Sportives 2022

smacl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119113303#Comment_119113303

First time I did the Wicklow 200 it was a flat bar hybrid with front suspension, used the same bike on the Orwell Randonee the following year. These days my main bike is a CX which is grand for these events. Also slow enough out there but there is plenty craic at the back.

Down to do the WW200 again in a couple of weeks but going to a party the night before with no handy transport out to Bray the next morning. Will probably wimp out and do a leisurely WW100 instead, cycling to and from it.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119139075#Comment_119139075

Do you have far to cycle to the start? I've no transport to the event start either and last time the event ran cycled from Rush, done the 100km and cycled home after. Will do likewise this year

smacl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119140355#Comment_119140355

Not too far at all, about 20k so 140k for the day. All very doable with a few scoops had the night before ;)

Daroxtar

I'm down for the WW200 but if it's anyways wet or miserable I'll be bailing out. I did the Sleive Bloom extreme in the rain all day in 2018 and it was the worst spin on the bike I've ever done. I don't think I was right for about a month after it.

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119145942#Comment_119145942

Ditto. On top of the possibility of sh1t3 weather. I'm not 100% convinced my fitness is back where I need it to be - albeit in a much better place than January. Also had what seems to have been a cold, rather than the more usual thing, that I picked up from my favourite 2-legged petri dish which has had be off the road for a week. Seems to be cleared up now as had a spin taking it handy at lunchtime today and all was good. I'll probably make the call when I get as far as Laragh though

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119113303#Comment_119113303

Speaking of manners, there were people going round the Ring of Beara with speakers on their bike playing music pretty loud. I passed 3 so there must have been a good few more (unless I was just very unlucky). Is that a thing now? I thought it was obnoxious as hell

was hard to be too annoyed though given the day that it was

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150161#Comment_119150161

I saw that at both the Reservoir Dogs sportive and also last weekend in Conamara. It didn't bother me in the slightest. The music was loud but not enough to disturb anyone. I just was disappointed that it was the wrong music - it wasn't Thrash Metal \m/

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150183#Comment_119150183

Really enjoyed the Conamara Sportif last weekend. Weather, route, scenery and the atmosphere back in Clifden afterwards. Only sorry I had to drive home from it. Will definitely do it again.

2lazytogetup

Was the music coming from their phone on their handlebars which can't be too loud or did they have large Bluetooth speakers blasting it?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152661#Comment_119152661

Bluetooth speakers

Spurion

Anyone know if a wicklow 100 ticket can be used for the wicklow 200?

keane2097

I think the speakers thing is common enough. I've seen it on any sportif I've done. My gut reaction to it at the start line is that it's woeful obnoxious but have always found it amusing when passing/being passed by it. I think on a big friendly summer sportif it adds to the carnival atmosphere a bit.

Keep_Her_Lit

I did the Tour of Louth Sportive today. 112km and 614m total ascent. It's a pretty flat course, apart from the section which takes riders over Jenkinstown Hill in the foot of the Cooley Mountains. This hill peaks at 205m, with the gradient perhaps slightly above 10% on the steepest sections, which are fairly short. I managed to hang on to the lead group as far as the climb, which came at the 60km mark. Unsurprisingly, the group completely fragmented at that point and I found myself with 3 other lads who were climbing at about the same pace as myself, roughly in the middle of that group. Coveniently, the food stop was at the top of the climb, so we regrouped there (I thoroughly approve of placing foodstops at the top of climbs on which I get dropped!).

I just grabbed a quick slug of water and made sure to be ready for the off. About 8 of us went off together and the descent was very enjoyable; not so steep that it's over in a brief blur but still quick enough and twisty enough to be a good buzz. After the descent, we were rejoined by another 15-18 riders and that larger group remained together the rest of the way back to the finish.

I took several turns at the front when the pace was on the saner side; I have no objection to contributing to the workload when I'm able to. A kind of apathy briefly descended on the group on the final leg back towards Dundalk and the pace dropped off quite a bit, so a couple of savages powered up to the front and raised hell for a while. The speed jumped back up to 45-55km/h and even the slighest drag had me gasping to hang on, despite the benefit of the draft from the group. There was still more than 20km to go at that point and I didn't think I'd be able to hack that pace all the way home. But thankfully it eased off a little and once we got within 10km I was pretty sure I would finish with that group. We got around in 3h 07m, with a moving average of 36.0km/h.

