Stubborn Mule

Kevin dublin

Hi Lads,

Anybody doing the 50km Stubborn Mule tomorrow?


Kevin

velo.2010

Really enjoyable day out today thanks to a well organised event by the Garda Cycling Club. The fine weather we had played its part too.

Though it wasn't well publicised compared to other recent events it attracted a healthy crowd all the same, at least a couple of hundred if not more. This would rival the Tour de Foothills in terms of distance, marshalling, food, a small goody bag on arrival and at e15 (e10 less than the TdeF entry) probably surpasses it!

Slightly longer than advertised at 111km, it was a good pace all round (bar the headwind on the way out) really picking up on the run across from Summerhill to the Hill of Tara. That climb sort of came and went without much notice. After a stop to fill up bottles the pace took off again heading back. From Ratoath around the back roads via Kilbride towards Clonee it was relentless thanks in no small part to a guy who must have been well into his fifties but savage strong. I couldn't come round him on a couple of occasions. He wore a RacetheRas jersey and probably competed in it back in the day. Pace kept high around Westmanstown until we started hitting junctions and lights. Back to the Garda rowing club and to hot food and tea. Good stuff!:)

Events like these are a good way to build the confidence. Whether I do a bit of racing again or not I feel a lot better out on the road anyway and the cornering has improved - a bit.;) Should have done more sportives previously. Good company out there today also, no boardies though.

Event Distance 110.7km @ 31.0kph
Total Distance 151.4km @ 30.2kph

Kevin dublin

I was there

I did the 54km & felt every bit of it!

My 'plan' was to push in the first half & then ease back in the 2nd half.

I pushed way too hard for my level in the first half, came to a RH junction & had to come to a full stop, put my right leg down & it cramped up, then put my left leg down & it cramped up, managed to shuffle to the side of the road for TLC on my calf muscles.

Finished in 2hours 5 mins but my backside & legs would have preferred a more leisurely pace:rolleyes:

Great event & well organised, plenty of tea & snacks at the beginning & hot food at the end.

Having a 3 bike Garda escort for nearly half way around really helped:D

First time I've been saddle sore & I did the TdeF which was a bit longer, lesson learnt!

Dermot Illogical

velo.2010 wrote: »

Good company out there today also, no boardies though.

There was at least one, but he puctured out of that group near Dunboyne and did the remaining 80k or so solo. :rolleyes:

2wheelsgood

Did this today too - rode a lot of it with velo.2010 who convinced me to stop lurking and sign up here!

Great day, well run event and good crowd. All was going well until about the 80K mark when I 'bonked'. Now, I've heard this term bandied about a lot but I now know exactly what this means! Horrible, horrible feeling! Was my own fault - just didn't eat enough before/during the spin. Was feeling fine all the way through, everyone travelling at a nice pace and then literally over the space of a couple of K's lost all energy and actually felt cold, dizzy and close to feinting. Had to stop at a shop and devoured some chocolate/muffin/jellies washed down with a good cup of tea -never tasted so good!!! Back on the bike and started to come round - actually finished fairly strong again toward the end.

Anywho - lesson learned, won't make that mistake again!!

Still, good day overall - cheers to velo.2010 for the company, hope you do get back into racing soon!