WAR - Wicklow Adventure Race April 2010

GoHardOrGoHome

Brian Crinion wrote: »

I was holding back on putting out information until everything was finalized, but this thread seems as good a point as ever for a soft launch to get some feedback from people who have just finished Gael Force.

WAR: Wicklow Adventure Race 2010

13km of mountain running, 50km of cycling and 2km of canoeing. Starting and finishing on the shores of Glendalough’s Upper Lake. The course takes in Lough Dan, Djouce Mountain, Lough Tay, the Sally Gap and the Glenmacnass Waterfall.
Have a look at http://www.wicklowadventurerace.com/ for more detail.

Seeing as it hasn't been finalised, can you throw in another lap of the Spinc at the end? Clockwise, steps first lap. Nice fast run to the finish at the upper lake car park.

Are you having different classes of competitor and/or different waves?

Poncherello

I would agree with some sort of run at the end.
I felt GaelForce was a bit of an anticlimax with a descent on the bike in to the finish.

dapope

It wouldn't hurt too much to throw in a few km at the end. It might give me a chance of catching a few tri athletes after they whup me on the 25km bike stage.

Peterx

and dancing girls please.

GoHardOrGoHome

Poncherello wrote: »

I would agree with some sort of run at the end.
I felt GaelForce was a bit of an anticlimax with a descent on the bike in to the finish.

dapope wrote: »

It wouldn't hurt too much to throw in a few km at the end. It might give me a chance of catching a few tri athletes after they whup me on the 25km bike stage.

Big time, I'm rubbish on the bike and wouldn't mind a chance at catching a triathlete or two! I think it's also more fun to have a final running stage, like, em, a triathlon!

PS I have no objections to the dancing girls proposal. Cheerleaders up the Spinc steps?

RacoonQueen

hmmmm...how close to the Conn Ultra will this be. Of course you could easily do both. Do you have to provide you own canoe for this? I haven't been in a canoe since I was in the beavers way back when.:pac:

GoHardOrGoHome

RacoonQueen wrote: »

hmmmm...how close to the Conn Ultra will this be. Of course you could easily do both. Do you have to provide you own canoe for this? I haven't been in a canoe since I was in the beavers way back when.:pac:

Sit-on-top kayaks are provided. Two to a boat and they're very easy to handle. Very hard to capsize. When's the Conn Ultra? It's later this time isn't it?

RacoonQueen

Yeah, the provisional date for WAR is a week after Connemara. Hmmmm...doable to do both?

Enduro

Hmmm....

Then one of them will more than likely clash with the IMRA Wicklow Ultra (which has been around that date for at least 10 years now), which is a bit crazy. If they clash it with the Wicklow Ultra then the two races will interfere with each other, as there is an overlap between the 2 courses. There is loads of space in the calendar for endurance events not to clash.

It would be nice if something calling itself an adventure race could make a bit more of an effort to be one. It passes right by the most accessable mountain bike trails in Wicklow, and still all the cycling is on road. What a waste. "Wicklow slightly off road race" would be more accurate I think. Also very unfortunate to see such a very very short kayaking distance, and yet again without the option for good kayakers to bring their own kayaks (yet good cyclists get to bring their own bikes).

Poncherello

If you vary the terrain you most likely force competitors to require a 2nd bike. I dont have a 2nd bike so that rules me out. Just sayin loike !

Enduro

First point... most adventure races have both on and off road cycling sections. The on-road sections are generally there because it isn't possible to find a suitable equivalent off-road section. I've yet to see anyone bring a road bike to these races as the logistics of it are pretty much impossible (and its less benificial to have a road bike than a mountain bike (ususally!)).

2nd point... its easy to limit people to one bike by explicitly making it a rule that each person can only use one bike for the race duration. It can then be your choice which bike you want to use.

Peterx

Getting off topic now sorry:

Enduro wants the race to suit him, Gohard wants the race to suit him and I want the race to suit me. The format is set, either do or don't enter.
At the moment the format for these GF6/ROAR type races is heavily weighted to specialist hillrunners who can roadbike at a reasonable speed.
If you really don't like it, organise your own..

I disagree with the calendar point, it is already easy to see there many sporting options most weekends of the summer. 100% of entrants to "AR" events in this country play other games and therefore have many clashes.
You have to choose.

The Lakes district operate a fantastic system of access that has managed in the main to keep all stakeholders not unhappy and it would be amazing to get a similar set-up here.

