Sky Ride Etape Hibernia 2011

WolfeIRE

The date for next year's event has been announced.

more or less the same weekend as this year's

http://www.clareherald.com/sports/other-sports/3340-sky-ride-etape-hibernia-2011-date-announced.html

CarlosK

WolfeIRE wrote: »

The date for next year's event has been announced.

more or less the same weekend as this year's

http://www.clareherald.com/sports/other-sports/3340-sky-ride-etape-hibernia-2011-date-announced.html

Great news... I missed out on this last year. Since I only started out last year I felt this would be a bit too much for me to try to complete. Next years goals for me are to complete this aswell as the Ring of Kerry.

Bring on the winter base training now!!!

WhisperingDeath

I see there is still no option for registering on the day. While I realise a large part of the reason for this is the electronic chips (and not wanting to send them by post) I still think it would put several (myself included) off.

at the very least they should keep the prior day's registration open until 10 or 11 pm - at least then you could put the kids to bed and then head west.

Disappointed but hopeful they may make concessions in time for the event.

http://www.etapehibernia.com/entryinfo.html

penexpers

Might do this again next year - was good fun this year.

Lumen

WhisperingDeath wrote: »

Disappointed but hopeful they may make concessions in time for the event.

Doubt it, they didn't this year.

ednwireland

its the sky way or the highway

sorry couldnt resist must be feeling better, appalling sense of humour returning
i'll get my coat

on_the_nickel

WhisperingDeath wrote: »

I see there is still no option for registering on the day. While I realise a large part of the reason for this is the electronic chips (and not wanting to send them by post) I still think it would put several (myself included) off.

at the very least they should keep the prior day's registration open until 10 or 11 pm - at least then you could put the kids to bed and then head west.

Disappointed but hopeful they may make concessions in time for the event.

http://www.etapehibernia.com/entryinfo.html

So much for "listening to and considering all feedback for next year". It certainly put me off last year and will do so again this.

Their main priority seems to be the 34% of participants from overseas, rather than the 66% -cf the +44 phone number as a further example.

Shame.

_sheep

Maybe im wrong but that 'entry info' is for 2010, not the 2011 Etape - so maybe it will be changed?

penexpers

The biggest problem I can see with registration on the day here is that they have to leave at 7am because of the road closures. A lot of other sportives don't start unilt 9:30/10/10:30 and that gives an extra couple of hours to allow registration. And even then some of them don't start on time if there is a delay in getting everyone registered.

Harrybelafonte

Am hoping to take this on this time around. Personally I prefer idea of registering the day before, means being able to relax on the day itself.

I presume accomadation will be booked up quickly then.

_sheep

Speaking of which, can anyone recommend good accommodation in Ennis for the weekend? I drove over from Thurles last year and would perfer the extra hour in bed this time around.

Signal_ rabbit

Definitely doing this next year as I thought it was a great event this year. I'm in!

daragh_

Open for entries

http://www.etapehibernia.com/

Apologies if this has been posted already

unionman

daragh_ wrote: »

Open for entries

http://www.etapehibernia.com/

Apologies if this has been posted already

And I'm in.

billyhead

Hi,

Has anyone here took part in this before and if so could you please provide any feedback as to whether or not its worth signing up for. Is it worth the admission fee?

Lumen

Depends on your preferences and expectations.

Thread from last year.

Thread from this year.

penexpers

It's expensive but worth it imo for the closed roads.

michael196

Realy enjoyable,

key attractions:

closed roads

big crowd ( participating)

friendly reception (even at 07:00 starting out from ennis , people out wishing us well, on a damp misty morning at the end of their drives)

People at end of their drives with water for the participants

mass start

well marchalled

timing chips

the finish / carnival / festival atmosphere

loads of stops if needed

scenary/ atlantic on right, galway bay and the burren on the left

roads/ tough terrain . hilly draggy / fats sections / tough sections


drawbacks:

requirement to sign on the day before.

paddymacsporran

well worth it, I'm doing it again. The signing on the day before doesn't bother me as I'm making a weekend of it. Can understand its a pain for people not doing that though, and you need photo id to sign on so you can't get someone to do it for you.

