Page 2 - Wicklow 200 2007

12-06.-2007, 07:55 AM

#16

TheGman

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Join Date: May 2007

Location: Dublin

Posts: 11

Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by limerickman

How did you guys get on yesterday at the Wicklow 200?
Did you do the 100 or 200 route?

Me?
I did the 200km but not without some problems toward the end of the route.
Started at 7.00pm and was going well - climbed well out of Enniskerry and got to Laragh.
The group that I was with split - some decided to do the 100 route instead of the 200 route (despite their saying beforehand that they were going to do the 200 route).
Did Wicklow Gap and got in to Donard.
Out of Donard and on to Slieve Mann was ok - going well at that stage.
Got to the feedstation at Rathdrum at around 2.00pm stayed there for 15 mins.
Checked my computer - temperature read 28 celsius (and it felt pretty warm too).
Climbed out of Rathdrum and started to feel a little bit weaker.
I'd started to sweat a lot more than usual - and given the heat - I think this lead to my cramping badly on Douce Mountain.
Thighs were pretty sore at that point.
I dropped down to the lightest gear that I could pedal and just rolled along.
With 20k's to go, I knew I'd make it back but the cramping was bad.
It's years since I experienced cramping like that.

I got back to UCD for 4.10 which I was pleased with.

A very enjoyable day - but if they could have turned the heat down a degree or two it would have been even better.
Nice medal.

It was my first time doing the wicklow 200, and my first real cycling event overall though, it went great.

I decided to do the 200km route and completed it in 9.5 hours which i was really happy with. The decent from the wicklow gap was great, the road was smooth and easy. Slieve man went well, climbed it in one go and nearly got killed on the decent by some gobshite motorcyclist. After about 160km i started to feel sick, could barely breath proprly without coughing, but made it back to ucd just before five. Felt like puking for an hour or so after, but felt grand after a shower and some food.

One thing i noticed about the w200 was there wasn't too many young people, i hardly saw anyone around my age.

Great day and atmosphere, got badely sunburnt though haha

12-06.-2007, 10:09 AM	#17
mikbianchi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 25	Re: Wicklow 200 2007 Did anyone see a red haired woman on a mountain bike with mud-guards and carrier, wearing a pair of runners. I kept seeing her at various stages through the day. I last passed her just befoe Djouce so I presume she got in sometime after 4. My deepest respect to that woman. Puts everyone on a fancy cf job to shame.

12-06.-2007, 04:54 PM	#18
Cod Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 93	Re: Wicklow 200 2007 Those are good times Limerickman, I took an hour more. I did the 200, but gave myself a bit of work: I travelled up on Saturday night in my camper, but I was doubtful about parking it in UCD so I ended up in the Camac Camping Park. This meant I had to cycle 18 KM each way to UCD, so I ended up doing 236K! I left the campsite at 5:30, left UCD at 6:30, went very strong until Donard, the Sally Gap and Wicklow gap were tough but enjoyable as the heat had not kicked in yet. The climb before Slieve Maam was unexpected, and Slieve Maam itself a killer. I met some great guys during the early part of the day, but people closed down a bit after the tough time on the Slieve Maam climb. To be honest the last 60K are a bit of a blur, not knowing the geography was a pain as I couldn't gauge what I needed to hold back to get home. I also got a bit bored for the last 2 hours, I'm used to cycling on my own but this was a bit too long, and I had no earphones as I didn't want to appear anti-social! But overall I had a great day, I met some real friendly people; it was great to be part of a huge crowd all doing the same thing, on a beautiful day instead of cycling around North Cork on my own in the rain I couldn't believe the spped at which some of the older guys were going up those hills, it's encouraging to see. The camaraderie was an eyeopener too, anytime I pulled over to eat or catch my breath there were 1 or 2 guys asking if everything was OK. I'm looking forward to next year, but I'll have to knock off a stone to make it more comfortable, I got back to UCD at 4:30, I was happy enough with that but I'd hope to do it quicker next year. What's next for you Limerickman? __________________ Cod Carbon Forks Carbon Seat-Stays Titanium Stents

13-06.-2007, 04:49 AM

#19

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cod

Those are good times Limerickman, I took an hour more.

I did the 200, but gave myself a bit of work: I travelled up on Saturday night in my camper, but I was doubtful about parking it in UCD so I ended up in the Camac Camping Park. This meant I had to cycle 18 KM each way to UCD, so I ended up doing 236K!

I left the campsite at 5:30, left UCD at 6:30, went very strong until Donard, the Sally Gap and Wicklow gap were tough but enjoyable as the heat had not kicked in yet. The climb before Slieve Maam was unexpected, and Slieve Maam itself a killer. I met some great guys during the early part of the day, but people closed down a bit after the tough time on the Slieve Maam climb. To be honest the last 60K are a bit of a blur, not knowing the geography was a pain as I couldn't gauge what I needed to hold back to get home. I also got a bit bored for the last 2 hours, I'm used to cycling on my own but this was a bit too long, and I had no earphones as I didn't want to appear anti-social!

