The Wicklow 200 (2009) Thread

Ryaner

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Good to know that...so where are there water stops then? Any chance of getting water at the pub at the foot of the Shay Elliot?

@72Hundred: those jerseys look lovely alright though, not being smart, does the cost of them not eat into the profits of the fund raising effort or did they get a great deal on the jerseys? Good luck with it either way.

Seconded. I go through my two bottles every 50k or so. I assume the check points will have water available?

Also the website lists Slieve Mann as water stop.

Climb Slieve Maan WATER STOP

72hundred

FrankGrimes wrote: »

@72Hundred: those jerseys look lovely alright though, not being smart, does the cost of them not eat into the profits of the fund raising effort or did they get a great deal on the jerseys? Good luck with it either way.

I wasn't involved with organising it but was talking with the girl that was today. Apparently they got a good deal and its only tops, also we each paid €100 for jersey and entry, so I doubt the jerseys cost too much and its a great incentive to do the W200 for charity. So its a win win for everyone!

FrankGrimes

Fair play for doing that 72Hundred, hope ye raise a good bit of cash.

LastGasp

47 next week, carrying an extra stone around the middle, completely undertrained, hate the cold, can only get up big hills in a little triple gear 30/21, You lot keep saying you're slow, but I'm REALLY slow ! Still going to try and do the 200 tho.

AstraMonti

LastGasp wrote: »

47 next week, carrying an extra stone around the middle, completely undertrained, hate the cold, can only get up big hills in a little triple gear 30/21, You lot keep saying you're slow, but I'm REALLY slow ! Still going to try and do the 200 tho.

As Dirk said, we ll have a slow group, we ll chatter the hell out of the hills!

Greyspoke

Itsfixed wrote: »

Apologies if people have posed this question a zillion times here already, I've been caught up in the wave of enthusiasm for the w200 and I'm now wondering if I could do the 200 instead of the 100 that i was planning to do?

I've only managed to do my first century (in a long time) about a week ago. I felt fine after it, but it was all flat, no hills (I live in kildare)

Due to pressures at home, my training spins have been short, evening ones - between 40-80km, but have been taking in a few hills during my last few spins, including yesterday.

I don't mind hills, as I was a frequent MTB'er until about a year ago.

I have a decent steel, audax-type bike with a brooks b17 saddle that I've finally broken in and is very comfy now.

I'm (cough) 37, fairly lightweight but skinny.

What do you guys reckon? Can I do it? Should I?

The wife is a bit concerned, thinks i'm nuts.

Sorry for the late response but I'd definitely say go for the 200. I'm in very much the same situation as you, even to the point of living in Celbridge as I think you do (we'll have to meet up sometime!)
So, the vast majority of my spins have been on the flat country lanes around here with the odd hilly weekend one thrown in to remind me of what hills are. The most I've done this year was a flat 140k just over a month ago so I wouldn't say I've done a whole lot more than you.
I don't know if it helps to think in terms of the hard work having been done by the time you get to the top of the Shay Elliot climb and that's at 128kms so if you've done a comfortable 100k you should get over Shay Elliot okay and after that it's almost all downhill to Rathdrum. Then, if you've made it to Rathdrum you'll get home somehow, even if it does take a while. There might be many times during the day when you'll regret not just settling for the 100 but if you finish the 200 you'll always be glad that you took the longer option. Good luck!

Beasty

Forecast has taken a turn for the worse - rain is now forecast for most of the day:

http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Wicklow-EIXX0049

Ryaner

Beasty wrote: »

Forecast has taken a turn for the worse - rain is now forecast for most of the day:

http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Wicklow-EIXX0049

Depends on who you talk to. These guys are normally very accurate. http://theyr.tv/cg/cna/I325005/F=js*L=en*u*090607*14*a*IE*ie_Dublin

Either way, its Ireland so you need to prepare for getting wet, if not from above, from the crap off the roads.

lescol

Heading up to Dublin now, bringing winter and summer gear to cover the bases! Looking forward to the day and spotting your jersies. Good luck to all cycling W200 or W100 tomorrow.

