Etape Hibernia, County Clare, Ireland. 22.8.10.
1300m climbing over 82 miles.
Cycling on traffic-free roads on the beautiful West Coast of Ireland in County Clare was excellent.

Flight from Edinburgh to Shannon Airport. Friday 20.8.10.
The biggest worry with travel to these events is the bike. You spend the whole time praying please Ryanair take care of my very precious bike, but then you arrive all safe and sound at Shannon Airport.
So we got the bags off really easy so then it was collect the hire car, which was about 10m from the airport exit, turn on the sat nav and head for Ennis. It’s amazing what you can squeeze in to a small car.
We were booked into a hotel in Ennis which was the start and finish point for the event. Checking in at our hotel, we were made very welcome and pleased to find that not only could we keep our bikes in our rooms but that they’d laid on breakfast from 5am for the riders! Not just the usual cereal left out but a fully cooked breakfast if you wanted it.
By this time it was about 11.30pm so we headed for the bar. After a few beers it was 2am so it was then off to bed to try and catch some sleep.

Saturday 21.8.10 started as the weather was predicted to be sunny spells with the odd shower. So settled in it was time to get the bike back into one bit and register.
The sign on venue was easy to find as Ennis isn’t that big. A small Zipvit and Sky kit stand was the only exhibition but the sign on was quick and easy. I of course forgot to pick up safety pins which caused a bit of a panic later that night but the Hotel again came to the rescue.
Etape Hibernia like all sportives has a nice early start so it was alarms set for 5am.

The big day. Sunday 22.8.10.
The decision on what to wear was made harder by the fact that the sun was only just coming up when we were getting ready. But I gambled on there being no rain and as it turned out there was just one short sharp shower all day.

From the hotel and through the chill air we found ourselves at the start in a few minutes, so we were about half an hour early. The departure area was well marshalled, with big open pens. I was right at the front line with the great and the good such as Gold medallist Denise Lewis, Sky newsman Dermot Murnaghan, and the great Sean Kelly and of course about 1400 other cyclists.
It was great to have so many people cheering us off as we crossed the line at 7:04.

The local authorities must have got a cheap deal or borrowed all the traffic cones in Ireland as every side road, lay-by and driveway was coned off. I think there were two roads left open that crossed the route but with the Garda there holding up the traffic we passed these junctions without having to stop.

I’d aimed for a group of riders going close enough to my pace for me to tag on and felt pretty good sitting on the back. We started to catch the odd groups that from the off shot ahead, eventually I was part of a group of 15 riders.
The biggest challenge was probably the road surface within the first hour I was getting pins and needles in my hands from the constant vibration.

The first feeding station came and went ignored by the group I was with. There were two girls, sitting in the back of a 4x4 playing traditional music. A lot softer than the usual bagpipes at the Etape Caledonia!
After a steady 5 mile climb we hit the 20 mile mark and a hair raising descent of hairpins, rough roads and massive potholes. In 5 miles and descended 500 feet down to Ballyvaghan and the coast.
I think this is where Dermot Murnaghan of SKY news experienced a blow out and crashed to the tarmac. He fixed his puncture and carbon seat post that had snapped off with copious lengths of gaffa tape from the broom wagon. A true cyclist he then carried on to finish!

The scenery over the plateau had been beautiful; the coastline views were exquisite made all the more by our first glimpses of the sun through the clouds. You also then hit the headwinds as we headed off down the coast road.
Around the point at Black Head and at around 35 miles we hit the second feed station. Again we all ignored the offers of drinks and large quantities of gels etc.

Each of the climbs are not in themselves hard, with only intermittent short sharp sections to negotiate, but they were long and grinding. There was nothing steeper that 7%. By this point I was on my own picking up odd riders on the way who either dropped me or I them. I was working well with one guy but his second puncture of the day meant I had to leave him.
The biggest climb of the day, called Knocknaboley, was next a little over 8 miles in length and with 700ft of ascent. Then it was down to the final feed station and the coast. We passed the surfers paradise of Lahinch and the tourist resort of Spanish Point which is a fantastic beach and rolling waves for surfers. We were again met by the energy sapping Atlantic winds and even more cheering and support. I was helped back to a bunch by a fellow rider but couldn’t hang on for long before ending up on my own again. This was the 60 mile point.

We then turned back in land and the run-in to Ennis.
The finish in the market square was fully barriered and well marshalled with a big cheering crowd. No sooner had you crossed the line and you were given water and medal. My timing chip was removed by one of the volunteers I’d met at the strat of the day so I was greeted like an old friend.

I enjoyed the sun and the festival atmosphere in Ennis after the event.
A lot of riders stood about catching breath and talking about the day. The crowds were big, with traditional music being played, and local crafts and food stalls all adding to the scene. And all drowned out by a live broadcast from Clare FM.

I'd add it to any sportive must do list.

It was won by a local club rider, Mark Stanley, in 03:53:12.

Joy Holland
Cat Pos 8 (F30-34)
Time 05:17:31
Overall Pos 508

Al Chisholm
Cat Pos 3 (M50-54)
Time 04:19:10
Overal Pos 51