Sean Kelly Challenge

Ledgecubed

I've heard a lot of conflicting views on how hard this is going to be, so I just want to ask the question; how hard is this going to be?

If you could put the climbs in context (ie rate them against some climbs I'd know, like Howth Head / Devils elbow or any of the 'hills' on the W200 route) it'd be really useful!

I've also heard that the roads can be fairly treacherous, especially on the descents...could anyone weigh in on the best way to tackle these?

Thanks a lot!

Quigs Snr

If you can do the W200 climbs you can do these. The roads are not bad and are quite good for the most part, the only tough descent is Mahon Falls but only for the first kilometer until you go past the cattle grid (theres one on the way up, one at the top and one on the way down). After that its easy. Just take it handy, ride down on the brakes, its twisty and open so you can see the whole mountain and the road coming up. You won't be able to go fast anyway.

Piece of p*ss mate. So to recap, you have Seskin, about the same as the Devils Glen, steeper maybe but a lot shorter (only around 800m - 1km). Then you have Powers the Pot, long steady and very easy, Maybe like the Sally Gap from Glencree. After that its Mahon Falls which is tough, not too tough though, probably not much worse than Slieve Mann and finally the Mooma road, again a long gradual pull which unless you are racing up is pretty handy, if you are doing it at a comfortable pace its a pretty miserable excuse for a climb, just like the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap.

Don't worry about it. Come down and enjoy.

hunnymonster

I'm slightly concerned about this too. All my cycling at the moment is on the flat (or very short hills) so it should be interesting. Who else is doing it?

blorg

hunnymonster wrote: »

I'm slightly concerned about this too. All my cycling at the moment is on the flat (or very short hills) so it should be interesting. Who else is doing it?

ha ha ha ha ha

Multiple Iron Man races, Marathon des Sables, etc. etc. I somehow think you will be up to it

fish-head

blorg wrote: »

Marathon des Sables

Jaaaaayyysus!

blorg

@hunnymonster- Actually re-reading that post it wasn't clear if you are actually planning on doing the Marathon des Sables or just coming up with funny descriptions? Are you doing it? Was that your winter plan In any case I gather you are doing Ironman Florida and reckon you will be OK with the Sean Kelly 160. If you are fit on the flat and have the gearing I reckon hills will only be a problem if you are trying to race up them.

hunnymonster

Yeah MdS is the winter plan for this year. Florida is 1st November and I'll need something to distract me between then and summer 2009 (back to back ironmans/men). It's the downhill that worries me tbh. I'm such a scardy pants that it's not unheard of for me to go up cat1/cat2's faster than I come down them!

Caroline_ie

I am in for the 160 ... woohoo!!!! Can't wait

E@gle.

Iv signed up for the 160km as well. Hopefully there wont be a hurricane blowing that weekend

blorg

hunnymonster wrote: »

Yeah MdS is the winter plan for this year. Florida is 1st November and I'll need something to distract me between then and summer 2009 (back to back ironmans/men). It's the downhill that worries me tbh. I'm such a scardy pants that it's not unheard of for me to go up cat1/cat2's faster than I come down them!

I found that problem with my new fixie, it's the coming down that's the hard bit Seriously though, I reckon the 160 is going to be like a walk in the park for you. Unless of course you want to race it! After "beating" Martin Early last weekend* I have a tentative plan to try to stay in the great man's group as long as possible myself - thankfully El Tonto will not be there to wreck things this time around Be sure to say hello on the SK (I will be the one on a Brooks-saddled Focus wearing sandals, I hope you will be the one with the blue shaved head covered in LEDs - or I will be very disappointed!)

*he had a puncture

penexpers

don't forget entry for this closed last Friday.

blorg

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I am in for the 160 ... woohoo!!!! Can't wait

You will be more than ready for it I reckon Caroline; I'd say some of the spins you have done in Wicklow would be at least as difficult (and indeed longer.)

@penexpers- I think we are mostly already signed up but any stragglers could always just cycle the route, I will volunteer to throw ye an energy bar.

Quigs Snr

You can still enter. Even though it says Postal and Online entry is closed, a form can be still posted out to you or you can enter on the morning.. At this stage I reckon if you haven't entered just enter on the morning. You will be fine.

kenmc

thats cool. it gives me the chance to pull out at the last second again and not lose any money!

but seriously. what time is it departing at? is everyone staying down the night before, or heading down from dubland in the morning?*thinking* about doing it, but it's still firmly on the maybe list. will probably be the last decent spin before the weather gets good for the winter...

penexpers

Quigs Snr wrote: »

You can still enter. Even though it says Postal and Online entry is closed, a form can be still posted out to you or you can enter on the morning.. At this stage I reckon if you haven't entered just enter on the morning. You will be fine.

