The Wicklow 200 (2009) Thread

Ghost Rider · 18-02-2009 07:26PM #1

I'm starting this thread in the hope that we can keep tips, maps, info etc. relating to this year's W200 in the one place. (Worth a try anyway...)

This will be my first year doing it so I'm keen not to miss anything that might help prevent me freewheeling backwards down Slieve Maan, half a chewed banana drooping from my semi-comatose mouth.

I'll start with two related questions: does everyone leave UCD at the same time? If so, how long does it take before the crowd thins out enough for riders to attain a decent pace?

ROK ON · 18-02-2009 07:28PM

Anyone up for a training spin up Slieve Maan & Shay Elliot at some stage.

Planet X · 18-02-2009 07:31PM

Beware of the queue to sign in at UCD on the morning. It can snake back a 100yds or so. So, if you plan to pop down, sign in and take off at for eg 7am, all over and done in 5 minutes, think again.
1700 odd last year trying the same thing.
Go down earlier, sign in and doss around for a while. Soak it up, you'll be in the saddle long enough.

Ghost Rider · 18-02-2009 07:34PM

Yep. How about Saturday 28th, preferably around mid-day?

ROK ON wrote: »

Anyone up for a training spin up Slieve Maan & Shay Elliot at some stage.

Ghost Rider · 18-02-2009 07:36PM

Good to know. What time does registration open at?

Planet X wrote: »

Beware of the queue to sign in at UCD on the morning. It can snake back a 100yds or so. So, if you plan to pop down, sign in and take off at for eg 7am, all over and done in 5 minutes, think again.
1700 odd last year trying the same thing.
Go down earlier, sign in and doss around for a while. Soak it up, you'll be in the saddle long enough.

Planet X · 18-02-2009 07:38PM

6 I think.

Ryaner · 18-02-2009 07:40PM

Ghost Rider wrote: »

I'm starting this thread in the hope that we can keep tips, maps, info etc. relating to this year's W200 in the one place. (Worth a try anyway...)

This will be my first year doing it so I'm keen not to miss anything that might help prevent me freewheeling backwards down Slieve Maan, half a chewed banana drooping from my semi-comatose mouth.

I'll start with two related questions: does everyone leave UCD at the same time? If so, how long does it take before the crowd thins out enough for riders to attain a decent pace?

Does anyone have a more detailed map than what is available on the website? Secondly, how much climbing is involved? 1000+ metres?

Gavin · 18-02-2009 07:41PM

6 ! Good God, that's early. I'll be entering for the first time this year as well. We should get a good boardsie showing

Ghost Rider · 18-02-2009 07:52PM

Absolutely. I'm going to need moral, and possibly physical, support.

Gavin wrote: »

6 ! Good God, that's early. I'll be entering for the first time this year as well. We should get a good boardsie showing

penexpers · 18-02-2009 07:55PM

If I do this, it will only be the 100 methinks.

Funkyzeit · 18-02-2009 08:05PM

One of my big goals this year - the SK 160 is the longest ride I've done to date.

I believe Slieve Mann and Shay Elliot are tough enough ?

Here is a link to the route (unofficial) on MMR...

http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/ireland/stillorgan/661367646922

Gavin · 18-02-2009 08:07PM

Funkyzeit wrote: »

One of my big goals this year - the SK 160 is the longest ride I've done to date.

It's going to be quite the day for all of us to see you in your mankini

Funkyzeit · 18-02-2009 08:11PM

Gavin wrote: »

It's going to be quite the day for all of us to see you in your mankini

Thats the SK later in year - give me time to have that Brazilian...:o

ROK ON · 18-02-2009 08:25PM

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Yep. How about Saturday 28th, preferably around mid-day?

I was thinking of getting train to Athy or Carlow and heading to Slieve Maan etc and back to Dublin, via Sally Gap.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Athy&daddr=Unknown+road+to:R747+to:Hacketstown+to:Aghavannagh+to:Sraghmore+to:Kippure+to:Dundrum,+County+Dun+Laoghaire,+Republic+of+Ireland&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUyXKAMdiNyW_w%3BFfXPJwMdrWGZ_w%3BFZGjJgMd8PKb_yGcaeHU2MUSow%3B%3B%3B%3B&mra=mr&mrcr=2&via=1,2&dirflg=ht&sll=53.015609,-6.361084&sspn=0.102032,0.307617&ie=UTF8&ll=53.080405,-6.60244&spn=0.203757,0.615234&z=11

The idea behind train is that I would mean that I would be reasonably fresh getting to Slieve Maan. Otherwise cycling there would take almost the 200km of the route.

blorg · 18-02-2009 09:03PM

penexpers wrote: »

If I do this, it will only be the 100 methinks.

