Cooley Thriller 2023

Gerry · 16-01-2023 8:03pm #1

12th August

https://www.cyclingireland.ie/mountain-bike-events/

can't link directly to it.

anyways, can't wait.

vidjo from last year which I couldn't make it to..

https://m.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=790139522174995&id=161189807292509

JazzyJ · 17-01-2023 1:18pm

Bit early to be putting up links for it....the memories of the pain of last year haven't diminished 🤣. Usually around May I start thinking its a good idea again.

Gerry · 17-01-2023 9:34pm

what ya moaning about, looks like ya got good weather for it last year :)

Top Dog · 17-01-2023 10:16pm

Is this another Sportive event like the Nire Valley, or is it a bit more serious? I see loads of lycra and no baggy gear which is why I ask

Massive difference between 17km and 52km options too

Gerry · 17-01-2023 10:36pm

I've not done the nire but I'd say cooley a bit more serious. in the best xc tradition despite plenty of techy rocky trails yeah pretty much no safety gear. Its a tough 52k, 1300 odd metres climbing.

easygoing39 · 18-01-2023 7:10am

The Cooley will have the fastest XC riders on the island at the front racing hard,but it also attracts loads of baggy short riders with the 25 litre backpacks, who will make a day out of it,pedal around at their pace and will be 4,5 or even 6 hours out on the course.Its an event that appeals to all,is very well organised and the view of the lough as you crest the last climb is wonderful.

Gerry · 18-01-2023 7:22am

Yeah the fast guys are at around the 3 hour mark. I nearly got to the 4 hour mark in 2017. Unfortunately in 2018 I had a decent crash and that set me back a bit.

Turns out the climbing more like 1650m

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/uY8WuSwpGwb

Top Dog · 18-01-2023 9:55am

Might be another to add to my calender. Cheers lads

JazzyJ · 18-01-2023 12:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120122374#Comment_120122374

Ah I always moan about it, then every year I'm there at the start line 😵

It's a fantastic day out, and I would recommend it for everyone - there's a lot of hardship in it though so get the training in! The long route would be a lot, lot tougher than the short - especially last year when the long one omitted the early road climb and went up the single track to the gap - that was a cruel start, especially for the bigger lads!

Tenzor07 · 19-01-2023 10:41pm

They allow E-bikes as well so that will take the sting out of all the climbs and you can run bigger tyre/suspension for the descents, makes the event nice and easy and no longer the hardship it used to be...

CramCycle · 20-01-2023 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058279955/cooley-thriller-2023

Ha, I fell off my seat laughiung when he turns round deadpan as could be "You could win this if you went faster".

saccades · 25-01-2023 11:43pm

First two hours at an ave of >160bpm and I was banjaxed for the rest.

They pick the longest, steepest bloody climbs that are deceptively doable looking.

As a chunky lad it's bloody hard. Only event I've ever not completed (about 2008, when it was the marathon champs).

But it's a great, great atmosphere, great trails, great support and such different riding to the Wicklow mountains. The last descent is expressway on steroids and speed, glorious!

I hate it and love it in equal turns. Oh, and the prizes are great, I got one for falling asleep at the finish line.

Do it!

mr spuckler · 31-05-2023 9:17am

Any idea when this is likely to open for entries?

PJ_RS1800 · 31-05-2023 10:04am

Hopefully entries will be open in the next month or so.

Paperwork being sorted as we speak!

Wailin · 08-06-2023 7:53pm

Hopefully they'll switch back to original route. That climb at the start last year was horrendous with people walking up and preventing others from cycling past. A very unpopular change to what was a great route beforehand. Really not sure of the organisers reason for that, pointless.

Sinbad_NI · 29-06-2023 9:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120692254#Comment_120692254

Heard one of the first initial sections was only available at a price, so route was changed to avoid. I’d love to do it this year but not if that first bit isn’t changed (vs last year).

