Wicklow 200 Food/Preparation

Lambretta

I am doing the Wicklow 200 this year for charity and not completing it is not really an option. I am apprehensive about energy and nutrition and do not want to be laden down with too much food to carry. (Can’t drink sugary energy drinks or sugary bars/most breads)

No disrespect to the organisers whatsoever as I know a huge amount of work goes into these events, but I hear the food stops really comprise of tea and sambos.

It would be great if any former Wicklow 200 cyclists could let me know if there are any good cafes/bars/delis etc along the route they would recommend where you can grab a decent healthy meal quick e.g. pasta and chicken dish etc…I am sure this would be beneficial to local cafes/shops etc and of benefit to other cycliststs.



Many Thanks in advance for any help.

Inquitus

The sandwiches are grand, supplement that with the plentiful rice cripsie bars and you'll be fine imo. I did it for the first time last year and ate as follows:

6am at home - Big bowl of porridge
1st stop - Chicken and stuffing sandwich, 2 big cups sugary tea, 2/3 rice crispie bars.
2nd stop - Chicken and stuffing sandwich, 2 big cups sugary tea, 2/3 rice crispie bars.

The biggest food disappointment was the **** they dished up at the end for me.

ROK ON

At the bottom of the Shay Elliott take a left (instead of right).
Go 1km up the road to Laragh.
Head to Glendalogh Fayre - a cafe on the green in Laragh.

Great nutritious soup.
Lovely sandwiches, cakes, scones, etc etc.
Nice coffee also. I stopped there last year and so did many others cyclists.
The detour is worth it and will add no more than about 3km to the overall route.

Also in Rathdrum there are pubs that would do hot food.

irishmotorist

There are a couple of small towns and petrol stations that you'd pass along the way, but I wouldn't be optimistic about depending on them without scoping them out in advance. As an alternative idea, is there any way that you could have somebody arrange to be at location x or y to have some stuff that you've prepared yourself?

victorcarrera

If you are a first timer, training, body weight and diet beforehand is most important and you will learn from your longer training spins what suits your stomach.
Increase carbohydrate and water intake for three days beforehand.
On the day don't ingest anything new and avoid sweet or acidic drinks which might gas up and block your digestive system.
I don't know about the cafes but simple basic foods like milk, cooked ham or chicken, apples, bananas, dried fruit and nuts, salted popcorn etc can be bought in most shops.
Bananas have potassium and manganese and maybe a pinch of salt in your water bottle to prevent cramp.
Bring a few glucose sweets in your pocket as a quick fix for the last 50Km or if you feel the knock coming on at any stage.

Lumen

In your position I would carry food and one bidon of water, the water topped up at feed stations. If you have problems with cramp, bring electrolyte tablets (Nuun or whatever).

Food wise something like the savoury Lim rice cakes ought to avoid your bready/sugary problems. You could wrap them into small parcels and carry them in the second (empty) bidon.

As victorcarrera says, don't experiment on the day.

Maybe plan on one proper lunch stop in Laragh or wherever. You'll make up the time by avoiding the food queues at the official stops.

The most important thing is to train properly.

Lambretta

Excellent practical advice here from all posters. Thank you very much for this.