Philip Gilbert in Ireland in October for cycling event/sportif

So this is nearly upon us. - Anyone going? The wife is taking me out for it. Dinner Saturday night and the spin Sunday morning. I'll be keeping a close eye on what's plated up for Neecko and Phleepo and report back on whether or not they ate dessert.

Probably deserves a more indepth, review.

So. We wento to the whole shebang. Meal last night, spin today. Me and the Mrs, cos we both cycle, aaaand.... we both eat dinner.
The story seems to be that Nico Roche is looking to set up a company "The Project" which will offer cyclo-experiences, of many sorts, but for a start the likes of which we participated in today. They're learning as they go and they he fully admitted that they weren't yet as slick as they want to be but I think he was far too apologetic, I thought it was a really nice evening yesterday, a great location (Palmerston Estate is frickin awesome!) and it was a very enjoyable and generous dinner. Philippe Gilbert is obviously a huge draw for cycling fans and his just being there was incredible. Roche himself isn't a polished PR guy but I thought he was really interesting to listen to, very honest and insightful and both his and Gilbert's tales from the peleton were fascinating.

So that was that. Grand job as the man says. Today however was an absolute piece de resistance. Undoubtedly the weather helped immensely but the route was great, the marshalling was top notch, but by far and away what made the day was the accessibility of the two stars. They were around and present and available all day for chat and snaps, they rode the entire route with the group, and Roche was insistent that everyone stop in Laragh for coffee and a chat and photo ops. The start was very pace controlled, which you could be forgiven for thinking a pain in the a$$, but then you look around and see one of the lads pedalling away next to you or behind or up ahead and that was a large reason for the spin - that you would actually be cycling with the stars. Now the boys fairly put the hammer down at times too and rocked up the Wicklow gap, but there were several times when they paused to regroup as well. From Sally Gap on though the roadbook went out the window and they absolutely hoored it down from there. The pace car was told to shag off into the distance and it was head down and drive on! Was absolutely surreal to be racing along and to be on Gilbert's wheel or have Roche next to you hammering along (not by their standards of course but, certainly by mine!). I thought when they got to Kilbride and the main road that they'd ease off and control things again but they kept going. At one point I was at the head of a line on the N81 trying to bridge to the Gilbert group, with Roche directly behind me (!!:)), it was amazing....

and then I got a puncture! D'oh!

But tbh, the pace they were going, I doubt I'd have kept with them up the hill over to Rathmore from the N81, so at least I had my excuse.

A great day, really looking forward to the pics, and whoever they decide to bring over next year, consider me signed up. Was a tremendous debut for an endeavour that deserves to do well. Fair play to Nicolas and his partner, who was obviously very heavily involved in the organisation, and whose brainchild the whole thing apparently was.

Did the ride today, one of the best events Iv done. The two lads were great and marshalling and food stops great. Took a while to sign on they could probably do with a few more staff next time but minor complaints. Really enjoyed it as did everyone in our group, I hope they are back next year

Not sure. They must have billions of them to sift through, so it'll take a while. If you do find out come back and tell us!

That's a pity, as on the main route there was plenty of signage - arrows on the tarmac, signs posted, and indeed a motorbike marshall at every junction I encountered.

For example, when crossing the n81 in the morning there were gardaí to get us across safely as a group. But then coming home, I was on my own having punctured, the Gardaí were STILL there to shepherd me back across the N81. They saw me approach, stopped the traffic and gave me right of way. I was frankly amazed at that. And from there I went through 4 T-junctions and at each one there was a static moto-marshall.

Was due to start at 9.30 think it was delayed only about 15mins most people were getting pics with the 2 guys as they waited, I did the long route and was one of the best cycling days I ever had. Nico and Phil were great with us and stayed around after the spin to chat to everyone. Great route and very lucky with the weather.