Dying Sow 300k on Sept 5th

honkjelly

The next Audax Ireland event is coming up this Saturday. Three distances on offer and they all start at the Bray Wheelers clubhouse: The Dying Sow 300k starts at 6am, the Dying Cow 200k starts at 8am and the Dying Sparrow 160k starts at 9am. Details can be found here http://sorrentocyclingclub.com/site/2009/08/25/dying-cow-audax-sat-5-sept/

Am going to give the 300 a go. Anyone else on for it?

The tax man

Hope to do either the 160 or 200,can't decide which yet.

Caroline_ie

160 or 200 sounds good. Might do that ... or might stay in bed.

rottenhat

I'll be doing the 300...c'mon, Mount Leinster? Without having to get in a car? You know you want to.

Jumpy

This type of thing is one reason why living in Dublin would be handy.

There is bugger all out Limerick way.

rughdh

I'll be doing the 300.

The tax man

Caroline_ie wrote: »

160 or 200 sounds good. Might do that ... or might stay in bed.

Jens would at least, want to go home with a medal.

rughdh

The tax man wrote: »

Jens would at least, want to go home with a medal.

And a nice one it is too:



and the 300 is not bad either:

Caroline_ie

Medals ... tempting

rottenhat

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Medals ... tempting

They're made of good, solid metal too, unlike the medals from a certain well-known Irish sportive.

Just as a reminder, there will be a certain amount of cycling in darkness involved in the 300 - I'd guess there'll be an hour-plus in the morning and we might run out of daylight in the evening, depending on cloud cover and how much faffing goes on. I'd expect to back between 8 and 9 if all goes well.

Some form of lights, front and rear, will be mandatory. Most of the old hands will have a serious lighting rig (Lumotecs running off a dynohub, B&M Ixon or whatever) so you should be able to get by on whatever you use for commuting if you stick with the group until daylight but definitely bring something. You should also bring something reflective - high-vis vest, Sam Browne, ankle bands or what have you.

Not that I want to be putting anyone off but I think we'll be on unlit roads within a half an hour of leaving Bray and drivers will not be expecting cyclists at that hour.

The tax man

What sort of pace would be expected on a 300?

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

What sort of pace would be expected on a 300?

Nothing you couldn't handle, I don't think. The average tends to be around 25-6km/h - brisk, rather than blistering, but enough to give you a good time cushion so you feel like you can sit down and have a decent meal at some stage. There is a rule of thumb that you should factor in an hour of faffing for every 100km travelled and that more or less accords with my experience this year, between refuelling, mechanicals, unexpected deviations from the route etc. and that fits my experience. So it winds up being about 100km every five hours including time off the bike.

Chances are the group will split and reform many times over the course of the day anyway. I wouldn't worry overly about pace - if things are getting a bit hot, you can ask people to steady up and they generally will. If things are going too slow, you can pull a Blorg and pretend you're going up the road for a leak, never to be seen again. Yeah, it's handy to be with people who know where they're going, but it's not essential. I did the bulk of my early brevets by myself and I had a great time doing it - in a lot of ways it adds to the sense of adventure.

The tax man

Hmmm....now I'm thinking of a final challenge for the year,maybe a crazy challenge though.Hours in the saddle would be my only concern.Bad memories of a PBP qualifying event as a teenager,but that was done fixed so it was hard to get out of the saddle.
That sort of average speed suits me perfectly. Lighting wise I've a Ledlenser P7 and Smart 1/2 watt rear light. Are these suitable for lighting requirments?

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

Hmmm....now I'm thinking of a final challenge for the year,maybe a crazy challenge though.Hours in the saddle would be my only concern.Bad memories of a PBP qualifying event as a teenager,but that was done fixed so it was hard to get out of the saddle.
That sort of average speed suits me perfectly. Lighting wise I've a Ledlenser P7 and Smart 1/2 watt rear light. Are these suitable for lighting requirments?

I'd say you'll be grand with those lights. Difficult to know for sure until you're by yourself on an unlit road with no moon, but that's unlikely to happen Saturday - everyone will be together for the initial night riding and the collective illumination is good enough that you can rattle along as though you were in full daylight.

Definitely a good way to round off the season - I know I personally intend to get off the bike for a few weeks after this and get a break in before the club rides start again in the autumn. If you're at all tempted, I'd say go for it - the barriers between riding a 200 and riding a 300 are almost entirely mental, the physical aspects of being on the bike don't change much. Although I will have a tub of chamois cream and a handful of ibuprofen in the saddlebag just in case.

