Down Syndrome Charity cycle Blessington

Lambretta

I just came across this event - I hope it's ok with the moderators that I have posted a link to it - looks like a nice spin for a good cause.

https://www.facebook.com/events/330513757059981/

BofaDeezNuhtz

Lads I've past experience with this charity and they do great work especially
for the kids involved, any support given would be greatly appreciated by the people
on the receiving end.

If your not busy that day and looking for a cycle, it looks like a nice scenic route and
should be a great day out

KT10

Think the above link is incorrect, this is the one they're using on FB, could a mod update the first post please?

https://www.facebook.com/events/132995056868804/

funkyjebus

A charity cycle event is being held on Saturday April 13th in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Start/Finish : Blessington GAA Club, Blessington Inner Relief Road, Blessington Co. Wicklow

Registration : 9am – 9:45am
Fee : €10
Route 1 depart : 10am
Route 2 depart : 10:15am

Route 1 is 100k : For the serious cyclist
connect.garmin.com/course/2822826

Route 2 is 55k : A good level of fitness required
connect.garmin.com/course/2728307

All riders will receive a free goodie bag. There will be a full support crew including recovery vans, marshals, motorcycle outriders, ambulance and a water/food stop on the 100k route. Refreshments for all riders on completion of your route. Showers and changing rooms available. Massage therapists on hand for a short free massage if needed. Free raffle for all riders.

Sponsored by: Wheelworx, Cycleinn, Redbull, The Jelly Bean Factory, Fyffes bananas.

For more info or to register send an email to
cycle4dsi@gmail.com

funkyjebus

Anyone else doing this tomorrow?

Captain Havoc

funkyjebus wrote: »

Anyone else doing this tomorrow?

Just saw this now, think I'll stroll up.

jag con

Here is the link to the facebook page it will be a good event and there is nearly 250 signed up for it

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/132995056868804/

Hatcho

Yep - taking part in this tomorrow along with a few others from the Reservoir Cogs club. As already mentioned the DSI guys do fantastic work and it's a really good cause to donate to. Weather's looking ok for the first half of the day at least so it should be a great day out.

Only one more sleep!! Woo hoo! :-)

Captain Havoc

jag con wrote: »

Here is the link to the facebook page it will be a good event and there is nearly 250 signed up for it

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/132995056868804/

Only about 1/4 of people who say their going to an event on facebook actually show up.

nilhg

I'm heading up, hopefully we'll at least make it over the Sally Gap before the wind and rain arrive to blow us home....

derealbadger

Was thinking of doing this I am a bit worried about the climbing element of it how much harder are the climbs than say the Naas to Blessington run going on the spin bellow would I be OK on this spin

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/256592356

jag con

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Only about 1/4 of people who say their going to an event on facebook actually show up.

Yep as i said there will be about 250 people doing the event i know there is at lease 25-30 from my club [Reservoir cogs ] doing it and at least the same amount from Naas cycling club doing it plus many others

Captain Havoc

jag con wrote: »

Yep as i said there will be about 250 people doing the event i know there is at lease 25-30 from my club [Reservoir cogs ] doing it and at least the same amount from Naas cycling club doing it plus many others

I was thinking you were basing it on facebook figures, which wouldn't be a good guide at all.

3102derek

Think i'll do this. was going to do the TDFH but this looks like a better route.

hate the run into dunlavin and Naas on the TDF.

I have never been around from the 20mile to the 50mile in this route. looks good

Zyzz

Would do this but my climbing is fairly poor

derealbadger

Zyzz wrote: »

Would do this but my climbing is fairly poor

im your twin i climb a bit like Christopher Reeve

nilhg

derealbadger wrote: »

Was thinking of doing this I am a bit worried about the climbing element of it how much harder are the climbs than say the Naas to Blessington run going on the spin bellow would I be OK on this spin

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/256592356

Naas to Blessington wouldn't really be comparable to Sally Gap or Wicklow gap but looking at your spin there you're well able for a long day in the saddle so why not give it a go.

