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Wicklow 200 2011
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happytramp wrote: »God love them!, Their all still smiling.
Aye, can't wait to see photos from the end
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First wicklow200 was a baptism of fire or water !
Day before i tried to change my 38 ring to a 34 but one of the bolts rung so thought sure it'll be grand i'm only doing the 100 i'll struggle through. Just before the 100 turnoff my mate is saying sure 100 is just like a sunday spin to us seems a bit of a waste not to do the 200 so off i went with my 38*25 and jesus did i pay for it on the Slieve Maan and Shay Elliot climbs, cadence was only around 40, talk about grinding gears, suppose it might pay off sometime in the future, power training type of thing !
Only seen one crash at the bottom of Sally Gap, at the time couldn't get a good look so wasn't sure if he stopped for a piss or if he crashed, hopefully he's ok.
Only wore knee warmers, two jerseys and gillet for the day and was frozen to the bone, lost the feeling in my left hand for the last 3 hrs so had use my fist to change between big ring and small ring, had to stop to get food and gels in.
Agree with others about the first stop was a joke, shivering in the rain for tea and sambo so i didn't stop at any of the other water or food stops, had enough of both with me, didn't actually drink much only 2 bottles think the rain kept me well hydrated. I went by the second stop and kept going thinking i was on the right road was wondering why some cyclist were looking at me funny so asked one am i going the right way, he said no so back to the food stop, seen some swords lads heading out and followed them to get on the right road.
Food at the end was very disappointing seen the size of the tray and thought yummy i'm gonna be nicely fed after that, but when i got the thing it wasn't even half full with food. One of the volunteers told me the pool viewing area was open and it's 32 degrees in there so had my food and tea in there. Showers were great though.
Despite the Shay Elliot climb killing me the pink 410 on the road and cheers at the top did make me smile.
During the event i constantly said feck this crap i'm never going out on the bike again nevermind doing 200k in the pissing rain, this morning though i'm thinking i might just sign up for another wicklow200 next yr
Completed the course in 8.33, reasonably happy with that considering the stupid gearing i had and the weather, do have to admit though cycling is THE best sport there is
Fair play to anyone that completed either the 100 or 200 in whatever time, it's a great achievement in them conditions.0 -
Unedited report - I suck at spelling and the like.
Was tough going.
Left home at 6 and cycled down to Greystones to meet the lads (Unionman and '68 Fastback).
The first 30mins or so were pleasant enough. The climb up to Powerscourt Mountain was a lot quieter than last year. I assume numbers were down on account of the weather forecast.
We all seemed to be motoring along and confident enough. As we climbed we agreed a few regrouping points and then split up naturally along the climb.
After Powerscourt Mountain the bad weather really kicked in. I had arm-warmers, base layer, Jersey and overshoes but my jacket was in my jersey. I should have stopped at that point and put the jacket on but I felt strong and wanted to keep going. I caught up with '68 Fastback at the crossroads and put it on then. Sweatbag over damp clothes - classic newbie error which I paid for later.
Unionman joined us a few minutes later and the two lads lashed off down to Manor Kilbride.
I've been very nervous on descents since the Mick Byrne so I sat on the brakes and went down very slowly after them.
My confidence wasn't helped by the ambulance attending to multiple crash victims at the bridge. Turns out ten guys had piled into each other there not long before. Ouch.
Caught the guys at Manor Kilbride and Unionman shot off like a rocket. We were doing something like a 40k average, which was nice but unsustainable given what was to come and the harsh conditions. I just sat back a bit then and we all slowed. Shortly after we watched '68 Fastback bridge over to a large group ahead of us.
We drifted slowly apart then. Unionman must have lost his stuff soon after as i couldn't see him behind me. We had arranged to regroup at the first foodstop so I carried on through the howling wind.
Picked up a bit of speed at Ballyknockan and found myself struggling to control the bike on a sharp right hand turn. Skidded right across the road and came off, landing on my right side. Road rash and harsh bang to my rib cage. Couple of guys helped me up and stayed while I checked the gears and brakes on my bike. I felt ok after a few minutes so decided to continue. Was convinced both of the lads were tucked into the sambos in Donard at this stage but was reluctant to put the hammer down because of the conditions (theme for the day).
Surge of adrenaline from the crash warmed me up and I made it to Donard in good time. Was feeling ok (maybe a little shaken if I'm honest) despite being soaked but stopping changed everything. Parked the bike, jumped into the line for food with '68 Fastback (sorry disgruntled roadie behind him!) and waited, and waited and waited. Core temperature dropped rapidly and by the time I got inside I could barely hold my tea I was shaking so much.
We grabbed chairs and tucked into the crappy W200 Sambos. The food really leaves a lot to be desired. The room was full of people in the advanced stages of Hypothermia with a scattering of smug looking roadies in full winter gear.
Unionman arrived in about 20 minutes looking very distressed. We had a chat about how he was feeling and he made the (wise) decision to abandon. I was very tempted to go with him but we had warmed up a bit by then so decided to press on to the climbs at least. I figured if I could make it that far I could peel off and go home by Roundwood.
I gave Unionman my phone and laser so he could get back to Greystones. I wasn't expecting him to jump in the car and head right back to Rathdrum, but he did. Fair play dude!
'68 Fastback and I made good time leaving Donard and we were passing lots of groups which was a bit of a bonus. Passed Seamus on the way - that was us shouting.
I had really hated that stretch before the climbs last year but it seemed a lot easier, despite the weather. Had to stop once to stretch as my back was acting up and then on to the hills.
