Does anyone know if there is any sportive in 2022 that are open for sign up now
Some of these event management companies take a big %
Pm sent
Haven't heard anything myself and no recent updates on their website (I've been keeping an eye on it myself as I'd be interested in doing it again) - but I agree this is a great sportive and definitely a bit of a challenge if you take on the longer route and two climbs up Mount Leinster. I first did it 3 or 4 years ago - weather wasn't great so I was really surprised how many people still turned out to do it. Really well marshalled and fair play to them for sticking it out in the wind and rain to keep us all on the right track. I do seem to recall (possibly mistakenly) that the first food stop was quite early in the route (especially if you are planning to do one of the longer distances) but yeah, the food was great - especially the home cooked grub at the end - I was more than ready for it by the time I rolled up at the finish line.
There also trying to make up for lost revenue if it was cancelled the last 2 year's.
Any word on the Wolfftrap Sportif? That was a great event, no big fuss, just a tough route but with great hospitality along the way!
Some of Elite's other events - adventure races - have also increased in price. They attribute it largely to increased insurance and transport costs, both of which I could believe, and pointed out that they only have 4 full time employees. I guess at least we have the choice to book or not, knowing the prices.
I don’t think I’d pay more than €50 for any of the Sportives tbh!
I rarely even take the bag of crap that’s handed out, I just appreciate the food stops along the way.
80 quid will get you a lovely BnB anywhere around Beara, you can cycle around the ring any day you like and you'll have change left over to buy your own sandwiches!
You're more than welcome to pay €5 for a 200km+ ride to us in www.audaxireland.org
Bring your own food! We do give out nice medals if that's your thing.
Went ahead and booked the W200 just now having registered my interest a few weeks ago. I hesitated over the confirm button for a while considering the cost at €79.50, the chaos at food stops the last time I did it and the refund conditions. These read:
"Refund Policy
I hereby understand and acknowledge that all fees and associated costs, paid in registration for the Wicklow 200 are non-refundable under any circumstances, including but not limited to injury, a scheduling conflict, and/or event cancellation.
Transfer Policy
I hereby understand and acknowledge that it is possible to transfer my entry to another person for a charge of €5 up until 8 weeks before the event date.
I understand and acknowledge that it is not possible to transfer my payment/entry to another person or event under any circumstances, including but not limited to injury, a scheduling conflict, and/or event cancellation within 8 weeks of the event taking place."
Most other sportives are probably the same but no refunds under any circumstances including event cancellation is a bit much in the current circumstances.
I suppose it gives you a target to work towards. Personally I won't be doing it this year having done it a few times previously. 50-55 euro would be the cut off for me.
wonder will the tour de'burren be going ahead?
Very similar to Ring of Beara conditions. I guess there are costs that they have to commit to up front and if something (like some global pandemic - totally unbelieveable, of course!) were to emerge, that would force them to cancel, they'd still be liable for those costs. They have to insulate against that.
yes. think there was a date the registration will open too...
I signed up to the W200 today with a few club mates. The cost is high but we just can't wait to get back on the road for a couple of events this year. Personally I love a good sportive (Tour de KK is my favourite) and find the only thing that beats a sportive atmosphere is a really really good club run.
Really great forming groups on the road, and getting to ride with other clubs/riders you wouldn't normally meet.
Signed up for the W200 too - looking forward to a big day out on the road. On another note I see the Orwell Randonnee is planned for April 30th - I'll definitely be entering that one. Tough old slog but always a great event.
Regarding the Orwell Randonee, may I be the first in for 2022 with feckin Lake Drive.... 😀
Signed up for the Bettystown strand event on Feb 6th. Beach sportif. Should be interesting...
Planning on using MTB, Gravel, or Road bike?
Signed up for Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Clare so will have the county fully covered. Hopefully they'll go ahead.
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
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...
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 😱.
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.
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.
http://wicklowcycle.ie/ goes over both
September 4th according to the Cogs website.
All 3 ;)
(Cross I think though will try a few spins on each over the next couple of weeks)
Stuff is for using and I do a bit on sand reasonably often. Good hose down after usually enough.
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 😜
