Sportives/Leisure Cycles 2024

Really cycling is a lot more accessible than a lot of sports. Not many you'd be able to rock up on the day to an organised event, even if you had a licence? If anything, pre-covid, cycling was slow to move to online for events.

Thoughts with the rider who came down and is in a very serious condition in hospital.

Is Mount Leinster an optional side quest on the route?

You won't be far from road to Mount Leinster, could always nip up to the mast and rejoin the route 😉 😀

McNally Swords CC annual sportive Sunday 23rd June 9am from Fingallian's GAA Club, Swords. 70k and 120k routes. Food stop at Emerald Park (Tayto Park) and refreshments afterwards. €30 online (No entries on the day)

https://eventmaster.ie/event/Rm8lFL5h76

I personally preferred the Tour De Beara in Sept. Similar route but with the Healy Pass thrown in twice. Undoubtedly more difficult as a result but it breaks up the long run from Castletownbere to Glengariff doing it that way. Weather more reliable in Sept too 🙂

There is quite a gap between the two routes in terms of difficulty for the less capable and that’s reflected in the numbers doing each I’d say.

The weather is no different really in last 6 years. TDB had to be cut short a few years back the weather was so bad. Prior to this year ROB weather has been fantastic going back to at least 2016 (not sure what it was like during the COVID cancellations).

Having done both there’s nothing to match the anti-clockwise stretch between Eyries and Alihies for scenery. Not the same really going the other way.

The roads are open every day. Nothing to stop you going down doing dingle peninsula, ring of Kerry and beara over a few days

really enjoyed this last year - very well run!

@Giftofgab the Ring of Kerry is one of the easier longer distance charity cycles in Ireland,much easier than the WW200 for example.However,I'd be worried by the lack of training as your post is suggesting,a few spins aint going to cut the mustard for an easy day on the Ring.If your going to attempt it I suggest leaving at 6am and just taking it very handy.Keep sipping the water and eat frequently,1/2 bar here and half a banana there.Its all about steady pace and fueling.

A gap in the racing calendar that weekend so likely I'll give this a bash although not at racing pace given the 2000m.

Same here did it today. The climb up to the gap was horrendous with a downpour and heavy headwind especially towards the top of the climb. Numbers were about 4000. I have done the ring 12 times since 2010 and I have to say this was the lowest attendance of cyclists. Absolutely perfect though, it was too dangerous for years with too many cyclists doing it.

I did it also. Great day out. Got one shower near Killorglin but seemed to dodge all the rest of the rain and as said above had plenty blue sky.

I started early this year and felt like I had the roads to myself for the vast majority of it, I kind of missed the craziness of the peak years when the roads were absolutely thronged.

FIrst time doing ROK. I'm very much a beginner so finished it in just over 9hours. One of the guys done just 1 60km spin and one or two 30km spins for training and he completed it before me. I was absolutely shattered afterwards.

Anyone done or doing the 160km Ring of Clare? How would it compare to the ROK?

I've done the 120km a few times, found it mostly ok but that last stretch between Kilrush and Ennis is a bit gruelling.