Will any Sportives go ahead in 2021?

I am beginning to doubt if they will,

Tour de Burren cancelled for June 2021.

Cycling Ireland have published a list of events for 2021, which now seem unlikely, while at the same time they are getting savaged on FB for increasing the fee for leisure cyclists in 2021, with no events in 2020, and looking doubtful for 2021.

oisinog

I signed up for one in the glens of Antrim in June.

There was no charge but there is an ask you commit to raising money for a cancer Charity. I wont start raising the money until nearer the time but they are looking at as many different options as possible.

Also the Lap of the Lough is planned but again will see nearer the time.

lissard

When you can't cycle more than 5k from home on your own, it's hard to envisage a scenario in the near future that would allow you to travel all over the country and mix with hundreds of other cyclists both out on the road and in enclosed feed zones. Can't see it happening this year. Club rides yes, but big sportive style events I very much doubt.

Macy0161

I find it hard to see until well into the Autumn to be honest. I'd be more hopeful of racing, as per the what was allowed in that brief period where racing happened.

Personally, bar the ones that bounced on from 2020, I won't be signing up to any (yet).

Tenzor07

lissard wrote: »

When you can't cycle more than 5k from home on your own, it's hard to envisage a scenario in the near future that would allow you to travel all over the country and mix with hundreds of other cyclists both out on the road and in enclosed feed zones. Can't see it happening this year. Club rides yes, but big sportive style events I very much doubt.

You have to realize that the 5k limit isn't carved in stone, therefore will not remain indefinitely..

Anyways, I would estimate that any Sportives will be late in the year, possibly September or October...
... that goes for most Cycle races too..

Captain Havoc

I think later in the year, there'll be a few unofficial gathering of cycling enthusiasts. No money but maybe voluntary donations and ham sandwiches in the parish hall at the end.

oisinog

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You have to realize that the 5k limit isn't carved in stone, therefore will not remain indefinitely..

Anyways, I would estimate that any Sportives will be late in the year, possibly September or October...
... that goes for most Cycle races too..

I know here in the North the R rate has dropped to about 0.5 the hope that this continues to drop or remain the same and the relative slowing of the virus in the hotter months could lead to some aspects of normal life

Macy0161

I think they're going to be extremely cautious, given the new variants, and the indications that as well as being more transmissible that having a different variant may not offer any protection.

Lakelander Gravel Grinder is all I have in my calendar as a mass participation event, although I should have an entry to Lap the Lough too.

Tenzor07

Weepsie wrote: »

The distance limits will change, but the mass gatherings will be slower to remove.Even if it's outdoors, there will be a lot of backlash if sportives are given a go ahead and weddings (even with the increased risk of indoor gatherings) are still limited and businesses restricted. At least imo

Would be challenges for event organisers to get Garda / council approval or even insurance for the next 6 to 8 months... though this can't continue forever, though having said that I've yet to see the Irish Governments plans for exiting restrictions....

lissard

This could be a good year to turn your hand to Audax if you feel a pressing need for long distance challenges. I know there are several Audax routes (Permanents) that can be undertaken at a date of your own choosing - you are completely on your own.
https://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/
Obviously they are out the question until the county wide restrictions are lifted.

Macy0161

There was a few within County permanents published, wasn't there? Can't find them on the site though - I'd pencilled in doing the Wicklow one anyway.

NamelessPhil

Macy0161 wrote: »

There was a few within County permanents published, wasn't there? Can't find them on the site though - I'd pencilled in doing the Wicklow one anyway.

The link above gives a list of all the permanent routes currently available.
This is the Ardattin permanent that stays within Wicklow.
https://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/ardattin-200-wicklow-permanent/

Or there's the Cill Mhantain 200 also within Wicklow. https://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/cill-mhantain-200-permanent/

billyhead

I don't think there will be any mass gatherings until the Autumn.

Unknown Soldier

billyhead wrote: »

I don't think there will be any mass gatherings until the Autumn.

You left out 2024/5. And that is being optimistic.

I'm just following the science, people!

Beasty

Most people will not get the vaccine until later on in the year and I don't think anything official will be permitted until after the "regular season"

CantGetNoSleep

I'm seeing a few challenges being organised from early summer which are not mass start, e.g. here is a gpx file, ride this course over this weekend in a group of max 4, upload it to Strava, no food stops or support etc. Not really the same as a sportive but for this year it is all I expect from organised rides. I'll try do a few of these once they are allowed.

