Hill climb up Three Rock

ryan_sherlock · 31-08-2009 11:25am #1

Anyone up for a hill climb ride up Three Rock - say starting next Tuesday (8th of September) at 7pm? Starting at Taylors of Three Rock to the tip top via the road?

Distance: 4km
Average Grade: 8.1% (Two flat sections - feels more like 10% average)
Climb: 318m

It runs from marker 1 to marker 2 in the attached image.

ryan_sherlock · 31-08-2009 11:26am

I would assume times would be 13-25 minutes

peterako · 31-08-2009 12:26pm

Used to do this as a teenager on my 0 speed steel frame racer!
(But from Dundrum to the top via Wesley College and Ticknock Road)

Also in the snow...in the good old days when we actually had snow

Skinny tyres and all......

The thoughts of doing it now, even on the shortened route...:eek:

Enjoy!

Peter

ROK ON · 31-08-2009 2:28pm

Is this an open invite regardless of climbing ability.
If so, I would like to head along. I presume you mean road bike not MTB (sorry, I just dont know the area).

petethedrummer · 31-08-2009 2:32pm

I presume this will be a time trial, no?

lukester · 31-08-2009 2:32pm

Isn't there a gate you have to cross to get to the very top?

GeeNorm · 31-08-2009 2:45pm

No Gate. If you fancy a different route back down, there's a mountain bike track through the woods. I've mapped it out roughly in this link.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3146484

It comes out just before the Blue Light pub so you can stop for refreshments before freewheeling back to the Three Rock pub car park.

Idleater · 31-08-2009 2:49pm

ROK ON wrote: »

Is this an open invite regardless of climbing ability.
If so, I would like to head along. I presume you mean road bike not MTB (sorry, I just dont know the area).

+1

to both questions. interested either way. For everyone, that means there is a significant chance you'd definitely beat at least 1 person :pac:

keano007 · 31-08-2009 3:00pm

I could be up for this my climbing is shocking at th moment so I think thi could be good practice, could u clarify it is road bikes and not mtb's were talking about here?

ryan_sherlock · 31-08-2009 3:27pm

It is a road climb all the way to the top (I'll be on my road bike), with a good road surface to the tip top. But if you only have an MTB, please, give it a go too...

There is a barrier towards the top but more than enough room to get around it without putting a foot down or slowing down much

I would assume a time trial - every 30 seconds/1 minute off depending on numbers and sunset.

Disclaimer - this is not am offical 'race' there will be no closed roads, no entry fee and open to anyone who wants to have a spin to the top of Three Rock on (hopefully) a nice evening. I may have a buddy at the top to take times but would be nice for someone at the bottom too. It is a safe route that I ride a lot but everyone should be really careful on the right hand corner before Ticknock carpark

ryan_sherlock · 07-09-2009 9:05am

Okay - so this is still on tomorrow night. First off for around 7? be there at 6:50? Anyone not wanting to ride but help out?

Raam · 07-09-2009 9:42am

No can do for me. Would have liked to though.

Lumen · 07-09-2009 9:51am

Might be on for this if I can get my creaky BB sorted.

Chips Lovell · 07-09-2009 10:04am

Lumen wrote: »

Might be on for this if I can get my creaky BB sorted.

Does the creaking make you climb slower?

Chips Lovell · 07-09-2009 10:07am

While I won't be giving anyone a run for their money, I'm in.

ryan_sherlock · 07-09-2009 10:10am

Don't know about the creaking BB... I have tried everything to find a creak that happens when I hammer on my bike. Last night was the last resort, chainrings/chainring bolts and crank dismantled, cleaned, greesed and rebuilt.

petethedrummer · 07-09-2009 11:32am

I'm out, ill.

keano007 · 07-09-2009 11:56am

I think I could be in, but I'd say I'll prob be the first off and last to the top, how long is the climb?

Raam · 07-09-2009 11:57am

keano007 wrote: »

how long is the climb?

It's all there in the first post

ROK ON · 07-09-2009 12:37pm

My legs are like lead from a pretty evil climbing session on Sat. Also I was hoping to go shopping for new jeans.
But if the weather stays nice, I will head out for some ritual humiliation.

