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Sportives 2022

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 862 ✭✭✭mamax


    West Clare Cycling club have a new sportive this year on the Cycling Ireland calendar with all proceeds going to charity.

    This sportive will have 2 food stops and caters for everyone including E-bike riders.

    More to follow.....


    West Clare Challenge

    Sat 2nd July @9am

    Routes on strava to follow

    160km Route

    80km Route

    80km E-bike route


    Contact

    Gary Kiely

    garykiely07@yahoo.co.uk

    087-6413413



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    The vast majority of entries for this years Ring of Beara are those which have been deferred from the 2020/21 events (I'm one of them) - I recall that people were also offered the option to have their entries refunded - I'm guessing thats why only a small number (300) of entries were made available for this years event - much like the Tour de Conamara. I paid €65 (+ €4 booking fee) when I originally registered back in 2019/20, and whilst thats really at the upper limit of what I'm prepared to pay for a sportive, my previous experience of it has been positive - the centre of Kenmare and Castletownbere are closed off to traffic - there is a great festival atmosphere and loads of grub at the food stops. I am tempted to give the Tour de Beara a go though...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,015 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    I saw that. Sand, salt water and bicycles make baby Jesus cry 😢😢.

    Sand all over a groupset, mixed with the oil, slathered all over the chain and rotated at high speed for an hour. I can't think of a better paste mix to grind down cogs, and hubs and bearings, not to mention salt water and then electronic groupsets 😱.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,015 ✭✭✭fat bloke



    Dingle has a sportive. The organisers were scratching their heads wondering how best to promote it and bump up the numbers. - They doubled the entry price and customer numbers sky rocketed.

    "Reassuringly expensive"? Is that what it is? Also I've no doubt strategic "sold out" participant restrictions help justify higher ticket prices and keep customers keen.

    Personally I think it's bananas though. Some of the best sportive I've done were the cheapest. Local club-run, best routes chosen by local cyclists, and homemade community hospitality.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,539 ✭✭✭hesker


    Also have a deferred ticket for ROB and lucky enough to nab a house for 3 nights so really looking forward to it. Staying in Kenmare really adds to it. However if it’s €80 a ticket I’m not sure I’ll do it next year. Did the Tour of Beara last year for the first time and it’s a really cracking route so I’m signed up for both this year.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,581 ✭✭✭uberwolf




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict




  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 11,669 Mod ✭✭✭✭RobFowl


    All 3 ;)


    (Cross I think though will try a few spins on each over the next couple of weeks)



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 11,669 Mod ✭✭✭✭RobFowl


    Stuff is for using and I do a bit on sand reasonably often. Good hose down after usually enough.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,015 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    That's fair enough, I respect that. But I'll be be there with a camera to take any pics of any nice size 56 bikes I might unwittingly buy in a couple of years time 😜



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,407 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    I signed up for the WW200. Definitely not impressed by the entry fee but I've never done it before so I bit the bullet. Looking forward now to seeing a few familiar faces at it



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 89 ✭✭MyDarkArts


    I've always felt the value in the Sportives isn't so much in the contents of the goodie bag or the quality of the sandwiches at the food stop, but rather the fact that they set a specific goal to aim towards in the weeks and months leading up to the event.

    Plus the fact that, for a day at least, you're part of a larger group that has a unified purpose.

    Anyway that's preamble to say that I'll be doing the Ring Of Clare this year and found the price reasonable.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,033 ✭✭✭✭Richard Hillman


    I have signed up for the Wicklow 200 (I'm doing 100). It's convenient to me as I live close enough to the start/finish and I don't drive.

    Would love to find something that is on/near a Trainline.



  • Posts: 531 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,426 ✭✭✭JMcL


    Singed up for the WW200 as well, despite reservations about price and "refund" policy. I need something to get me off me arse and get back up that cliff my fitness has fallen off in the last 18 months (or more precisely push well beyond that or I'll be a blubbering heap half way up the Wicklow Gap never mind the Shay Elliot 😬)



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  • Posts: 531 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I forgot the Ring of Beara...........

    got the train to Killarney, cycled over Molls Gap to Kenmare ,2 punctures on the way, overnighted in Kenmare, after the spin the next day, had a quick pint of Bulmers, and cycled back to Killarney via Kilgarvan, and got the late, nearly deserted ,train back to Dublin. Very enjoyable, and very doable trip



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,365 ✭✭✭✭billyhead


    The Ring of Beara is sold out. I was going to do it myself until I checked the site.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,821 ✭✭✭beggars_bush


    Lough Key Classic starting in Boyle.