Back on topic;
Looking forward to this race in much the same way as a GF or a ROAR, ie: AR lite - my niche:D
AR - navigation, sleep deprivation, kayaking, foot maintenance, et cetera..

Poncherello

Yeah I know what you are saying. I guess seeing as its a triathlon club organising it they are going with the road cycles as thats what they know and they will probably get a lot more interest if they keep it relatively simple.

GoHardOrGoHome

I'll be entering regardless! Is the format set or is it still being finalised? Even a kilometre on foot at the end would be a good finish (though I'd prefer a lap of the upper lake), rather than stumbling through the transition to the finish line. As poncherello said a bit anticlimactic (sp?).

Enduro

Enduro wants the race to suit him, Gohard wants the race to suit him and I want the race to suit me. The format is set, either do or don't enter.

Its more that I'd like something that calls itself an adventure race to at least make some effort to be one. To make it suit me I'd simply like all the distances trebled...that would be fine

The format is set,

I thought the whole point of this thread is that it isn't.

I disagree with the calendar point, it is already easy to see there many sporting options most weekends of the summer. 100% of entrants to "AR" events in this country play other games and therefore have many clashes.
You have to choose.

It's not a summer race Peter, its a spring race. There are lots of free weekends in the spring. Especially if you just narrow it down to endurance events (which this, and the 2 ultra runs all are, but with very little else at that time of year). Personally, I already make choices at that time of the year. Last year I didn't do the Conn ultra.

AR - navigation, sleep deprivation, kayaking, foot maintenance, et cetera..

Err yeah... If it was called "The Wicklow Challenge" or something like that then I wouldn't bother making the points. But if it wants to be the "Wicklow Adventure Race" then it should really try and be something of an adventure race.

AR lite - my niche

Methinks you'd be a fookin' brilliant "Heavy" AR racer too, if you ever decide to try one.

The Lakes district operate a fantastic system of access that has managed in the main to keep all stakeholders not unhappy and it would be amazing to get a similar set-up here.

Is that a side point on access, or does it relate to calendaring? WRT access, anything would be better than here! Scottish system FTW though.

Peterx

Enduro wrote: »

Is that a side point on access, or does it relate to calendaring? WRT access, anything would be better than here! Scottish system FTW though.

Kind of a side point on access and also kind of a general point that tarmac roads in this country are public land open to all and therefore easy to use for race organisers whereas all private land that might be useful for biking stages is harder to use and therefore it is just easier to organise a race using public roads.
I agree with you that in that part of Wicklow there is a ready made MTB bike track and it should be possible for someone* to organise a race involving Ballinastoe, Lough Tay and the WW.

* else

Enduro

Peterx wrote: »

Kind of a side point on access and also kind of a general point that tarmac roads in this country are public land open to all and therefore easy to use for race organisers whereas all private land that might be useful for biking stages is harder to use and therefore it is just easier to organise a race using public roads.
I agree with you that in that part of Wicklow there is a ready made MTB bike track and it should be possible for someone* to organise a race involving Ballinastoe, Lough Tay and the WW.

They're managing to do it for the running and kayaking, so it shouldn't be such a big step to apply it to the cycling, particularly with the laid on facilities in the area. You did a rather excellent job of managing to do it yourself back in the day. Absolutely agreed that its easier to use roads for everything (Except kayaking ), but that leaves you back running a triathalon with kayaking, not an adventure race. Again, there's nothing wrong with that in itself, except that the event is calling itself an adventure race.

Peterx wrote: »

* else

Are you part of the organising team for this one?

seanie500

Is anybody doing this in April? ( Wicklow Adventure race)

thinking of signing up seems quite similiar to gaelforce. Has anyone doen it last year ( if it was on?)

http://www.wicklowadventurerace.com/

GoHardOrGoHome

Hey Seanie,

There's already a thread buried in the races sub-forum.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=62219651

It looks good alright. I'll be doing it.

GoHardOrGoHome

Revived!


There's an early bird price for the first 100 people which I reckon will go pretty quickly. I know of 15/20 kayakers who are going to sign up for this.

Entries will be on runIreland at some point. Rumour has it that personal kayaks *may* be used. Not 100% sure about that. Then again, a 2-man sit on top is fairly nippy. Two engines and all that!

Also, there's a short version (similar to the sport class in Achill Roar I imagine) for anybody who's intimidated by the full distance.

