Charity Cycle - Advice etc

yop

Folks,
A number of us (maybe 20) are undertaken a cycle on Sept 29th from Westport to Dublin on the Saturday and the return on the Sunday to Westport.

We are taking in on for AWARE as a number of us who have been affect with family or friends who have died through suicide.

The distance is 245km each way, keeping off the motorway, we do need to get on the Mullingar dual carraige way but we are thinking then going the old road into Dublin, maybe phoniex Park and finishing on O'Connell street.
We are planning an avg. speed of 25kmph.

I would appreciate for those who may have undertaken spins of this distance would give us some advice on what we should do re training for this, nutrition pre, during, post the 2 days.
Whats good to keep the legs from dying after leg 1 etc..

Any pointers at all would be gratefully appreciated.

Also we are looking a hotel near O'Connell street to stay which may have plunge pool, jacuzzi and place to store the bikes, so anyone have advice there it would be great.

Even if lads on here would fancy joining us for part of it on the Saturday or Sunday we would welcome all.

We are all members of Westport cycling club.

This is my own personal challenge, been out for 6 months due to injury and ended up losing the power in my leg and am back to walking now for 5 minutes at a time now each day! So its going to be some crack for me, but the cause is VERY personal for me.

Thanks for reading.

Four of a kind

yop wrote: »

Folks,
A number of us (maybe 20) are undertaken a cycle on Sept 29th from Westport to Dublin on the Saturday and the return on the Sunday to Westport.

We are taking in on for AWARE as a number of us who have been affect with family or friends who have died through suicide.

The distance is 245km each way, keeping off the motorway, we do need to get on the Mullingar dual carraige way but we are thinking then going the old road into Dublin, maybe phoniex Park and finishing on O'Connell street.
We are planning an avg. speed of 25kmph.

I would appreciate for those who may have undertaken spins of this distance would give us some advice on what we should do re training for this, nutrition pre, during, post the 2 days.
Whats good to keep the legs from dying after leg 1 etc..

Any pointers at all would be gratefully appreciated.

Also we are looking a hotel near O'Connell street to stay which may have plunge pool, jacuzzi and place to store the bikes, so anyone have advice there it would be great.

Even if lads on here would fancy joining us for part of it on the Saturday or Sunday we would welcome all.

We are all members of Westport cycling club.

This is my own personal challenge, been out for 6 months due to injury and ended up losing the power in my leg and am back to walking now for 5 minutes at a time now each day! So its going to be some crack for me, but the cause is VERY personal for me.

Thanks for reading.

Great cause this, and a serious cycle. Best of luck with the planning of it.

CramCycle

Good luck with the challenge, I have helped organise a charity cycle Dublin to Galway before so if you would like any advice please drop me a PM, I will try and find the notes we had for it. First things first, decide on your definite route ASAP as this will help alot of other little things fall into place.

yop

Thanks guys, I may ask for your assistance.

Our keys are the route from Mullingar to O'Connell street, if anyone could advice it would be great.

And if anyone wishes to join us that would be superb, the more bikes, the more the traffic will hate us

victorcarrera

For that distance over two days try to have all riders as fit and experienced as possible so that they can ride efficiently in a group and contribute without being dropped. Identify the weaker riders and encourage them to sit on more than the fitter ones. Use the route as your training spin gradually increasing the distance every week. I assume everyone has a decent race bike.
Day 2 will be much harder than day 1 especially and quite likely with a westerly wind on the return journey.

yop

victorcarrera wrote: »

For that distance over two days try to have all riders as fit and experienced as possible so that they can ride efficiently in a group and contribute without being dropped. Identify the weaker riders and encourage them to sit on more than the fitter ones. Use the route as your training spin gradually increasing the distance every week. I assume everyone has a decent race bike.
Day 2 will be much harder than day 1 especially and quite likely with a westerly wind on the return journey.

I forgot about that Westerly! :eek:

All are experienced club riders/racers so far anyway!!! We are hoping to join up with group along the way up and HOPING that on the Sunday we may get a few groups out on their Sunday spins to assist and join us, only if it was for 10/20km to take some of the head wind off us, hopefully that doesn't sound lazy!

I did the Mizen to Malin 2 years ago for the same charity and small groups joining us were a God send for that reason and the boost.

So if anyone knows any groups along that route from Westport, Cloonfad, Roscommon, Athlone, Mullingar, Kinnegad, Dublin West etc I would really appreciate if you may drum up some assistance riders. Even individuals would be very welcomed.

As said, its a great charity in a country where this is an epidemic. First 18 days of Jan recorded 22 suicides, I would be scared to know what it will be end of year.

Thanks again.