But overall I had a great day, I met some real friendly people; it was great to be part of a huge crowd all doing the same thing, on a beautiful day instead of cycling around North Cork on my own in the rain I couldn't believe the spped at which some of the older guys were going up those hills, it's encouraging to see. The camaraderie was an eyeopener too, anytime I pulled over to eat or catch my breath there were 1 or 2 guys asking if everything was OK.
I'm looking forward to next year, but I'll have to knock off a stone to make it more comfortable, I got back to UCD at 4:30, I was happy enough with that but I'd hope to do it quicker next year.

What's next for you Limerickman?

Cod - super stuff well done to you.
It is a tough event and to do it in the time you did it is a great achievement.
It's doubly difficult when you have no sense of how far you have left to go - especially when you're tired so to come through the last 60km is a great achievement.

The camraderie of that event is special (that's why I do it).
The old custom of asking someone by the side of the road if they're ok is important and it's great to see that it is alive and well.

And your point about the older guys is interesting.
I'm 40.
My old coach - the legendary Se O'Hanlon who is 68 - passed me as I was climbing out of Enniskerry.
Se dominated the RAS in the 1960's/70's and was good enough to go professional if he's chosen to do so.
He gave me his usual salute.
It's superb to see guys like that still on the road and putting younger people like me to the blade.

Don't know what's next.
I've a friend in Killorglin who's trying to persuade me to do the Ring of Kerry in a few weeks time.
have to get clearance from Mrs Limerickman for that - she's fed up being a cycling widow!
Have you anything planned, Cod?

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

13-06.-2007, 04:50 AM

#20

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGman

Great stuff - 9.5hrs is very impressive for a man who's only new to this type of event.
Did you use your new bike?

13-06.-2007, 04:54 AM

#21

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikbianchi

Did anyone see a red haired woman on a mountain bike with mud-guards and carrier, wearing a pair of runners. I kept seeing her at various stages through the day. I last passed her just befoe Djouce so I presume she got in sometime after 4. My deepest respect to that woman. Puts everyone on a fancy cf job to shame.

Mik,

I think I saw that woman.
A lady on a mountainbike - white runners - she was wearing sunglasses (as opposed to ctcling sunglasses).
I bet that is the same woman.
I thought she did really well.

I saw a lot of people out there on various bikes, in various sets of "non-cycling" clothing.
Fair play to them all for doing the event.
(I say that as a member of the fancy cf job!).

13-06.-2007, 05:02 AM

#22

TheGman

Registered User

Join Date: May 2007

Location: Dublin

Posts: 11

Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by limerickman

Great stuff - 9.5hrs is very impressive for a man who's only new to this type of event.
Did you use your new bike?

yeah sure did, it is my first proper road bike, gave no trouble at all and was great at the climbs.
Im actually thinking about joining a club now, the orwell wheelers would be the closest to me. when would be the best time to join? as in should i wait until the racing season is over in september/october? or is the sooner the better because im really starting to get hooked on the cycling

13-06.-2007, 07:58 AM	#23
mikbianchi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 25	Re: Wicklow 200 2007 Don't know what's next. I've a friend in Killorglin who's trying to persuade me to do the Ring of Kerry in a few weeks time. have to get clearance from Mrs Limerickman for that - she's fed up being a cycling widow! Have you anything planned, Cod?[/QUOTE] Limerickman , have you heard anything about North Tipp Wheelers tour around Lough Derg on the 8th of July. Was thinking about brining the other half if its not too hilly (she dosen't like decents so won't do the wicklow). I think she could manage the distance (125k) . Mick

13-06.-2007, 08:31 AM

#24

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikbianchi

Don't know what's next.
I've a friend in Killorglin who's trying to persuade me to do the Ring of Kerry in a few weeks time.
have to get clearance from Mrs Limerickman for that - she's fed up being a cycling widow!
Have you anything planned, Cod?

Limerickman ,
have you heard anything about North Tipp Wheelers tour around Lough Derg on the 8th of July. Was thinking about brining the other half if its not too hilly (she dosen't like decents so won't do the wicklow). I think she could manage the distance (125k) .
Mick[/QUOTE]

Funny enough - I was just talking to a guy about this yesterday.
I'll keep you posted on this - as I'm due to get some info over the next day or so about this.