GoHardOrGoHome

@Seanie500

It's a new race.

I saw the jersey in Rob Cummin's Wheelworx shop in Clondalkin. Looks great. Pretty good value for a race that gives you a cycling jersey.

GoHard

seanie500

looking forward to it already!

seems to be quite similiar to GF in any case

c montgomery

Im doing it.
Just emailed them to see when registration when will be open and what the cost is.

Ill post their response when i get it.

GoHardOrGoHome

Entries are open. (runIreland.com)

I'm in!

pgibbo

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

Entries are open. (runIreland.com)

I'm in!

+1

acurno

Can't seem to register on RunIreland, apparently the first 100 early bird deals are gone and there's no other link to register for the other waves.

GoHardOrGoHome

acurno wrote: »

Can't seem to register on RunIreland, apparently the first 100 early bird deals are gone and there's no other link to register for the other waves.

Try this...

http://www.runireland.com/forms/early-bird-entry-%E2%82%AC55-limited-150-entries

acurno

same thing....says it's closed for entry for the early bird. Oh well, thought I'd save an easy tenner.

c montgomery

Just got the early bird x 2.

The last link that someone posted worked for me.

Git101

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

Try this...

http://www.runireland.com/forms/early-bird-entry-%E2%82%AC55-limited-150-entries

Thanks GoHardOrGoHome
I registered as soon as I saw your post yesterday but when I tried to register a friend I got the same message as acurno saying that the early bird registrations were gone.
I tried the above link just now and managed to register him.
Cheers

Oryx

Early regs still working. Im in. Now, to get a bike and learn to cycle it....:D

MushGSXR

how would this compare to Gael Force in relation to difficulty. Don't really know Wicklow at all. The first run looks pretty tough but I reckon Ill give it a go! What could possibly go wrong!

MushGSXR

just tried to register for this and I never got prompted for payment. Did you guys get a confirmation when you entered and did you pay online?

Git101

MushGSXR wrote: »

just tried to register for this and I never got prompted for payment. Did you guys get a confirmation when you entered and did you pay online?[/quote]

Yes & yes

MushGSXR

I retried a few times and eventually got it. Trusty old eircom broadband to blame I reckon.

Time to get the finger out now and get training

GoHardOrGoHome

Went for a jog around the first section of the race today, a lap around the upper lake in Glendalough. The snow and ice made it a bit tough as you had to be careful on the sleepers. Great fun coming down the other side.

I'll be doing the first two cycle sections (Glendalough to Lough Dan and Lough Dan to Lough Tay viewing point) in two weeks time. There'll be a group of 6-8 of us. If anybody's interested you're welcome to join us. Mixed ability group so we'll be taking it handy.

theduke1

hey guys i regestered for this race and got no confirmation but checked bank account and the moniey was def taking for it. what happens now?

a123

theduke1 wrote: »

hey guys i regestered for this race and got no confirmation but checked bank account and the moniey was def taking for it. what happens now?

From FAQ runirleand
I didn't receive a confirmation email of my entry.

First check your spam/junk folder in your email to see if your race confirmation email was filed there. Automatically generated emails are sometimes stopped by your network or server especially if you order from your work email. So check your spam box and if it is not there, go into "my account" at the bottom of the page, and you can see your history of orders and print another one. If it is not in your history the transaction has not gone through so please try again.

After that I suppose keep an eye on WAR website for more details

Hope this helps:)

sfhawke7w

okay so a college mate has roped me into doing this, fitness level is basic!!

so just wondering what training to do? was going to use a 10k training plan to cover the running and alternate between road/trail/treadmill. now the trail would be through a local forest area and it is tough i know my dad runs in it a good bit but should i be including a lot of uphill training!! runners? i have a pair of asics runners will they do or do i need to be looking at something more suited for off road running?

cycling - am doing 1 spin class a week to build up my cardio fitness am going to do a 2nd one from this week and would hope in a couple of weeks to try and start getting out on the roads - just wondering what the route is like is it all road? or some through trails?

canoe ? well now that is another story havent sat on one in years, but know of a place where can go to get some training and practice.

any advise would be great!!

kildon

Hi all,

Another entrant to the WAR race with no experience of aventure racing.

Aby training suggestions or sites which show training schedules would be appreciated.

