Wicklow 200 2011

Whats a derailleur?

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

First photo there:

Considering that was taken at 5.45am I'm surprised only one of us looks drunk.....oh yes, that's because my sunglasses are hiding the horror...

eoghan84

I did my first w200 yester! I left at 8 and finished just before 5, so it was about 9 hours but the battery in my garmin was low so I turned it off, so no moving time!

The weather made it dangerous. I was generally very careful on all the descents so thankfully it went well but it was terrible to see the ambulances coming for the guys who fell after Sally Gap. After descending Shay Elliot my fingers were able to pull the brakes but I couldn't push the bigger leaver to go into an easier gear so I was using my whole hand. At the stop a woman very kindly opened two nutrigrain bars after I struggled for about 10mins!

Well done to everyone who did the 100 and the 200. Also thanks for advice leading up to the event to be vigilant over the road surfaces and also about the climb before Slieve Mann-I knew that was coming and I knew some people made the mistake last year thinking it was actually Slieve Mann. I'm hoping to recover and do the Tour de Burren next saturday-hope to see some boards guys there? (will check the thread)

Phil2me

Met a guy just coming into Greystones yesterday who cycled the last 12K on one pedal, his left pedal was broke, now that deserves a mention whoever you are.

jtwoods

As a W200 newbie I new it was going to be hard but that was some day out.
Up to SG not too bad and legs felt good. Weather turned at that point and never got any better. Really glad I'd remembered my shoe-covers. Water got in eventually but feet stayed fairly warm. Around the lake to Donard I was by myself the whole time and found it pretty hard.
Oddly as I'm not a climber at all I found SM and SE relatively ok. Maybe because they were some of the few times on the ride when I wasn't cold. The descents were freezing.
All the cars at the top of SE beeping their horns were much appreciated, a good boost for the last few hundred mtrs.
Rathdrum back to Greystones was much bumpier that I expected it to be so was glad to make it in the end. 9h30 total time, 8h46 moving.
As I started early I had no problems with queueing at rest stops and thought all the people were really friendly and helpful. Hope to come back next year (with better weather)

jtwoods

Phil2me wrote: »

Met a guy just coming into Greystones yesterday who cycled the last 12K on one pedal, his left pedal was broke, now that deserves a mention whoever you are.

I passed another guy with about 8km to go whose rear mech had broken and he was keeping going with the long chain strung between front and rear cogs. Pretty impressive I'd say.

neris

Phil2me wrote: »

Met a guy just coming into Greystones yesterday who cycled the last 12K on one pedal, his left pedal was broke, now that deserves a mention whoever you are.

I passed him aswell. He was able to laugh about it as i went past. Saw some funny n odd things on the road yesterday.

Lashed

8:15 Rolling Time.
I was very glad to see the finish. Numb with the cold and wet. I don't think any amount of rain gear would have stood up to yesterdays torrents.
Would try it again next year though.

manwithaplan

smacl wrote: »

11:28:14 here, do I win the boardsie wooden spoon?

You did the Wicklow 200 on a hybrid. You win at cycling.

daragh wrote:

As I got to the top I could see the car whose horn was beeping. Turned out to be my wife and my three duaghters.

They were brilliant. They had the windows rolled down in the lashing rain and were roaring their heads off. It was really nice to be cheered indiscriminately!

07Lapierre

manwithaplan wrote: »

They were brilliant. They had the windows rolled down in the lashing rain and were roaring their heads off. It was really nice to be cheered indiscriminately!

+1 it was great! a real morale booster!

Plastik

g0g wrote: »

No point in posting the lengthy entry twice, but have done up a full report on the day in my blog (Training Logs)! Dunno how to link the post sorry!

That was Midleton CC with ISAACs Bar and Restaurant on the back of the kit. Murf85 and I gave you the shout just after the 100/200 split I was in Boards kit, he was in club colours.

cdaly_

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

First photo there:

Considering that was taken at 5.45am I'm surprised only one of us looks drunk.....oh yes, that's because my sunglasses are hiding the horror...

I love the spanner / wineglass logo...

Phil2me

cdaly_ wrote: »

I love the spanner / wineglass logo...

I asked the question on boards last week on the Carrick Sportif, what does MAWS stand for and got a series of smart comments, any chance of a straight answer this week.

ThisRegard

Mags' and Anne's Winter Spins ?

Phil2me

ThisRegard wrote: »

Mags' and Anne's Winter Spins ?

Is that it ??? that was put forward last week as well, but it was in the middle of so many smart answers I just assumed it was another one.

That answer is quite plausible actually....

Beasty

Phil2me wrote: »

I asked the question on boards last week on the Carrick Sportif, what does MAWS stand for and got a series of smart comments, any chance of a straight answer this week.

98% of your posts since signing up 9 months ago have been in the Cycling Forum, and you've failed to notice this thread?

