Ireland L'Etape September 2024

at1withmyself

Worthy of it's own thread I think.

Ambassadors are Dan Martin & Imogen Cotter so expect to see both on the day.

From the website:

Come and experience Tour de France, Killarney

7th September 2024: 1st Edition

Experience the thrill of the legendary Tour de France and feel like a champ!

Two routes: 100km or 135km

Three King and Queen of the Mountain stages on both routes

One Timed Sprint Section on both routes

Fully closed roads

Fully supported race

King and Queen of the Mountain

Sprint stages

Family cycle

Tour de France Village for all the family

Cead Mile Failte Irish welcome and hospitality

cunavalos

Just a heads up on those interested, the suggested date coincides with the Lost Sheep triathlon which is based in Kenmare. So accommodation in the area will be at a premium as the lost sheep is probably the most well attended triathlon event of the season ( maybe 400+ entries) and a lot of the kenmare accommodation would be booked a year in advance.

With regards the route, the triathlon bike section heads out to a 80 km loop on the beara side of kenmare so the proposed etape route does not overlap if it stays on the Iveragh peninsula.

CramCycle

I think it's a great idea but FB users are slating it on the basis they didn't check the CI calendar for conflicts. None I can see that would affect numbers but the triathlon might, but even then, Kenmare is close but not that close. Any overlap with Charleville.would be a bigger concern?

at1withmyself

It's a one off type of event so I'd say it will sell out if they keep price below 100, it would also be a different crowd that would be interested in this opposed to Charleville, no? I hope it works without too much controversy anyway.

dahat

Charleville is dying slowly year on year so I don’t see this effecting numbers at all.

mamax

Quite a bit of controversy with this one, charleville, Lost Sheep triathlon, west clare challenge (same day) 2 CI sanctioned events that went into CI last november to be added to the calender then CI only a few weeks ago gave permission for this event.

Good for the area, promoting the sport and local businesses etc and a cash cow for CI with one day licences and the private company that are running it but it fails the small clubs who give proceeds to local charities, I know the west clare challenge has given thousands of € to local businesses and charities since it began but now it's in doubt this year because of this.

Always 2 sides to these stories but my opinion is CI should not have shoved this onto the calender on the same day as a triathlon down the road and a sportive in the next county.

Macy0161

It's poor to clash with other CI events, but don't see the issue with clashing with a different sport tbh.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806177#Comment_121806177

100% it won't but it will get blamed if there are issues

beggars_bush

Don't think west cork and Kerry need any tourism boost!

The likes of Louth, Midlands, Donegal, border counties could do with more visitors and events

retalivity

It seems to be tied in with a crowd based down there, who would obviously run it on local roads. If it goes well, will they move it about? Would like to see it...

Must check and see if the non-France l'etapes move about

spudpicker2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121810005#Comment_121810005

it's same crowd as organise ride dingle, ring of beara, wicklow 200 and a few more (https://eliteevents.ie/events/). i can't see them moving it about if it is successful. other than having the etape label, i cant see it being any better than ride dingle. feels like their replacement for velokenmare

Jimbo789

Why was the Velo Kenmare cancelled last year?

Johnny Jukebox

Its a week before Tour de Beara so a bit of a clash there for people already signed up and travelling long distances.

Plus 135km and 1500m ascent is well off the typical TDeF Etape. Still, good to see.

this.lad

I think the price will tell its own story and largely determine the turnout.

It's great to see new events and ways to get people out, but often the bike isn't the only thing getting rode in such events.

retalivity

The L'etape in France last year was 139, doing a TDF stage a week before the pros, on closed roads, fully supported, including food, drinks, gels, the works during the event, and some food after (with a beer!). Be interesting to see what the Kerry one is priced at and what is included

at1withmyself

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121815363#Comment_121815363

It's 135km, on closed roads and fully supported with food stops so I'd say similar enough, just without the high mountains

07Lapierre

The Etape in France is in July. Its usually HOT with lots of Climbing. Kerry in September could be COLD, WET and WINDY! In many ways it could be harder than the "Real" Etape! :)

spudpicker2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121816322#Comment_121816322

It's partially closed roads. Some sections will be open roads with oncoming traffic. The lead group with probably have a gardai escort....after that, it's each rider for themselves on the open roads section

LeoD

Shows that cyclists and their money are easily parted. Gives me an idea though - 'experience playing in an All-Ireland Final' by giving me €5 to puck a ball over the bar at my local GAA pitch.

