Check this event out - cyclosportive stage race in Ireland. Chip Timing - race pace. I am definately doing it next year and if we could field a "team" I think that would ROCK!!! tres
I'm totally into this. We took the family to Ireland two summers ago and it's a great place to pedal your butt off. Very civilized, in fact--Tea for breakfast, Guinesss for dinner, and whatever pub fare you can pack in in-between. Gotta like that.
Here's a bit of trivia: What ethnic group--after the French-- comprises the largest single immigrant group among Canadians? If you answered "the English", you're wrong. It's the Iriish. If you look far enough back into your own family history, every one of you will find some Irish blood. (and likely a drinking problem, but that's another story).
As for cycling, there are, from close observation, a few hills in that country, and unpredictable weather, including the chance of rain, sun, fog, mist, Leprechauns and rainbows all in the space of a single hour.
As for the Tour d'Ireland, I have an aunt and cousin in Kilkenny in a big rambling house so the whole team could crash there for sure. And I've got friends in Galway, also a place for us to crash--it's a very neat seaside village which will remind you of Victoria (with a bit of Langford thrown in).
It would be great if we could get a large Tripleshot baby-blue contingent to go for this trip. Gavin could design new gear--with tea cups and pint glasses, for sure.
My only problem will be to convince the family that "this is not a holiday, it's a bike trip" as they've been there before and going there without them will be a struggle...
This is the kind of thing I've wanted to do for ages. It could be the start of something even bigger too - there used to an 'everyman' (Jedermann) Tour of Germany. One could register just to race or sign up for the 'Pro' treatment (hotels, a team car and mechanic). It's gone for the moment (along with the Profession Deutschland Tour), but when the drug scandals fade from recent memory, it could be back. Maybe they have one in Spain too?
I don't know--Ireland vs Italy Lynne and I are hoping to go to Italy next spring in time to ride some hills! (At least I will--she will likely lounge and drink wine) Here is the link btw for the live streaming of the Giro www.universalsport.com Alternatively http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... ialTravel/
