Lakeland gravel grinder Fermanagh

Oberkon

Anyone doing this or can comment on it . ? Looks like a brilliant day mostly off road . Definitely different than the norm . Entered it there hopefully no cancellation

https://lakelander.co.uk/

a148pro

A good few lads did it last year, it's not great timing for me for work this time so I might just head up and do it off a gpx sometime. Looks like a great route in so far as it's almost all off road.

Whatwicklow

It's prob near 85% on forest roads, nice day out and well organised.

Which reminds me, I need to enter this year's event

Macy0161

Did it last year, and took an early bird entry for this years. Will see where we are with Covid before making the final decision on me travelling, regardless of whether it is officially on.

It was a hard day last year on the Kona Rove AL - hoping it'll be a bit more forgiving on the Sub Compact, Carbon Forked, tubeless Topstone! But a great event, in lovely underrated country. Very little tarmac, and even less open road.

Oberkon

Macy0161 wrote: »

Did it last year, and took an early bird entry for this years. Will see where we are with Covid before making the final decision on me travelling, regardless of whether it is officially on.

It was a hard day last year on the Kona Rove AL - hoping it'll be a bit more forgiving on the Sub Compact, Carbon Forked, tubeless Topstone! But a great event, in lovely underrated country. Very little tarmac, and even less open road.

Which Topstone did you go for ? The alloy or the carbon ?

Macy0161

Oberkon wrote: »

Which Topstone did you go for ? The alloy or the carbon ?

Tiagra AL

25sean

I'm looking for an entry to the event, if anyone has one they're not using... PM much appreciated

Macy0161

Must be at risk, as we await the UK further restrictions?

Oymyakon

Was going to do this, but may not with Dublin travel restrictions

Macy0161

Well my own county is one of the "cause for concern" potential Level 3 as well. The UK rules are groups of no more than 6, which is fine at the start, will become a problem over 100km of gravel I imagine!

Sandwell

I see this is somehow going ahead tomorrow despite the desperate case numbers in the North. I got an email last weekend telling me they'd been forced to bump my entry until 2021 due to my having an address in Dublin. I think the same has now happened to all entrants with an ROI address.

I do feel for anyone trying to organise an event at the moment but the lack of a refund option stings a bit. Any others in the same boat?

Oberkon

Sandwell wrote: »

I see this is somehow going ahead tomorrow despite the desperate case numbers in the North. I got an email last weekend telling me they'd been forced to bump my entry until 2021 due to my having an address in Dublin. I think the same has now happened to all entrants with an ROI address.

I do feel for anyone trying to organise an event at the moment but the lack of a refund option stings a bit. Any others in the same boat?

Yes the thing should have been pulled last weekend . It’s madness in NI the last while

I understand they will have overheads or other money issues but no refund only a deferral to 2021 leaves me with a bad taste while the event goes ahead . There should be an option of a refund for those who request it . I only found out last weekend.

a148pro

I've been updating the website regularly waiting to see them pull it but obviously not.

Have they automatically cancelled anyone with an ROI address? To be honest I'm surprised, I think you can probably travel to the North at the moment, its a foreign country. I assume they don't expect people to fly.

I'm really surprised they've not pulled it, kind of shows a bit of the difference in attitudes between the two jurisdictions. On some level, I like that cycling stuff might still go ahead, if people's start times were staggered and there were no food stops there'd be close to no risk. We're supposed to be "living with the virus". But with communal food stops and people in anything approaching a tight pack I think there would be some risk.

Whatwicklow

I was entered and an chasing them for a refund, cycling ireland got an email too. Deferral isn't good enough.

I did the boreen event two weeks ago and they ran with staggered start times going opposite ways on a figure of 8. It worked really well. No feed but it was reasonably priced at €25.

a148pro

Where does one hear about these events by the way? I thought lakelander was more or less the only gravel one, apart from maybe one in Mayo? I'd love to know more about other options, if nothing else they give you ideas for spins

Oberkon

a148pro wrote: »

Where does one hear about these events by the way? I thought lakelander was more or less the only gravel one, apart from maybe one in Mayo? I'd love to know more about other options, if nothing else they give you ideas for spins

There’s a Facebook page with updates - although not updated quick enough this time

This below has some great events if we could travel

https://www.gravelunion.cc/events

Try some Gravel path trails at night -great craic with a good light

a148pro

Class, fk me imagine a long gravel spin in Iceland or in the midnight sun in Finland. Alas no.

Yeah I did a bit of Larry Murphy night time stuff, fun and a very different atmosphere, but, eh, Larry Murphy

Gallant_JJ

Does the Lakeland Cycling Club have an involvement in this?