'68 Fastback was looking strong and I managed to stay with him until the top of the first climb before Sliabh Mann. We had been warned about loose chippings on the descent so I took it very handy going down. As I turned to start onto the first steep bit of Sliabh Mann I could see '68 Fastback's orange jacket fading away into the fog in the distance and that was the last I saw of him.
Sliabh Mann was really hard on me this year. I got past the first really steep section and then I bonked. Had to stop and walk for a minute and regain some strength. This happened to me in the same spot last year! Hmm.
Back on the bike and on to the top where I grabbed a quick free gel and got off the hill as soon as I could as it was very exposed. Slow crawl down to Glenmalure - very nervous again. We were flagged down by a group of riders tending to someone who had crashed, looked pretty serious. I saw someone lying on the ground with what looked like a head injury. Hope they were ok.
The first two thirds of the Shay Elliott climb is reasonably sheltered and I felt good as I climbed. The last bit was into fog and was a bit of a struggle.
I could hear a crowd at the top cheering and beeping horns which was nice as it gave me something to focus on. Also wanted to check if the stencils had survived the week!
As I got to the top I could see the car whose horn was beeping. Turned out to be my wife and my three duaghters. They had been waiting for over an hour for me, cheering everyone who passed. It was really great to seem them and it gave me a huge lift. I have the best wife - it's official.
On top of that she had brought a bag of dry kit I had left in the house in case she made it down. Pretty soon I was wrapped up in my winter jersey, dry base layer, dry bib shorts and dry socks. It was like getting into a warm bath!
I was very tempted to abandon then and there but the dry kit made me feel a whole lot better. My wife volunteered to come and get me in Greystones and that made my mind up.
On and down to Clara Vale, nervous again on the descent but feeling a whole lot better.
On my own until Rathdrum where I met Unionman in his car, looking warm and snug in actual clothes. I had missed '68 Fastback by about 20 minutes so I decided to grab a quick coffee and see if i could make up some time on the last leg.
Rathdrum to Redcross was a lot easier this time around - but constant back pain was becoming a big issue. Heading down to the N11 I nearly cried when I realised how much extra climbing they had put in with the new diversion to Deputy's Pass. I'm sure none of ye noticed it but at one point I had to get off and walk up a hill I normally wouldn't even break a sweat on.
Soon after I jumped into a fast moving group (Emyvale CC I think - thanks!) which got me as far as Rathnew in good time. Sat back then and took two painkillers for my back and gritted my teeth for the last 20k. The road surface between there and Greystones is terrible and sent waves up pain rippling up my back.
Very few on the road and no groups to speak of (unlike last year when I did that bit in about 20 minutes as part of a bunch) so I crawled through Newcastle, Kilcoole and into Greystones where my lovely wife was waiting.
Home for a shower, food and then out to the airport to pick up my dad.
I registered at 6.45 but we didn't leave until around 7.15. I got into Greystones around 6, an hour later than last year. No idea how long I was rolling but I stopped a good bit more and spent longer at the foodstops. My official time is 11.18. If I take off time for stops, faffing about etc it's still nearly an hour slower than last year. Happy enough just to have finished TBH.
220k for the day.
No bloody medal though! it's coming in the post. Grrrr
Well done '68 Fastback for an awesome performance.
And massive respect to Unionman for being the only one of our group to display any kind of rational behaviour yesterday. Suffering is one thing, self-inflicted hardship is another. I love cycling but I don't want to actually die doing it. 0 -
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No point in posting the lengthy entry twice, but have done up a full report on the day in my blog (Training Logs)! Dunno how to link the post sorry!
here you go:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72736964&postcount=52 0 -
DirkVoodoo wrote: »First photo there:
Considering that was taken at 5.45am I'm surprised only one of us looks drunk.....oh yes, that's because my sunglasses are hiding the horror...0 -
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No point in posting the lengthy entry twice, but have done up a full report on the day in my blog (Training Logs)! Dunno how to link the post sorry!
That was Midleton CC with ISAACs Bar and Restaurant on the back of the kit. Murf85 and I gave you the shout just after the 100/200 split I was in Boards kit, he was in club colours. 0 -
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Whats a derailleur? wrote: »DirkVoodoo wrote: »First photo there:
Considering that was taken at 5.45am I'm surprised only one of us looks drunk.....oh yes, that's because my sunglasses are hiding the horror...
I love the spanner / wineglass logo...0 -
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Join Date:Posts: 73399
98% of your posts since signing up 9 months ago have been in the Cycling Forum, and you've failed to notice this thread?I asked the question on boards last week on the Carrick Sportif, what does MAWS stand for and got a series of smart comments, any chance of a straight answer this week. 0 -
98% of your posts since signing up 9 months ago have been in the Cycling Forum, and you've failed to notice this thread?
Thanks, I shall pay more attention the next time.0 -
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I know that I gave a few moans in earlier posts on this thread.
Can I say a big congratulations to those folks who the WW200 (or 100) was your big goal this year. The training logs of Cookie, gOg etc etc were well written. It seems from that and the WW200 training thread that a helluva a lot of effort was put in. You can feel justifiably proud of yourselves.
The WW200 was my major goal two years back. Its a big achievement in normal conditions. The weather yesterday just added to the sense of occasion that ye can look back upon.
Onwards and upwards.
Well done.
cheers
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Have you found yourself in the photos yet?
http://www.wicklow200.ie/gallery/2011wicklow200/IMG_0729
Still no idea what's ahead of me, doing it first time, but already assuming the bewildered look.
Also particularly ill-dressed and ill-prepared as per above comments, but I will only have found out about it a little later
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