    Tour of the Lakes, Mullingar

    Tour of Kilkenny



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    Westportif (Early Bird) registration now open (€45 + €2.70 booking fee + €10 CI One Day License if you don't have an annual CI license)

    Having taken part in this 3 times over the years I have to say its a lovely route and a beautiful part of the country (you lucky ducks!) - the route was reversed and altered a bit last year and I would have done it then too - I travelled over to the event only to discover my rear wheel had a couple of broken/cracked spoke nipples on the morning of the event and it was just too risky to ride that sort of route with a dodgy back wheel - I was gutted but spent the day driving around the route and taking in the scenery and capturing some photos instead. The route overlaps a bit with the Tour de Conamara and frankly I'm surprised it doesn't attract the same sort of numbers but I guess the extra climbing might put some off. Highly recommended.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,542 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    Registered for it - first one of the year. Great to hear its recommended



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,821 ✭✭✭beggars_bush


    yeah. I'm debating whether to do this or Donegal Bay Spring Sportive, on the same day



  • Posts: 531 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Did it last year, and have to say the new route is more enjoyable, no big climb at the end, but the road into Westport seems to take forever. It was a lovely day last year, but signed up for Dingle instead.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    Yeah - I'm a big fan of the Donegal Bay Spring Sportive too - decisions decisions - the brutal and sustained headwinds we experienced on the return leg of the Donegal Bay sportive in 2019 were some of the worst (if not 'the' worst) I've ever experienced on a bike - I was so chuffed to make it back to HQ under my own steam, that felt like an achievement in itself - the broom wagon(s) had a busy day that's for sure! I know they have their date on the CI leisure event calendar, but I don't think I've seen any official confirmation of it on social media etc - isn't there a boardsie on here from the club who might know more - @ednwireland or @DonegalBay maybe?

    For those who are thinking about giving it a go for the first time, here's a video which gives a good flavour of what you can expect:

    Donegal Bay Cycling Club 2018 Promotional Video - YouTube

    Post edited by AxleAddict on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭DonegalBay


    Yes, Donegal Bay Spring Sportive is set for April 23rd this year. More info coming soon and aim to have registration open soon as well.

    Hoping we don't get the weather we had last time out in 2019. Was a very tough day.



  • Posts: 531 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    It seems odd that the Great Dublin Bike Ride is on the same day as the Dublin Fire Brigade "stay in the saddle" cycle, both use the same route through Clontarf.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 419 ✭✭GandhiwasfromBallyfermot


    Bring back the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford says I



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    Yeah - such a shame it's not running any more - I managed to do it in 2016 - although the route had to be adjusted slightly due to bad weather on the day (I think they had to cut out 'Mahon Falls' or something like that) - very misty/foggy on one of the climbs and descents but a great day out on the bike otherwise. I really wanted to go back and do it again 😪



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭mr spuckler




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 733 ✭✭✭wijam


    Have signed up to Tour de Conamara, May (C), Wicklow 200, June (L), Ring of Clare, July (M) and waiting to sign up for Inishowen 100, August (U)

    Nice spacing between the events and one event in each province if all goes well (and for some god unknown reason I've also signed up for a half marathon 6 weeks before the first event and then 2 weeks after the last event) so should be a good year 😀🚴



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    I did the Inishowen 100 for the first time last year (one of the few sportives that actually managed to go ahead) - mainly because I wanted to compare the climb up Mamore Gap from the south side versus the north side (which another sportive run by the North Pole CC called the Tour of Inishowen uses). In my opinion, the climb up the south side is 'easier' (or shorter at least) since technically you're not starting from sea-level like you would if tackling the climb from the North side (Note: I said 'easier' not 'easy' 😂). The climb up the south side is almost one continuous climb, whilst the climb from the north side is longer and I think a little steeper right at the end, but it does level out in a few places so you can catch your breath a bit. I was huffing and puffing by the time I finished the climb up the south side (I'm around 95kg, so no spring chicken) but was surprised how good I felt by the time I reached the top. That said, I think I enjoy climbing the North side more and descending straight down the south side - rather than being slowed down by the tightish switchbacks (I enjoy fast, clean descents). Really enjoyed the Inishowen 100 although the last stretch along the main roads back to HQ can be a bit monotonous (and tiring if you're cycling on your own, as I was)

    For reference, the following image shows the profile of Mamore Gap, in this instance (from left to right) going up the South face and down the North face.




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,819 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Is there any facebook page for that event?

    Looked earlier and could only find the main Donegal CC page.