Do the 200, the 100 would be no challenge to you, that ride would be substantially easier than the ROK. My first time (2007) I had done no more than a flat 160km before* and I left it to the turn to decide- I'm glad I went for the 200. It will be tough but you have more than enough time to prepare.

*and even that was split into before work, lunchtime and after work- it wasn't in one go, I don't think I had even done 100km in one go before.

Chips Lovell · 18-02-2009 09:21PM

I take a couple of trips down to Slieve Mann every year, but usually wouldn't og down this early in the year. I take the N11 and then go to Rathdrum and head over to Slieve Mann from there.

trek climber · 18-02-2009 09:54PM

Question - if I start in Tallaght and head up Embankment then take a left and over Sally Gap and down into Laragh, next over Wicklow Gap - how do I get to Shay Elliott or Slieve Mann and what is best route back to Tallaght form there ?

Chips Lovell · 18-02-2009 10:07PM

trek climber wrote: »

Question - if I start in Tallaght and head up Embankment then take a left and over Sally Gap and down into Laragh, next over Wicklow Gap - how do I get to Shay Elliott or Slieve Mann and what is best route back to Tallaght form there ?

You go to Holywood, Donard, Rathanagan to get to the bottom of Slieve Mann. Shay Elliot is right after it. To get back to Tallaght, you'd need to go back over the Sally Gap from Laragh.

DirkVoodoo · 18-02-2009 10:26PM

A bit soon I guess, but we should organise a boards photo closer to the date, maybe have it before the start if everyone is going for an early sign up. We can do it on the steps in front of the gym, or maybe something more scenic like in front of the lake.

trek climber · 18-02-2009 11:47PM

el tonto wrote: »

You go to Holywood, Donard, Rathanagan to get to the bottom of Slieve Mann. Shay Elliot is right after it. To get back to Tallaght, you'd need to go back over the Sally Gap from Laragh.

Any idea how long that would be - planning to to down next month

Chips Lovell · 19-02-2009 12:24AM

trek climber wrote: »

Any idea how long that would be - planning to to down next month

About 175km from The Square and probably a harder day in the saddle than the W200. Is that what you're looking for?

Tackleberry · 19-02-2009 12:29AM

Which is the "harder" side of the Shay Elliott and SleiveMann?

Has anyone ever taken the valley road in between the two that seems to be a deadend after 5 miles or so - if so whats it like?

steinone · 19-02-2009 12:33AM

Anyone have the rules for the race?
The problem I have is I only have fixed gear bikes, I recon I could get a loan of my friends road bike for the day but its not fitted for me and I wouldnt have much training on it.
So...100 on my Fuji Track? Much of a stretch for someone who hasnt dome something of that distance other than a day of cycling to, around and anywhere in Dublin?

Chips Lovell · 19-02-2009 12:36AM

It's not a race.

steinone · 19-02-2009 12:40AM

Whoopseydoodles... Typo

Tackleberry · 19-02-2009 12:53AM

steinone wrote: »

Anyone have the rules for the race?
The problem I have is I only have fixed gear bikes, I recon I could get a loan of my friends road bike for the day but its not fitted for me and I wouldnt have much training on it.
So...100 on my Fuji Track? Much of a stretch for someone who hasnt dome something of that distance other than a day of cycling to, around and anywhere in Dublin?

On a fixie?!?! Be fascinating to see....

steinone · 19-02-2009 12:57AM

Tackleberry wrote: »

On a fixie?!?! Be fascinating to see....

Im expecting gawking lol.
Im hoping its as fascinating to do:P

rughdh · 19-02-2009 12:59AM

steinone wrote: »

Anyone have the rules for the race?
The problem I have is I only have fixed gear bikes, I recon I could get a loan of my friends road bike for the day but its not fitted for me and I wouldnt have much training on it.
So...100 on my Fuji Track? Much of a stretch for someone who hasnt dome something of that distance other than a day of cycling to, around and anywhere in Dublin?

You can use any bike you want. Someone did the 100 on a penny farthing one year! There's an FAQ here

steinone · 19-02-2009 01:03AM

The main rule I was wondering about was the whole two brake rule.
Im trying to think how he might have put a brake(never mind two) on it(the penny farthing btw). Haha

DirkVoodoo · 19-02-2009 01:10AM

NeilMcEoghain is doing it on a fixie, I'd imagine he is using brakes.

Fair play if you do it steinone.

AstraMonti · 19-02-2009 01:21AM

I am looking forward to it, i am struggling to find time for some serious hill training but i want to do it. Are stops allowed and is there a time limit to finish it?

The Wicklow 200 (2009) Thread

Comments