This is a well established Sportive and Cuchulainn Cycling Club did a flawless job on the organisation, so thumbs up to them! We never had to stop, except for a couple of red traffic lights at major junctions and everyone that I saw got around safely and without incident. I found it really enjoyable and would recommend it.

Wishbone Ash

We got around in 3h 07m, with a moving average of 36.0km/h.

So much for the organisers appealing at the start for entrants not to turn it into a race! 😆 That's savage going all the same.

spudpicker2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119162324#Comment_119162324

was a great day out. i spotted a boards jersey in the group a few times. i assume that was you. the section down by carlingford coastline was tough with the headwind.

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168658#Comment_119168658

I spotted that boards kit also (with yellow helmet) at the start. Mentioned it over in the jersey sightings thread.

phatkev

Hey, anybody here familiar/involved with the Ring of Clare Sportive? Signed up to do the 120km spin, but was hoping to change to 160km route. I can find anywhere on their website to change and their social media replies seem to be all automated 

MyDarkArts

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119178689#Comment_119178689

I've done the route a few times, (I've no authority here), but my guess is you'll be grand if you just show up on the day and do the longer spin. There was no difference in price between the two and don't recall any over-zealous checking of wristbands at the start or food stops.

07Lapierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152837#Comment_119152837

Yes

Anyone here ever done the Ox Mountain 4 passes sportive, run by the Ox Mountain CC. Looks a nice 125k

Eamonnator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119179697#Comment_119179697

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Daroxtar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119180185#Comment_119180185

Yes, it my "home" sportive, it goes straight past my home place. Stunning route, empty roads, loads of very rolly roads and a couple of tasty climbs. Roosky hill and The Ladies Brae are the tough ones. The climbs past Lough Talt and Lough Easky are easier. If I hadn't signed up for the Wicklow 200 I'd definitely be there.

beggars_bush

Ox Mountains 4 passes sounds a lovely route. Ladies Brae has a serious view going north.

Probably tipping over to the Tour of the Lakes this Sunday in Mullingar if the weather holds

Bluejohn1

First sportive done. Was really fun and well organised. Headed off just after 6 so was pretty much on my own after the first climb.

Completed the 100km in 4:15 moving and 4:29 total, beats my last 100k by 4:30 and some 6+ hours total, struggled coming out of grey stones but got there in the end. Chuffed with the effort. Wicklow really is a beautiful place to cycle. Thankfully wind only became an issue near the end also.

Mercian Pro

I've noticed a few of the bigger sportives this year featuring the first rider home in their social media posts. The most recent one was the W100 today. Maybe I'm out of touch but, for me, sportives are about participating and hopefully completing the route. Thankfully timings chips that featured on some events a few years ago seem to have disappeared.

Paul_Mc1988

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119193829#Comment_119193829

I see no problem with it. A lot of people use sportives as a measure of their fitness and try to improve year on year.

To be the first back considering how many riders is a great achievement for a lot of people. Now i know people will say if they want to race go race but some people don't like the dangers of racing. Each to their own.

I’m surprised they acknowledge the first rider home. I thought that the insurance implications if a sportive were perceived to be a race were pretty severe. My understanding is that insurance was the driver behind removing timing from events

Macy0161

It was just a (factual) Facebook post to be fair!? There's no timing sheet like you'd get at a Gran Fondo.

saccades

Tour de Kilkenny 160km any good?

I know nothing about the place except it's a Mecca for stags and hens?

Buzwaldo

Bring yer climbing legs 😁😁

saccades

Looks to be a few cheeky climbs alright.

fryup

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119208303#Comment_119208303

that's one tough cycle, did it 6 years back - wrecked for a week afterwards

this.lad

I did the 120k (or whatever length close to this it is) a few times and there's plenty of good climbing in that before you add an extra 40km. I have entered the 160 this year, naturally.

Whatever about the climbing, the organisation, marshalling and food were top class every time.

spudpicker2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119213461#Comment_119213461

it's very well run event. food stops are generous. it's a challenging sportive with 4 steep climbs. for the rest of the circuit, if you are in a good group there is a good chance the group will remain together and work together. first 40km can be very fast!

saccades

Cheers, sounds good!

Signed up.

arsebiscuits82

Anyone doing the Ring of Kerry this year? Did it in 2017 with about 0 miles on the bike done. Got around ok with no snags, so going at it again this year. Though at least have some miles in the legs this time around.