Zyzz wrote: »

Would do this but my climbing is fairly poor

Join the club but the only way to improve it is by heading up the hills and what better day to start than on a charity spin where you have support and backup, the worst that can happen is that you'll have to take a breather somewhere but we've all had to do that.

Zyzz

derealbadger wrote: »

im your twin i climb a bit like Christopher Reeve

Im more like Stephen Hawking..

rp

I'm planning on riding down from Maynooth for this - anyone else coming from that direction? 8am start I guess and take it handy on the ride down.

Corker1

Christopher Reeve....? There are a few riders on the dsi ride tomorrow doing it 'Superman style'.

nattefrost

rp wrote: »

I'm planning on riding down from Maynooth for this - anyone else coming from that direction? 8am start I guess and take it handy on the ride down.

Theres a big group leaving from clondalkin council offices at 8.00am

rp

nattefrost wrote: »

Theres a big group leaving from clondalkin council offices at 8.00am

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out from Newcastle on (I was going to go up thru Saggert)

derealbadger

nattefrost wrote: »

Theres a big group leaving from clondalkin council offices at 8.00am

Theres a small group leaving from my house in Naas but you might not cop them as they will be in a car.Never see Jonny Murtagh arrive at the curragh on a horse
Oh by the way what is the correct etiquette for these things do you just find all the other freds at the back going the same pace as you and latch on or is there something else any secret hand gestures i need to know or anything like that

Lambretta

Well done to DSI - Superb route, food and marshalling.

mp2012

Second that. Well done to DSI for the route, organisation and food. Pity about the weather though.

nilhg

A really tough route with the conditions today, the Sally Gap area was hard going, for me anyway, both going up and coming down in really poor visibility.

The organisers got most things right but the big mistake for me was not having any hot drinks at the stop in Laragh, the amount of people standing inside in the hall in puddles of water shivering was eye opening. We had the food there and went across to the cafe next door (lovely cup pf soup there BTW) to warm up before heading up the Wicklow Gap.

A great first effort, well done to the organisers.

LennoxR

Well done to DSI. Good food, good cause.

Tough day in the saddle though. Going up the Sally Gap with a driving wind and rain in your face was... bestial. I can't think of any other word. Lots of cyclists at the food stop in Laragh shaking with the cold.

Also was the correct way home for the 100 through Valleymount or Hollywood? My group chose Valleymount and still did 105 km in total, so those who went by Hollywood did what, 115?

nilhg

LennoxR wrote: »

Well done to DSI. Good food, good cause.

Tough day in the saddle though. Going up the Sally Gap with a driving wind and rain in your face was... bestial. I can't think of any other word. Lots of cyclists at the food stop in Laragh shaking with the cold.

Also was the correct way home for the 100 through Valleymount or Hollywood? My group chose Valleymount and still did 105 km in total, so those who went by Hollywood did what, 115?

We came home Valleymount too, doubt if there would be a huge difference from going via Hollywood. The original route on Facebook had us going over Ballysmutten but that was signed off todayy and we went via Manor Kilbride so that was a nice few extra KMs there.

jrar

Good sportif - I think the organisers were somewhat caught out by the numbers that turned up. A group of us had cycled over from Naas for a warm-up but courtesy of the delayed start ended up standing around as the cooler weather closed in.

That said, great route, great marshalling (apart from the T-junction after coming down off Luggala), but boy was that weather a complete bastard or what !?!

Sally Gap is tough enough without battling a strong headwind and rain - road was pretty broken up in places but thankfully most of the drivers I met were taking it slowly and allowing for the cyclists.

Shower and coffee on return home never felt so good - and it's nice to sit back, feet up and reflect on the pain and discomfort associated with a tough day in the saddle.

The rain only arrived in Naas around 3 pm so my missus was amazed to hear of the conditions we had cycled through ! Mad localised weather patterns for such a small country !

3102derek

What a day, it is going down as my worst day in the saddle.

I was never up the SallyGap before, holy f**k, the wind and rain was unreal. I could'nt even change gears my hands were so cold.

Some sound people met along the route. Spent some time with a group from Reservoir cogs, sound blokes and girl.

