WW200 For Charity?

AltAccount

I've just signed up for the Wicklow.

It's not the first time, tbh, but on the previous two times I signed up "stuff" came in the way of me taking it seriously and I chickened out in the end.

I'd like to do it this time, not just for the sake of completing it, but also to get me back in the habit of "properly" and regularly cycling.


I'm thinking that telling everyone in work that I'm doing it, taking sponsorship from friends and family etc. will mean I have some external motivation to see it through.


You always see runners on the Marathon etc. running for whatever charity, does this kind of thing go on with the Wicklow? Would I look like a weirdo in a charity t-shirt (don't worry, I've no intention of trying it in a giant chicken costume)?

Darkglasses

I think telling everyone is a good idea! I'm also signed up to it for the first time, so I've no idea about your other question.

AltAccount

Anyone else able to help? Are there "charity riders" on the Wicklow?

clog

I've raised money for the alzheimers society each time I have done it. A relation of mine was helped by them at their Rathdrum centre (the ride actually passes it) they also operate nationwide .
They can send out sponsorship cards etc I don't have contact details to hand but if anyone's interested send me a message and I will find out.

Beasty

Don't think you'll look out of place at all. It's a sportive - 2000+ riders with many different motives and certainly a variety of gear. If I didn't feel out of place on a hybrid you shouldn't in a charity T-shirt, although I suspect there is more comfortable gear you could wear...

AltAccount

Cool, sounds good.

I didn't expect Euro rules to be imposed, but wanted to make sure I didn't look a spanner at the same time.

Beasty

There are photos on the WW200 website from previous years if you want to get a flavour. Yes the vast majority are roadies with club or replica pro gear on, but TBH once they all put their rain jackets on you can't tell what they're wearing ...;)

AltAccount

To tell the truth, I'll be so far off the front that no one'll see me after the first few minutes anyway!






*may not be based on large levels of truthiness

Harrybelafonte

Darkglasses wrote: »

I think telling everyone is a good idea! I'm also signed up to it for the first time, so I've no idea about your other question.

I disagree, as does Derek Sivers. His TED talk about keeping your goals to yourself is on YouTube.

http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goals

It's still easy to pull out after telling people.

Beasty wrote: »

Don't think you'll look out of place at all. It's a sportive - 2000+ riders with many different motives and certainly a variety of gear. If I didn't feel out of place on a hybrid you shouldn't in a charity T-shirt, although I suspect there is more comfortable gear you could wear...

I think you'd be extremely uncomfortable doing the 200 in a cotton tshirt. Euro Rules apply in all instances!

AltAccount wrote: »

To tell the truth, I'll be so far off the front that no one'll see me after the first few minutes anyway!






*may not be based on large levels of truthiness

I'd suggest picking another sportive or even two before the Wicklow. It's a long way off and setting yourself the shorter term goal of finishing X sportive (of a shorter distance) in May maybe, if there is one. Then maybe a longer one after etc.

Personally, I don't think I'd do the 200 for charity the first time around. It's something you really want to do for yourself, pride I guess (What I mean is that you should finish it under your own discipline rather than the threat of shame if you don't finish for a charity). Then you can go back the next year for charity.

Beasty

And just to counter Harry - the first sportive I did was the WW200. I had been cycling to work for about a year and had done about 2,000km in the previous 6 months. I also did it 3 weeks after knee cartilage surgery. The thing s you clearly need to build up to it, and it's a hard slog particularly if you've never done that sort of thing, but there are plenty of groups form and you can try and latch onto them (I made the mistake of heading off too early and rode pretty much alone until the second foodstop). If you're struggling just ease off - there will onvariably be others in the same boat

And if on the day you really don't feel like doing the full 200, take the left rather than right turn and do the 100 instead;)

smacl

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I think you'd be extremely uncomfortable doing the 200 in a cotton tshirt.

+1 it's a long day, and a hard enough slog first time you do it. Fashion aside, comfort is very important as is warmth. While it was grand last year, the weather the year before was truly horrendous, and warm comfortable gear is essential if your going to make it to the far end. Maybe figure out somewhere else for your charities logo, a wee flag off the back or some such.