Phil2me

Beasty wrote: »

98% of your posts since signing up 9 months ago have been in the Cycling Forum, and you've failed to notice this thread?

Thanks, I shall pay more attention the next time.

daragh_

Whats a derailleur? wrote: »

Considering that was taken at 5.45am I'm surprised only one of us looks drunk.....oh yes, that's because my sunglasses are hiding the horror...

I have Jersey envy.

Harrybelafonte

Can anyone confirm the condition of those who crashed? I've heard reports of somebody bleeding from the head atbottom of SG and Glenmalure. A couple of us would like to know if they're ok.

RobFowl

daragh_ wrote: »

I have Jersey envy.

You can't have Jersey envy til you've met Beasty in the flesh

daragh_

RobFowl wrote: »

You can't have Jersey envy til you've met Beasty in the flesh

I met him last year in Kilkenny. When I say 'met', he lashed past me at a ridiculous speed shouting something about jerseys. I think I remember some swanky looking overshoes but I can't be certain as he was going so fast.

Yi Harr

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Can anyone confirm the condition of those who crashed? I've heard reports of somebody bleeding from the head atbottom of SG and Glenmalure. A couple of us would like to know if they're ok.

I only know of one cyclist for definite. Came off at SG and has ended up with three fractured vertebrae.

QueensGael

Finished the 200km in 9h26 rolling. Lost my team-mates before we ever set off (thanks to different groups of guys who let me tag along!), had a flat at 55km and was nearly blinded with that bloody rain on the descent from Slieve Maan. Freezing and filthy by the time I got back to Greystones. All capped off by Limerick's loss to Waterford in the hurling :mad:

24 hours later though, basking in the glory stories :P. Would totally do it again.

Beasty

daragh_ wrote: »

I met him last year in Kilkenny. When I say 'met', he lashed past me at a ridiculous speed shouting something about jerseys. I think I remember some swanky looking overshoes but I can't be certain as he was going so fast.

Ah - the "Beasty" top - yet to debut this year;)

pprendeville

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

Did the 100, didn’t sleep a wink last night, not cause of the cycle, I just never sleep well when I know I have to get up early, and I had to get up before six because I had to cycle 20 km to Greystones for the start. Anyway enjoyed it apart from the rain, very glad I wasn’t able to train for the 200. I hate descending at the best of times.
A friend of mine also did the 100, he refuses to wear gloves, even mountain biking. I took leave of him after Avoca, later found out that at the finish he was treated for hyperthermia, his hands turned purple and he couldn’t change gears because he couldn’t move his thumbs.
He really suffered, I want to buy him a pair of gloves, any recommendations, money no object, I want to get him the Rolls Royce of cycling gloves, I kind of talked him into doing the Wicklow 100 (though I did encourage him to ware gloves), I feel I owe him.

Put on a pair of latex gloves inside a 1/2 decent pair of fluu finger/fingerless gloves and that should do the trick. ?Works for me anyway.

Bikerbhoy

Jaysus wud ye look at the weather today wudnt that just piss u off no end....

Did not enjoy one minute of yesterday..... but sure am glad I done it today.... respect and well done to all the other souls who completed this years W200.

Without doubt the challenge of the year, nothing can or will come near the effort that was required to finish yesterday.

Bikerbhoy

neris wrote: »

Saw some funny n odd things on the road yesterday.

Like the guy at top of short climb after waterfall doing repairs with a fag hanging out of this mouth ,raised a chuckle ,one of the few throughout the day

Wonder how many he had before the day was over

Can anyone confirm the following : 2 dudes on a tandem and only one finished ?

Harrybelafonte

Yep, think they parted company at top of SM due to injury.

g0g

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

Like the guy at top of short climb after waterfall doing repairs with a fag hanging out of this mouth ,raised a chuckle ,one of the few throughout the day

Wonder how many he had before the day was over

Can anyone confirm the following : 2 dudes on a tandem and only one finished ?

one packed it in (the rear end I think!) bottom of SE. I saw the remainder of the duo still going solo in Rathdrum but his chain appeared to have broken for the second time!

pprendeville

Hadn’t intended on doing this but due to mixing up the dates of the Roundwood GP I said I’d better get something done over the weekend so went out with Manwithaplan. Sat night I got about 2 hours sleep thanks to a party next door. Had enough Tupac to last me a lifetime. I’d swear purgatory must be like listening to that music for a 1000 years. Absolute torture. Up at 5.10 and got some porridge into me and a cuppa tea and was ready to roll. Departed around 6 and we were on the bikes around 7.

