Orwell Sportive 2010 August 15th

manwithaplan

Ah - never been up it. I've been on the two roads it connects but didn't really know it was there to be honest. Didn't notice it on the route - thought it went "round the block" to get to that point. Something to look forward to!

The main problem with the Poggio (nice name) is that it always comes right at the end of a long spin when you are in wind-down mode and dreaming of ice cream.

Good man Leroy - I had written up my own list of excuses but then the dog ate it.

2x4

godihatedehills wrote: »

Ok, here we go....this is the wall apparently.

And this is what you're lookin at when yer baytin yer way up it.....

To really appreciate "The Wall" try starting the climb further down at Balinagee Bridge.

niceonetom

I'll be doing this as well. Sure I'll probably win the fecking thing.

2x4 wrote: »

To really appreciate "The Wall" try starting the climb further down at Balinagee Bridge.

Yeah, it's one of those roads where you have to stand up to keep going but as soon as you do you run the risk of spinning the back wheel on the gravel and eating your stem. Fun.

neris

if you have to go up it do you not need to come down it aswell? just trying to be positive

Ghosty669

neris wrote: »

if you have to go up it do you not need to come down it aswell? just trying to be positive

No. We'll be bringing you back down Djouse hill fully so you won't have to face this beastie until next year! Hopefully the route will explain it better than I can.

brayblue24

I'm actually a bit relieved to hear all this. I've tried this climb four times since I first saw the route and no matter how hard I try I just can't do it in one go.

And then at the top you turn right and then....:rolleyes:

velo.2010

Participation for me is lift dependant.

Question for Ghosty if he is there. Will there be waterstops along the way or support cars providing fluids as we cycle along. Sunday looks like a warm one and the lunch stop is quite a distance!

Ghosty669

velo.2010 wrote: »

Participation for me is lift dependant.

Question for Ghosty if he is there. Will there be waterstops along the way or support cars providing fluids as we cycle along. Sunday looks like a warm one and the lunch stop is quite a distance!

Hey Velo,
The way we're working this is that each marshal will have a few cases of bottled water in their cars so you'll be able to stop at any point and fill up. We also have a PowerBar liquid stop organised on the way up to Sally Gap which is about half way to the feed stop.
Finally, there'll be 2 cars following the riders : one will float up and down the group while the second will be a broomwagon. Again these will also have water so you can stop these at any time and fill up.

lafors

Another question Ghosty, how many riders are you expecting to do this?
Still not 100% on it yet shaking this cold is a pain though feeling better today

Ghosty669

lafors wrote: »

Another question Ghosty, how many riders are you expecting to do this?
Still not 100% on it yet shaking this cold is a pain though feeling better today

Hey lafors : the numbers are creeping up at the moment so I would expect to have between close enough to 100 riders on the day.

manwithaplan

velo.2010 wrote: »

Participation for me is lift dependant.

Velo, I will be travelling from Killester. Where are you? I have no problem making a detour to pick you up.

I suspect the answer will be "Wexford"!

lafors

Ghosty669 wrote: »

Hey lafors : the numbers are creeping up at the moment so I would expect to have between close enough to 100 riders on the day.

101 now

EMPM

godihatedehills wrote: »

Ok, here we go....this is the wall apparently.

And this is what you're lookin at when yer baytin yer way up it.....

Looking at the route map, it looks like we come down this from Glencree, not up it. Is this correct?

Ghosty669

EMPM wrote: »

Looking at the route map, it looks like we come down this from Glencree, not up it. Is this correct?

Correct.

doozerie

Are you sure that is correct? From my reading of the map the route goes up that short road to join onto the Old Long Hill road. "The wall" is the bit of road at roughly about the 20-mile mark, right?

Ghosty669

doozerie wrote: »

Are you sure that is correct? From my reading of the map the route goes up that short road to join onto the Old Long Hill road. "The wall" is the bit of road at roughly about the 20-mile mark, right?

Sorry folks. Doozerie is correct. Read the question wrong. The route goes from Enniskerry up to Glencree and then back down Ballinagee before climbing the wall which will bring you out to Djouse road before heading towards Roundwood.

redved

Quick question. I'm half thinking of doing this.
Only problem is with all this talk of the Wall, is it possible for someone who's typical spin is 60-70k to do this. Should add avg speed is low 20's kph

Will I need to bring lights for my bike as i cycle solo back to Sandyford

DirkVoodoo

You should be fine. It will be tough but just hang with a group of similar ability and enjoy the day. It's not a race.

