Wicklow 200

there's a 100 as well which you could do. The 200 route is tough, lots of hills.

If you're registered you can start whenever.

How long would it take to complete the 200? I think of 25km/h average, that's 8 hours without any stops. 9-10 hours in the saddle is a long day and I carry 92 kgs plus bike along. I did 160k solo and 200k in a group. If it's a decent day, it might be ok but I can't see myself chugging away on a rainy day.

But at least you made it! The sense of achievement is worth lot more.

I have to make my mind up soon, that 3500 m elevation looks plenty when you're on your own.

Agree about pacing yourself. If you do the first half too fast you might suffer in the last 25km. It's like a marathon where you hit the wall and bonk. It's not a race. It's all about enjoyment so don't get caught up in an adrenaline at the start and try and keep up with faster cyclists.

Could be road condition or road resurfacing. Not sure what it was like last year, but when I did that road a couple of years ago it was very broken up in spots.

Friend has a ticket for the 200 going if anybody is looking.

The strava route on the website was updated. I am not doing the event on Sunday as these are all my local roads but I did fancy riding it with some mates on the Saturday instead.

Previous route into Donard was a nicer route with less traffic.

Same with me, when I changed to "Ride" it changed the route.

Was offered a ticket for this yesterday. What's the weather looking like, from those used to cycling in Wicklow hills. I'm rarely up that way

For 100k?

Just enjoy the food stop, nothing additional is needed.

sorry 1 last question - can you listen to music on these things ?

For those on the 100k Route. I'll be stationed at the top of Glenmacnass waterfall up to 11am. I'll have a trackpump,some chain lube and a multitool with me…watch out for the flashing Orange beacon!

Note: this is a STEEP descent (which is why Marshals will be there to advise you to "Proceed with Caution")

Enjoy the day and stay safe!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CDh8yRmUAfiWxUfz8

Why would you register for what is essentially a large social event and then want to listen to music? Can't get my head around that.

You should have looked for a posting on the 200k route so you could meet your clubmates! 😀 (Don't think any of us are doing the 100k).

There are plenty of spaces, but there will be a backlog trying to get in. 45mins from the N11 last year.

Just one😜😜

First time Wicklow 100,

So for last 3 months have had an injury - so my build up to this was far far from ideal . Came close to not going a few times - but a friend of mine encouraged me. As I got closer I started looking up the profile of race much closer - my reference being Howth head - Jaysus it is a completely different ball game. Wicklow mountains are a good trip for me - but I would never ever do anything like it again without doing actual course training.

The whole car parking is very well organized and in general full event is very professional - could do with more loos - but what can they do when so many people need them at start line.

The first 30 KM - is ridiculously tough , maybe more experienced cyclists can talk about the pros and cons - but it is very very steep - unfortunately had to get off the bike twice - but I can't really stand on the bike yet with injury. And you need to

Would think a thing that caught out a good few people was the weather - it has been an odd year in Ireland , but it was truly unseasonably cold. I'm so delighted I went for leggings as I went out the door - didn't get gloves - and think I would have liked them.

Besides the difficulties I has in the first 30 - the route after that on the 100 , is unreal , stunning and a pure joy - as it was rolling hills i was able to manage the hills way better and got a 2nd wind after food - even if the wind was a bit harsh in that open plain section.

I haven't done an event like this in a good 15 years - but a few interesting observations (from my perspective) - there was a bit of banter , a few characters - perhaps it is just that the task is so tough. But in the years that have passed , there seem a bit less comradeship amongst competitors - I recall in triathlons in the 2000s , much more support for each other and interaction - "come on lad" - maybe cycling is a bit different - particularly long distance. I don't know , maybe I'm wrong - people at limits very little time for a smile or banter.

I know you are dealing with a different beast with guys doing the 200 - and many of them were flying up hills - basically above my average for the race. But I have nothing but admiration for the 200 guys - pure madness in a way - and looking out, weather very mixed in 2nd half of the day - but maybe they are so fast they got in before me (lol)

I've decent enough handling skills - so enjoyed last 50 immensely and finished relatively strong.

The Stewards and Garda were immense , the cars (mostly) , the home owners on the roads.

I haven't done anything like this in a long long time - so don't know standards - but if you used the food stations - the quality was very good - so you did get value in the overall entry , but yes - like everything in Ireland , costs are daft.

In general the event is safe - but you can see how things go wrong - at the end of the day you are on open roads - and you need to stay concentrated for 5 hours - slight lapse and things can go very wrong quickly.

On Friday night , I practically couldn't walk - and was very close to pulling out. So to finish at all - without being able to stand in bike is a reasonable achievement for me. My friend from college guided me all the way - to his own detriment - but I know him over 25 years. What a bloke and friend.

When I got home from a nightmare M50 - it was hard to walk - a shower and a bath run by my wife. A cup of tea from my own house was a joy.

I wouldn't ever go to that event again - without being 15 KG lighter and without on course practice - particularly that torture of the first 30 K.

I'll have a few reds tonight and reflect on it all - Wicklow , what a place - but that tiny bit too far for a cycle. I might do it again - I'll go off and dream it all up again. But not that bloody 200 , headcases all of you.

Fix.

PS (Thanks for all the help on here over the years - particularly Lapierre lad) - he is the sort of lad I associate with endurance events in the past , a genuine passion for his sport - but even more for anyone else he comes across that wants to join in.

Time 5hr 40 mins - not great , but a few issues.

there were not many in 100km..i reg last week and my reg num was just 273..u can see size of food stop at 50km reflecting small number.

And there were just not many on the road ! May be 200km was higher