Etape du Tour 2011

Tommy O'Reilly, a great supporter of Co-operation Ireland, is taking on the challenge of next year's Etape du Tour in support of our charity.  Tommy would like some company, so if there is any mad like-minded cyclists out there who would like the challenge of cycling in the French Alps, this might be your chance.  Here's what Tommy has to say:

"The Etape, for you who do not know, is a proper stage of the Tour de France, and in 2011 will probably be in the Alps.  No details on the route are yet available, but usually it has three category one mountains with a total of around 6000 metres climbing in searing heat and around a distance of 180-200 kms.  It is around the 2nd week in July and the trip should also allow the opportunity to take in a stage of the tour itself.

Around 10,000 cyclists take part in this so it is a massive event.  It requires serious training which needs to start very early in the year with lots of hard miles put in over the winter.  Put it like this folks, the Dublin/Belfast run should be viewed as a recovered ride rather than a training day!

I am looking to put together a Co-operation Ireland trip for this and looking for provisional interest.  A very ball-park figures is sponsorship of around £1100 or €1300 for around 4 days, including transport.  In terms of fitness levels required there is enough time to get into shape for this.  The only spare tyre though should be in your saddle bag as the broom wagon will sweep you up unless the pace is maintained.  Make no mistake, this is tough but do-able.  The sort of training mileage is around 2000 km with lots of climbs!

Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Training events may be organised ad-hoc for this on a regional basis.  However as a guide, you would be aiming to do the Tour of the Glens in the North (first Sunday in May) and the Wicklow 200 (mid June) then the Maracycle (last weekend in June).

Interested?  Email Terry toneill@cooperationireland.org or Winnie worr@cooperationireland.org in the first instance as we need to know if a trip is viable."

Yours in Cycling

Tommy O'Reilly (currently 3 stones too heavy and 51 years of age)