The Reservoir Dog 20-Sept – a Late-season Climbing Challenge

loinnsigh

Announcing a new late-season sportive for those of you with plenty of summer km in your legs!



The Reservoir Dog is a tough 125km climbing challenge in the Wicklow/Dublin mountains, taking in 3 of the area’s reservoirs (hence the name).
WARNING: Beware of this dog – it bites! Not for the faint-hearted.

The starting / finishing point is the spectacular Russborough House, just outside Blessington Co. Wicklow. This setting will ensure a very unique sportive experience.

There is also a 50km route – the ‘Reservoir Pup’ (naturally), taking in the Blessington Lakes and surrounding hills.

This event is being organised by the Reservoir Cogs Cycle Club, and all proceeds go to a very worthwhile local charity – the Blessington Youth Project.

Full details on the website, Facebook and Twitter. Registration is now open on Eventmaster - €25.

We are working hard to ensure this will be a very memorable and enjoyable sportive. Hope to see some of you on the day!

Alek

Looks half-Evil

wanderer 22

Looks great - roughly how many metres climbing in the 125k route?

Crocked

Here a link to the mapmyride route from their website. 2000mtrs climbing in 125km, ouch.

http://dynamic-assets.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/587890316?host_canon=mapmyride.com

Love to do this but have signed up to the Dublin bike ride the week before, not sure the war office will give leave for two weekends in a row!!

Inquitus

https://www.strava.com/routes/3004272 Strava version here

Alek

This would be like 200km door2door for me. Tempting!

Looks like a nice one

loinnsigh

Alek wrote: »

Looks half-Evil

Yep it's intended to be a tad on the sadistic side alright!
As it's in mid-September we're hoping to attract those looking for 'one more big challenge' before the sportive season ends. Go on you know you want to

Wishbone Ash

Alek wrote: »

Looks half-Evil

loinnsigh wrote: »

Yep it's intended to be a tad on the sadistic side alright! ...

I think Alex meant that it is only in the ha'penny place compared to the Boards.ie Evil 200 - i.e. half-Evil!

Wishbone Ash

Alek wrote: »

This would be like 200km door2door for me. Tempting!

260k for me door to door - even more tempting! :cool:

EDIT: no I'm thinking Blessington start. How far is Russborough House from Blessington?

loinnsigh

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

260k for me door to door - even more tempting! :cool:

EDIT: no I'm thinking Blessington start. How far is Russborough House from Blessington?

It's just 4km south of Blessington on the N81.

Alek

I think Alex meant that it is only in the ha'penny place compared to the Boards.ie Evil 200 - i.e. half-Evil!

This as well, but mostly that it follows almost the same roads

Wishbone Ash

Alek wrote: »

This as well, but mostly that it follows almost the same roads

It just leaves out the steep bits!

Alek

Sally Gap twice, Ballinascorney and Lake Drive is bad enough. In a good way

loinnsigh

Alek wrote: »

Sally Gap twice, Ballinascorney and Lake Drive is bad enough. In a good way

Don't forget the nice little climb at Glenasmole towards Featherbeds

Daroxtar

Needs some Kippure to take the flatness out of it

It's a good route. Very tempting

Alek

Don't forget the nice little climb at Glenasmole towards Featherbeds

Glassamucky (my favorite local name)? Apologies.

Koobcam

Nice route and good date, I'm in.

nilhg

The Manor Kilbride to the Military road section is new to me, looking forward to this.

irishrover99

Is it limited to a certain amount of cyclists?.I wouldn't know until the Sunday before about the wifes working hours and if she was off that Sunday otherwise ill have the kids.

That climb at lough bray is one of my favorites in wicklow https://www.strava.com/segments/664543

Corker1

The Reservoir Cogs Cycling Club who are hosting 'The Reservoir Dog' were also involved in running the DSI Lap de Gaps over the last couple of years so they know how to organise a good Sportive. There were over 900 cyclists on this years Lap de Gaps. Entries on the Reservoir Dog Sportive on Sept 20th are limited to 400 though, so its a good idea to register early to ensure you nab a place on the event.

