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chasm · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

I've decided that since I'm intending to kill myself doing the Tour of Ireland, someone may as well benefit from my demise. I'm therefore raising some money for Save the Children (the entry fee means I'm already contributing to the ToI's chosen charity).

If anyone is feeling generous, here's the website through which you can donate.

http://www.justgiving.com/charlesmarshall
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“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” — H.G. Wells

chasm · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Just four days until the start. Too late now for any more training, this week I just do a few stretches and eat. 500 miles in four days with almost 9000 metres of climbing. Clearly I have a warped idea of a good time.

Paperman, have you received your joining instructions yet? I got mine on Friday. I must say that it looks to be superbly well organised. And if you have any notion of staying with the front group, I'm afraid you won't be seeing much of me. They have a pro team, and a few ex-pros, riding and the front bunch is expecting to average 22 - 26 mph. Ouch.

By the way, I'm number 130, so if we don't spot each other the evening before, you'll be able to spot the bike.
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“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” — H.G. Wells

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

Chasm I'll be leaving tomorrow Dublin over night and off on the coach to Lisburn on thurs evening, I got a package in the post today but my number etc are at the start in Lisburn for me.

It is well organised from what I hear. With regard to the front bunch I think I might leave them off. At this time of year I'll be doing no such thing as averaging 38 to 40 km/hr over four days at that mileage thats the kinda thing TT would like. It'll be more like 26 or 28 km/hr. Having said that I'll see how I'm feeling, the fact I have never done a 4 day event like this before means I am unsure of how to tackle it. Stages three and four will be in the back of my mind too. As will the fact I was never in danger of becoming a pro rider..... Laughing

See you there I guess!!!! I'll look out for yer bike, what is it?? Mines a red Cervelo soloist carbon. I'll give you a few quif for your choosen charity when I see you!!!
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last km · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:

Good luck guys, looking forward to your reports, hope you will do a day to day diary for us on jc
Weather prospects look good.....

chasm · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

MAILLOT JAUNE · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 1189

Good luck and I hope the wind is behind you!!!!

chasm · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

OK, for those who are interested, here's a report of the Tour of Ireland.

Tour of Ireland Cycle Challenge 2008 – as viewed from the Foyle Express.

Day 1. Lisburn to Cavan, 114 miles, 2331 metres of climbing.

Friday 9 May 2008, about 0830. Close to 200 cyclists of various shapes, sizes and abilities are lined up at the Lisburn Leisureplex awaiting the start. It’s an impressive sight, and if the rest of them are anything like competitor 130 they’re a mixture of excitement and slight apprehension. 500 miles in four days is a long way by my standards, and if you throw in close to 10,000 metres of ascent it’s going to be a tough one.

We start, and are escorted through the town by the police. This is a new experience for me, and the policing and marshalling of the event, on both sides of the border, are to become one of its best features. Escorts through town, traffic held back at junctions to let us pass, it all adds hugely to the safety, as well as the enjoyment, of the riders.

About thirty miles in I’m feeling pretty strong. A few minutes behind the fast group – this is not a time to entertain delusions of grandeur, so I’m going at my own pace – when disaster strikes in the form of a broken chain. Worse still, it drags the rear mech into the wheel and snaps the hanger as well as trashing the mech. Gerry the mechanic rolls up in his van and it takes him about a millisecond to recognise that there’s nothing he can do for me.

For a while it seems that my tour is over after just a couple of hours, and my mood might charitably be described as irritable. But with help from Leo in the broomwagon I locate a bike shop in Newry, and Gerry – my hero – drives me there in the mechanical support van. A few minutes later he, I and the staff are poring over every hanger in the shop, but without success. None of them fit my frame.

I’m not going to abandon, though, so we scour the shop for a bike that will fit me. The only affordable option (though I’d have liked the LaPierre at about two grand!) is a cross bike that is a shade too small but rideable. A few adjustments later, and a fair few quid lighter, and I’m on my way to riding the ToICC on a cyclocross bike (with cyclocross gearing) that doesn’t quite fit me.

Gerry drops me back in just ahead of the last group, and I have a pretty lonely chase in the rain for a couple of hours. At the second feed station, though, I hook up with Sue, Nicholas and a couple of others and we pace one another over the last 25 miles into Cavan. Rich, Matt and Nigel (we met over a Guinness in Dublin on the eve of the event and were now, of course, a team) looked at the new bike and politely concealed their burgeoning doubts about my sanity. I also met Paperman, from justcycling, and had a couple of beers. Pity about the gearing, Paperman.

(Postscript: I discovered something new today, when my heartrate touched 186 on the climb after Newry while I tried to catch up. I’d thought my maximum HR was 185.)

Day 2. Cavan to Galway City, 124 miles, 1339 metres of climbing.