Given that on streches of road with gradients greater than 12% I manage a pace of 5km/h I think that the slowest time of 25m is wildly optimistic.

keano007 · 07-09-2009 12:40pm

Raam wrote: »

It's all there in the first post

Sorry I saw that after I posted

Lumen · 07-09-2009 1:24pm

el tonto wrote: »

Does the creaking make you climb slower?

Yes, particularly when the creaking comes from my lower back.

17 minutes is my (very optimistic) target. But a DNF is odds-on.

Raam · 07-09-2009 2:07pm

Lumen wrote: »

Yes, particularly when the creaking comes from my lower back.

17 minutes is my (very optimistic) target. But a DNF is odds-on.

sandbagger

ROK ON · 07-09-2009 2:13pm

Lumen wrote: »

Yes, particularly when the creaking comes from my lower back.

17 minutes is my (very optimistic) target. But a DNF is odds-on.

I would be hoping to be inside 30mins. But in reality there is no need to count my time. No one needs to know my shame.

JacksonHeightsOwn · 07-09-2009 8:32pm

i tried cycling this thing earlier, well, i drove up to have a look, then got the bike out before the gate, that thing is STEEP, it said 15% on my little garmin at one point, and i had no shoes either, just my runners

i wouldnt have minded giving it a go, but jesus, 17 minutes to the top, i reckon an hour and 17 minutes for me :eek:

Lumen · 07-09-2009 8:40pm

chrisbonnie wrote: »

that thing is STEEP, it said 15% on my little garmin at one point

Come back 30x27, all is forgiven.

Chips Lovell · 07-09-2009 8:43pm

Sure Seskin Hill is steeper in that case.

tomc · 07-09-2009 8:51pm

Used that run for training for the Etape this year and didn't manage much under 30 mins dont think.....of course I was pacing myself.....cough..cough!

TomC

velo.2010 · 07-09-2009 8:57pm

Nice lung burster up out of Rathcool village around 2.5km to top of Saggert Hill, via Redgap. 16% max Gradient and it never really lets up.

ROK ON · 07-09-2009 9:02pm

el tonto wrote: »

Sure Seskin Hill is steeper in that case.

Tonto, Seskin is 1km, this thing is 4km. Just a slight difference.

Chips Lovell · 07-09-2009 9:04pm

It'll be fun in that case.

ROK ON · 07-09-2009 9:07pm

If weather is bad, then I will propbably just head to Dundrum to go shopping.

ryan_sherlock · 07-09-2009 9:09pm

The nice thing about the climb is that there is good quality tarmac all the way to the top - one of the things about a lot of the steep roads around is that the surface is pretty poor...

Gearing - probably 39x23 for me (KCNC cassette 134grams), or if I chicken out, may go for a 25.

JacksonHeightsOwn · 07-09-2009 9:20pm

ryan_sherlock wrote: »

The nice thing about the climb is that there is good quality tarmac all the way to the top - one of the things about a lot of the steep roads around is that the surface is pretty poor...

Gearing - probably 39x23 for me (KCNC cassette 134grams), or if I chicken out, may go for a 25.

just watch out after that gate thats closed, its fierce slippy!!

Raam · 07-09-2009 9:26pm

ryan_sherlock wrote: »

Gearing - probably 39x23 for me (KCNC cassette 134grams), or if I chicken out, may go for a 25.

Oh come on, it has to be 21!

ryan_sherlock · 07-09-2009 9:52pm

Raam wrote: »

Oh come on, it has to be 21!

Nahh - I'm too much of a spinner now

Idleater · 07-09-2009 9:57pm

ryan_sherlock wrote: »

Gearing - probably 39x23

I think that's what I have on the road bike, so I'm using that as my excuse! If tomorrow pans out nicely I potentially could make it across, but Swords to Dundrum via Lucan (to pick up the bike) for 1900 would be a push even for me on the motorbike!

ryan_sherlock · 07-09-2009 10:26pm

nereid wrote: »

I think that's what I have on the road bike, so I'm using that as my excuse! If tomorrow pans out nicely I potentially could make it across, but Swords to Dundrum via Lucan (to pick up the bike) for 1900 would be a push even for me on the motorbike!

Depending on the numbers, 7:10 could work (few off before you arrive). Dark not long after 8 though.

