Day One – The Burren (60 miles)
Geoff wrote
So as we sat at breakfast having flown in from Gatwick good and early, we found ourselves comparing notes on that main event in Irish culture, Father Ted. Impressions of Dougal and the oh-too-easy Jack and Mrs Doyle had us all giggling over our cornflakes, the RSM Costello had us change into our kit and mount up for a ride from Ennis north through Corofin towards the BurrenNational Park
And what a great ride it was too, with a continually undulating (and, of course, wet) landscape heading towards limestone mountains in the almost Lunar landscape of limestone fields. At Corofin we took a small road towards the north and, completely by chance stumbles upon the real Craggy Island Parochial House, complete with visitors turning up for Mrs Doyle’s tea. Cue further nonsense from all except a bemused Olly Ginn who, inexplicably, has never seen Father Ted.
The ride continued to the Irish SeaCoastbefore looping back through the Burren and Corofin and finally to Ennis for beer and plenty of food. All in all a smashing first day.
Day Two – The Cliffs of Moher (60 miles)
Olly wrote
A crisp and sunny Saturday morning had Brian (Chef d'Equipe), Steve and Olly pedalling over to the Etape registration desk in central Ennis, before heading west over fast rolling hills to Milton Malbay then onto the Atlantic coast to catch the surfers bobbing about off of Lehinch. A timely stop for coffee and cake prepared us for a few more climbs to bring us to the Cliffs of Moher; an impressive sight complete with aerial combat display between a nesting bird and a buzzard. Our return journey along one of the national N-roads was thrice blessed with smooth tarmac, a tailwind and accommodating car drivers that provided friendly waves as well as plenty of room when overtaking.
Day Two – Hurling at Cusack park
Ed wrote
Most of you will know Geoff as an easy going chap but something in the food managed to disagree violently with him on Friday night.
Therefore me (laaaaaaaaazy) and Geoff (of necessity) had a day off the bikes on Saturday.
Poor Geoff had to absent himself from the evening's festivities also which was a shame because we were treated to what was for me, Steve & Olly a new experience - hurling (watching not playing!). We made our way to CusackPark, home of hurling in that part of Ireland. A nod and a wink from Brian to his contact at the stadium and we soon took our seats for a free display of what is a fast & exciting game played with real skill and passion by amateurs playing only for the love of the game (bit like my cycling but without the skill and passion bit).
For the record Kilmiley gave Corofin a good pasting in a well contested sometimes fiery encounter. We then made our way from the hectic environment of Cusack Park on match day to the really hectic environment of the West County Hotel, Ennis hoping for a good night's rest before the main event on Sunday....
Day Three - RACE DAY. (85 Miles)
Steve wrote
MORNING
After two nights of disturbed sleep by dint of weddings/discos and corridor racing, we retired in good time on the Saturday night in preparation for the big day, anticipating the full 8 hours..not to be, with a persistent car alarm , wailing like a banshee!
Nevertheless, with Brian’s team tactics also ringing in our ears, we rose early to take advantage of the porridge, bananas et al at breakfast: there were cyclists galore, many from local clubs in an array of wonderfully coloured jerseys, but a fair few from Blighty too (20% + of the entry were from across the water).
With our start time of 06.49 we set off in full RCC regalia for the short mile leg warmer into the centre of Ennis and the depart. Here we would meet up with Graham who had wisely stayed undisturbed remotely…age and knowledge!!
Geoff went poorly on us after day one. A stomach bug afflicted his body and incapacitated him all of day two. With a suitcase of courage, he undertook and completed the Etape just over six hours closely followed by Ed. If a Victoria Cross has to be issued for this trip, then GC deserved the VC. A big thank you to nurse Glades Emanuel (Steve’s wife) for dosing him up before flight departure.
The race was started in waves. We were in the third wave. A bunch of about 300 cyclist. The roads initially were narrow making it hard to pass and the first few miles was littered with unsecured debris of bike bags, pumps and bottles.
We kept together for the fist 20 miles and lost Graham then at 30 miles we lost Steve. At about 40 miles in, Olly’s cycling legs were like a sewing machine in full flow. Then he witnessed a crash at a severe bend that unnerved him thus leaving Costello on his own.
The first third of the race headed northwards through the Burren limestone slabs, hitting the Blackhead headland brought wind into the equation and staying with a large group was very important tactic. Bridging to the next group 200 to 300 meters ahead was only possible if two or three cyclist agreed in advance and went for it, taking one minute turns at the front.
Eventually headed south into high hills which then proceeded to smash up and pummel the groups until one ended on there own or with a couple of other cyclist. All tactics were all out the window.
Spanish Point was the only time that all participants collectively looked up at the sea. The 40ft waves rolling in from the Atlantic crashing and gushing upwards against the jagged rocks was a sight to behold.
The latter third of the race we turned east at Milltown-Malby back towards Ennis. With the wind on our back, an unceasing amount of hills greeted us on this return leg and the bodies thus protested.
All the locals, marshals, & Police (Garda) applauded us as we went around.
Comparing notes afterwards what stuck out in our minds was the following:
Golfers at the tee boxes stopping their tees offs and applauding and we went by.
Hand written signs adjacent private houses, dependant on course location, welcoming, urging and congratulating us.
Town and villages barriered off but with the locals viewing and applauding.
One lady, near the end, handing out beer by her house. (Just happening to be on a downhill!)
The crowd at the finish was like le tdf.
Sean Kelly did it in 4.07. Still a hero.
POST RACE (in the words of Steve....)
Suitably elated at our achievements on the long and testing course, with no mechanicals or wounds to dampen our spirits, we hit the spirits, or at least the beer! Able to relax back at the hotel we supped a few watching the All Ireland Gaelic football semi, still clad in Redhill lycra! (CountyKerrywon to Brian’s delight)
Showered and ready to replenish lost calories, we all met at a lovely riverside hotel restaurant in Ennis for top up of sumptuous food, quality and portions are stunning on the Emerald Isle ad the service too. A sort walk back to the hotel was interrupted as we sampled some ad hoc local Irish music in Brogans .
And so to bed…
And what we’re sending to the papers!
Seventy-four year year-old Redhill club cyclist, Graham Haysom took second place within his age category at the Etape Hibernia in Irelandlast weekend. Out of 1,850 cyclist overall, he came in 447th place, completing a hilly and windy 85 miles in 5 hours and 6 minutes.
The Etape Hibernia is a cycle challenge that takes place on traffic-free closed roads on the beautiful West Coast of Ireland in CountyClare.
Graham was part of a six man Redhill Cycling Club Team who took part in this race.
Other notable times were
- Brian Costello: 15th in his age category and 88th overall with a time of 4 hrs 20 mins.
- Oliver Gin: 26th in his age category and 143th overall with a time of 4 hrs 30 mins.
- Steve Taylor: 20th in his age category and 233th overall with a time of 4 hrs 40 mins.
Graham said “I was hoping to equal my first place in the Etape Caledonia a few years back but body and age moves on. However, I am still pleased with the results and enjoyed this event immensely. The locals were friendly and the scenery gorgeous.”