Sportive, Duleek, 6th January.

Eamonnator

The Annual Duleek Parish Sportive will take place at 10.00am on Sunday 6th January. It starts at 10.00am from Duleek Primary School. There are two spins, 80kms and 45kms. There will be refreshments in the school after the cycle.

This is always a great cycle, well organised and marshalled.
I think, it is a bit shorter this year.

Weather forecast looks good.

Possibility of me being able to do this if I can get the kids minded. Is there a CI license needed or can you get one for the day Eamon?

Eamonnator

If one is needed, you can get it on the day.

Wishbone Ash

What sort of $$$ are we talking about?

(I'd be pushing my luck at home anyway since I'm doing an Audax the day before but I always enjoy doing 'off season' sportives!)

Galego

Any Strava links to the routes?

Eamonnator

Entry is €20.00 on the day.

Eamonnator

Route is:
Duleek, Garlow X, Bective, Summerhill, Dunsany, Skryne, Kilmoone, Duleek.
That's the 80km.
I don't know the route for the short spin.

wirelessdude01

Am I right in thinking that this generally considered a 'fast' one?

Eamonnator

I did it last year. My average speed was about 33kph. I think, I was in the first group home. It's quite a fast course, fairly flat.

triggermortis

Eamonnator wrote: »

I did it last year. My average speed was about 33kph. I think, I was in the first group home. It's quite a fast course, fairly flat.

It would need to be all downhill for me to average that, but I think I'll give it a lash as I'll be off shift then

Galego

Anyone knows if there is any stop in the 80km spin?

wirelessdude01

Galego wrote:

Anyone knows if there is any stop in the 80km spin?

I don't think so. Too cold to be stopping at this time of year anyway.

Eamonnator

Galego wrote: »

Anyone knows if there is any stop in the 80km spin?

I don't think so, either.
Certainly, last year there was no stop.

Wishbone Ash

Eamonnator wrote: »

.... It starts at 10.00am from Duleek Primary School....

Google informs me that there are 2 primary schools in Duleek in different locations! Is it the boys or girls?

Eamonnator

The Sportive starts at the new school.
It's on the outskirts of Duleek on the Balrath road, L1610.

ED E

Not often you get a chief super directing traffic


Very well run event that seems to be kept well secret. Thanks for spilling the beans Eamonnator.

wirelessdude01

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Google informs me that there are 2 primary schools in Duleek in different locations! Is it the boys or girls?

Both are in the same site

Eamonnator

ED E wrote: »

Not often you get a chief super directing traffic


Very well run event that seems to be kept well secret. Thanks for spilling the beans Eamonnator.

You'll be giving him a big head, he's only a super, he does a great job, he's a good lad. He's very involved in one of the local cycling clubs.
I'm told, 180 signed on this morning, more than in previous years.
There was a huge contingent from Drogheda Triathlon Club, over 50.
It was a fast spin for me, average 33.8kph.
There was a bit of a spill at Garlow X. I was in front of it, but 8 or 9 riders came down. I don't think there were any injuries.
Marshalling was good and there were a few motor bike marshals around.
Coffee and sandwiches were very welcome at the end, and I got a lovely cupcake.

Wishbone Ash

The organisers seem to be catering for the faster cyclists only. Everyone was gone home when I arrived back at 1.25pm. My legs were a bit heavy after doing an audax yesterday so I only averaged 25km/h. I'm glad I didn't bring a group of leisure cyclists with me. It would have been a bit embarrassing if I said there was refreshments at the end!

Eamonnator

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The organisers seem to be catering for the faster cyclists only. Everyone was gone home when I arrived back at 1.25pm. My legs were a bit heavy after doing an audax yesterday so I only averaged 25km/h. I'm glad I didn't bring a group of leisure cyclists with me. It would have been a bit embarrassing if I said there was refreshments at the end!

That's disappointing to hear. I always assumed, everybody was catered for.
I know the organiser quite well. I'll pass on your comment to him. I'm sure, he'll appreciate the feedback.

Wishbone Ash

Eamonnator wrote: »

That's disappointing to hear. I always assumed, everybody was catered for.
I know the organiser quite well. I'll pass on your comment to him. I'm sure, he'll appreciate the feedback.

Thanks Eamonnator.

It didn't bother me personally as I'm well used to going solo but I was trying to 'sell' it to a few other in the club so I was glad in the end that they didn't turn up.

An 80k flat sportive would be attractive to a lot of 'middle of the road' cyclists who would be less inclined to enter the normal hilly 120/160k routes.

(One person said they didn't attend as it wasn't in the Cycling Ireland calendar so they were suspicious about it!)

Edit: PS - i passed a few others along the route so I'm assuming I wasn't carrying the lantern rouge!

ED E

Strava users have noted that the route map is a bit ehmmm, phallic, in shape.


Social media, eh?

triggermortis

I wanted to do this but the wife was out last night and not home in time. Not happy...