The accolades are still coming in from people who rode the Wicklow 200 this year!
It is great for all of us in the IVCA to have been part of such a successful event. Many seasoned riders said it was the best edition ever – tough, but with great event organisation and excellent marshals all the way around.
Check out a summary of the event here.
On behalf of the IVCA, we want to thank all our members who helped us today and over the last week to deliver a fantastic Wicklow 200. In spite of strong winds and frequent showers, the response we got from riders at the finish was that they thoroughly enjoyed the event and got a great sense of achievement from it.
Many, many riders commented on the excellent marshalling all along the route.
Our thanks, too, to everyone else involved – from Alan Heary and his team, to our photographers, social media minders, and the team at Bray Emmets GAA club who did a fantastic job fitting 3,000 cars into their premises and guiding everyone around the complex with such courtesy and good spirits.
It really was an extraordinary day and the Wicklow 200 continues to be a fantastic event. Without all of our voluntary helpers, it simply would not be possible to keep the Wicklow at the top of the calendar as the stand-out sportive in Ireland. We will build on this year’s experience in our new venue to make it even better next year.
Chapeau everyone and thanks again!
The IVCA Board
*Some final important notes for you*
Please turn up promptly at your scheduled time. You may be taking over from someone who has been on duty from early in the day, so your arrival will be greeted with much appreciation!
When you arrive at your designated point you must text your name to this number: 086 269 9059 so that we know your marshal point is covered.
You will be supplied on the day with some food, water and a hi-viz vest if you don’t have one.
We would ask that all road marshals bring a couple of spare tubes, tyre levers and a track pump (if you have one). If you have to give someone a tube we will replace it for you.
Mechanical and medical emergency numbers are on the numbers attached to the handlebars of the participants bikes. They are:
The 5th Round of the Dick O’Brien Leisure League took place on 14th May. This was the last event prior to the Granddaddy of them all – the Wicklow 200 which takes place on 11th June. The route took the riders through some of the most scenic parts of Co. Wicklow, with some tough climbs to contend with as well. See Tony Pearson’s report on the spin below. Well done to all who completed this very demanding route.
[gview file=”https://theivca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IVCA-Report-Round-5-2017.pdf”]
The next leisure tour “Mind the Gaps” is scheduled for next Sunday 14th May starting at 9:00 am from Cycle Superstore on the Airton Road Tallaght. Click here for a map of the location.
The route will be the same as last year: Tallaght – Blessington – Hollywood – Left at Hollywood towards Glendalough – Laragh (opportunity for tea stop) – Glenmacnass (take a left immediately on leaving Laragh on the Roundwood Road) – Sally Gap – Manor Kilbride – Tallaght.
The route is a little over 100 Km. Care is advised on the descents, particularly off the Sally Gap. This is a tough mountainous cycle, but an ideal preparation for anyone planning to ride the Wicklow 200/100 in June.
A support car has not been arranged for this event so if anyone is willing to provide this service it would be greatly appreciated. Just turn up on the day.
The first TT event of the 2017 season (TTL_01) takes place this Tuesday 25th April on the Black Bull 10 mile TT course. We will be using the usual HQ at Black Bull (1st left on R154 from M3 exit to Trim). The nearest WC facilities are in Batterstown at the garage or the pub.
Sign on will close at 19:00 and the first rider will be off at 19:15. Marshal briefing is at 19.00 sharp.
For further course details and information see document below.
Good luck to everyone and above all, obey the marshals, look after yourself and other riders, and let’s all stay safe and do it all again next week. We also ask riders to show the utmost respect to the venue we will be using, so please Leave No Trace – take home any litter with you and use dressing room and toilets where provided.
[gview file=”https://theivca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Black-Bull-TT-course.pdf”]
The latest round in the Leisure League, the Liam Horner Tour, took place on Sunday 9th April. A total of 13 riders took part. A short report on the event, as supplied by Mick Byrne is provided here. Well done to everyone who took part.
[gview file=”https://theivca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Liam-Horner-Memorial-Cycle-2017.pdf”]
The next event in the IVCA Leisure League, the Liam Horner Memorial Tour, takes place this coming Sunday, 9th April, from The Grasshopper Inn, Clonee, commencing at 10 am sharp. Sign-on will be open for about 20 minutes beforehand.
The route will be in the region of 70 km and all IVCA members are welcome to join the spin.
Liam Horner was one of the great domestic riders in the late 1960s and 1970s. He was a national champion and highly respected international, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 59. He won many big races during his cycling career, including the prestigious Manx International in 1967 and the Tour of Ireland in 1972. He also competed in two Olympic games. Liam was the first Irish rider to forge a relationship with the Belgian Herman Nys, with whom Sean Kelly lived for many years at the start of his professional career.
This is the fourth round in the Dick O’Brien Leisure League. A report on the previous two rounds is available below.
[gview file=”https://theivca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IVCA-Leisure-League-Rounds-2-3-2017-Report.pdf”]
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Denis (Gay) Farnan who passed away after battling a long illness.
Gay was a valued member of the IVCA Board for many years and made a significant contribution to the development of the Association. He was also the Leisure/Touring Director of the IVCA for a long period and was an integral part of the Wicklow 200 Committee until recently. Gay, along with his family, were heavily involved in organising the WW200 and the West Wicklow and helped to help bring the WW200 to where it is today as Ireland’s Premier Touring event.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Mary, and to his wider family and friends.
Funeral arrangements are as follows.
Reposing at home on Thursday from 2 o’clock. Removal to the Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church, Castleknock on Friday morning for Requiem Mass at 11 o’clock, followed by burial in Castleknock Churchyard. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to St. Francis Hospice, Dublin 15.
For full details click here.
For those members who were unable to attend the Race Information Sessions held earlier this month, and to facilitate the collection of Race Packs, the Board is running an extra Information Session this coming Wednesday, 29th March, in the Grasshopper Inn, Clonee, commencing at 7.30 pm.
All racing members are required to attend an Information Session in order to participate in IVCA racing events. If you were not able to get to the previous events, this is your final opportunity to attend and ensure that your participation in IVCA racing is secure this year.