Arthurdaly

Pity the event is taking place in September which could be any type of weather out whest! Plus the cost of a hotel for the weekend is off putting. Even B&B's are now charging top dollar.

For both those reasons I'm out!

retalivity

Prices released today. Expected it to be pricey, but still...

135km Bronze €109

>> Click here to register

Tour De France approved route, full safety and medical assistance, mechanical support, food & refuel stations, closed or partially closed roads

Official L'Étape medal

Post event pasta party

Access to L'Étape information nights

Event timing; overall times

135km Silver €149

>> Click here to register

Tour De France approved route, full safety and medical assistance, mechanical support, food & refuel stations, closed or partially closed roads

Official L'Étape medal

Post event pasta party

Access to L'Étape information nights

Event timing: overall times

Event timing; 2 x King/Queen of the Mountains, 1 x sprint section times and classifications

Access to post-event recovery suite

Group Zwift rides with L'Étape community and former Tour Pros

Bike mechanical support pre-event

135km Gold VIP €355

>> Click here to register

Tour De France approved route, full safety and medical assistance, mechanical support, food & refuel stations, closed or partially closed roads

Official L'Étape medal

Post event pasta party

Access to L'Étape information nights

Event timing: overall times

Event timing; 2 x King/Queen of the Mountains, 1 x sprint section times and classifications

Access to post-event recovery suite

Group Zwift rides with L'Étape community and former Tour Pros

Bike mechanical support pre-event

Post-event massage

Optional postage of event pack

Official L'Étape jersey

Pre-event dinner with pro cyclists and morning VIP zone and briefing with Tour Pro

Event photos: personalised photo gallery

Post-event Sunday recovery ride with cycle Pros

okane1

2, 000 signed up within 2hrs of priority registration opening

dahat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121883132#Comment_121883132

Cost of living crisis....

531

And for that reason, I'm out.

Montage of Feck

Has the route been published? It doesn't appear to be anything special or tdf'ish going by the length and total climbing stats.

shaymouse

the bronze entry is sold out, silver entry working out at 157.30e

okane1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121883290#Comment_121883290

Imagine accommodation that weekend in Killarney easily €400 for the weekend

okane1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121883710#Comment_121883710

I thinks its, Killarney (start/finish), Molls Gap, Kenmare, Sneem, Ballaghbearna Pass, Caragh Lake, Beaufort, Killarney

Large bottle small glass

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28369763

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28371406

Two better rides for free on mostly empty roads

dahat

Both saved for whenever I get to Killarney again. A previous route you gave me was top class.

Montage of Feck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121884199#Comment_121884199

It's a route very similar to that taken by the Ring of the Reeks Cycle which used to be held in Beaufort. Nice route particularly up Ballaghbeama and around Caragh lake but a bit disapointing for an event being branded as L'etape.

this.lad

I don't know the cost of the etape in France. But this is crazy stuff.

We are always getting shafted here. The gran fondo stelvio is €100 including actual closed roads, an actual proper world tour climb/route, timing, mechanical assistance etc.

In Italy TCR Advanced Pro 1 Di2 4.799 €

in Ireland TCR Advanced Pro 1 Di2 €5,599

Are we suckers or do they just think we are?

retalivity

The ROK is 100 and along with the WW200, probably the most expensive 'sportive' in the country. I'd imagine the TDF/ASO licensing didn't come cheap, and they may be expecting a fair few cycling tourists to travel for it. The l'etape in France this year, doing the 2nd last stage from Nice starts at €149.

I'm already down for the ROK, so was unlikely to do this, but at that price its a definite no. Will probably do the gran fondo in Sligo instead, seems far more reasonably priced.