Bikerbhoy

Does anyone know the route for the 160 k event as it doesnt seem to be on website, Im looking for something relatively flat and was wondering if this would fit the bill or not

rughdh

All I can tell you is that the first 98k of the 160 are the same as for the 300. I'd imagine you'd turn back after Hacketstown or soon thereafter.

rottenhat

Depends on exactly what the route is, but it will be flat down the coast road then more hilly as you move inland. The climb to the Dying Cow pub is famously steep but I'm not sure that features in the Dying Sparrow. There's no way you're getting past Rathdrum without a bit of climbing at some point. My guess is flat to start and end, rolling in the middle.

AstraMonti

Thinking of doing the 300.. would be an amazing finish for the summer for me but i am afraid i will just go off at the 220-230k mark (the max i have ever cycled). Also.. i don't have a bike for that distance.. i 'll probably use beone, planetx is way too aero (for my abilities at least!) to be comfy for that many kms.

rottenhat

Can anyone who is thinking of doing the 300 let Paul know by the end of the day? (podluna@hotmail.com) He'd like to have the brevet cards written up in advance rather than scrambling to get them done at 6am on Saturday.

@Astramonti - you'll never know if you don't try. Trust me, if you have done over 200km before, you have what it takes to do a 300.

rughdh

If you've cycled 230 fairly recently, you should be grand. (Edit: rottenhat beat me to it) You've just done the 160k SKT, so that should stand to you. It's just a matter of taking it handy as rottenhat suggested. My cycling average for the last 300 I did was 24 point something kph. The others were a few kph faster. 26+ I think. It's more like touring without panniers or a long training run, than a sportive.

The tax man

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thinking of doing the 300.. would be an amazing finish for the summer for me but i am afraid i will just go off at the 220-230k mark (the max i have ever cycled). Also.. i don't have a bike for that distance.. i 'll probably use beone, planetx is way too aero (for my abilities at least!) to be comfy for that many kms.

Go for it. We can fail together.:D

Unless an up turned stem does wonders, I'd be using my old bike.

AstraMonti

The tax man wrote: »

Go for it. We can fail together.:D

Unless an up turned stem does wonders, I'd be using my old bike.

Failing is what i am afraid.. ending in the middle of nowhere with no heart to continue! But i ll probably i am going to do it.

From nutrition and clothing point of side, what would you take with you?

blorg

This is the 300 route in Google Maps Terrain view - from a quick glance is avoids the big Wicklow climbs but as Rottenhat says has some rolling (and apparently a bit of quite flat in the midde down in Carlow.)

If it is the same as the Tour of Ireland route from Carnew to Borris (and I think it is) I cycled that recently and it was fine, only big climb was Mount Leinster and to be honest that is quite an easy climb despite its reputation.

The tax man

AstraMonti wrote: »

Failing is what i am afraid.. ending in the middle of nowhere with no heart to continue! But i ll probably i am going to do it.

Failure will not be an option.;)

From nutrition and clothing point of side, what would you take with you?

Good question. When touring I had a carradice bag to throw everything in. Need to make good use of 3 pockets.

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

Good question. When touring I had a carradice bag to throw everything in.

Might want to dig that back out - the Carradice bag and the Brooks saddle are something of a hallmark of the audax rider.

However, if you're hellbent on travelling light, I'd probably go with a long sleeve base layer, jersey over that, arm warmers, and gilet for maximum flexibility. Overnight low is forecast to be 9, daytime high 17 so I'll probably go with 3/4s though shorts and knee-warmers are certainly an option. Blorg did the Surf and Turf with only a small seat pack and a bar bag.

Regarding food, I generally bring a couple of bananas and two Ma Baker Giant bars (these have over 400 calories in them) to keep me going until the shops open. After that I just forage. The Hackettstown control is described as a sit-down stop so I imagine we'll have lunch there. Or a second breakfast depending on what time we get there and what's on the menu.

I've been thinking that peanuts might be a good audax food too - plenty of salt and fat in them.

AstraMonti

I am declaring myself out I had a bad spillage yesterday returning from the super market.. Front wheel slipped in a corner as it was really muddy and i ended on my "bad" knee going few meters.. Didn't even cycle to work today, knee is so sore :mad:

rughdh

Sorry to hear that AstraMonti.

The tax man

AstraMonti wrote: »

I am declaring myself out I had a bad spillage yesterday returning from the super market.. Front wheel slipped in a corner as it was really muddy and i ended on my "bad" knee going few meters.. Didn't even cycle to work today, knee is so sore :mad:

Sorry to hear that AstraMonti. Hope you're back on the bike soon.