We roll out of Cavan shortly after eight. Once again we are escorted through the rush hour traffic, and the flatness of the terrain means that the early pace is pretty electric. I’m averaging 22 -23 mph for the first 15 miles or so, at which point I come to my senses and remember that even if I had been here to play with the big boys, there’s not a chance of my doing so on a bike that is already beginning to give me an aching back. So I drop off what is still a very large leading group and cruise along for a while with Margaret, a fine woman who is using this tour as a final stage in her training for the race across America!

Margaret and I are just beginning to find it quite hard work pacing one another along when a bunch of about a dozen sweep up behind us, and we are aboard the Foyle Express for the first time. Mark and a few of his clubmates from the Foyle cycling club have acquired a posse of hangers-on and have them organised into a perfectly functioning unit. Mark has a bell on his bike. Every few minutes he rings it, and we move through and off; every single rider taking their turn at the front, an even pace being maintained, everyone calling for holes and generally helping one another out. There are riders here who have rarely if ever ridden in a bunch. Twenty minutes with Mark and you’d swear they’d been on club runs every Sunday for the last ten years.

We keep this up, with pauses for feeding stations, for the next 80 miles into Galway City. Nobody is dropped, nobody breaks the rhythm or hides, it’s an absolute pleasure to cycle with this lot and I resolve to stick with them for the remainder of the tour.

In Galway City most of the riders are staying in the same hotel and I get a stronger impression of what a varied and sociable crowd this is. From the real professional through to the most inexperienced “leisure cyclist”, everyone seems determined to enjoy themselves and make it a social as well as sporting occasion. Nice.

Day 3. Galway to Kilkenny. 140 miles, 2765 metres of climbing.

The day begins with good news. The mechanical support team have scoured Galway’s bike shops for me and have found a hanger to fit my bike. Unfortunately there isn’t time to effect repairs, switch rear mech, etc before the start, so I am again on the cross bike. But at least there’s the prospect of riding my own bike on the final stage.

We set off promptly at 0800, ahead of the fast group – a state of affairs that lasts only about twenty minutes, when one of the bunch punctures. We wait – the Foyle Express leaves nobody behind – and the main bunch sweeps past us. In fact we find ourselves just in front of the broom wagon for a while, until we catch the final bunch – a group which, like ours, has developed its own identity and seems to have a distinct social scene. Rumour has it they stop for coffee and doughnuts when they pass a likely-looking café.

We’re making excellent progress in the same style as yesterday – word is getting round, and there’s now about 20 of us – but today’s stage is decidedly lumpier than yesterday’s and as soon as we are into any half-serious climbing it is clear that I’m in trouble. Trying to put power through what is too cramped a riding position turns the discomfort in my back into acute pain, and by the time two hours have passed I’m barely able to maintain the bunch’s pace. They look after me until we get to the first feeding station at just short of 60 miles, and I take stock. The big hills of the stage are still ahead, and if I continue there’s a real prospect that tomorrow morning my bike will be fixed, but I’ll be injured and unable to ride it. So after consulting a few fellow-riders, and with a real feeling of failure, I abandon the stage.

I’m not the only casualty, so there’s no room in the broom wagon or the mechanical support van. As a result I become a passenger in the refreshment van with Peter and Richie. This experience becomes more interesting than I’d bargained for when, because of the hot weather, we have to establish an unscheduled feeding station about 30 miles from the finish; a task accomplished only with a police escort and truly astronomical speeds over appallingly unsuitable roads to get ahead of the first group. We pass them, at close to 100mph and with the police motorcyclist clearing the way, with minutes to spare, screech to a halt in a parking place in Templemore, throw up the tent, set up the tables and try to look as if we’ve been there all day when the fast men breast the hill about thirty seconds later.

Today has clearly been a seriously tough day, summed up by the remark of a very senior cyclist as he spied the unscheduled stop. “Thank f*** for that, I’m seeing double. I don’t remember going as hard as that when I was racing.”

Today is also Sunday, so the police have completely closed the roads in Kilkenny for the finish. A fabulous experience for the early finishers, and especially the first group, sprinting for the line among noisy crowds as if this were a GT.

Incidentally, an honourable mention for the Hibernian, Ormonde Street, Kilkenny. A magnificent traditional bar serving, of course, magnificent traditional Guinness.

Day 4. Kilkenny to Dublin. 129 miles, 3474 metres of climbing.

Just to add insult to injury, this stage was lengthened by about 6 miles at the last minute.

It’s a beautiful day, so we’ll have a chance to make the most of the scenery in the Wicklow mountains. It also means that sunscreen and lots and lots of water are in order. Most of all, though, it’s a beautiful day because the mechanic has worked a minor miracle on my bike, cannibalizing the 8-speed rear mech from the cross bike and rigging it up so that I have a full range of gears – albeit with a few missing in the middle. I’m on my own bike, and the bliss of being in a comfortable riding position is extraordinary. It feels as if I’ve been given a new set of legs.