Corker1

nilhg wrote: »

The Manor Kilbride to the Military road section is new to me, looking forward to this.

This section also has some of the best climbing on the event. Three hard hills between the 12km and 30km point. I love the scenery along this stretch - on nice quiet roads too!

Unknown Soldier

There is some serious climbing on that route. An example being from the reservoirs up to military road.

I've come down that route.

Not for the faint hearted.

It's on my "other" list of climbs to do. The one that I throw newspapers over.

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

There is some serious climbing on that route. An example being from the reservoirs up to military road.

I've come down that route.

Not for the faint hearted...

It's probably easier to ascend than descend if you know what I mean. I never descended it but I can imagine that, with the dodgy surface, there's no pleasure to be gained.

Crocked

Signed up for this now

siochain

Nice spicey one very tempting

Koobcam

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It's probably easier to ascend than descend if you know what I mean. I never descended it but I can imagine that, with the dodgy surface, there's no pleasure to be gained.

Went up that climb yesterday, we are in for some treat, brutally steep for most of the way from the reservoir up to the Military road. Some of the descents will be fun as well.

kuro_man

Planning on doing this, assuming SKT Waterford doesn't kill me. Did 125km* Tour of Kildare yesterday in 4 hours, this one will be >5 hours


* Including cycle to the start

laraghrider

Ahhh crap. I had a nice long worded detailed run through the whole route typed up and clicked the back button by mistake! I'm not retyping.

I won't be taking part in it however I will be marshalling some where along the route so hope all that take part enjoy it. Please note these two sections:

1: When you've climbed up beyond the army training camp the descent towards Ballinascorney is tight with very little visibility in places due to hedges and the road can often be littered with sheep. Please take it easy on that descent. When you see a stone cross hit the brakes.

2: Shortly after point 1 you'll go down a fast but short descent down the Balinascorney road before you turn off to the right. It's a very fast section of road so you could easily over cook the turn off and miss it. The road around the reservoir tight as hell with little or no visibility and you tend not to see cars until you're almost on top of them. Please take it easy, it's a lovely rolling road.

coach22

Registered there as well. Route looks good. Something to keep the motivation going

The Noble Nudge

Will have to wait for the All Ireland semi winner to be decided....

Ryder

Entered. First sportive in 5 years....looking forward to this

kuro_man

Anyone doing the 50?

Dcully

kuro_man wrote: »

Anyone doing the 50?

Im considering it and riding over and back from my place, will bring it up to 110k.

Corker1

A lad from our club did this route last week on his TT bike (sounds nuts, I know, but he's training for a 1/2 Ironman). He said it was a great, if tough route but the hill that hurt him most was the little kicker into Ballyknocken beside the Lake about 10km from the finish! It's worth keeping a bit in reserve for the rolling road along Lake Drive.

Wishbone Ash

Registered today and have just realised the Virginia 300 is on the day before! Some serious brownie points to be earned between now and then if I do both.

siochain

Are ye lads making up a jersey for sale at this?

Your club one is class.

Corker1

siochain wrote: »

Are ye lads making up a jersey for sale at this?

Your club one is class.

Thanks Siochain, our club jersey does draw comments alright! No Jersey planned for this year's Reservoir Dog Sportive. Good idea for future years maybe if people like the logo? We will have other Reservoir Cogs freebies for every rider on the 20th September.

kuro_man

siochain wrote: »

Are ye lads making up a jersey for sale at this?

Your club one is class.

You can also get a jersey by joining the club...:rolleyes:

siochain

kuro_man wrote: »

You can also get a jersey by joining the club...:rolleyes:

are you always this helpful ?

laraghrider

Corker1 wrote: »

A lad from our club did this route last week on his TT bike (sounds nuts, I know, but he's training for a 1/2 Ironman). He said it was a great, if tough route but the hill that hurt him most was the little kicker into Ballyknocken beside the Lake about 10km from the finish! It's worth keeping a bit in reserve for the rolling road along Lake Drive.