NamelessPhil

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I'm seeing a few challenges being organised from early summer which are not mass start, e.g. here is a gpx file, ride this course over this weekend in a group of max 4, upload it to Strava, no food stops or support etc. Not really the same as a sportive but for this year it is all I expect from organised rides. I'll try do a few of these once they are allowed.

That's pretty much an Irish Audax!

Biker79

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

You left out 2024/5. And that is being optimistic.

I'm just following the science, people!

What makes you say 2024/2025?

Another one gone.........

Ride Dingle cancelled for 2021

funnights74

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You have to realize that the 5k limit isn't carved in stone, therefore will not remain indefinitely..

Anyways, I would estimate that any Sportives will be late in the year, possibly September or October...
... that goes for most Cycle races too..

If the guards went through Strava there would be plenty of arrests, the same as in lockdown 1 certain jurisdictions are turning a blind eye cycling groups of 5 or 6 and unless you get a particularly grumpy Guard they simply give you a wave.

funnights74

funnights74 wrote: »

If the guards went through Strava there would be plenty of arrests, the same as in lockdown 1 certain jurisdictions are turning a blind eye cycling groups of 5 or 6 and unless you get a particularly grumpy Guard they simply give you a wave.

I suppose it annoys me that I can cycle the 8km into work, Monday to Friday, because I work in what is deemed an essential service, but can't do the same route on the weekend.
Makes no sense

funnights74

funnights74 wrote: »

If the guards went through Strava there would be plenty of arrests, the same as in lockdown 1 certain jurisdictions are turning a blind eye cycling groups of 5 or 6 and unless you get a particularly grumpy Guard they simply give you a wave.

I Mentioned this to a guy at work and he laughed, there are guys still their regular 50+ up to 100 kms every week.
Back to the thread title i messaged the RoK a few weeks ago and am still waiting for a reply, highly unlikely this or anything before September will happen. Rebel tour, Tour de Kilkenny maybe, but anything else probably not.

Beasty

Deleted User wrote: »

I suppose it annoys me that I can cycle the 8km into work, Monday to Friday, because I work in what is deemed an essential service, but can't do the same route on the weekend.
Makes no sense

Why should cyclists be different from anyone else? Any "concession" only results in a divide between cyclists and others

If you need to go into work, then you have a valid reason. A leisure cycle simply is not "valid" beyond the 5km. Nor is a run, or a walk, or indeed a swim.

ednwireland

looks like cycling ireland dont think there will be sportives for a loooooong time !

10% discount

Get 10% off entry to the Great Dublin Bike Ride. This great charity ride has a route to suit all cyclists and fitness levels from 20km to 100km and we hope its back with a bang for 20201!

Ring of Kerry cancelled for 2021

who_ru

there won't be any sportives this year either, lets face it 2021 is a write off much the same as 2020 was. we'll be lucky to get out on a solo spin at this stage. no such issues in the UK where solo cycling is still permitted and not restricted to 5kms.

Macy0161

The problem organisers have is the uncertainty, that's why the relatively early decisions are being made. It's not like they can leave it to even 4 weeks to go to make a call.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Level 4 from March, which would mean within county club spins (under the "training" interpretation CI/ Sport Ireland have taken to date).

07Lapierre

Clubs should plan for Level 4 restrictions from March. So groups of 15 or less within your county.

I've suggested to our club that we organise a club sportive for club members. It can be run /planned at short notice etc.

nilhg

07Lapierre wrote: »

Clubs should plan for Level 4 restrictions from March. So groups of 15 or less within your county.

I've suggested to our club that we organise a club sportive for club members. It can be run /planned at short notice etc.

I wouldn't hold my breath for any loosening of restrictions bar trying to get the schools back very gradually.

The Gov got it very wrong for Xmas, they will be much more cautious now till the vaccines roll out more widely, and even at that the various variants will be a fly in the ointment.

secman

Prof Nolan had already indicated that current restrictions will not lift on 5th March, a full month in advance. Looks like the case reduction has stalled at 1,000 per day, and 2/3 of cases are the UK variant. So not looking good, we can't have another start up and lockdown. I think the plan is to hold firm to allow the vaccine roll out to finally push the numbers down and keep them down. Don't think spotives are high on the agenda.