    Thanks



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,426 ✭✭✭JMcL


    I have memories of the seventies of my father driving down the north side and the mother being scared witless that we were going to pitch off a cliff or something 😁 That said, the brakes in a mk1/mk2 Escort probably wouldn't really inspire confidence these days



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,426 ✭✭✭JMcL


    The last two years they ran it ('16 and '17 if memory serves) were foul weather wise - pretty much constant rain for the duration. Mahon Falls was cancelled for safety reasons the first year, and they altered the route for the 160 the final year which while still tough didn't really have the allure of the more classic ones. They also changed the route for the 100km to head via Tallow from Lismore around a very meh main road. The route changes combined with what was an atrocious week of weather leading into the event with well flagged foul weather on the day meaning no last minute sign-ups saw the events only around 50-60% capacity if memory serves, and was the final nail in the coffin.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,317 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    Looking back on photos from the Sean Kelly, 2016 wasn't too bad although one of our group came off on the very last roundabout before the finish! The loop up to Mahon Falls was closed off although some ignored the barriers.

    2017 was pretty miserable alright and the new route kept well away from Mahon. I think the withdrawl of sponsorship by An Post was the main reason for its demise although the Tour de Beara has revived the old An Post Rebel Tour so there may be hope for a new Sean Kelly.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict


    Sam Bennett Tour of Waterford maybe 😁

    Yeah - 2016 wasn't a complete washout - it was damp in a few places but I don't recall it being dreadfully wet - but there was extremely limited visibility on one of the climbs - I remember some of the photos taken by their event photographer up there and you could barely see a thing. Definitely required a bit of care and attention on the descent, especially as there were a couple of wet, slippery cattle-grids to negotiate and there's always that one lunatic that comes whizzing past you from behind, always wanting to go faster than everyone else, regardless of the conditions 😮

    Update: I went back and had a quick look at my GoPro footage - plenty of wet roads for sure (wetter than I remember anyway) but not a huge amount of rain.

    Below is a slightly blurry framegrab from my GoPro - not sure exactly which climb this was though...


    Post edited by AxleAddict on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭DonegalBay


    We should have something up in the next few days. We usually don't open registration until February, but I guess after 2 years people are very keen to get back doing events.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,681 ✭✭✭Officer Giggles


    Would you know what the total ascent is for the longer route?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭AxleAddict




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 266 ✭✭Jimbo789


    I did it last year and it was 1748m. The majority of that was in the first 50km.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,015 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Donegal Bay one is properly awesome and hard! A must see/do.

    It's 4 or 5 years since I did it and I'm going to miss it again this year unfortunately. :(. Donegal town also isn't as long a drive from Dublin as I thought. Easier than Westport in fact. The day we did it, a mate of mine and I drove up in the morning for the 9am departure and were back home in Dublin that evening after it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 419 ✭✭GandhiwasfromBallyfermot


    I remember 2016 well myself and I agree that I don't remember much rainfall at all, just a lot of surface water from the night before and fog and mist. I was one of those in a group who ignored the barriers and went up Mahon anyway! Only because we are from the area and knew the climb and descent well, even still it was a dodgy thing to do on wet roads with carbon rim brake wheels that didn't stop when you pulled a handful of brake 😂 A good few of us from Waterford & Dungarvan went up that day, couple from Kells Angels & Kilkenny too if I remember.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,426 ✭✭✭JMcL


    Actually now that you say it, you're right about 2016. It's coloured in my memory from the fact it was mainly fog/drizzle (I did the 100km which went around Ring thus near the coast). Being a specs wearer this is my absolute least favourite weather conditions (within reason anyway) as the lenses are constantly fogged over. I remember taking them off for a while at one point which was grand in terms of visibility - except I'm blind as a bat without them 😬



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,317 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    I'd say that's up around Powers the Pot. I think this one was too.




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    is cycle against suicide going ahead this year?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 312 ✭✭this.lad


    I was thinking of doing one of the granfindos in Italy or maybe just heading across one of the weekends where they close the sellaronda or the stelvio to cars for the day.

    Failing that I'll do kilkenny, reservoir dog, leinster loop if it's on, and maybe another one or two, I had thought about the ww200 but the price of that would have me standing in Italy on a random Thursday in the summer!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,821 ✭✭✭beggars_bush


    Cliffs of Moher, here I come



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 419 ✭✭GandhiwasfromBallyfermot


    Any word on the Barrow Wheelers sportive this year? Usually the first event of the year down the south east and held in February. Always an absolute bruiser to start out the season on but a great day out.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭mr spuckler



    I was going to reply that accommodation would be crazy around the time of those events but actually I'm in Bormio (at the base of Stelvio) this summer and prices are a lot higher than I would have paid in previous years...so maybe holidays this summer are just going to be expensive regardless.



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