Lumen

LastGasp wrote: »

...can only get up big hills in a little triple gear 30/21, You lot keep saying you're slow, but I'm REALLY slow ! Still going to try and do the 200 tho.

I just adjusted my rear derailleur to eliminate pulley wheel fouling in 30/28. Now that's a slow gear.

Took the bike out for a final check, and it's bloody freezing today. Not impressed, may need a base layer.

edit: Bastardi & Co. still think it'll be dry.

AstraMonti

Its freezing alright.. 3C at Laragh at the moment.. I think i ll be going with tights and training jacket tomorrow

Esroh

Looks like Ill have to pack a bigger gear bag then.Leaving from the West in a couple of hours. Cool but dry here

oflahero

72hundred wrote: »

I wasn't involved with organising it but was talking with the girl that was today. Apparently they got a good deal and its only tops, also we each paid €100 for jersey and entry, so I doubt the jerseys cost too much and its a great incentive to do the W200 for charity. So its a win win for everyone!

What's with the slogan "no pain, no gaine"? What's the extra e in aid of, am I missing the punnage? If not, ask for your money back off the printer and add it to the Mater fund!

72hundred

oflahero wrote: »

What's with the slogan "no pain, no gaine"? What's the extra e in aid of, am I missing the punnage? If not, ask for your money back off the printer and add it to the Mater fund!

I think there's a hidden meaning there alrite, not sure what it is though.

Chips Lovell

Going by this morning's weather I think I'll be bringing a base layer and bloody knee warmers tomorrow.

showry

the bbc one seems to be a bit more optimistic

unionman

el tonto wrote: »

Going by this morning's weather I think I'll be bringing a base layer and bloody knee warmers tomorrow.

Blimey, you who rarely feels the cold? In that case I'll be bringing a fur coat and a coal fire.

@showry, bbc forecast much more agreeable alright

RobFowl

Shorts, arms warmers, base layer, gillet and will bring a rain cape. Was going to do the 100 with BCMF but he wussed out so doing the 200 now (there's logic there somewhere:rolleyes:)

72hundred

showry wrote: »

the bbc one seems to be a bit more optimistic

Here's the salient point from BBC weather forecast;



Looks like a wet, but not very wet day.

Also looks like the rain will swing away towards UK with the animation;
http://www.met.ie/latest/rainfall_radar.asp?ani=y

Chips Lovell

At this stage I'll settle for that.

Raam

I was gonna ride today but don't fancy getting the bike dirty!

ROK ON

I hate getting the bike dirty.
I hate getting cold and wet.
I hate physical exertion.
I am generally lazy.
I like cake.

Why am I doing this again. . .?

Nietzschean

ROK ON wrote: »

I like cake.

Why am I doing this again. . .?

so you can eat ooodles of cake without remorse?

niceonetom

So.........

Is anyone still planning on doing this fixed*? Blorg? Greyspoke? Steinone?




*I'm not even considering it btw.

paddyb

I went up over sally gap yesterday in shorts and my knees got really cold. Knee warmers and a light rain jacket area must i think

Greyspoke

niceonetom wrote: »

So.........

Is anyone still planning on doing this fixed*? Blorg? Greyspoke? Steinone?




*I'm not even considering it btw.

Yep!!

Caroline_ie

Greyspoke wrote: »

Yep!!

200?

niceonetom

Greyspoke wrote: »

Yep!!

I saw you at the top of Slieve Mann last year on the langster, you looked a lot fresher than most of us - hardcore man, hard fcuking core.

decrrrrrr

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

You will be fine. Join our slow group, will be lots of fun!

Heading for Dublin this afternoon and will have limited access to the internet. Really would like to latch onto the slower group.

- Meeting Point: for the Boards group - is it sill in front of the GYM?
- Meeting Time: 6.45?

kenmc

I think the weather is going to clear up ok. Looking at the radars and the forecast charts, there's a front sweeping in from the east right now, it's due to clear away to the south over the rest of today and early morning. It'll leave some crap behind for sure, but nothing like this morning.
Otherwise I'm not doing it, and will be selling my entry on lastminute.com