Macy0161

07Lapierre wrote: »

Clubs should plan for Level 4 restrictions from March. So groups of 15 or less within your county.

I've changed my opinion overnight really - I see them easing to more standard level 5, rather than going level 4. i.e. Schools and Construction.

07Lapierre wrote: »

I've suggested to our club that we organise a club sportive for club members. It can be run /planned at short notice etc.

My club did a "Wicklow 100/200" over the summer, in covid compliant groups. It worked well actually. No food stops/ mechanical support, so I guess more like a club audax. The different paced spins just went off with each other.

dahat

Sportives? Races?

I'd like my child to get to school & for myself to travel more than 5km down the road in March!

07Lapierre

Macy0161 wrote: »

My club did a "Wicklow 100/200" over the summer, in covid compliant groups. It worked well actually. No food stops/ mechanical support, so I guess more like a club audax. The different paced spins just went off with each other.

Yep, that's what i had in mind. I'm still optimistic that we'll be in level 4 in June/July, which means our Club can organise a spin up to 200k while still remaining inside County Dublin.

MojoMaker

I dunno....how would an organiser be able to enforce distancing on cyclists? Race marshals can barely do it during triathlons :pac:

And mates will cycle beside mates all day long so it's a tricky one for sure.

ridelikeaturtle

the Ring of Kerry cycle just got cancelled...

https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/ring-of-kerry-sportive-planned-for-summer-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/

secman

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

the Ring of Kerry cycle just got cancelled...

https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/ring-of-kerry-sportive-planned-for-summer-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/

Again ! Was cancelled yesterday too

ridelikeaturtle

Ah crap, I'm sorry, I didn't read the earlier posts - my mistake!

Unknown Soldier

The blind optimism, is refreshing.

Jesus wept.

Corker1

I am a firm believer in having something to look forward to. I hope that there will be at least a few sportives run at some stage this year. Though a lot of stars will have to align for society and the economy to have opened sufficiently before the time is right to run a sportive safely and responsibly. We are tentatively planning on running the Reservoir Dog in September. Though we will just have to see where we are in relation to the Pandemic over the summer. But if we can run it safely, we would love to do so.

MojoMaker

Please, please let this happen!

Biker79

No gatherings of over 50 until Autumn.

https://www.businesspost.ie/

Cant see how any summer sportives can go ahead in that case. Will have to see what CI say.

nilhg

Biker79 wrote: »

No gatherings of over 50 until Autumn.

https://www.businesspost.ie/

Cant see how any summer sportives can go ahead in that case. Will have to see what CI say.

Indoors it says.....

Not promising but not a total death knell for the season.

dahat

Biker79 wrote: »

No gatherings of over 50 until Autumn.

https://www.businesspost.ie/

Cant see how any summer sportives can go ahead in that case. Will have to see what CI say.

With respect to CI & all involved they will do as they are told/allowed. At best it will be the same as last season for me which is fine, I got plenty racing in with all events feeling safe.

ratracer

Wicklow 200 now officially gone for 2021.....

https://twitter.com/wicklow200/status/1361267014543769602?s=21

harringtonp

It's a year for the revival of the club sportive I reckon.

cunavalos

Might be a better option to jump the queue for the vaccine and sort out some PCR tests for a trip to GC. UCI series sportive through the Valley of the Tears to go ahead next month.

https://desafiolatitanica.es/en/

2 Wheels Good

Fred Whitton in Yorkshire postponed to Sept with the option to defer to 2022, have deferred.

Tour de Connemara and Ring of Clare now cancelled

Corker1

The Reservoir Dog Sportive is now confirmed on the CI Calendar for Sunday 5th September. Keep those vaccines coming!

Robxxx7

Ring of Beara cycle also cancelled this year now .. rescheduled to 28th May 2022

Biker79

The CI calendar has quite a few sportive entries, as of yesterday.

It says ' Events that are pending date approval will not appear on the calendar. '

So they are approved for the calendar, but yet its still unclear if they will actually take place..

Nothing in the news section since Feb 2nd.