Esroh

Yop

Just wondering why you not going Roscommon, Lanesbouough, Ballymahon, Mullingar. It would be a quieter road for a group compared to Ros-Athlone

yop

Esroh wrote: »

Yop

Just wondering why you not going Roscommon, Lanesbouough, Ballymahon, Mullingar. It would be a quieter road for a group compared to Ros-Athlone

Hi Esroh,
Thats the provisional route, but to be honest if its pointed out that another route is better then that will definitely be considered.

PATJOE

Hi all!

Here is a rough idea on the route...




We hope to finish day 1 at O'Connell street Dublin and will be looking for a hotel a close by as possible that has a plunge pool, jacuzzi etc. Can anyone recommend somewhere?

Also can anyone recommend some big cycling clubs in Dublin that I can contact regarding the cycle. I know there is a long list on cycling Ireland!

Seve OB

PATJOE wrote: »

We hope to finish day 1 at O'Connell street Dublin and will be looking for a hotel a close by as possible that has a plunge pool, jacuzzi etc. Can anyone recommend somewhere?

I'd be surprised if the Gresham doesn't have the facilities you are after, or the Westin on Westmorland street (bring your wallet, and make sure your card has a full limit available)

yop

Well folks,
We are nearing the days for this spin.
Final routes have been confirmed and plans are in place.
Confirm 21 cyclists but that may reduce another few.

We are looking for a few bodies to join us on the Saturday/Sunday to give us some "cover" and numbers especially on Saturday as we come in via Phoinex Park and onto North Circular road to the Skylon hotel in Drumcondra.

We also would love if we had bodies anyway along the route, so if any club spins are heading out on Saturday or Sunday morning.

I think Lucan Cycling Club are joining us on Sunday morning, so if others are out please do join in, we are very nice!

If anyone had some time, MAYBE you wouldn't mind liking and/or sharing our page please.
http://www.facebook.com/1LifeCycle

We also have our website;
http://www.1lifecycle.ie/

Thanks v much


PS -One question for those who have done long spins, the shorts issue, did you wear 1 or pairs of cycling shorts

merc230ce

yop wrote: »

PS -One question for those who have done long spins, the shorts issue, did you wear 1 or pairs of cycling shorts

I'm not an experienced cyclist at all, but I did a 140k charity cycle at the weekend (Monaghan - Dublin). My previous longest cycle (wearing 1 pair of shorts) was 75k and it was torture ifyaknowwhaddimean ;-) so for the 140k I took no chances - 2 pairs of shorts + gel saddle cover + 2 nurofen: Bliss!

thebouldwhacker

For a cycle like this clean kit on the second morning will make you feel better. Perhaps if its going to be wet bring spare socks each day to change half way.
It's getting a bit chilly in the evenings so shoe covers would be handy if you have them.
Just remember when you start day two, your ass maybe sore for the first few minutes but this will pass, spinning for the first few km will help your legs get up to speed. By the time your out of the city you'll feel great.

ENJOY

monkeypants

merc230ce wrote: »

I'm not an experienced cyclist at all, but I did a 140k charity cycle at the weekend (Monaghan - Dublin).

Not to derail this, but what route did you take?

seamus

Whatever you do, do not go on the batter in Dublin. Hangovers aside, the dehydration and other effects will make your muscles twenty times stiffer the next day.

Eat like monsters as soon as you can after arriving in Dublin. Lots of proteins and carbs, stuff yourselves. It'll really help the next day.

yop

seamus wrote: »

Whatever you do, do not go on the batter in Dublin. Hangovers aside, the dehydration and other effects will make your muscles twenty times stiffer the next day.

Eat like monsters as soon as you can after arriving in Dublin. Lots of proteins and carbs, stuff yourselves. It'll really help the next day.

No booze been had for the last month or during Have a wedding this week and then Mayo in the AI the following weeks so it will be hard going :P

We have had a few "crashes" already on the training spins so people are only realising what their bodies need.
Estimated 12k calories per day so that will be fun to replace!

AverageJoe82

What time do ye reckon ye will be in the phoenix park, and which gate are ye arriving at?

merc230ce

monkeypants wrote: »

merc230ce wrote: »

I'm not an experienced cyclist at all, but I did a 140k charity cycle at the weekend (Monaghan - Dublin).

Not to derail this, but what route did you take?

We started in Three Mile House and went through Monaghan, then cycled to Carrickmacross (water stop), Ardee (food stop), Collon, Drogheda, Balbriggan (water stop), Malahide and finished in Portmarnock. The first leg was the toughest - rolling hills and into a serious headwind, but Carrickmacross - Ardee was a joy and we had the back of it broken then.

Brilliant day, can't wait for the next one!

yop

AverageJoe82 wrote: »

What time do ye reckon ye will be in the phoenix park, and which gate are ye arriving at?