Report on it here - http://www.cyclosport.org/article.aspx?id=1575

boege

Its pricey but its nearly worth it alone for the finish - closed road, barriers, lots of people by the roadside - I was with a few other lads near the end and without a fail we were all up out of the saddle sprinting for the finish line driven on by the cheering crowd. Everone had a huge grin on their face at the end.

However be advised that it is a tough cycle -I had done the Bureen Tour (another great tour) earlier in June and knew what I was getting into - you are etither going up or down, very little flat.

Final piece of advice - plan on carrying your own food. Read the thread links for more.

theotherone

More expensive and the poor brother of the sean kelly and other cycling ireland tours. The An Post, Dolmen CC and West Clare CC tours are far better products.

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/content/Cycling/An+Post+Cycle+Series/
http://www.ennis.dolmencc.com/home/events
http://www.westclarecc.ie/?p=66

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/Leisure/Calendar.aspx

Beasty

Threads merged

Beasty

QueensGael

I really enjoyed it last year, and I'll likely do it again. The crowds out supporting us in Lahinch were just brilliant last year

If you're concerned about a lack of accommodation in Ennis, remember that the Shannon Tunnel is open now, making it really easy to get to Ennis from the west side of Limerick. For example, hotels in Raheen and Adare are now only 30-40 mins from Ennis at that early hour (compared to > 1 hour beforehand)

Raheen http://www.southcourthotel.com/
Adare: http://www.woodlands-hotel.ie/
http://www.dunravenhotel.com/ (4*)
http://www.adaremanor.com/ (5*)

Roxboro (not the nicest area, but the hotel is really handy for the motorway/tunnel)
http://www.maldronhotels.com/hotel-limerick/location_to_do.html

Diego Murphy

is it the exact same route as last year? had registered for last year's one but couldn't go coz something else came up. Will defo do the one this year.

paddymacsporran

I did the Wicklow 200, the Kildare tour, the Etape Hibernia and the Sean Kelly in 2010. All have their own attributes and drawbacks. Riding on closed roads is fantastic. I can't comment on the other rides you quote, otherone, but did you do the etape hibernia as well as the ones you are saying are better? If so, why are they better?

Can't see Etape hibernia changing to allow registration on the day, this has been a common request over the past 5 years at the sister ride, etape caledonia, and they haven't budged there.

WakeyTyke

For anyone that either wants to sample the route or to get an early season trail run of the course, the Dolmen CC's Coast and Burren Tour on 9th April is very close to being the same route as the Etape Hibernia.

bcmf

<snip>
What a shameless plug :pac:

Abhaile Cottage

Has to be done, especially for such top rate accommodation!

Harrybelafonte

Is there anywhere to camp down that way?

Captain Havoc

Abhaile Cottage wrote: »

Has to be done, especially for such top rate accommodation!

Banning, has to be done, especially for the poor choice of words. I think our users prefer boardsdeals to paying "top rates".

NickDrake

Anyone know of hotels around the area doing an early breakfast etc? Or even a b&B?? 6.45 am start will mean it is hard to get one

Thanks

penexpers

NickDrake wrote: »

Anyone know of hotels around the area doing an early breakfast etc? Or even a b&B?? 6.45 am start will mean it is hard to get one

Thanks

I believe that most hotels in Ennis did an early breakfast last year.

lovepig

Hey - just seen when you go to enter online that there is a two for 1 entry if you have a pin no? anyone know where you can get a pin code for this?

spiderman1885

Just how tough is this? Would love to do it. Did my first event yesterday, the Royal Tour 100km. Finished in 3 hrs 40 minutes and wasn't too dead afterwards. I'm supposed to be going away on the 19th just wondering is this event worth changing that for!

Jawgap

Here's the thread from last year......

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055820886

I enjoyed it last year and I'm going again this year - the closed roads and the locals made it very enjoyable despite it being a bit pricey.

If you did the 100km Royal Tour and you can some more training in the 123 km of this shouldn't be too difficult for you.

michael196

1000 signed up for 2011 so far. is that up or down last year ?

ednwireland

michael196 wrote: »

1000 signed up for 2011 so far. is that up or down last year ?

over 1800 according to this
http://www.spoke.ie/2010/08/1800-take-part-in-sold-out-sky-ride-etape-hibernia/

dont think there would be 2 for one offers if they were hitting the same numbers, considered it but thought it was too expensive off to lap the lough instead

MichealD

Was planning on doing this one all year but have decided against it. The very high entry fee, having to register the day before ( and stay overnight in my case) and the early morning start put me off. The closed roads is a great attraction but with a 7am start I doubt the roads of Clare are going to be too busy anyway.