14-06.-2007, 04:15 AM	#25
Cod Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 93	Re: Wicklow 200 2007 The Ring of Kerry is meant to be a great day out, more of a family event I think than the Wicklow 200. 2 of our lads did it last year and had a great day. I'm off to Europe for 6 weeks with my cycling widow and orphan but I'm hoping to sneak in a few climbs, maybe the Picos de Europa in Nothern Spain and Ventoux in Provence if I can swing over that way. I ended up going to the Pyrenees a few weeks ago, but we cut our programme to 1 full day and 2 half-days as the lads wanted to allow plenty of time to get back to Roscoff for the ferry. We climbed Tourmalet and Solour, and took a spin out to Pont d'Espagne but we left Aubisque and the ski stations after us, so I have unfinished business in that area! Tourmalet was an eye-opener, but at least it was graded and you had an idea of what was ahead from the signs: the Wicklow 200 is much less plannable, so I found it tougher. To be honest the Wicklow200 was the same effort as all the climbs we did in France combined. Anyway, I hope ye all recover from last week and have a great summer! __________________ Cod Carbon Forks Carbon Seat-Stays Titanium Stents

14-06.-2007, 06:41 AM

#26

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cod

The Ring of Kerry is meant to be a great day out, more of a family event I think than the Wicklow 200. 2 of our lads did it last year and had a great day.

I'm off to Europe for 6 weeks with my cycling widow and orphan but I'm hoping to sneak in a few climbs, maybe the Picos de Europa in Nothern Spain and Ventoux in Provence if I can swing over that way.
I ended up going to the Pyrenees a few weeks ago, but we cut our programme to 1 full day and 2 half-days as the lads wanted to allow plenty of time to get back to Roscoff for the ferry. We climbed Tourmalet and Solour, and took a spin out to Pont d'Espagne but we left Aubisque and the ski stations after us, so I have unfinished business in that area! Tourmalet was an eye-opener, but at least it was graded and you had an idea of what was ahead from the signs: the Wicklow 200 is much less plannable, so I found it tougher. To be honest the Wicklow200 was the same effort as all the climbs we did in France combined. Anyway, I hope ye all recover from last week and have a great summer!

Nice one Cod.

Enjoy the Pyrennees : when you get back perhaps you'd post about how it all went??

11-07.-2007, 08:50 PM	#27
Tonto Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 386	Re: Wicklow 200 2007 I enjoyed reading your W200 posts, but not without a little envy. For the first time in 4 years I didn't do the full 200. I started a new job earlier in the year and had very little time for training. I thought I might as well try and enjoy the day, so I did the 100 instead and had a very enjoyable time in the sun, although there was a slightly hollow feeling at not having pushed myself to do the 200. Well done to all of you who did the full distance. Isn't it mad how your tales of pain and nausea and cramp made me feel jealous when I read them!! Did anyone do the Tour of Ireland this year? Was thinking of doing it next year. 4 days around Ireland, 500 miles in total. Seems very all organised. I've only ever done 2 days in a row of more than 100 miles per day, so this will be a whole new challenge.

16-07.-2007, 11:23 PM

#28

limerickman

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Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonto

I enjoyed reading your W200 posts, but not without a little envy. For the first time in 4 years I didn't do the full 200. I started a new job earlier in the year and had very little time for training. I thought I might as well try and enjoy the day, so I did the 100 instead and had a very enjoyable time in the sun, although there was a slightly hollow feeling at not having pushed myself to do the 200. Well done to all of you who did the full distance. Isn't it mad how your tales of pain and nausea and cramp made me feel jealous when I read them!!

Did anyone do the Tour of Ireland this year? Was thinking of doing it next year. 4 days around Ireland, 500 miles in total. Seems very all organised. I've only ever done 2 days in a row of more than 100 miles per day, so this will be a whole new challenge.

Tour of Ireland??
I wasn't aware that there was such an event.
I'd be interested in getting some info - do you have a link?
Thanks

23-07.-2007, 02:48 AM

#29

Tonto

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Join Date: Nov 2003

Posts: 386

Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by limerickman

Tour of Ireland??
I wasn't aware that there was such an event.
I'd be interested in getting some info - do you have a link?
Thanks

Just your reply Limerickman, I've been too engrossed in the Tour lately.
Here's a link:
http://www.tourofireland.eu/

03-03.-2008, 11:05 PM

#30

blorg

Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2006

Posts: 10

Re: Wicklow 200 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by limerickman

Tour of Ireland??
I wasn't aware that there was such an event.
I'd be interested in getting some info - do you have a link?
Thanks

The heat on last year's Wicklow 200 really didn't present any sort of problem to me at all (the distance and hills were the issue!)

Cycling in France and even more particularly Spain is quite a different story. It really can be quite debilitating. As long as it stays in the low 30s I'm OK, but it can get up to the low 40s which is pretty bad! I have only toured, but the best advice I could give would be to get up before dawn and try to get your cycling over by 1-2pm.

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