Joe - We are expecting to arrive at the start of the Phoniex park from the lucan side at between 5 and 5.30.
I will be giving one of the girls in the support van our twitter access so she will aim to update it.
https://twitter.com/1lifecycle

I have a spreadsheet done up with all the stops and ETA so she can update that as we are going along and it will give better ETA for each town.

IF you can join us that would be great.

All others welcome too, don't need to be a super cyclist, just to raise awareness of depression and suicide.

tomc

Did it from Meath to Westport, 239K bout a month ago for PIETA House into a horrible headwind and showers all day long.

My 2cents..
Bring a change of clothes, as fresh gear half way though definetely helped us as we were soaked.
Plan you pits stops, we had 4 on the day with Lunch in Into the West in Frenchpark, Lots of food, jellies etc.
Decide on a pace and stick to it.

Best Of Luck....Great cause

yop

tomc wrote: »

Did it from Meath to Westport, 239K bout a month ago for PIETA House into a horrible headwind and showers all day long.

My 2cents..
Bring a change of clothes, as fresh gear half way though definetely helped us as we were soaked.
Plan you pits stops, we had 4 on the day with Lunch in Into the West in Frenchpark, Lots of food, jellies etc.
Decide on a pace and stick to it.

Best Of Luck....Great cause

Mighty Tom.
Any things you didn't do which you would do, or should have done?
2 Pairs of shorts

What about time, how long did it take you and were you close to the time you thought that it would take you?

How was the traffic.

What sort of food and how much food and drink did you take!

Sorry for all the Q's but I just want to see if we are close in our own planning.

Thanks

AverageJoe82

Ya defo id be glad to join in, keep up there good work lads

yop

Any more victims want to join us on them 2 days make sure you send me a PM with your email and mobile and I will keep you updated.
Even for a short spin into Dublin to make the presence known or to give us some wind protection

Those lads down around the middlelands, Roscommon etc do join in also.

Sean02

The success will largely depend on your back up arrangments. Its a big responsibility so you might talk to a cycling club about co.sponsoring the event .In this way you can look at getting cheap insurance to cover the event. personaly I would finish the event in Lucan Spa Hotel or even West County. Going into Dublin city is to say the least a very risky proposition with noting to be gained. Best of luck if you go ahead.

yop

Sean02 wrote: »

The success will largely depend on your back up arrangments. Its a big responsibility so you might talk to a cycling club about co.sponsoring the event .In this way you can look at getting cheap insurance to cover the event. personaly I would finish the event in Lucan Spa Hotel or even West County. Going into Dublin city is to say the least a very risky proposition with noting to be gained. Best of luck if you go ahead.

Thanks Sean, we are all members of various clubs, Westport, Castlebar and Lucan so we would have insurance and good experience on the roads.
Have a camper van out front with supplies and lights and a support car behind with a lad who has done support car for races for over 20 years.

We have a garda escort from Maynooth all the way to the Skylon hotel so that should cover us all going well

I am almost certain that Lucan cycling club are going to join us on the Sunday morning, so if other clubs want to come out, avg 27kmph, not mad fast but will be fast enough for us to get us over the 2 days!

Thanks again for the comments.

2 boardsies on board now....... anyone, anyone

yop

Back to back days done over the weekend for our group, 151km on Saturday and 156km on Sunday, we learned a bit

No drop outs for physical purpose, 2 for mechanical so thats something new for them.

Nearly 13,000 calories burned and a house of food eaten over both days, sandwiches seemed to work better for me as did the 2 coffees on the 2nd day.
Ice baths saved the legs and the calf straps certainly helped on the 2nd day.

250km both days is another kettle of fish, but every 10km block will be dealt with in turn.

Anyone else want to join us PM me. If you have clubs who would give us some drafting, particurlarly on the way home as the wind on both days there at the weekend made it akward!

yop

This weekend is the charity cycle.
If anyone wants to join us or your clubs are on our route and would have an interest of joining us it would be very much appreciated.

We have emailed all the clubs enroute to let them know but if you are not in a club and want to join us then please PM me.

I have attached our route and ETA for each, the avg speed is 27kmph, the wind on Saturday is meant to be strong enough so that avg may increase, the reverse then on the way from Dublin to Mayo.

Any questions give me a shout.

If you see us on the road or have any inside to give us some promo with radio stations on our route or national stations please PM me any details so that we can raise awareness.

Thanks

Benbecul97

The very best of luck with the cycle.

Just a suggestion - I would change the title of this thread to match your facebook/website and to make it more obvious.

yop

Benbecul97 wrote: »

The very best of luck with the cycle.

Just a suggestion - I would change the title of this thread to match your facebook/website and to make it more obvious.

Cheers for that.

Not sure how to change the title! Can't see the options!