Might do it some other year but for this year I've entered the Leinster Loop.

Hope it's a great and enjoyable day for those doing it.

dario28

So who's signed up for this and what time ya thinking of doing it in

Be good to get a little peleton going

daragh_

I'll be there. Travelling down with Unionman.

If its windy we will be more than happy to hide behind you

johnam

dario28 wrote: »

So who's signed up for this and what time ya thinking of doing it in

Be good to get a little peleton going

I signed up, but don't think you will want me in your Peleton, that is unless you are also a newbie who probably hasn't trained enough!!!

I'm just hoping the weather is better than today. I cycled the first half of it today, and it just rained non-stop. Wind wasn't too bad though.

Rev

I'll be there. Starting in Wave B. I'm hoping to cut just under 2 hours off my time for this time around.

daragh_

Fill me in on this wave thing?

They all seem to be just a few minutes apart. Easy enough to catch up with your pals if they start at a different time, right?

Rev

daragh_ wrote: »

They all seem to be just a few minutes apart. Easy enough to catch up with your pals if they start at a different time, right?

It should be easy enough. Just let your friends know you would be starting a little later and either cycle faster to catch up (which is what you know you want to do) or tell them to cycle slower

daragh_

Rev wrote: »

It should be easy enough. Just let your friends know you would be starting a little later and either cycle faster to catch up (which is what you know you want to do) or tell them to cycle slower

I'm starting in an earlier wave. Will resist the urge to sprint off!

michael196

ednwireland wrote: »

over 1800 according to this
http://www.spoke.ie/2010/08/1800-take-part-in-sold-out-sky-ride-etape-hibernia/

dont think there would be 2 for one offers if they were hitting the same numbers, considered it but thought it was too expensive off to lap the lough instead

sent out an excel spreadsheet with 1000 names on it ... thats where i got my figure......

MichealD

michael196 wrote: »

sent out an excel spreadsheet with 1000 names on it ... thats where i got my figure......

That quoted figure of 1800 from Spoke.ie is from 2010. Great cycling country. Hope it's a good day for everyone but think numbers will be down on last year.

dario28

Rev wrote: »

I'll be there. Starting in Wave B. I'm hoping to cut just under 2 hours off my time for this time around.

Whats the route like ?

ashleey

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/91523


Hopefully, the link works.

There are 3 big climbs spaced around 30km each. The descent of the first one (Corkscrew Hill, I think?) has a really sharp hairpin that caught a few people out last year so don't end up in the field opposite, Hoogerland style.

The last one has a dead straight descent on which you can really go for it and show off to the crowds but don't let go of your bars to wave.

It is windy on the coast after Ballyvaughn, but has great views to keep your mind off the wind.

Enjoy yourself.

(I had bad cramp at the end, so you should beat my time!)

johnam

I work in the Old Ground Hotel, which is literally a two minute walk from the start/finish point of the Etape Hibernia. I will be out on the ride, and will probably not be home until it gets dark :rolleyes:. However for those of you who will be back in time for a late breakfast / early lunch, the hotel has asked me to find out what sort of stuff you like to eat post race, so they can change their "Poets Corner" bar lunch menu to suit.

Esroh

ashleey wrote: »

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/91523


Hopefully, the link works.

There are 3 big climbs spaced around 30km each. The descent of the first one (Corkscrew Hill, I think?) has a really sharp hairpin that caught a few people out last year so don't end up in the field opposite, Hoogerland style.

The last one has a dead straight descent on which you can really go for it and show off to the crowds but don't let go of your bars to wave.

It is windy on the coast after Ballyvaughn, but has great views to keep your mind off the wind.

Enjoy yourself.

(I had bad cramp at the end, so you should beat my time!)

+1 0n the corner advice. It comes up around 22 miles on the link. I think we pass the Dolmen site as we go over the top and there is a carpark on the left on a sweeping downhill bend just before the hairpin