So it’s off again in the Foyle Express, which has now grown to 24 riders. Like clockwork, as ever, with the newcomers picking up the routine. But very soon we’re into the first serious climb of the day and it’s every man and woman for themselves – bar the occasional push for those who are struggling. About 60 miles in, my incident-packed week takes yet another turn. We’re turning right-handed at the bottom of a brief descent when Johnny loses his rear wheel on a patch of gravel and goes down in front of me. Lacking the bike-handling skills to jump over him, I have no chance of avoiding a collision and describe what I am told is a very elegant parabola, still clipped in, hitting the tarmac on the far side. Everyone clearly thinks I’m seriously hurt and keeps telling me to lie still. I, as is usual in these circumstances, am worrying about the bike.

No major damage to either of us, though my elbow won’t be bending all that much for a few days. Onward, this time to the big climbs of the day. Slievemann is the worst – one of those climbs that looks as if it is levelling out but is just waiting to demoralise you further. But we all make it, and the views, and the descents, are great. Finally we start the long drag up to the Wicklow Gap, and it is a long drag. The second feed station is at the top, and this is supposed to be the last serious climb, so I bury myself and give it everything I have left. At the top I’m having to hold Nigel’s wheel because so much sweat has run into my eyes that I can’t see more than about ten feet in front of me. But once there, eyes wiped, the scenery and the sense of achievement are fantastic.

The descent is great too, but at the bottom I discover that it is not downhill all the way to Dublin. The road round the reservoir is up and down, up and down, a series of short sharp climbs with descents too short to allow recovery. An hour or so of this and I am beginning to get truly tired. But eventually things level out again, the Express gets back into rhythm, and we take it home, finishing as a group with nobody left behind.

So, been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Will I be back? I think I will, partly because I feel I have unfinished business on stage three, partly because I’d like to ride the whole event on my own bike, but mainly because it drew such an engaging bunch of people. I’d certainly recommend it unreservedly to any serious sportive rider – it takes the concept to a whole different level. Sign up.

Thanks to all who sponsored me, and of course to the support team who got me back on the road. But thanks also to Matt, Rich, Nigel, Dave, Mark, Fergal, Margaret, Katie and a host of others who made the whole experience one to remember from a social as well as a sporting perspective.
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“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” — H.G. Wells

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

Nice write up Chasm. Sums up the event nicely. Nice to put a face to the name too!!!

Before you sign up for next year you're looking at 5 stages and over 1000km. Its already on the web site!!! BUT, I spoke to one of the organisers after the final stage and just before I left for my hotel. He informed me that the tour will stay at 4 stages for next year.
Over all I found it a fantastic experience. There was a great atmosphere, everyone there was determined to enjoy the ride, and some 'recovery drinks' after. I will be riding again next year WITH THE CORRECT GEARING!!!, my knee aches from grinding up those climbs!!!!. Gearing was not totally at fault. Training well for the tour is important. This event is not really for the complete leisure cyclist the days are quite long and for the most part very hilly. In fact I know of, what seemed to me to be experienced riders, who suffered greatly at this event. There were some really nasty wall like climbs. Some of the decents were the most dangerous things I've seen in my life. I love decending I get a great kick out of it even though they were very dangerous I had fun on 'em.

Over all it was great I had fun. I enjoyed one or two 'recovery drinks' because I deserved them!!!!!. I will be riding next year, thats for certain. Should they decide to go 5 stages I might still ride the event.
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redster73 · Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 1349 Location: by the sea

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

Chasm / Paperman - well done to you both!

In overcoming such adversity you have done Justcycling proud!

last km · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject:

Chasm thanks for that excellent write up, nice to see you getting to the end in spite of all that happened to you

Biosphere · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 1787 Location: Midlands, UK

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

kellyrocheearly · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 2969 Location: Ireland/Boston

Great report Chasm, made me a little home sick.
I think i will have to do this next year
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chasm · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

I've pre registered for next years event. Might as well start training NOW...lol

Chasm, Gearing has been changed!!!!
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It could be worse!!!

chasm · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

Now theres a fearless prediction if I ever saw one Laughing

One thing is for sure I will be doing better next time out!!

Glad you got your Giant sorted out. Yes three road bikes might be too many. I must admit I really liked some of those tasty titanium bikes. Merlin and Litespeed do that particular material justice. Very nice bikes!!!! If only dealers would do good trade ins!!!!!!. Yes the Cervelo is nice I love it, try one !!!! Very Happy

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It could be worse!!!

chasm · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:

Oh well, here we go again.

http://www.tourofireland.eu/theRoute.htm

I've got myself signed up, paperman, so make sure you get yourself to the start line. Five days this time, and just 1000km. Should be fun.

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“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” — H.G. Wells