Mercian Pro

A blatant plug for our Club Sportive this coming Sunday (26 June). The modestly named Two County Challenge has a choice of two routes from Swords that venture into the wilds of East Meath. 70km and 400m of up or 120km and 1,060m.

Entry (€30) is online only via the Eventmaster link at https://swordscc.com/touring/two-county-challenge as are maps of both routes.

smileyme1984

@arsebiscuits82 Ya I’m going to chance it again this year. Due to bike issues and finding a new one I had 6 weeks for training in the end. Last 2 weeks I’ve been out with Covid. Longest spin has been 75km and hoping to get an hour in this evening just to see how the body feels.

Basically hoping to go and enjoy the day and get around. Last time managed to get around under 7 hours so was delighted. This year it’s just get around. I’m by no means fit and need to lose 2st (just turned 38) so going to go enjoy the day and get back on the bike in general for health and fitness.

I have a few long term goals for doing an Audax or even the Mayo Ultra 2/300km in the next year so have to start somewhere.

arsebiscuits82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119260691#Comment_119260691

Best of luck with it. I did it in 7:12 the last time. To be honest I'll be happy to even match that if I can go sub 7 I'll be delighted. For me it's about enjoying the day and staying out of the red as much as possible!

Turned the big 40 this year and wanted something to challenge me and get me back in the saddle.

Working in construction so I'm out the door by 6am and lucky if I'm home before 7pm. So by Friday evening I'm exhausted. Saturday is my day to sleep in and with the kids anything more than 2 hours on the bike at a time is a bonus!

So the plan is to just tip around it really to Kenmare and see how it goes over Molls! Weather not looking as bad as it was earlier this week.

smileyme1984

Ya similar approach to it! There to enjoy it and get round… I always think to myself It’s not a race and if I just drop it into a low gear and pedal away up Moll’s at my own pace I’ll be fine!

Big improvement on the forecast front alright so hope it stays that way!

Im actually looking forward to it more this year than the last time as had set the 7hours as a target for myself and using this year to kickstart things!

What ever happens enjoy it!

wheelo01

I've just seen on Facebook z lady who has just tested positive for Covid has a ring if kerry entry going free.

Nothing to do with me, she is Dublin based, might suit someone around here.

She posted it in a freecyvle group I'm in.

Her page is here(remove the space between the dot and facebook)

https://www. facebook.com/jessica.r.lavery

Screenshot_20220701-112420_Facebook_1.jpg

retalivity

I'm doing it, havent done over 100k since April, but am doing it with a friend who is a casual enough cyclist so will just go around together. Looks like it will be wet and windy though, so hopefully will just hide in a big group going westwards!

Buzwaldo

Re the Tour de Kilkenny, Please note it is online entry only.

Unlike other years, entries will not be taken on the day.

Date is July 30th.

Montage of Feck

I'm wrecked after the ring of Clare, not a very tough sportive on paper but the heat and relentless undulations took it's toll.

phatkev

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119346395#Comment_119346395

Had a ball of a time doing the Ring of Clare, but last 50km or so really kicked the sh1te out of me

Buzwaldo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119307151#Comment_119307151

Just a reminder on this one that registration closes this Sunday. Cost is 40 euro and all proceeds go to charity. Come and join the fun!

http://tourdekilkenny.com/

Steve SilverMint

Just signed up for Tour de Kilkenny 160. Looking forward to Woodstock and Kilmanagh 😱

lochdara

I spotted chap at 6.20 on the morning of the Ring of Kerry wearing one of my Irish Motor Neurone Disease jerseys. I didnt see him after that as the rain had everyone in jackets. Was it anyone in here.

Ive signed up for Tour De Kilkenny 160k, and Tour of Kildare 110k, then in Sept, Reservoir Cogs 125, Beara 160k, Blackstairs 140k and Wicklow 100k that was postponed from May.

Exiled1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119307151#Comment_119307151

Registration extended to Thursday 28th midnight. No cash entries on the day.

Gavlor

Tour de Kilkenny lived up to its reputation once again. Very well organised and well supported. We did the 120k, nice route with a couple of tough climbs. Huge crowd in the lead group blew apart during the climb out of graiguenamanagh. Got in with a group of ten or so from there and finished with a 33kph avg. lovely spread in the rugby club afterwards!

edit: just read about the cyclist involved in an accident near gowran. Hopefully he’s ok. Thoughts with him, his family and the marble city cycle club.