Morris Garren

People are entitled to spend their €€€ on whatever they want; some folk spend €700 or more to watch/listen to Taylor Swift yodelling from 100 yards away--- I'd be hoping for a fair bit more action at that price. But similarly, to cycle around bumpy, shyte roads in the rain in Kerry, with a dinner beforehand and a bowl of pasta afterward with some retired pro, ain't appealing to me. It never ceases to amaze me how gullible Irish people are when it comes to this stuff-- it's terribly bad value when you compare what many of the equivalent European sportive events are like. We seem to embrace the fact that we are being 'rode' with these costs.

Arthurdaly

I've done the Maratona Dles Dolomites twice, I think it was 100 euro or thereabouts. For that you got closed roads, amazing goodie bag, a high end castelli climbers jersey and shorts which were probably worth more than the entry.

Amazing experience and I was left thinking how it was commercially viable given it felt like amazing value.

This on the other hand feels like the opposite of amazing value. Personally in September I'll be doing the Alberto Contador Gran Fondo in Spain in beautiful weather, lovely closed roads and all for 65 euro.

07Lapierre

Sorry Killarney, but L'tape Ireland was never going to compete with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJFSDovGTZI

mamax

Overpriced in every way and hotel and b&b operators will ride you again to stay anywhere near killarney, I'd prefer to give my money to the local sportive somewhere that donates to local cancer support and such instead of a private company that does this for profit, but that's just me.

CheGuedara

Could always give the guys in West Clare CC your vote and try the West Clare Challenge?The long route is a ride around the Loop Head peninsula. On a day of good weather its a nice part of the world to cycle around. And its to support a local mental health initiative and development of a CX/XC facility - I'm sure they'll be grateful for the support after the Etape was dropped in on their weekend in the CI calendar.

https://www.westclarechallenge.ie

mamax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121888112#Comment_121888112

Date is being changed for west clare challenge so looks like sat 31st Aug so that it won't clash with any other sportive in the region.

Johnny Jukebox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121891527#Comment_121891527

hmm... website not updated and registration links to 2023 ?

NeedMoreGears

I got an email a few days ago and I was taken aback by the prices. Maybe it costs that much to put on the event, but it’s a bit too rich for my liking. I Remember when the Wicklow 200 went up to 42 euro and thinking « that’s a bit steep ».

I must be turning into a grumpy old man that goes around saying things like « you could three pints and twenty major for a fiver when I was young « 

👨‍🦳😠

otnemem

So Elite Events were able to get closed (or partially closed) roads for this but aren't able to get the same for the Wicklow 200 which they claim to be Ireland's premiere cycling sportive. Maybe they'll move the crown further west.

I guess it remains to be seen, but for a hilly sportive even the cheapest package seems expensive. Unless they make those refuel stations pop and keep the open roads to a bare minimum. But considering the amount of 15K€ bikes you'll see there, it's all a matter of perspective.

beggars_bush

As someone else said, book accommodation on a different weekend or mid week and go down and cycle empty roads

at1withmyself

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121894612#Comment_121894612

And that is the beauty of having a choice. Loads of people will pay the price and have a great day and anyone (like me) can go do the route without the fanfare whenever they like.

I think it's a bit too expensive for me so I won't go but good luck to anyone who wants the experience.

seaviewphotos

I'm in, I don't do a load of sportives so I don't mind paying a bit more for the experience.

martyc5674

It never ceases to amaze me that “goodie-bags » are included in these things.

like haven’t we all enough Sh!te filling up our houses without another bag of Sh!te

mamax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121893274#Comment_121893274

Yea decision was taken only recently to change date after being ambushed by the etape so waiting on website and CI calender to be updated.

Macy0161

Each to their own - I decided it's not for me. If I was going to do an L'Etape, I'd want to do the actual Tour one. But I can also see why people like a big event, something to focus on, closed roads etc. And yes, the "goodie bag" too - I don't do too many big events, but tend to use the t shirts, and other bits I've got. Quite often it's food/ drinks?

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121884468#Comment_121884468

'Mostly empty roads' would be off-putting for a lot of cyclists. Sharing a route with hundreds of others provides a motivating factor for many cyclists, particularly those who would never get around on their own.

Reality_Check1

Is this a race or a Sportive? It’s down as both

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121896604#Comment_121896604

if its got a start and a finish line ,.................

at least at the front 🤔