A big thanks to the organizers. It was a great event over all. The soup and sambo's at the end were lovely.

rp

A great ride, and well organized. Only problem for me I was doing the 55k and got directed up Sally Gap by the marshals. I feel I should send in another 10 euros for privilege....
And a special thanks to the rider, who on the way into Laragh, said to me: "We've earned our dinner tonight, I can see the Chinaman standing at my door already" - that gave me the motivation I desperately needed at that point.

derealbadger

First time doing one of these was one of the toughest days i have ever put in as a guy on the other massage table said pain is just weakness leaving the body.going up Sally gap my glasses Which I wear to see not to look cool were impossible to see out of rain on one side tears on the other.Ok I'm of to madam whiplash now to get her to work on me with a lump hammer and cheese grater that should make it the perfect day
P.S on a serious note really great day it's the first one I have been on but that was a lot of value and entertainment for €10 and a gear cause fair play to all involved

Captain Havoc

Arrived in Blesso about 9am, signed on, I thought maybe each sign-on person could've had two sheets to speed things up but that's the only thing I can fault the event for. €10 in, I don't think anyone is entitled to complain. I looked in the goody-bag, bottle of water, bottle of club energise, a nice DSI keyring and a €10 voucher for Wheelworx, so we're quids-in already.

I know last night the expected turnout was 250 but over 400 showed up, which delayed roll-out slightly. The day started off grand, there were two of us from MCC, wondering before hand what to wear, are we over-doing it a bit with the jackets etc.... The first 30 or so kms were grand, I found a steady group, I was in one group at one point which had a habit of braking (lesson, don't brake when you're in a group), which annoyed me but it was a nice day so no need to be grumpy bollix.

We then hit the Sally gap, I was wrapped up fairly well, skullcap, good winter gloves, waterproof socks, waterproof jacket which kept the rain out. As we get further and further up, the weather is getting progressively worse, with the wind making things miserable, my legs are cramping from a combination of cold and lack of fitness (mostly the latter probably). I'm passing cyclists who've decided to start walking, I eventually decide I could do with a breather and walk a little, as we go further, viability is getting worse, some cyclists have decided that it's not worth continuing and turn around. I continue on as I know often when you go over the top, it's a heatwave on the other side. The road surface up the Sally gap is rough in parts, as I'm descending and my socks have filled up, my gloves are drowned and my jersey is wet, which when added to the cold made for a very unpleasant journey.

The route took us through Roundwood, so by the time I got to the foodstop in Laragh, I was pretty uncomfortable. I had crisps there but I wasn't in the mood for anything cold, I got a coffee from the café opposite (only other flaw, I love tea during a sportive). I was fairly late getting there and quite a few people in Laragh looked as if they were in a bad way, due to being under-clothed and clearly unfit to continue. A minibus was organised to take away the people in a bad way. My clubmate was there too and had organised a van to collect him (I shall not name names), there was room in the van for one more and as I was shaking like a ****ting dog, I accepted this. So I was a DNF.

When we got back to the GAA club, there was hot showers, oh heaven. There was also vegetable soup, sambos, tea and coffee, muffins, chocolate bars, lollipops, pretty much everything a cyclist needs to feel human again. There was also a massage there but I was nice and warm in my tracksuit, so I didn't avail of it.

One thing I didn't mention in the above was how excellent the marshals were, they did a fantastic job. There was also a very good back up crew from Wheelworx and an ambulance. Road markings were hard to see in the rain but I can't criticise as having signs would mean having to up the price. As per my two moans, it gets 9/10, I was much happier paying €10 for a decent bit of grub and backup than €40 for another bloody jersey. Well done to all involved.

calistro

Tough, tough spin today, made tougher by forgetting to bring bib-tights (had club shorts only) and leaving the overshoes in the car! Sally Gap conditions were horrendous, it's like Sally wasn't in the humour of having anyone up her gap today! So much wanted to get off and walk but had a mountain goat for a club mate with me, so that option was out. Many shivering bodies in Laragh food stop calling it a day but decided to push on and finish.
Glad i did though, the showers, food etc. at the finish were heaven sent. Marshals done a cracking job, even had sweeping brushes on their motor bikes for sweeping gravel on junctions/corners. For €10 I though it represented great value for a very worth cause.

mirv

Great job by the moto marshalls and organisation today. I've never been fed so well for a tenner.