DirkVoodoo · 07-09-2009 10:30pm

ROK ON wrote: »

If weather is bad, then I will propbably just head to Dundrum to go shopping.

Oh come on, if I said that you would have gone to town on it! Worst excuse ever.

P.S. I too will be in Dundrum, we should meet up for a moca-frappacino.

Lumen · 08-09-2009 7:24am

Well it's a bit breezy, but nice and warm.

I feel a Kaiku commute coming on.

Out of my way, lesser Freds!

ROK ON · 08-09-2009 8:57am

Lumen wrote: »

Well it's a bit breezy, but nice and warm.

I feel a Kaiku commute coming on.

Out of my way, lesser Freds!

You should wear the goretex shorts with the kaiku top.

lukester · 08-09-2009 8:58am

Lumen wrote: »

I feel a Kaiku commute coming on.

Ooh, you too?

It should be designated the 2nd boards kit, only ever to be worn as a full kit.
Shaved legs, white socks and shoes de rigueur.

ROK ON · 08-09-2009 8:59am

Hi, can someone throw up a map or set of directions to the start.
I simply cant read Ryans map on my pc, and I dont know the area at all.

Gavin · 08-09-2009 9:05am

If you are travelling out through Ranelagh, go straight on through Dundrum up to the Tesco roundabout. Take the last exit. Straight on through the next roundabout, and take the last exit at the next roundabout. Up the road past superquinn on your right, you get to a T junction. Go to the right and then take the first left. Straight up that road and when the road splits, straight on towards the pub/m50 overpass.

ryan_sherlock · 08-09-2009 9:08am

A google maps pointer: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.266958,-6.263044&spn=0.012243,0.020857&z=16&msid=104529717010402214268.0004730c776f27125feb9

ryan_sherlock · 08-09-2009 12:11pm

Looks like the weather is clearing up for this evening. The wind will (hopefully) be on our bikes for a few of the sections too.

godihatethehils · 08-09-2009 12:18pm

I think I know this hill....and if I'm thinking of the right one 'ouch' is all I can say...

spyderski · 08-09-2009 9:14pm

Just got home, getting out the oxygen & defibrillator! The climb wasn't tough enough without going the wrong way & adding another 10 mins to the pain. Hope to meet up with you guys again sometime - I was the slow one on the Planet X BTW. Cheers, Damien

ROK ON · 08-09-2009 9:24pm

It was great fun. Thanks to Ryan for suggesting it, great to have a new route. The surface is fantastic.

Glad to hear our detour added 10mins, I assumed it was 7mins. :-)

I may eveun do this again tomorrow.

Last year I couldn't get up the slightest pimple of a hill, now I can get up anything, albeit very slowly.

Great night to be out.

PS Lumen, will you put up a link to your rather fabulous lights.

Thanks.

Lumen · 08-09-2009 9:25pm

Well that was....different. Quite enjoyable, so I obviously wasn't trying hard enough.

Many thanks to Ryan for organising and Melanie for freezing her bits off at the top doing the timing. A pretty decent turn out too

Nice climb, lots going on with the dogs, navigation and the dead badger (I lost several minutes at least holding my breath going past that one).

ROK ON: my lights are the Fenix TK11 R2 and Blackburn Mars 4.0

ryan_sherlock · 08-09-2009 9:42pm

Hey all - here are the times for this evening

Ryan Sherlock 12:34
Richie Close 15:16
Sean Downey 15:21
John (Lumen) 17:57
Cait Elliot 17:57 (on Mountain Bike)
Liam 18:14
Dick 20:02
Jim 22:36
Sandra 27:53
John 31:00 (wrong turn!)
Damien 32:23 (spyderski) (wrong turn!)

Thanks for coming out too - the weather did not look too good during the day but it was pretty nice when we lined up. I'll put up a HR/Power profile of my ride up the hill tomorrow.

Well done to all for coming out - that is one of the hills I climb a lot so it was nice to introduce the climb to a few of you - we are so lucky to have such a great climb close to the city. Next time... the Cruagh climb?

Oh - and let me know if I got any of the times wrong - I missed the signon sheet I had at the start, we had the one Mel had at the top.

Hill climb up Three Rock

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