BTW Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of using this model bag and it's mounting system? Would prefer to have a bag with me rather than stuff lots of things into 3 pockets.
Would I be correct in thinking that a handlebar bag will get in the way of my handlebar mounted lighting?

Thanks.

Jumpy

The tax man wrote: »

Sorry to hear that AstraMonti. Hope you're back on the bike soon.

BTW Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of using this model bag and it's mounting system? Would prefer to have a bag with me rather than stuff lots of things into 3 pockets.
Would I be correct in thinking that a handlebar bag will get in the way of my handlebar mounted lighting?

Thanks.

If you get a camelbak pack its surprisingly comfortable, that coupled with 2L of water and room enough for everything you need.
I had one on the SK and it was brilliant.

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

BTW Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of using this model bag and it's mounting system? Would prefer to have a bag with me rather than stuff lots of things into 3 pockets.
Would I be correct in thinking that a handlebar bag will get in the way of my handlebar mounted lighting?

Depends on the design - I've seen some that hang below the bags enough that they wouldn't get in the way of your lights. But I suspect that one of comparable size probably would.

The pros and cons of the seatpost mounted bag - the Rixon & Kaul attachment system is presumably some version of the Klickfix system, so a pro is that you can just press a button to release the bag and carry it off with you. Also, having the weight situated in the vicinity of the saddle is good in terms of the effect on the stability of the bike as much of your weight is planted there also.

The con is that if it only attaches at one point it's going to sway a bit when you're pedalling out of the saddle which can take a little while to get used to. If your seatpost is carbon, clamping things to it may not be the best idea.

But I think it's probably better than carrying a lot of gear on your handlebars.

rottenhat

Jumpy wrote: »

If you get a camelbak pack its surprisingly comfortable, that coupled with 2L of water and room enough for everything you need.
I had one on the SK and it was brilliant.

I've never used one, but in general I would want to avoid carrying any weight on my back on a ride of this length - strain on the neck and shoulders is one of the biggest problems on long distance rides. Also, it will tend to make your back unpleasantly hot and sweaty. Not to discount your experience on the Sean Kelly, but I think you did the 100? This is three times that distance aand twelve hours cycling time would be a reasonable estimate.

rottenhat

AstraMonti wrote: »

I am declaring myself out I had a bad spillage yesterday returning from the super market.. Front wheel slipped in a corner as it was really muddy and i ended on my "bad" knee going few meters.. Didn't even cycle to work today, knee is so sore :mad:

Ouch...that sounds seriously painful. Stay off that knee and get the painkillers into you. There'll be plenty more rides next year.

blorg

The tax man wrote: »

Would I be correct in thinking that a handlebar bag will get in the way of my handlebar mounted lighting?

Depends on your lighting and the bag but if you get the right bag it probably won't. At worst it will just cut off a bit of the beam. I have a bar bag which I used on the last 300 and it didn't get in the way of my lights. A bar bag has the advantage of being easier to get stuff out of too. My one was a tenner from Decathlon and attaches in seconds with velcro straps.



This was an earlier cycle, on the Surf and Turf 300 I actually had aero bars on top of the bar bag- makes it a bit more difficult to open and close but still easier to get at stuff than a saddle bag (especially while moving.)

Critical though is getting this sort of bar bag that doesn't go up above the handlebars, I have another one that comes with a mounting bracket and it would get in the way of lights:



Also had a tri bag which in my defence I got free on the Marmotte. Very handy for bars etc especially if they would melt in your pockets. Triathletes use them as tri suits don't have pockets for stuff, you generally leave your food on the bike.

rottenhat

Route for the Dying Sparrow 160km attached for any interested parties.

rughdh

Thanks rottenhat, I'll pass it on to Mrs Ru

The tax man

rottenhat wrote: »

The pros and cons of the seatpost mounted bag - the Rixon & Kaul attachment system is presumably some version of the Klickfix system, so a pro is that you can just press a button to release the bag and carry it off with you. Also, having the weight situated in the vicinity of the saddle is good in terms of the effect on the stability of the bike as much of your weight is planted there also.

The con is that if it only attaches at one point it's going to sway a bit when you're pedalling out of the saddle which can take a little while to get used to. If your seatpost is carbon, clamping things to it may not be the best idea.

But I think it's probably better than carrying a lot of gear on your handlebars.