Almost pinch flatted on the huge potholes on the bit right before the cliffside road facing Lugalla, and managed to hit 67kmph on the descent, but I was lucky enough to not have to descend it in a nervous group. Overstayed my welcome at the hotel - I should've just had a quick coffee, pastry and banana and then set off but I just got colder as I sat around trying to warm up while soaking wet. Two minutes after setting off up the Wicklow Gap and I was warm again, I'll know better next time than to sit around for too long. Wicklow Gap was grand, was almost overheating with the windproof and the tailwind. Went back via Hollywood to make it 115km (plus 25km coming up from Dublin) for some decent mileage. That little hill coming up to Hollywood was absolute torture this late in the cycle - Valleymount would've been much easier considering the conditions.

Consey

Couldn't get to do the DSI spin as had to be back early, but I must say I've been up the Gap from the Kilbride side a few times but never gave I experienced the driving wind and rain in my face as severely as that! It was unreal and at times, near the top it was hard just to keep going! The reward for cresting some of the hills on the way up was an unrelenting blast of wind!

Kudos to those who got up there yesterday, especially those inexperienced cyclists or those who did not know the route. One of those days you wondered if you were better off knowing or not knowing where the top is!

Blessorider

As one of the organisers and moto marshalls I'd like to thank you all for turning out for this event. Thanks also for the feedback, everything will be taken on board for next year. It was our first attempt at organising a sportive and we were truly overwhelmed with the numbers, just under 400 cyclists for the first year which was amazing, thank you.
The lack of tea and coffee at the food stop was an error in judgement on our part, cold drinks were the last thing that wet and cold cyclists wanted to see yesterday. Tea and coffee will be first on our list of things to do for next year. We hope you enjoyed the rest of the food on the day, lovely soup, cakes, sandwiches etc, and also the free massages that a lot of people availed of. Goodie bags which included bottle of water, energy drink, chocolate, crisps, badge and €10 voucher for wheelworxs went down well. Sure for €10 were would you get the likes of it ;-).
We hope we've made our mark on the sportive calendar and see you next year for a bigger and better event.

iregk

Have to say Blessorider (i think i know who you are, did you enjoy the spin yesterday? , great event, very well marshalled and cracking value for €10. Honestly, what we got and how it was run for that price, where would you get it?

I had one of those rare days where the body seemed to respond to the conditions. First 30km was nice and easy enough and I got a good solid pace around the lakes. Thought I was burning too rich as I seemed to be passing everyone then took stock of the body and realised I wasn't actually putting any effort in. Great. Going up Sally Gap I dropped the team mates and linked onto 3 other lads and drove up it with the most horrendous headwind with driving icy rain. I was going full gas on the final section looked at the speedo and 12km! Come on!!! Gotta say as a blessington resident I've done that climb more times than I'd care to remember and that's the worst/toughest I've ever experienced it. Savage.

Got over the top the others stopped I kept rolling and with or without glasses couldn't see a thing going downhill. Going up lugala i think a cyclo cross bike would have been better the road was that bad. When I got to laragh I stayed a short while and started to shiver uncontrollably so that was my q to get moving. Headed out with 3 other lads, not a word spoken on the gap but I powered up it, more to warm up than anything else and at the top combined with a tailwind got a burst of energy and confidence. Elbows on the top of the bars, spartacus style and TT'd my way to hollywood. Caught a group just before Blessington and rolled in with them. Was told we were the 2nd or 3rd small group back so had quite a good day at the office.

Conditions were savage. I can understand people pulling out at Laragh but the way I saw it was 30km left the early part which is a warm you up climb then power your way home. You've already done 70km in shocking conditions don't let the final 3rd kill you.

Great day and thanks to all those who organised it. Oh on a final note, the pictures on the FB page are the best pictures from a sportive I've ever seen. Hats off to the snappers...

nilhg

iregk wrote: »

Great day and thanks to all those who organised it. Oh on a final note, the pictures on the FB page are the best pictures from a sportive I've ever seen. Hats off to the snappers...