People place far too much emphasis on average speed. In the end it's dependent on weather, route, terrain, etc.

It's a sportive, don't fret!

brayblue24

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

You should be fine. It will be tough but just hang with a group of similar ability and enjoy the day. It's not a race.

People place far too much emphasis on average speed. In the end it's dependent on weather, route, terrain, etc.

It's a sportive, don't fret!

I'm no expert and I'm already resigned to dismounting at the wall-if it happens it happens. On the plus side the climb to Sally Gap past Luggala is doable and the climb on Military Road from Laragh to Shay Elliott is not nearly as bad as many might think.

Most important point raised above as far as I'm concerned-it's not a race (that's the mantra I'll be using anyway)

Are we nearly there yet....

Ghosty

Just back from a cycle this morning and went up "The Wall" as its been called here by a few posters. Very short climb up to Djouce from the hill at the entrance to Powerscourt Waterfall.

How did you find that beauty... I have gone by the turn off for it a load of times but never gone up it to meet the Long Hill up Djouce. Folks 20% gradient in places!!!! Anyway its very short (only about 400m long) so worst case you can take a break or join the hill walkers

This is going to be one dinger of a cycle.

Roll on Sunday and forecast looks great

Ghosty669

Just to mirror what's being said : this is no means a race and if some guys treat it as such then they're in the wrong event.

Our matra for this event is to have great food and great marshalling. That means getting everyone around safely and to ensure that they have a great day. Ye all have paid good money to enter and deserve the best experience possible.

To quote our touring leader : 'its not being there, it's getting there'!

lukester

I should be present at this.

Ghosty669

Just 24 hours remain before the online registration closes so if you haven't already entered, do so now to avail of the 5 euro discount.

velo.2010

manwithaplan wrote: »

Velo, I will be travelling from Killester. Where are you? I have no problem making a detour to pick you up.

I suspect the answer will be "Wexford"!

Actually N. Kildare. Thanks for the offer:). 99.9% sure of a lift on the day. Note to organiser I'll pay on the day if thats OK. Can't quit commit until the day itself.

zulutango

maybe this question automatically rules me out, but what is a sportive exactly? I am pretty sure I can do the distance, but i'm not a cyclist with a club and would be fairly off the pace of such guys (and girls). I wouldn't want to do it if i was going to end up on my own for the whole thing. Sure, I could do that any day of the week!! So, will there be slow cyclists like me, just doing it for the day out, like the Ring of Kerry event would have had?

DirkVoodoo

Yes, see the related thread about beginners doing the Orwell sportive, it's around here somewhere.

neris

it looks like from the respones on teh other thread that there will be a good a few of us slow ones/newbies doing it so sign up

Straatvark

Remember to bring your best poker-face for "the wall" - the camera man's lens will find any sign of weakness

Are we nearly there yet.... wrote: »

Ghosty

Just back from a cycle this morning and went up "The Wall" as its been called here by a few posters. Very short climb up to Djouce from the hill at the entrance to Powerscourt Waterfall.

How did you find that beauty... I have gone by the turn off for it a load of times but never gone up it to meet the Long Hill up Djouce. Folks 20% gradient in places!!!! Anyway its very short (only about 400m long) so worst case you can take a break or join the hill walkers

This is going to be one dinger of a cycle.

Roll on Sunday and forecast looks great

brayblue24

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Yes, see the related thread about beginners doing the Orwell sportive, it's around here somewhere.

This is it zulutango:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055986769

Diarmuid

The route for this is a1. would love to do it but family commitments this weekend take precedent. Getting out in a group spin is a great buzz and if you're a bit hesitant then go for it!

Lumen

I'm in. Need to test out what 183km on energy gels feels like.

Now for the tricky bit, what to wear. Orwell kit, boards kit, orwell kit, boards kit...

niceonetom

Lumen wrote: »

I'm in. Need to test out what 183km on energy gels feels like.

Now for the tricky bit, what to wear. Orwell kit, boards kit, orwell kit, boards kit...