To be fair to ending is filled with little kickers. Once you come off the road that comes down off sally gap you're over the Ballysmuttan bridge and up the hill. That has potential to really hurt people. The rest of the lakes most on here know are rolling but the Ballyknockan hill is a nice one to have so late in the day when your legs haven't had a rest in quite a while. The good news is once you turn right towards Lacken it's pretty flat all the way home.

I did the first part of the route a couple of weeks back, very difficult but easily doable with the right pacing.

Wishbone Ash

kuro_man wrote: »

You can also get a jersey by joining the club...:rolleyes:

Your club are organising a cycle to raise funds for a worthwhile local charity yet you think it's appropriate to belittle a potential customer. I'm sure Reservoir Cogs CC are proud of you.

Corker1

siochain wrote: »

Are ye lads making up a jersey for sale at this?

Your club one is class.

There will be a prize draw closer to the event for online entrants with some nice prizes donated by our host venue Russborough House. I'll check if we can include a Reservoir Cogs Club jersey(s) as a prize also?

laraghrider

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Your club are organising a cycle to raise funds for a worthwhile local charity yet you think it's appropriate to belittle a potential customer. I'm sure Reservoir Cogs CC are proud of you.

I'm sure kuro_man didn't mean it in the context it was taken up. No the smilie of choice didn't help matters. Of course joining the club is one way to get a jersey albeit it can be an expensive way and why would you join a club that is possibly no where near you. I'm sure it wasn't the intention to belittle siochain and soichain please don't take it that way. We welcome all and every cyclist to take part in what should be a great day out for a very worthwhile cause.

As Corker1 said there is no jersey planned for the event this year as it is the first time we've ran it so quite possibly this is an idea to bring over for next year should this one turn out to be a success.

Corker1 wrote:

There will be a prize draw closer to the event for online entrants with some nice prizes donated by our host venue Russborough House

Top prize as donated by our host is an original 1755 piece (complete with frame) entitled 'Lady in drag' that formed part of the Beit Paintings. Could look great over your fireplace.

siochain

laraghrider wrote: »

I'm sure kuro_man didn't mean it in the context it was taken up. No the smilie of choice didn't help matters. Of course joining the club is one way to get a jersey albeit it can be an expensive way and why would you join a club that is possibly no where near you. I'm sure it wasn't the intention to belittle siochain and soichain please don't take it that way. We welcome all and every cyclist to take part in what should be a great day out for a very worthwhile cause.

As Corker1 said there is no jersey planned for the event this year as it is the first time we've ran it so quite possibly this is an idea to bring over for next year should this one turn out to be a success.



Top prize as donated by our host is an original 1755 piece (complete with frame) entitled 'Lady in drag' that formed part of the Beit Paintings. Could look great over your fireplace.

its hard to belittle me face to face never mind someone behind a keyboard

looking forward to this event and if takes off an option to buy an event jersey in the future would be a nice addition. Best of luck lads

easygoing39

I like the route,will be tough alright!! Looking forward to this.

Daroxtar

Signed up now. I have a feeling I will regret this

Crocked

Daroxtar wrote: »

Signed up now. I have a feeling I will regret this

I'm already thinking up my excuses!

g0g

Signed up for this for a laugh. Don't think I've broken 70km yet this year but determined to complete one event! Don't worry anyone who thinks they'll be last, you'll have my company! Looking forward to hopefully trying some hills I see there that I haven't been up before!

Corker1

Happy to report that online entries are picking up nicely now with three weeks to go. Places on the event are limited so sign up soon online to bag your place. Plenty of entries for the 125km Dog route, not so many for the 50km Pup route yet. So if you don't have the miles or climbing in the legs to ride the 125km on 20th September then the 50km is a nice circuit with a few small climbs thrown in for interest that might suit you.