this space.

G1032

How do people and/or events get shortlisted?