Dying Cow 200 -Audax 14/09/13

Lambretta

Hi all,

I was speaking to one of the Sorrento CCcrew at the very well organised Mick Byrne sportive. They mentioned the Dyingcow 200 event to me but I can’t seem to find a map my ride route for it

Has anyone completed the Dying cow 200 here andcould they let me know how tough it is e.g. in comparison to the Wicklow 200?

Thanks a million.

Inquitus

http://www.audaxireland.org/calendar/gazetteer/dying-cow-200/

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=283158

nilhg

http://www.audaxireland.org/calendar/gazetteer/dying-cow-200/.

Was looking at this myself but it's the same weekend as the rebel tour.

Inquitus

It looks similar in difficulty to the WW200, nowhere near as arduous as the Mick Byrne 200.

smacl

Did it last year; fantastic day out. Easier than the WW200 though a bit of navigation thrown in, and the dying cow hill itself is a corker. Would thoroughly recommend it, and will be doing it again myself if various other commitments allow. Had planned on the 300 this year, but just haven't got the miles in the legs this summer.

Ole Rodrigo

smacl wrote: »

Did it last year; fantastic day out. Easier than the WW200 though a bit of navigation thrown in, and the dying cow hill itself is a corker. Would thoroughly recommend it, and will be doing it again myself if various other commitments allow. Had planned on the 300 this year, but just haven't got the miles in the legs this summer.

Whats the gradient on that hill, smacl ? And how long does it go on for ?

Inquitus

ror_74 wrote: »

Whats the gradient on that hill, smacl ? And how long does it go on for ?

http://www.strava.com/activities/22037269#393624852

That's the segment on Strava, the main hill is probably a bit shorter and steeper than the stats show. Its steep, very steep!

Ole Rodrigo

Inquitus wrote: »

http://www.strava.com/activities/22037269#393624852

That's the segment on Strava, the main hill is probably a bit shorter and steeper than the stats show. Its steep, very steep!

I suppose a fixie is out of the question then :pac:

Planet X

A guy on here (Grey....something?) did the Wicklow 200 in 2009 on a Fixie..........you should be OK then....:)

smacl

ror_74 wrote: »

Whats the gradient on that hill, smacl ? And how long does it go on for ?

As Inquitis said, short but steep. Doable, but if you're carrying a few pounds like myself, I'd leave the fixie at home. If you want a bit a practice nearer to town before the day, hills like Kilmashogue, Grassamucky and the full wall would be similar enough. The route is mostly small lumpy l-roads, which would very much be the type of cycling I enjoy. If you think of it more like a long day touring with mates rather than a sportive, you'll be grand. I think there was about 40 doing the 200 last year and a dozen of so doing the 300. As usual, I was last man back of the 200 crew, though a navigation balls up left be at ~210 for the day.

Lambretta

Found the below route on old boards thread - 10 category climbs, even with my very limited knowledge of gradients etc.. this must surely be a tough event..


http://www.mapmyride.com/sc/victoria-english-river/dying-cow-2008-route-3925432

smacl

Lambretta wrote: »

Found the below route on old boards thread - 10 category climbs, even with my very limited knowledge of gradients etc.. this must surely be a tough event..


http://www.mapmyride.com/sc/victoria-english-river/dying-cow-2008-route-3925432

Not really, like any 200 it is a long enough day (particularly at my pace), but outside of the one very steep ramp, and a bit of a hump getting over towards Greenane, no major climbing AFAIR. The Wicklow gap and SM/SE combo in the WW200 would be much tougher.

cdaly_

Planet X wrote: »

A guy on here (Grey....something?) did the Wicklow 200 in 2009 on a Fixie..........you should be OK then....:)

Greyspokes. ISTR seeing him do the the National Hillclimb up Kilmashogue Lane on the same fixie... :eek:

CramCycle

cdaly_ wrote: »

Greyspokes. ISTR seeing him do the the National Hillclimb up Kilmashogue Lane on the same fixie... :eek:

He done the Boards Hillclimb on it last year up Stocking lane at a good clip.

Slogger Jogger

A real shame to cycle past the Dying cow without sampling a fine pint
Its a nice downhill !

CramCycle

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

A real shame to cycle past the Dying cow without sampling a fine pint
Its a nice downhill !

I still have not done this, really must remember this year. The climb makes me forget.

AltAccount

I just sent off my form and entry fee today. Any idea how many participants I can expect?

Slogger Jogger

CramCycle wrote: »

I still have not done this, really must remember this year. The climb makes me forget.

I was in there only yesterday. Its also known as Tallons and has been a pub for c. 300 years. Its fairly local to me so I must try the hill up and down soon enough.

CramCycle

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I was in there only yesterday. Its also known as Tallons and has been a pub for c. 300 years. Its fairly local to me so I must try the hill up and down soon enough.

Might spon out there one of the days soon, do you know the opening times?

Slogger Jogger

CramCycle wrote: »

Might spon out there one of the days soon, do you know the opening times?

Not sure. Mid afternoon I would think. Many provincial pubs are part-time focusing mainly around weekends. If I'm nearby I'll try check.

Slogger Jogger

IMG_2042 by Mick Hanney, on Flickr

smacl

CramCycle wrote: »

Might spon out there one of the days soon, do you know the opening times?

Did this last year on a Sunday a couple of weeks before the event and it was closed. Arrived ~1-2pm from memory and was really looking forward to a sanger. Devastated eating an energy bar and banana on the hillock outside.