Cheers
K

Enduro

Try to find some triathalon/duathalon style training plans. You need to put work into both running and cycling. Try and fit in as much hillwork as you can in both of them. Its a hilly race. As much running as possible on trails. The cycling will be all (hilly) road. preferably do real cycling and running, rather than their gym equivalents.

For adventure race kayak training give the lads in Total Experience (near blessington) a call. They are adventure race organisers and participants themselves, so they know what they're doing.

sfhawke7w

hi guys

just wondering does anyone know where best place for accomodation near to race? am travelling down with a few friends to do it and we are thinking of getting a house for 3-4 nights!!

any help or suggestions would be great

blind_hurler

another first time adventure runner here...


and my question is...

what sort of bag would anyone recommend for carrying the equipment needed for WAR?

MushGSXR

I use a camelback blowfish backpack. A great job. Some might think it is too big but i wont be breaking any speed records so it doesnt matter

GoHardOrGoHome

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

I'll be doing the first two cycle sections (Glendalough to Lough Dan and Lough Dan to Lough Tay viewing point) in two weeks time. There'll be a group of 6-8 of us. If anybody's interested you're welcome to join us. Mixed ability group so we'll be taking it handy.

Probably a bit late in posting this! Going from the upper lake in Glendalough tomorrow (Sunday) at 12:30. Distances times may be changed depending on how the group is doing. I'd like to aim to do the first two sections and head back the same way (Sally Gap is impassable) but we might not manage it! Real cyclists would not enjoy the snail's pace I'm planning!

briano

I've signed up for this now, It'll be my first AR (lite or otherwise!)

I was just wondering what do people do regarding shoes and the cycle sections? Would people use toe clips and keep the trail shoes on or carry the trail shoes in their backpacks?

GoHardOrGoHome

ChairmanMeow wrote: »

I've signed up for this now, It'll be my first AR (lite or otherwise!)

I was just wondering what do people do regarding shoes and the cycle sections? Would people use toe clips and keep the trail shoes on or carry the trail shoes in their backpacks?

If you're a decent cyclist it would be worth your while wearing cycling shoes and keeping your trail shoes in/on your backpack then leaving putting the trail shoes on for the kayaking and running sections and leaving the cycle shoes with your bike. I'm not a great cyclist so I'll be switching to flat pedals (with possible plastic toe cage) and wearing my trail shoes for the duration of the race.

I might try and get away with a bum bag (if the conditions don't require us to carry full rain gear).

GoHardOrGoHome

blind_hurler wrote: »

another first time adventure runner here...


and my question is...

what sort of bag would anyone recommend for carrying the equipment needed for WAR?

I used something similar to this backpack for Gaelforce (bad weather, so needed full rain gear)
http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/equipment/tech-packs/hammerhead.html?colour=592


and this one for Achill Roar (good weather, did not need full rain gear)
Inov8 - Race Elite 3
(http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Bumbags.html)

Most people will have a bag of some description. Enduro loves having a big sack on his back to bring all his provisions!

Causeway

ChairmanMeow wrote: »

I've signed up for this now, It'll be my first AR (lite or otherwise!)

I was just wondering what do people do regarding shoes and the cycle sections? Would people use toe clips and keep the trail shoes on or carry the trail shoes in their backpacks?

Power Straps are also another option, use your trail shoes for the whole race and still have a good amount of grip while on the bike. Can be a bit tricky getting into them but then you'll only have to do that 3 times unless you need to get off and walk during any of the sections in which case your trainers would be better. Chain Reaction Cycles do them but you might be able to source them elsewhere.

toomuchdetail

ChairmanMeow wrote: »

I was just wondering what do people do regarding shoes and the cycle sections? Would people use toe clips and keep the trail shoes on or carry the trail shoes in their backpacks?

I carried my trainers with me for Gaelforce and swore I would never do it again , not great on the bike but I cramped anyway so may aswell have had one leg so the bike shoes were no advantage. Also factor in if it is wet your shoes will be a mess to change over and this will take time, putting your feet back into wet shoes is no fun .
Clips/power straps would be my recommedation and a good pair of trail shoes . I did none of these for GF but will this year.
Would love to do WAR but its the same day as the Nenagh Tri.

briano

Cool, I'll have to have a think about that so, not sure I am mad on the thought of changing in and out of shoes but I do like the clippy ones.

As another complete noob quiestion, do people lock their bikes inbetween stages? or are there people minding the bikes in the transition area?

Cheers!