Only gels?

I'm thinking Orwell jersey with boards shorts... I know it's wrong, but hey, such are my loyalties, and i think the boards shorts are slightly more comfy for the long haul.

Lumen

niceonetom wrote: »

Only gels?

I'm thinking Orwell jersey with boards shorts... I know it's wrong, but hey, such are my loyalties, and i think the boards shorts are slightly more comfy for the long haul.

Yes, only gels.

I'll go for orwell shorts and a boards jersey, then it'll look like we dressed each other.

velo.2010

Lumen wrote: »

Yes, only gels.

Aldi cereal bars and cut-up jam sambo's for me. Hey Lumen perhaps we can finally compare our BB90 bottom brackets.:D

buffalo

niceonetom wrote: »

I'm thinking Orwell jersey with boards shorts... I know it's wrong, but hey, such are my loyalties, and i think the boards shorts are slightly more comfy for the long haul.

I was thinking the exact same combo! :cool:

levitronix

Lumen wrote: »

Yes, only gels.

I'll go for orwell shorts and a boards jersey, then it'll look like we dressed each other.

Only gels ! they ll taste gank after a few hours ..

Coke, high5 4-1 and snickers bars and kellogs bars are my food of choice for the long haul

Ghosty669

levitronix wrote: »

Only gels ! they ll taste gank after a few hours ..

Coke, high5 4-1 and snickers bars and kellogs bars are my food of choice for the long haul

Lads, I wouldn't be packing too much as we have a stack of food (including coke) at the feedstop. Plus chances are you'll be drinking those snickers bars if the weather forecast is to be believed.

lukester

Will there be spares available tomorrow, in particular spare tyres? Just checked mine and the front has some alarming wear on the sides, the inner thread casing is visible. Conti GP4000, very bizarre. Would like to replace it before going down any hills

Planet X

In. Last minute. Bike shiny. Bed. See you.

Planet X

Have to iron my new Boards togs.

lukester

Erm, seriously, anyone got a spare tyre they can bring tomorrow? will pay obviously. Preferably something light like a GP4000 or Ultremo.

brayblue24

Planet X wrote: »

In. Last minute. Bike shiny. Bed. See you.

Um, why do I suddenly feel guilty/stupid sitting here with a Heino in my paw?

....and two more in the fridge

Lumen

lukester wrote: »

Erm, seriously, anyone got a spare tyre they can bring tomorrow? will pay obviously. Preferably something light like a GP4000 or Ultremo.

Sure. PM me to confirm you want it. I've always wanted to cycle along with a tyre over my shoulder.

The tax man

brayblue24 wrote: »

Um, why do I suddenly feel guilty/stupid sitting here with a Heino in my paw?

....and two more in the fridge

Cheers!!

*raises glass to screen*

godihatedehills

Lumen wrote: »

Sure. PM me to confirm you want it. I've always wanted to cycle along with a tyre over my shoulder.

?????

Cadex

Folks - saw this thread yesterday. Have pass for tomorrow so will hopefully see you guys there (at least at the start!). Need to get bike legs sorted again for another event coming up and this sounds just like the kind of thing, weather organised too I see - great stuff. Debating betwen Boards top and Swords shorts or all Swords kit.....

brayblue24

The tax man wrote: »

Cheers!!

*raises glass to screen*

Phew

lukester

Lumen wrote: »

Sure. PM me to confirm you want it. I've always wanted to cycle along with a tyre over my shoulder.

You are a gent.

When I calmed down from my panic I remembered I had put cheapo Schwalbe Luganos in 700x23 on the fixed gear recently, so grabbed one of those. They're beaded, and heavy, but I'd rather not have to get my hands dirty in the morning changing tyres, especially as I'll have done my nails before bed tonight.

manwithaplan

I only own one pair of cycling shorts and one jersey so choice of attire is not a problem. I just necked a beer and the missus has fallen asleep on the couch - her substantial glass of wine will not go to waste.

A banana and Tesco 'finest' cereal bars will get me to the food stop. None of that 'market value' ****e for me!

chakattack

Where is this starting from? The link on the Orwell site isn't working properly.

Debating whether to drive or cycle. Anyone spinning over from the north side?