Another Saturday 200

mvt

Third Saturday in a row to do a 200 and ,tbh,probably went one too far.Don't think I'm fit enough to go at that sort of a pace especially as it is tricky to get out on the bike during the week atm to try and build up some sort of momentum.
We did the devil's glen,wicklow gap,slieve maan,glenmalure and the sally gap.
Phew,no wonder I'm fecked.
Threw the toys out of the pram a few times on the way out but settled down into a deep-down level of pain which keep me quiet on the way back.
All the misery was make worthwhile while crossing the sally gap during one of the most spectacular sunsets I've seen in a good while.The shadows of our bikes on the banks of snow was a sight to see.

LastGasp

Met up at 7.45 with mvt, Cadex, Rughdh, Andreas.Voigt, Arranmoreelw (organising), and another 4 or so non-boardsies (at least as far as I know). First "official" Audax 200 of 2010. Headed off shortly after 8am, N11 to Wicklow (checkpoint 1) punctured on the way down, then back up to Ashford, Devils Glen, Laragh, WW Gap, Hollywood, Dunlavin (check 2), Baltinglass, Tinahely (check 3), wiggly bit, Slievemann, Shay Elliott, Laragh, Sally Gap, Glencree, Enniskerry, Bray. Felt pretty OK all day, although got pretty knackered on Shay Elliott and felt really jittery coming down. Stopped into Glendalough Fayre in Laragh for some lifesaving grub, and sat outside soaking up the late afternoon sunshine - lovely! Fantastic Soup, big Ham & Cheese Baguette, Coffee and Carrot Cake YUM YUM. Batteries recharged, we were feeling better and headed off up Sally Gap. First long hilly ride in a long time and my legs are really feeling it now. Just had a major cramp in the muscle on the inside of my thigh - that's a first for me. Not sure how I'll ever manage anything longer ! Thanks all for the company and to Arranmoreelw for getting it all organised. David and Rughdh, I hope you got back safe and sound, and not too late.
Approx 210kms, 24 ? km average, 3000m climbing. I knocked my computer sensor when I punctured so didn't record proper details. I'm sure Cadex will post the accurate figures when he wakes up !

rughdh

Got back ok, thanks, LastGasp.

Struggled to keep up with the group to Wicklow (thanks for the tow) and got dropped at Devil's Glen, as predicted. Was with David until Laragh, but met up with him again at Dunlavin and Tinahely as he was leaving.

I was exhausted before I got to Slieve Maan and crawled up it and Glenmalure. It got dark as I was half-way up the Sally Gap and the IXON IQs proved to be adequate, but I think I need something better.
The descent into Enniskerry was a bit hairy and had a couple of near misses with craters, so didn't go much over 30 for most of it and finally got back to Bray at 8:30.

Thanks to arranmorelw for organising it. It was a great route and the weather couldn't have been better. 242k all in for me. Cycled out, but stayed locally.

Just since you guys are probably the best to ask given the mileage, the roads around Wicklow are all fine now I take it? Apart from the bit at Glenmacnass where the roads in bits.

Mosiki

@rughdh: thats a savage days riding especially with that climbing, by yourself a pint!

Cadex

Slievemaan 200
Official Audax event organised by 'Arranmoreelw' to be the reverse of the 'Lumpy 200'. Had thought about doing this when it was first mentioned about a month ago but wasn't sure would be ready. Met the lads at the Centra on Dargle Rd. Bray, (MVT, LastGasp, Andreas and also John, Rugh, David and Doug) just before 8:00, signed on etc. and then headed off taking the N11 option to Ashford and on to Wicklow. LG had puncture on the new road just before Wicklow town. Quick fix then on to the town and first control (bought tea in garage to get receipt - to prove we were there - but couldn't finish it). Then back up to Ashford, Devils Glen (first bit of climb - ouch!), Laragh, Wicklow Gap (went better than expected), Hollywood, Dunlavin (control 2, tea and grub as well as puncture 2 - MVT), Baltinglass, Tinahely (control 3, tea and sambos), Slievemann, Shay Elliott (both of these better than expected - as MVT said "never thought I'd be happy to see Slievemaan"), Laragh (more grub in the sun, very nice), up past the waterfall, Sally Gap (another puncture - Andreas'). The sun setting on the snowy hills, was too good to miss so stopped and took some pics. However, severely paid for this as the chase after the group on way to Glencree (control 4 - info) used up a lot of my reserve), had a gel on way into Enniskerry which picked me up a bit and then onto finish at Bray (more welcome tea.....). Some of the roads on the ascents (especially Slievemaan and up to Sally Gap were in bits - holes, gravel, missing sections etc.) and thankfully only the descent on Sally Gap to Glencree was a bit dodgy with gravel etc. On this bit, I realised the sunnies were now a hindrance, took them off and while the world was brighter, my eyes were streaming....Also realised I should have put the new batteries in the back light and that I need a much better front light. Lessons being learnt the hard way (bring the clear lenses as well as the dark ones, get better lights, investigate the grub situation).

Felt OK for most of the time, probably fair to say had a better middle bit as the body got used to the climbing, should have just stuck with the group on Sally Gap and not taken the pics as the chase left me able to keep going but not really able to keep up the pace for that section. Big thanks to Doug for waiting just after Glencree and dragging me back on and to the group for waiting in Enniskerry. I was very happy to see the finish and reckon this was the toughest day on the bike this year and possibly even last year - at least as far as the effort involved and the amount it took out of me but was very enjoyable, great route and fantastic views - and of course company. I was glad I had taken MVT's advice and driven out as the extra 50-60k or so would have been a killer.

Fair play to the two lads (Rugh and David) who went on alone especially as it was getting dark.

The bath, steak dinner and wine that followed were heaven sent....

My stats:
Distance: 208.14k, Ave. speed: 24km/h, Max Speed: (computer shows 86km/h, which I doubt but I did see 68km/h for sure), Cycle time: 08:54:58, Elapsed: 10:48 (08:02 - 18:50). I'm told the climbing was 3028m (Doug) or possibly 2950 (Andreas).

'Energiser bunny award' from me goes to Doug - fair play, great cycling.

Photos below:

Cadex

More photos:

rughdh

Dónal wrote: »

Just since you guys are probably the best to ask given the mileage, the roads around Wicklow are all fine now I take it? Apart from the bit at Glenmacnass where the roads in bits.

There's still snow on the Sally Gap on the left hand side of the road heading south. Takes up half the road.
@Mosiki 4 double whiskies did the trick. It was madness cycling out though with my level of fitness, but no harm done.

LastGasp

rughdh wrote: »

It was a great route and the weather couldn't have been better. 242k all in for me. Cycled out, but stayed locally.

Fair play to you Rughdh, that must have been something like a 14 hour day - tough going ! 210kms were more than enough for me.

hinault

That's a great thread.

Great ride fellas : Chapeau

The_Claw

Yes, well done to all. I don't think I've done 200km all year.:(

LastGasp

I was just checking over the bike. When I punctured at about 30kms, I put a 4mm slit right through the tyre wall. The tube was sticking out through it. I don't know how it managed to hold out for the rest of the day ! Continental Gatorskin now back on !