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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

The BIGGEST sporting event to visit the island of Ireland EVER - The Tour of Italy! A Smiley is needed!

73 replies

Panwearsrosa · 03/05/2014 10:26

The Giro d'Italia is the most prestigious cycling event in the world outside of the Tour de France, and next week it starts in Belfast for 2 days, around the Titanic Quarter and a race up to Giants Causeway and back, then a race from Armagh to Dublin in the Republic before resuming in Italy.

Just contemplating an event like this a few years ago would have been inconceivable, but now the Pro-Cycling world is investing in the North and the Republic, and few of us would like MN to invest by way of a smiley/pink jersey emocion to recognise the event. Millions of £s and euros will be spent and 100,000s of people will be lining the routes. cermolafoam reports that Belfast is slowly turning pink!

Here is a link to the thread in Sports. It's a sort of taster for what it will be like in July when the Tour de France starts in Yorkshire.

MN wants to see opinion on the proposed smiley for next week, (not sure why a simple yes or no isn't an option?) so please post "pink" or "yes" or something a bit longer if you'd like.

Even the Pope has been exhorting new priests to get round their parishes by cycling. Which gives substance to the exclamation "Christ on a bike." Grin

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Panwearsrosa · 04/05/2014 11:42
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Cremolafoam · 04/05/2014 16:28

Yes Pan that is indeed Belfast city hall looking like a big pink blancmange Grin

SamBob · 04/05/2014 16:37

I don't have much opinion on a smilie but have to point out it's not the biggest sporting event ever in Ireland. The Tour de France started in Ireland in 1998.

AmyMumsnet · 04/05/2014 17:01

Hi all,

That does sound exciting! We tend to be pretty selective with our emoticon dispensation but we'll have a think about this after the Bank Holiday weekend and get back to you.

Hope all that go and spectate have a great time!

Panwearsrosa · 04/05/2014 19:23

SamBob - that's very kind of you, BUT I think I'm going to see you on that one! 1998 Tour remained in the Republic for three stages, whereas the Giro will be visiting three major centres of population incl two 'capitals', and was many many years ago when pro-cycling on these isles had nothing like the profile it has now. I'm pretty sure the £s and euro take/surrounding events and spectator count next week would eclipse 1998, like Cav did with Vivani today.

Amy - I'd exchanged with Rowan originally. Tell them stuffy types to loosen their grasping emocion fingers and get pinked.Smile

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LostInWales · 04/05/2014 19:46

Wot Pan said. ^^

Panwearsrosa · 04/05/2014 21:05

Just posted in Chat and not Giro related directly, but....too good to NOT put here. The Afghanistan Womens Cycling Team

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Cremolafoam · 04/05/2014 23:48

multi purpose Grand Tour-icon

The BIGGEST sporting event to visit the island of Ireland EVER - The Tour of Italy! A Smiley is needed!
Panwearsrosa · 04/05/2014 23:54

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha and HHHHAAAAA. That's wonderful!

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Cremolafoam · 04/05/2014 23:56

loved that piece about afghan women pan btw

DramaAlpaca · 04/05/2014 23:57

Love it Cremolafoam! Grin

Panwearsrosa · 04/05/2014 23:58

it was fab wasn't it? They were just bursting with pride.

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LostInWales · 05/05/2014 10:14

You lot stay up so late! See the Afghan women are another great reason to have a cycling smiley, what a great way to promote equality. That and the fact that the winner of the womens edition of the Tour de France will win an equal prize to the male winner. Not quite so sure about Podium boys though, it's like they heard what people were saying and responded in the only way they know how, ah well.

Panwearsrosa · 05/05/2014 20:11

An article about how womens' cycling is front and centre of the develpments in pro-cycling.

A pinky swear from Cookson surely warrants a pinky smile?Smile

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HowGoodIsThat · 06/05/2014 08:36

I am Officially Not Happy about podium boys. I would dearly love to see the whole practice Got Rid Of but am struggling to know who to lobby.

Mind you, I am finding that I am fighting quite a bit of out-dated male views on women within my new cycle club. I am trying not to generalise and tar all cyclists with the same brush but some of them are pretty outrageous in their views of women.

Unexpected · 06/05/2014 08:45

I'd support this, I would love to be there to see this. My only concern is when I would actually use the icon, I think I might go overboard and use it at every opportunity!

Panwearsrosa · 06/05/2014 09:56

That would be the idea.Grin

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Panwearsrosa · 06/05/2014 10:08

The official hashtag for the Giro is #giro. Except in pink.......

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Panwearsrosa · 07/05/2014 17:03

Any answer?

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RebeccaMumsnet · 07/05/2014 17:05

Hi all,

We have asked Tech if they can pull one out of the bag by Friday. Can't 100% promise, as it's a fairly big task but we try our best to get one done in time.

Panwearsrosa · 07/05/2014 17:15

Molto bene, Rebecca!!

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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 07/05/2014 17:46

We love you and Tech, Rebecca!

DramaAlpaca · 07/05/2014 20:28

Flowers Cake and a couple of large gins for you & Tech, Rebecca.

Molte grazie!

CremolaDItalia · 07/05/2014 21:30

Oh you lovely lovely people.
Pink jersey for tech and Rebecca !!GrinGrin