Then why does it say on the website "No entries will be accepted on the day"

Quigs Snr

To try and encourage people to enter in advance so they have an idea of the numbers presumably. I spoke to one of the organisers, Tom Casey at about 5 this evening about my own entry, he told me he could post me an entry or I could enter on the day. Maybe I am getting special treatment because I am with a club involved in the organisation of it, but I doubt it.

If you want to confirm you can enter on the day email info@theseankellytour.com

penexpers

Ok thanks. Not sure if I'll do it or not but nice to have the option.

blorg

I reckon if you show up penexpers we will get you sorted one way or the other!

penexpers

Heh thanks

I'll only be doing the 100km though. Heading down to Kerry for a few days so I might bring the bike along and see how I get on.

Cadex

Hi, Will be heading down for this (160). Travelling down on the Friday and staying locally will look out for the Boardsies. Don't think my Boards jersey will be ready so I reckon as Blazing Saddles are involved, you'll see me in that one. Looking forward to it, anyone arranging the weather?

penexpers

The jerseys place is open again on Monday. If they get the order out on Monday, there may be time for it to get here in time for Sunday.

72hundred

Are people head'in down the night before? And if so where are you storing the bikes that night?

I'm think'in about head'in over for it but I need to sort out accommodation with a way securing the bike over night. (I don't have a car)

EDIT: Found a website that should give options for accommodation www.dungarvantourism.com , haven't contacted any of them yet about secure bike parking. Wonder could I sneak the bike into the room at some point... :rolleyes:;)

72oo

Caroline_ie

72hundred wrote: »

Are people head'in down the night before? And if so where are you storing the bikes that night?

I am heading out there on Saturday morning, try and get there around 1 or 2PM or so and register that evening rather than in the morning. I think where I am staying is at the centre of Dungarvan if anyone is up for a short evening spin or just a cup of tea. On the sunday thought, I will head back up after the spin. Takes 3 hours or so to drive back to Dublin, right?

If the weather is sh*te, I will do the 100 ...

LDB

I'm doning the same as Caroline, down on the Sat afternnon to register that evening and back home afterwords. we have a house booked with a few of us so will be ok storing all the bikes there.

DirkVoodoo

Crap, what are the numbers then for the 160km and 100km from the boards camp? Both my mates have backed out and I'm concerned I wont have the legs to do the 160km, although I would like to since I did the 100km last year and while it was my first proper cycle, I found the lack of climbing a bit of a letdown when I finished.

72hundred

I plan on doing the 160km tour, if all works out for me in the next week and I can make it over.

DirkVoodoo

Coolo. How are people getting down? Train? Also, if anyone wants to split a double or triple room in Lawlors hotel let me know, think its 75 a nite.

72hundred

Yeah I'm train'in it from Limerick.

penexpers

Crap, just realised the train doesn't go to Dungarvan - have to go to Waterford and get a bus from there.

72hundred

penexpers wrote: »

Crap, just realised the train doesn't go to Dungarvan - have to go to Waterford and get a bus from there.

HAHA! You make me laugh!

I was planning on cycling down myself on the Sat, its only 45km and it'd be something to do. If anyone else is up for that I'll probably be leaving Waterford at 5.45pm Sat.

72oo

DirkVoodoo

Im probably gonna drive now. I have a little blue punto with bike rack. I think it can fit 3 (will have to check!) but if 2 others want a lift and are happy to chip in a few buckets of petrol then send me a PM.

Also, still lookin for some takers on a hotel room!

EDIT: Important probably to mention that im in Dublin south!

blorg

Dirk- myself and emty might take you up with the hotel room if it is a triple, I'll have to check with him.

Quigs Snr

Don't forget lads, I have a couple of spare rooms in Waterford City (you'd probably need to make your own way to Dungarvan on the Sunday morning so might require a car, although I can probably take 1). Tiny, do you still need somewhere ?

TinyExplosions

Quigs Snr wrote: »

Don't forget lads, I have a couple of spare rooms in Waterford City (you'd probably need to make your own way to Dungarvan on the Sunday morning so might require a car, although I can probably take 1). Tiny, do you still need somewhere ?

I meant to get back to you sir -I'm going to have to give it a miss -just not fit enough for it at the moment. Really appreciate the offer though

Funkyzeit

Going to try the 100k - only ever cycled 100k once, a few weeks ago, so whilst I "enjoy" climbing I ain't ready for 2 in the the middle of 150k !

If you see a fella in pain on his Bianchi say hello !!

E@gle.