Macy0161

Gallant_JJ wrote: »

Does the Lakeland Cycling Club have an involvement in this?

No (they're Mullingar anyway?). I don't think it's tied to a club, but run by Mallard Flyers club people I think?

Disappointed not to be able to travel (I'd actually made my own call pre-level 3), and happy to be transferred to next year. Did my own local "Fakelander" - a Gravel 100km solo turned into a bit of slog to be honest, but had the Lakelander as my second A event of the year so had been following a plan up to Saturday!

a148pro

Link to your route please, share the wealth!

Gallant_JJ

Macy0161 wrote: »

No (they're Mullingar anyway?). I don't think it's tied to a club, but run by Mallard Flyers club people I think?

Disappointed not to be able to travel (I'd actually made my own call pre-level 3), and happy to be transferred to next year. Did my own local "Fakelander" - a Gravel 100km solo turned into a bit of slog to be honest, but had the Lakelander as my second A event of the year so had been following a plan up to Saturday!

Lakeside Wheelers in Mullingar, Lakeland Cycling Club in Fermanagh, they usually run an excellent ship.

shamalam

waiting for a refund as promised from this event.
Has anyone else being successful.
No response to emails.
West wicklow ?

25sean

shamalam wrote: »

waiting for a refund as promised from this event.
Has anyone else being successful.
No response to emails.
West wicklow ?

Snap.. Been in the back of my mind.. Must follow up on it... Let you in know...

Oberkon

25sean wrote: »

Snap.. Been in the back of my mind.. Must follow up on it... Let you in know...

No refund , and was brushed off regarding it . Won’t be living in Ireland next year so sadly can’t avail of the 2021 race . Annoying ,I feel the option of a refund would have been fair . Looking at the pictures etc they had a decent amount to cover their costs ?

Sandwell

I didn't bother to look for a a refund as I figured it would be pointless given their behaviour to date. I've the 2021 date marked down but I'll be doing it out of obligation rather than any great desire to support their event. It all leaves a really bad taste.

a148pro

Sandwell wrote: »

I didn't bother to look for a a refund as I figured it would be pointless given their behaviour to date. .... It all leaves a really bad taste.

What did they do?

shamalam

thanks for the info on refunds.
Friend did get a refund early around time of event.
I should have chased it up then.

Sandwell

a148pro wrote: »

What did they do?

People were refused entry to the event (which should have been cancelled anyway imo due to the North being at the peak of the second wave) due to Covid travel restrictions but given no option of a refund, just enry to next year's event. They've since fobbed off those same people when questioned about it.

clod71

I got an entry for the 2021 edition on Oct 9th, but something came up and now I'm not sure I'll be able to make it.

From what I gathered here, the organisers are not very good at performing refunds.

Is there someone interested in going who wants to take the ticket?

Macy0161

I'm trying to transfer to 2022*, as the Church is f*cking me up again, as my daughters confirmation has just been arranged for the 9th. I've had no response though.

*absolutely gutted to miss it this year, as I'd built my whole training plan on TrainerRoad as this as my "A" event!

Gavos2base

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117892734#Comment_117892734

I might be interested how much are you selling the ticket for?

DJB030244

I had an entry last year but was cancelled for ROI and deferred - has anybody had an email or know what the situation is ?

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117897154#Comment_117897154

Rolled over automatically to this year.

clod71

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117893621#Comment_117893621

I paid 53.75 pounds, which converts to 62 euro.

There is a Refund Protect policy included, which goes with certain T&Cs

There is also a size S T-shirt included.

50 euro?

clod71

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/114693775#Comment_114693775

I do

comete

I also have a space and might not be available to attend..

big dog event, 100km, and a large T-shirt.

kenmc

Late to the thread, was searching for more info on this, 2 mates and signed up for this back in may or so, can't wait though the colder weather recently has me more apprehensive. Did the reservoir cogs a few weeks back as a warmup then switched to the MTB with some skinnier tyres to get the miles in on that. Planing on bringing plenty of bottles of painkiller for post ride rehydration (it IS 95% water after all :) )

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117900799#Comment_117900799

i'll take that off your hands if you still have it

Altheus

Hey lads - I'm in a bind here. Mate bailed last minute on me. So here's the dealio - if you can help me get to and from the event (I'm in Dublin!) - I'll happily give you his ticket and provide moral support/pints/cake after the event!

a148pro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957932#Comment_117957932

That is to say you'll tell us how good the well earned pints taste while we wait to drive you back home again?? ;)

I've wanted to do this route for a while, wasn't planning on doing this event but if I end up being free on Saturday and weather doesn't look awful I'd consider it, leaving Dublin City Centre

Hope you get sorted in the meantime but if not I'll check back in here by Thursday if it looks like I'm free

kpbryww

Anybody got a ticket for sale for lakelander?