Better picture of attachment method. Alloy seat post so I'm OK there. I'd prefer the weight there rather than at the bars. My carradice bag used to hang from two leather toe straps from the rear of my saddle. Man did that thing swing about.:D

blorg wrote: »

Depends on your lighting and the bag but if you get the right bag it probably won't. At worst it will just cut off a bit of the beam. I have a bar bag which I used on the last 300 and it didn't get in the way of my lights. A bar bag has the advantage of being easier to get stuff out of too. My one was a tenner from Decathlon and attaches in seconds with velcro straps.

My lighting would be the same as yours Blorg, torch held by a lock block.
Bag with the velcro looks perfect and low. Think the one I'm looking at comes with a Klick-fix attachment so maybe that raises the bag above the bars.

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

Better picture of attachment method. Alloy seat post so I'm OK there. I'd prefer the weight there rather than at the bars. My carradice bag used to hang from two leather toe straps from the rear of my saddle. Man did that thing swing about.:D

That looks like it will hold everything you need at any rate. I ran the Carradice hanging free for a while but really it should have some kind of support - I'm using the Bagman (quick release version) and that does the job perfectly: no swing at all. You need to have about a centimeter of rail behind the seat clamp for the Bagman's clamp but after that you're game ball.

The tax man

rottenhat wrote: »

That looks like it will hold everything you need at any rate.

Yeah,but will it hold my dying corpse somewhere between the 200-300k mark?
A simple plain cross at the side of the road will do me,maybe flowers every 5th sept.:)

rottenhat

The tax man wrote: »

Yeah,but will it hold my dying corpse somewhere between the 200-300k mark?
A simple plain cross at the side of the road will do me,maybe flowers every 5th sept.:)

It will become a hallowed spot, not unlike the Tom Simpson memorial on the Ventoux.

rughdh

The tax man wrote: »

Yeah,but will it hold my dying corpse somewhere between the 200-300k mark?
A simple plain cross at the side of the road will do me,maybe flowers every 5th sept.:)

It's a self-supporting ride, so you'll need to carry you own cross. I'd suggest putting a wheel on the end of it.

rottenhat

rughdh wrote: »

It's a self-supporting ride, so you'll need to carry you own cross. I'd suggest putting a wheel on the end of it.

I think with a bit of brute force we could improvise one from his fork and his downtube.

The tax man

rughdh wrote: »

It's a self-supporting ride, so you'll need to carry you own cross. I'd suggest putting a wheel on the end of it.

LOL.:D

rughdh

rottenhat wrote: »

I think with a bit of brute force we could improvise one from his fork and his downtube.

@the tax man: Yes, we'll see to it you're taken care of, (as long as we can do it within the time limits). But, I think the reality will be that you won't have any problems with the distance. You're certainly stronger than I was when I did my first 300. Granted this has a couple more hilleens than the Virginia 300, but they'll be no problem to you.

Edit: You guys are fast at posting

The tax man

rughdh wrote: »

@the tax man: Yes, we'll see to it you're taken care of, (as long as we can do it within the time limits). But, I think the reality will be that you won't have any problems with the distance. You're certainly stronger than I was when I did my first 300. Granted this has a couple more hilleens than the Virginia 300, but they'll be no problem to you.

Cheers rughdh. My only worry is discomfort from time in the saddle. I know my back will start killing me at some stage. Off to the bike shop to buy more kit,where's that credit card.

theclimber

Unfortunatly money does'nt always eleviate pain. Pain its gonna be, whether you have all the gear or not. Fair play to all doing the 300k. I wish I was one of them. The real cyclists!

Bikerbhoy

anybody any idea how many might be doing the 160???? as thats my limit.....I did think about the 300 then the 200 ...but alas.... kop on kicked in.

RESPECT to all that are and do complete the 300..!!!!

rottenhat

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

anybody any idea how many might be doing the 160???? as thats my limit.....I did think about the 300 then the 200 ...but alas.... kop on kicked in.

Couldn't really say - I know Paul was disappointed not to break a hundred riders on the Mick Byrne earlier this year, but I don't think this is as established or well-publicised so maybe 60-70 riders across the three distances?

rottenhat

Just heard my downstairs neighbour stumble in while I was at the stove making the porridge...what the hell am I doing up at this hour?

petethedrummer

Give the porridge to your neighbour and go back to bed.

Chips Lovell

If you have a spare bike, persuade him to do the randonee with you and then take pics.

DirkVoodoo

Loopers! Best of luck to Rottenhat and co.