Quigs Snr wrote: »

Don't forget lads, I have a couple of spare rooms in Waterford City (you'd probably need to make your own way to Dungarvan on the Sunday morning so might require a car, although I can probably take 1). Tiny, do you still need somewhere ?

i may be stuck for a place, but still dont know if im going yet, suffered a crash this morning and i can barely walk at the moment. So gonna see how i feel during the week,

DirkVoodoo

Blorg, would be more than happy to share a triple, ill send Emty a PM

Raam

OK, I know it's only Monday, and that an accurate weather forecast only streches as far as a couple of days, but by extrapolation I'm taking this line from www.met.ie to mean that Sunday is going to be the BEST DAY EVER: "Friday will also be mostly dry and winds will be light."

Who else is with me in my blind optimism?

Actually, I've just checked here and it's not favourable.

Hungrycol

I'm not going to use my entry pack now if anyone wants it. Like Tiny I'm just not fit enough and have canceled my accommodation. If it's transferable then you're more than welcome to it. It's Number 202.

E@gle.

Hungrycol wrote: »

I'm not going to use my entry pack now if anyone wants it. Like Tiny I'm just not fit enough and have canceled my accommodation. If it's transferable then you're more than welcome to it. It's Number 202.

which one did you sign up for?

Hungrycol

E@gle. wrote: »

which one did you sign up for?

The 165 but you can do either it or the 100 on the day I believe.

Ledgecubed

Thanks for that Quigs Snr, that was really helpful! I was always going to do it, but after the mysterious Slieve Mann on the W200 route I now have a firm policy of at least asking how hard something will be before doing it.

I was looking at the profile of the race and it seems pretty ok besides the 3 climbs in the final 60km or so. I'm not out to kill myself but I'd like to post a reasonable time. What do you reckon would an average time for it be, and what would a good time be?

Raam wrote: »

Actually, I've just checked here and it's not favourable.

Probability of thunder 14%; I like those odds

blorg

@Ledgecubed- if you did the W200 you will be fine on this. As to times, no idea, remember it is not a race! Just do it at your own pace but do try to get into a group you are comfortable with as that does make it so much easier.

hunnymonster

My aim is to do it as training with HR < 140 so I'll be out there quite a while. Also got a bike/run session the day before so will be on tired legs too.

72hundred

Ledgecubed wrote: »

Probability of thunder 14%; I like those odds

Hopefully there'll be something more conductive than bike frames along the route!

Ledgecubed

blorg wrote: »

@Ledgecubed- if you did the W200 you will be fine on this. As to times, no idea, remember it is not a race! Just do it at your own pace but do try to get into a group you are comfortable with as that does make it so much easier.

It mightn't be a race but there's no point in doing it if you're not going to push yourself a bit!
Perhaps it's because I haven't been cycling that long and I'd like to see where I'm at, and I think these events give you a great chance to do just that.

In short, it's not just the taking part that counts.

Quigs Snr

E@gle, no probs if you need somewhere. You could even come down on the Friday night if you like and do the Comeragh Leisure spin the day before (about 80-100k) on rolling coastal road, its a nice spin. Make a weekend of it. Anyway, just let me know at some stage before Friday, theres 3 spare rooms in the house ready to go. I am about a 30minute drive to the start line.

I am not sure what the exact averages were but my 2 training buddies were first men home from the 160 last year with a ride time of a little less than 5 hours which was pretty decent going in the hills. They were training for the B champs though so they weren't flat out, but did push it a little. An average of anything between 25-30kph would be pretty good on this terrain, depending on wind speed and direction.

Looks like I am confirmed for the 100 with the better half to provide mechanical support and no doubt copious amounts of pushing up hills ! But if a few of her triathlon buddies show up I may do the 160, might help me get rid of this pot belly I have been cultivating the last couple of months.

Caroline_ie

I am no good at hills but this is meant to be a challenge. I have so many Wickow spins of between 120 to 190km over the past 2 months, anything less would be worthless.

I am worried about the feeding stations though. I was reading the feeding stations were ' Fruits and water' ... does that mean no sandwiches?

penexpers

Jaysis we need the oul sammichs. They were a godsend on the RoK.

72hundred

Maybe its time we started a new thread with a list of who's going, transport, estimated finish time etc? (I'd do it myself but I won't have web access on Sat so wouldn't be able to update the list)

hunnymonster

Quigs Snr wrote: »

E@gle, no probs if you need somewhere. You could even come down on the Friday night if you like and do the Comeragh Leisure spin the day before (about 80-100k) on rolling coastal road, its a nice spin. Make a weekend of it. Anyway, just let me know at some stage before Friday, theres 3 spare rooms in the house ready to go. I am about a 30minute drive to the start line.

I wouldn't mind joining you for this on the Saturday if you go ahead with it (and accept stragglers). I'm planning to do a 3:20 bike / 2:25 run then anyway.