Fleche 2015

7 teams and 37 riders entered, 36 started, and 33 finished at Reynos Cafe in Mullingar in various states of disarray !  Thanks to the staff there for looking after all of us with copious amounts of Full Irish Breakfasts etc.  Total distance ridden was just under 13000kms over 24 hours.

Team Scumbags and Superstars take the prize for longest route with 420kms, although I am still waiting for final distance from a couple of teams.  Stuart gets the award for losing most team members, as he misplaced all 4 of them by the end, but persevered to complete the route solo.  Commiserations to Pat, Olivier, Noel and Marc on their various ailments, no doubt they’ll be back for more soon !  Team Moonlighters take the prize for the best organised paperwork, with all Brevet Cards filled in as appropriate and all receipts present and correct, numbered and well presented !

Teams who started in the East and headed West suffered from the extremely strong headwind, and had to battle their way westwards at pedestrian pace throughout Friday !  Because of this, Team 500 plus didn’t live up to their name, but still completed a respectable 405kms on a shortened route.

Well done to all finishers, onwards and upwards for next year !

Easter is drawing near, and 8 teams and 36 riders are planning on riding through the night this weekend for the 2015 Fleche 24 hour ride.  Details of the runners and riders for Fleche d’Irlande 2015 are attached.

Fleche 2015-General

The total distance ridden will be just short of 15,000km in 24 hours.  Most teams are playing it a bit safe, with targets of around 400km, with Team 500 Plus going for 510kms, and the best of luck to them.

Our resident forecaster Conor will no doubt keep us posted on the weather situation as it develops during the week, at the moment it looks like it will be improving from Friday morning onwards thankfully.

Reminder of some of the rules:

At least 3 riders must finish the ride together for the team to be successful

The distance ridden can be up to 20% shorter or longer than the route submitted.  However if shorter, it must still exceed the absolute minimum of 360kms.

They must obtain proof of passage at the control points, and at hour 22 and hour 24.  Receipts, Garda stamps, Photos of at least 3 team members with appropriate Town signs or shops/garages which include the Town name, Video clips etc, will be acceptable as proof of passage.

Any riders using GPS should submit their ridden route to the organiser afterwards as part of the verification.

They must ride at least 25kms in the last 2 hours.

Good luck to all the Teams for a successful ride, remember to stay safe with good Lights and High Viz kit.

Please note that the Vanishing Battalion 200 has been cancelled by the Organiser, and will not be held in 2015.  There are plenty of 200’s available so hopefully it will not be a major problem for anyone.  You can all head off to the Priests Leap and Devils Elbow 300 instead !