Absolutely agree, the shots from up the Sally Gap are a credit to whoever took them, some absolutely classic expressions there, well worth a look even for folk who weren't involved on the day.


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.463256947075336&type=1

Woodend warrior

Well done to all those who organised the DSI spin on Saturday. For your first major cycling event it was organised so well. From the marshals to the photos it was obviously organised by cyclist for cyclist. The weather on the Sally Gap and beyond was dreadful but that's a little beyond your control. The only hi-cup in the whole event was the lack of hot drinks in Laragh. But I see from a previous post that you have acknowledged this oversight. But apart from this it was a very well ran event. Well done and I hope the charity does well out of the event.

thegreek

Well normally at an event I would be one of the people on the motorbike.
I can say I am very proud of our club The Dead Ducks for providing the marshals.

For this one I left the engine at home and did the 55km route. And yes I was a mate of blessorider. Was being the operative word.

When coming down a really nice descent on what I thought was the final descent into Blessington I see laid out in front of me "Tallaght". I still had about 12km up what proved to a tortuous climb up the N81.

I had only been on one event before and that had about 80 riders. It was some sight seeing nearly 400 cyclists at the start of this one. The whole thing had a great feel about it. Very well organised.

Fair play to Blessorider for a great job on this.

I am torn for next year. I love helping out on the motorbike but I really want to do the 100 on the cycle!

P.s. feel real guilty doing the 55 as we had none of the bad weather the hard core people encountered over the gap.

Fender76

Agree with all the above, did the 100k; great event, great company, great goodie bag, horrific conditions, no tea, body sore...
Coming down the the other side of the Wicklow Gap an ambulance car raced past us, sirens screaming.. hope everything was ok.. didn't hear about any bad crashes..
Roll on Orwell and Wicklow 200... I must be crazy.

Blessorider

Fender76 wrote: »

Coming down the the other side of the Wicklow Gap an ambulance car raced past us, sirens screaming.. hope everything was ok.. didn't hear about any bad crashes..
Roll on Orwell and Wicklow 200... I must be crazy.

A rider had come off coming down the Holywood hill but thankfully it was only a case of grazed knees.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

Blessorider

Thanks for the feedback everyone. The 3 of us who organised it had a meeting last Monday evening to go over the event and to iron out a few issues. As some of you have rightly pointed out there was a bit of a delay in registering riders. That was down to the fantastic numbers that turned up on the day, just shy of 400, so thanks to you all.
Next year we will have a website to preregister and prepay, so on the morning you will just need to check in and receive your goodie bag, we will have a lot more people next year dealing with the check in.
The 100k route will turn right at Sally Gap and follow the better surface and more scenic route into Laragh.
We are delighted that everyone was happy with the marshalling and out riders, but we still plan to improve on that for next year.
We are also delighted that everyone was happy with the range, quality and amount of the food both at the finish and at the food stop in Laragh. Our biggest mistake of the day was not having tea/coffee available at the food stop. Needless to say tea/coffee will be available next year at the food stop.
We'll also do our best with the weather ;-)

Hatcho

Fantastic event all round. Blows the other (more expensive) sportives out of the water. It's obvious that the organisers are keen cyclists themselves and know the things that participants in these sort of events look for.

For me the climb up the Sally Gap was epic! Toughest climb I have ever done I reckon. But did it all the same! Only my hands were cold on the descent down towards Roundwood and couldnt see jack either with or without the glasses. But by the time I got to Laragh I was okay - except the waterproof socks had filled to the brim - and they are definitely waterproof - not a drop came back out of them! A few others were looking worse for wear shivering uncontrollably. So for once, my puppy fat was put to good use!

Once back on the road heading for the Wicklow Gap I was fine - good few younger/fitter types passed me on the ascent but sure thats nothing new to me! Got a nice rhythm going on the N81 in a group of three that took turns drafting - made for a much easier finish. Then dropped the hammer in Blessington for the last few hundred metres - savage!

Big thanks to the organisers for putting on such a good show. Food at the finish was like manna from heaven! I shall most certainly be back next year for more!