Massive crowds on the road and didn’t really get any speed up til going into Powerscourt. Drag up to Sally Gap there seemed to be a bit of volcanic activity going on (steamed glasses). Took on Sally Gap and I hit my highest HR of the day at 180. Passed Joe McNally on the way up and a few other Swords lads I think. Took the foot off the gas from here on as it was going to be a long day and hooked up with 07Lapierre and another Swords guy for next 25k. They absolutely bombed it down the R759 and me being a poor descender just took my ease although at that bridge (where there was an accident) I almost overcooked it and had to slam on the brakes but avoided going down. Saw the ambulance but didn’t realise a couple of guys came off. Hope they’re all ok. There should definitely have been some sort of “Slow” (from reading posts seems there was one but I never saw it) sign or marshalls there as it was my first time down there and I imagine a lot of people were in the same boat and it comes up fairly quickly without any warning IMO.

07Lapierre and other Swords lad took over the pace setting from here on until about Pollaphuca. We headed on from here and next almost major incident happened on descent into Hollywood when on a really bad bend a bus came round the corner but luckily I was taking my ease and just slowed up. Perhaps another marshall could have been situated here? Anyone else have any probs here? Hope not.

On up then into Donard for 1st stop of the day and we were absolutely soaked to the skin. Got a cuppa tea and changed my socks and gloves. Usually wear a pair of latex gloves underneath main gloves to prevent my hands from freezing. The sweat keeps them warm and doesn’t allow heat to escape but hadn’t packed a second pair (discarded 1st pair like a fool) so after rolling off, my hands were numb within 10 mins so had to put on the original pair of the full finger over fingerless ones and about an hour later I wasn’t too bad.

First of the 3 consecutive climbs. Aghavanagh was grand up over then onto Slieve Mann which was hard but I kept a good steady pace to the top where Powerbar had some refreshments. Had a lovely bar and got the bottle topped up with some energy drink. Lost my buddy here so headed down the descent. Took off my glasses and it was like having sand thrown in my eyes as the rain was so bad. Then when I put them on it was hard to see so I had them half down my eyes in the end. Some guys were going kamikaze down this but I just took it reasonably handy although it was hard to stay below 40km/hr. Onto the last big climb of Shay Elliott. Kept a good steady pace again averaging 14km/hr up this and only found the last 200-300m tough so was glad to get over it. TT’d my way to the next stop in rathdrum as didn’t want to keep Manwithaplan waiting too long if he was already there. Pulled in and was delighted to see his bike outside. Had lovely cuppa tea and 2-3 rice krispie bars which were fab. Went out to head off on the last leg of the journey only to find a puncture in Phil’s bike. Apparently the rear wheel exploded so I headed back in as I was freezing and shivering. Found out they had a warm room so went in there and sat on a heater for 5 minutes. Twas lovely and badly needed. Back into the wind and rain and up the road to Avoca and a nice climb out of here. A good few drags after this, one in particular stood out – sharp left at a junction and about 10-15% climb for 150-200m. Luckily I’d fuelled pretty well for the day and had a good rest the past week so I was fine.

Last leg of the journey was a bit of a stop-start affair. I punctured with about 20k left so had to stop and fix that. Then had to stop to pee, then Phil punctured less than a 1k from home and then when he had changed my front tyre was flat so I just walked the last few hundred metres home. Had a few more chocolate rice krispie things and some of Phil’s pasta which was terrible. Like an ejit I never brought a change of clothes with me but luckily enough there was a blanket in the car which was being used to stop the bikes getting scratched. Never have I so graciously accepted one in my life. This experience has taught me to invest in some serious wet gear starting with a decent pair of overshoes and lizard skin socks.

All in all, a great day out bar the weather which was brutal. You’d swear twas the middle of winter. Typically today is lovely with a nice warm breeze. Couldn’t feel my toes for the majority of the day and my finders/hands took a hammering as well. Don’t mind the rain but when it’s combined with cold it makes things tough. Glad I took plenty of wet gear and layered up. Stops were great. No long queues for us and lots of grub available. 7:59 according to the Garmin but I rekon between me not pressing the stop button and walking a share of the distance it’s closer to 7:30 rolling time. Disappointing to hear Limerick lose as well when they seemed to have it in the bag. Fair play to Carlow I think beating Louth? Twas hard getting up off the bed after the shower and apple tart but made it into Gardiner St Gospel Choir mass “on time” imagine with the kids to give thanks to The Man Above for keeping me safe all day.
In relation to the litter, I thought the banana skins on the road were the most dangerous of the lot. Saw 2 or 3. I have no problems with throwing banana skins into the ditch (they are good for the soil in fact and degrade quickly) and there weren’t too many wrappers on the road. People probably attempted putting them in their pockets but when you can’t feel your fingers and are trying to navigate a gammy back pocket it can be tough so a few fell I’m sure.

Big thanks to the Mrs for looking after the kids and making delish energy bars at 11pm night before.

Question: What’s the 410 about on SE?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92153559

cautiouskate

64 year old husband and son did the 100 yesterday. Son said his Dad was 'flying it'. Congratulations to them and all who took part and to the organisers who keep this up year after year. Everything well organised and to hell with the whingers who went ill-dressed and ill-prepared!!!