Altheus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117970918#Comment_117970918

Amazing man - let me know anyway

a148pro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117972624#Comment_117972624

OK - weather looks ok, I've got the pass from the missus and haven't yet got the cold from the kid

I'm in - I'll send you a PM and we'll sort out the details

Does anyone know, are they strict on registration closing at 9? I presume by 9 there'll be a queue and if you arrived shortly afterwards without taking the p*ss it won't be end of the world?

Also do you actually have to bring a whistle?

How easy is parking?

lennymc

Some chunks of info from an email they sent during the week.

Mandatory Kit: Bike Helmet (no helmet, no event), GPS tracker (provided), Waterproof / Windproof jacket / gilet,  Spare inner tubes, tyre levers and pump. Please know how to change a puncture. This is a wilderness event.  Flashing back light, at least 1L of water (can be refilled at water / food stations), Food to last at least 40k / 50k Mobile phone (fully charged) with a number entered for event control – 07775846097 

Recommended Kit  

Front light (if you think it will take you 7 - 8 hours)  

GPS navigation (eg. Garmin, Wahoo etc) with relevant route uploaded 

Official parking spaces on the day are provided at Belcoo O’Rahillys GFC  

(https://goo.gl/maps/JXWDDyeYVRdVmwwX8) on a first come-first served basis and can accommodate up to 300  vehicles. Please note that the organisers and the Belcoo O’Rahillys GFC are not responsible for damage or theft of  your vehicle and you park at your own risk.  

We will have additional field parking on the day (weather dependent) which will be well signposted and there is  plenty of verge parking and car parks in and around Belcoo Village. If you choose to park on a location on the  roadside, please do not block any gates or driveways. If you do, your vehicle will be towed away

Registration  

Friday 8th October - Registration 5pm to 9pm - Belcoo Community Centre.  

Race Number Collection, T Shirt Collection, GPS Tracker Allocation  

Saturday 9th October - Registration 7am to 10am, Belcoo Community Centre 

Race Number Collection, T Shirt Collection, GPS Tracker Allocation  

Your event number can be found on the number lists at the entrance to the registration area or on  the 2021 tracking site which will be posted in due course. Do not approach the registration table before knowing  your event number.  

Registration will take approx. 15 minutes and it is a few minutes from the parking area, so please factor that into  your arrival time. Due to social distancing measures in place expect to be standing in a queue outside for  registration – dress appropriately for the weather.  

The wearing of face coverings is MANDATORY whilst queuing inside for registration. There will also be hand  sanitiser available at the entrance to registration. Please ensure you use the hand sanitiser when entering the  building.  

a148pro

Great event which I'd recommend to anyone. Well run, registration took all of 2 mins despite there being like 900 riders, nice touches like craft beer and a nice chicken salad protein fix at end

Only minor quibble was lack of doping control to catch mountain hares like Altheus tearing around the course on a jumped up road bike with fat slicks. Not fair on the rest of us.

Anyone know of any other middle to long distance gravel events in Ireland?

lennymc

i'll second that - very well run event. Good (tough) day in the saddle. Really enjoyed it even though litterally everything was aching getting off the bike.

zindicato

Did it the first time in 2019 no punctures and the gravel was well packed because of the rally event which was held a few days before... total opposite this time around 3 punctures , thicker loose gravel , sand traps , way more water eroded ruts ,hard but still enjoyed it.... definitely will be back next time around.

The hot burgers replaced by chicken salad which tasted so good according to my mate who finished with me which i wil take with a grain of salt as he was just near to starving at that point. 😂

Whatwicklow

They could have kept the salad.. Not a patch on the burger😂😂. Tough event nice to get around, 2nd year up there

De Bhál

Toughest thing I've ever done on a bike. Still drained this evening. It was like a 5 hour cx race but worse.

Mental battle to stop myself just crawling into the heather and dying at many points between 60 and 90km in.

Looking forward to next year.

NamelessPhil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000051#Comment_118000051

https://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/200km-events/mayo-xtrm-200/

There's the Grass Routes Gran Fondo and the Mayo XTRM 200 if you fancy long tough routes.

zindicato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118002093#Comment_118002093

Grass routes is also brutal never ending double digit climbs and some really dodgy downhill sections... but in saying that the lakelander just edges it due to grip issues on the loose gravel on the climbs which makes it harder its either your front end wants to make a wheelie and your rear just spins when you try to stand up , the mayo xtrm havent heard about it but it is on my list now, thanks for mentioning it... but dont have any mtb for it😥 ...someday maybe when the missus allows me to have one 😂