Lambretta

Due to some lingering injuries I am going to do this at a very relaxed (slow) pace if anyone else wants to join me .. maybe get a group together to take it handy....

cdaly_

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

A real shame to cycle past the Dying cow without sampling a fine pint
Its a nice downhill !

CramCycle wrote: »

I still have not done this, really must remember this year. The climb makes me forget.

At the speed I did that hill last year, I'd have had time to call for the pint from the bottom, collect it settled at the door of the bar and have it finished by the top of the climb!...

CramCycle

In negotiations with the OH to get released for this, will confirm my entry by next week.

Slogger Jogger

Cycled it today. http://www.strava.com/segments/5210008
as part of a larger loop:- http://www.strava.com/activities/76395575
I hope the links are viewable.

I'm new to strava so apologies if I haven't got the segment thing right. I note that the previous strava link posted wasn't exactly from the Dying cow crossroads where mine starts, but Ryan Sherlock is ahead of me so I'll take that I completed a loop which then took me back to the Dying cow from Shillelagh and then downhill from the Dying cow pub crossroads. If the climb started from down there it would be much worse!!

The worst part took only a few mins. I was on a heavy mountain bike too

Ole Rodrigo

3% for 2.7 km looks pretty ok ..was the complete hill steeper, Slogger ?

smacl

ror_74 wrote: »

3% for 2.7 km looks pretty ok ..was the complete hill steeper, Slogger ?

The steep section on the Dying cow worth talking about is very short, 700m for 60m climbed giving an average of 9%, the first 200m of which are at 14%.

See http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=600073

Slogger Jogger

IMG_2075 by Mick Hanney, on Flickr

Dying Cow pub is at bottom left. The climb from here is steep but moderates quickly enough.

Slogger Jogger

This photo shows the road starts climbing below the Dying Cow and from what I could see it was steeper from here up. Another challenge for another day.


IMG_2076 by Mick Hanney, on Flickr

Slogger Jogger

ror_74 wrote: »

3% for 2.7 km looks pretty ok ..was the complete hill steeper, Slogger ?

The 1st climb literally took 3 mins. The climb moderates before climbing again but not as steep. Got wheelspin on sandy bits of road though.

LastGasp

Hi all,

Please note that the Dying Cow 200km Audax will be taking place on Saturday 14th September, starting from Bray Wheelers Clubhouse.

Full details here http://www.audaxireland.org/calendar/gazetteer/dying-cow-200/ for those who are interested.

There are only 3 events left in the 2013 Audax Calendar, so if you've always fancied giving it a go, now's your chance !

Cheers, LG

CramCycle

Entering now, it's gonna be fun, anyone for a pint in the Dying Cow if we aren't too early?

The Ging and I

Have just sent my entry.

CramCycle

MOD VOICE: I merged the two threads as it makes sense for anyone thinking of entering to get all the rest of the discussion

jogger

I did this event as my first (and so far only) audax event. It was brilliant - great organisation, great feeds (at three locations - not sure if they are doing these again this year), and a fabulous course. I do a lot of cycling in Wicklow, and I love the hills, and have done the W200 quite a few times, and for anyone who is worried about the severity of this course, let me assure you that it isn't hard. Nothing like the W200 or the Orwell Randonee. The only hard climb is the one past the Dying Cow - think "The Wall" near Enniskerry (and it is very short - if you needed to, you could walk it in few minutes). The rest of the route is over the less well travelled roads - and I really enjoyed them as I hadn't been on too many of them before. Thoroughly recommended.

Konkers

date on the thread is wrong.......................
or is its the post from last gasp..................

no its the date on the thread.:p

hopefully see you all on 14/9

rottenhat

jogger wrote: »

great feeds (at three locations - not sure if they are doing these again this year)

Yes, the hall at Hacketstown is booked, likewise the clubhouse in Bray - not 100% certain about the Woodenbridge control but I'm pretty sure someone will be pressganged. With Paul running things instead of me this year, the food should be good too - you often get some tasty surprises on his events (sweet potato sandwiches at the Mick Byrne...don't knock it 'til you've tried it).

I'll be taking the opportunity to actually enjoy the ride this year after organising the last two. I reckon the Gap is the pub of choice for a relaxing pint though...Tallons might be a bit too early in the day.

Lambretta

Anyone else planning to take this nice and handy on Saturday?

Konkers

Can u turn up on the day and pay to do it?

smacl

Lambretta wrote: »

Anyone lese planning to take this nice and handy on Saturday??

Won't make it this year as my bike is not well, but there was a number of us last year that took it very easy. You should have company most if not all the way around going at an easy pace.

CramCycle

Konkers wrote: »

Can u turn up on the day and pay to do it?

It would be very unusual for an Audax event as they have to have the Brevet cards prepared in advance, as well as catering for supplies etc. I will PM you the organisers e-mail but I would expect a sturdy no.

Lambretta

Well-done Audax Ireland on a great but tough event today! This was my first audax and certainly will not be the last –this lower key event offers a marked contrast to the bigger sportives but it offers a more camaraderie spirit

Big thanks to Paul O’Donohue and John o’Sullivan both serious cyclists themselves for their generous time and help

A massive debt of gratitude to Paul Newman who whilst cycling the event was an absolute gentleman and brilliant coach throughout the event to newcomers like myself.