Are we mad? Giants Causeway Coast Sportive (07/09/13)

Rita1

Hi all,

I'm just wondering has anyone done the http://www.giantscausewaycoastsportive.com/ myself and a mate is doing the 180km this year but we have being hearing horror stories about the Torr Road.( It couldn't be that bad...could it? )


Any advise forthcoming would be a hugh help


Cheers

Jawgap

i did it in its first year and it was terrible - bodies everywhere, grown men weeping by the side of the road and tales of cyclists who took wrong turns and were never seen again.........and that was just at the sign on

In all seriousness though - it was a great day out. Well run, well marshalled and well organised. The route is tough but doable - I don't remember Torr Head being particularly savage - relative to the rest of the climbs.

the main problems I remember were the atrocious weather and the wind over the top of the climbs.

I'd suggest relax, enjoy it and be prepared to work hard. If you see Foyle Wheelers get on their group - I attached myself to a group of them at the event (and at other events) and they tend to be well organised and quick - but they will expect you to work at least a little bit.

Dermot Illogical

Rita1 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm just wondering has anyone done the http://www.giantscausewaycoastsportive.com/ myself and a mate is doing the 180km this year but we have being hearing horror stories about the Torr Road.( It couldn't be that bad...could it? )


Any advise forthcoming would be a hugh help


Cheers

I've done it for the last couple of years, and will be heading up again on Saturday on account of I just can't get enough of suffering.
:pac:

Torr Rd is an absolute beast imho when you already have 100km or 150km of mountainous terrain in your legs, especially if you're not a lightweight. Last year there was a choice of routes over Torr Head so it was possible to avoid the really hard bit.
I suppose it all comes down to what kind of climber you are. I'd be reasonably ok as long as the gradient is under 9 or 10 but suffer badly when it goes up over that. I suffer badly on Torr Rd. Last year my legs cramped in unison going over it.

You'll enjoy it though, especially if the weather holds up. Beautiful scenery and course, and a really friendly and well run event. It has to be my favourite, despite its sting in the tail.

Ole Rodrigo

Haven't done the sportive but I came across it on a cycle tour in 2011 and rode with the group for a part of the route.

The Torr Head is a series of short sharp climbs that aren't that bad ( for some of them you can use the descent to take a run at the next hill ) and the views are lovely, especially if you get the weather. I'm a crap climber but I managed with some luggage on a compact gear. For the most part they are shielded from the prevailing winds heading into Ballycastle. That area is one of the most scenic in the country.

Rita1

Jawgap wrote: »

i did it in its first year and it was terrible - bodies everywhere, grown men weeping by the side of the road and tales of cyclists who took wrong turns and were never seen again.........and that was just at the sign on

This may come true this year I think that's the plan, get into a group and share the load.

Torr Rd is an absolute beast imho when you already have 100km or 150km of mountainous terrain in your legs, especially if you're not a lightweight. Last year there was a choice of routes over Torr Head so it was possible to avoid the really hard bit.
I suppose it all comes down to what kind of climber you are. I'd be reasonably ok as long as the gradient is under 9 or 10 but suffer badly when it goes up over that. I suffer badly on Torr Rd. Last year my legs cramped in unison going over it.

This is what we are hearing, it's not so much Torr Head but its when it's after 140km....Torr Head will not be avoided if possible, i seem to be the same as yourself regarding the gradient(under 9 or 10%)

The Torr Head is a series of short sharp climbs that aren't that bad ( for some of them you can use the descent to take a run at the next hill ) and the views are worth lovely, especially if you get the weather. I'm a crap climber but I managed with some luggage on a compact gear. For the most part they are shielded from the prevailing winds heading into Ballycastle. That area is one of the most scenic in the country.

Yeah it's suppose to be a lovely spot alright, I may take a leaf out of your book and attck the descent to get up the other hill

Thanks for the advise folks, looking forward to it now but just hoping the weather holds up.

Dermot Illogical

A nice video on this page.

talkabout

Really looking forward to this now, weather not looking great but nothing we can do about that. Cheers for the video Dermot Illogical and see ye at the start Rita.

Rita1

Yeah nice video Dermot Illogical, Talkabout you make sure you give me a wee push up Torr Head when your going past me

talkabout

Rita1 wrote: »

Yeah nice video Dermot Illogical, Talkabout you make sure you give me a wee push up Torr Head when your going past me

LOL, the only way i'll be going past you is i'm rolling backwards back down the hill after another failed attempt on the summit

MonkeyWrench

Signed up for this also, did the 160km Sean Kelly Tour a couple of weeks ago and thought that was grand so this should be fine. The only concern I have is the weather which at the moment looks absolutely horrendous. Checked the sat24 website for saturday morning and it looks like flooding conditions so as a result we are 50/50 if we will do it or not.

Pharma

I've signed up to do this but looking at pulling the plug based on forecast, looks horrendous. Pity was really looking forward to it.

Rita1

I've signed up to do this but looking at pulling the plug based on forecast, looks horrendous. Pity was really looking forward to it.

Yeah it looks bad alright:(
However, I'm still going to go and battle through it:D

MonkeyWrench

15mm to 30mm of rain with high winds, looks terrible but gonna throw on the winter bibs and wind breaker and suck it up!

Rita1

MonkeyWrench wrote: »

15mm to 30mm of rain with high winds, looks terrible but gonna throw on the winter bibs and wind breaker and suck it up!

Yes, that's the spirit....bring it on!!!

talkabout

Jawgap wrote: »

i did it in its first year and it was terrible - bodies everywhere, grown men weeping by the side of the road and tales of cyclists who took wrong turns and were never seen again.........and that was just at the sign on

In all seriousness though - it was a great day out. Well run, well marshalled and well organised. The route is tough but doable - I don't remember Torr Head being particularly savage - relative to the rest of the climbs.

the main problems I remember were the atrocious weather and the wind over the top of the climbs.

I'd suggest relax, enjoy it and be prepared to work hard. If you see Foyle Wheelers get on their group - I attached myself to a group of them at the event (and at other events) and they tend to be well organised and quick - but they will expect you to work at least a little bit.

You weren't wrong, Torr Head owes me a set of cleats, it's brutal. I'll be back next year for revenge.