JazzyJ · 05-07-2023 10:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120784970#Comment_120784970

I'd happily go out the road from the start all the way up to the mast to avoid that climb 😂 Sure there wasn't much in the first section the last couple of years, other than fireroad and a very small descent.

Gerry · 23-07-2023 12:15pm

Entries open

https://eventmaster.ie/event/rbOWhPmS9y#ticketselector

g0g · 23-07-2023 4:08pm

Is there a Web page anywhere to find out more about it? Facebook page seems outdated and entry page is basic enough

PJ_RS1800 · 25-07-2023 9:36pm

Entries open:

https://eventmaster.ie/event/rbOWhPmS9y?fbclid=IwAR3cJo833pZKyZQnQmqo_NEpCHo4JKm5FvtBOL_58GLEwvpuuMR4OOgI8Mg_aem_ARWDng13WIdtR6NH07XkLie_RfcH4WwkForYlLXfYojOdZplpgMcvjvjetPZrSJDXpg

Keep an eye on Cuchulainn Off Road Facebook page for details.

Note there is no ebike section this year.

I can answer any questions here too.

PD

Gerry · 25-07-2023 9:58pm

Is the route same as last year then? I've not done it for five years.

PJ_RS1800 · 25-07-2023 10:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120896597#Comment_120896597

Yes, similar route to last year.

There will be the usual few tweaks but broadly the same with the new climb out of Carlingford included.

PJ_RS1800 · 25-07-2023 10:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120896597#Comment_120896597

Yes, similar route to last year.

There will be the usual few tweaks but broadly the same with the new climb out of Carlingford included.

Tenzor07 · 27-07-2023 10:03am

Hopefully there will be some dry weather between now and the event, will make the off-road sections hard going otherwise...

Also very surprised to see no eMTB's allowed? I guess there must have been some concerns raised about them being included...

Gerry · 27-07-2023 5:51pm

Yeah I hear ya on the weather.

Top Dog · 29-07-2023 1:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120896506#Comment_120896506

Does this mean e-bikes aren't allowed to take part?

PJ_RS1800 · 29-07-2023 7:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120910826#Comment_120910826

Yes, there are no ebikes allowed this year.

Top Dog · 29-07-2023 6:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120910999#Comment_120910999

Thanks. Guess that's €150 saved so.

Tenzor07 · 31-07-2023 9:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120910999#Comment_120910999

Just curious, why the organisers decided to dis-allow eBikes? I can think of many reasons .. most likely due to CI not insuring an event but wondering if you had any info?

Top Dog · 01-08-2023 7:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120919478#Comment_120919478

Why would CI have an issue insuring the event? They allow and cover ebikes in Grassroots & Gravity Enduros, along with the Biking Blitz. Genuinely curious.

Tenzor07 · 01-08-2023 9:13am

All I know is that there's no E-Mtb category in the Cross country races so it could be that this as an XC event as opposed to Enduro so for insurance/safety reasons I would say...

PJ_RS1800 · 01-08-2023 1:41pm

A few reasons for no ebike category but concerns from landowners was primary reason.

Tenzor07 · 01-08-2023 1:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120926010#Comment_120926010

I get ya... All the extra erosion...

Gerry · 01-08-2023 10:50pm

well I signed up anyway. tell me more about this initial climb.

Gerry · 12-08-2023 4:56pm

This was great, a very tough day though with the amount of rainfall we've had. Still, lucky with weather on the day, fair bit of sunshine and only light showers.

The new climb was a bit annoying, no forest section now.. but not a huge deal. The painfest gradually unfolds, endless climbs, drags, little enough downhill. cramped around the 3 hour mark but pedalled through it and was actually feeling good on the last climb.

Came off twice, feeling a bit batter now but I had fairly soft landing so it could be a lot worse. Time around 4 15 I think, which while not directly comparable to my previous attempts is probably a better effort.

am so wasted there I cant even hold my head straight.

Wailin · 12-08-2023 8:18pm

Well done 👏

Cooley Thriller 2023

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