Celtic Knot 1000

OleRodrigo

The Celtic Knot will run again next July. It will be a 1000km event with about 7000m of climbing. Entries will be limited to 26. Entry fee will be about 120 euro.

https://www.facebook.com/CelticKnot1000

More details to follow..

OleRodrigo

godtabh

Weepsie wrote: »

I am looking for something somewhat absurd (to my mind) to do for my 30th, and maybe (though highly unlikely) this could be it!

Based on the pictures on facebook you will need to be a good bit older to apply

NamelessPhil

Yeah maybe, but those guys will still be able to kick your butt up a hill even after 900km!

godtabh

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Yeah maybe, but those guys will still be able to kick your butt up a hill even after 900km!

Thats a given

Alek

Whats the time limit for this one?

OleRodrigo

75 hours. It will start on Fri July 29th 6:00 am, and you have until Monday 9.00 am to complete ( whilst getting through the controls within the specified time limits ).

Its not as hard as it sounds. The first leg is 360km, so you could be back at the start by 12:00/ 1:00 am, then sleep for a few hours, then out on the next leg (340Km ), back by 12:00/ 1:00 am on Sat night. Then, if you get up at 6:00 am again for the final 300km you have 27 hours to complete that.

Or you could sleep minimally and get it all done by Sunday afternoon.

Price includes a bed for up to 4 nights for as long as you need one and all meals at the center from where it is based.

Unknown Soldier

Is there a reason it is limited to 26?

OleRodrigo

There is - thats all the beds the Center has, and I dont think we could cook meals for more than 26 people for 3 full days.

Alek

I don't really think I can prepare until June. Done 300+, but never even 200 and then 200 the next day... Maybe when I grow up a bit

OleRodrigo

As they say, the best way to prepare for one is to do one.

But yeah you'll need to start shaving first. Then ask your mum for permission. :pac:

Edit - its more doable than you might think. With a decent group theres a good chance you'll have company for the whole thing. Theres only a handful of small climbs, its not that bad, more undulating than anything. 75 hours is plenty.

Alek

I'm not afraid of the distance (physically) or climbs, I am quite confident I can handle this, but more about my head vs so many long, long hours in the saddle... This is what I find really challenging.

Shaving... I guess I could use some indeed

rollingscone

Alek wrote: »

I'm not afraid of the distance (physically) or climbs, I am quite confident I can handle this, but more about my head vs so many long, long hours in the saddle... This is what I find really challenging.

Shaving... I guess I could use some indeed

He's talking about your face Alek.

OleRodrigo

That aspect of it is a challenge. After taking a wrong turn at the end of the second leg, I ended up by myself for the last 300km on this years event. Had a few difficult moments alright.

OleRodrigo

Website is up at:

http://www.celticknot1000.com

Planet X

Nice site.
Inspiring well written write ups.....I'd love to do something like this..... but hey....
Have to do a 300 first.

cdaly_

First loop is a 300*...









*Well, 360 but you can have the extra 60 for free...

OleRodrigo

Only about 11 places left...

OleRodrigo

Down to 1 now.

C'mon Weepsie, get the finger out ( and your chequebook ).

Koobcam

Any way to enter this online? I was sort of planning to do this, didnt; realise entries would go so quickly.

OleRodrigo

Yes, you can register for your place here:

http://www.celticknot1000.com/contact.html

Koobcam

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Yes, you can register for your place here:

http://www.celticknot1000.com/contact.html

Thanks. I sent my details as directed, looks like I still need to fill out an actual entry form and pay, so hopefully I'll be able to get a place sorted.

OleRodrigo

Koobcam wrote: »

Thanks. I sent my details as directed, looks like I still need to fill out an actual entry form and pay, so hopefully I'll be able to get a place sorted.

Yep, entry and payment details will be sent on in due course. I'll send you an email confirming your place shortly.

OleRodrigo

Weepsie wrote: »

Is there a reserve list? My own fault. Shoudlve just signed up for it, needed the kick up the arse rather than the fear

Yep, I'll stick you down. Just use the contact form linked above and I'll send you an email with your waiting list number.

OleRodrigo

Weepsie wrote: »

Is there a reserve list? My own fault. Shoudlve just signed up for it, needed the kick up the arse rather than the fear

We had one guy pull out so I stuck you in. Email sent.

ciaeim

Anyone ever do this or have any thoughts on it? looks like an epic cycle, how would you train for something like this, i expect nutrition and pace and time management would be of the utmost importance. any thoughts ?

Darkglasses

Merged threads

OleRodrigo

ciaeim wrote: »

Anyone ever do this or have any thoughts on it? looks like an epic cycle, how would you train for something like this, i expect nutrition and pace and time management would be of the utmost importance. any thoughts ?

Yes you're right, they are all important.
Real food in the form of balanced meals should form the majority of your strategy for the ride, with simple carbs in small amounts - the 80/20 rule. Keep high fibre foods to a minimum beforehand.
Pace is very important.
Time management - plan your stops and stick to the plan. This won't always be possible. Again, the 80/20 rule.

http://www.celticknot1000.com/faqs.html

Koobcam

My four hours in the rain today has also reminded me of the need to be ready to ride for hours or even days in the rain and at widely differing temperatures - bring lots of changes of clothes and a saddle bag big enough for extra layers I'd say. It will be handy having the Clara base as you can potentially bring several changes of kit and at least you know that if you're wet you'll have something else to change into back at base. Not envying anyone mad enough to have signed up for the WAW.

OleRodrigo

One of the appealing aspects of the ride is returning to the same spot each day, allowing you to carry a minimum of stuff out on the road and change/ shower after each section, if you want.

It's good to do a few long rides in bad weather during winter. The Geimridh200 is next week and there's a few in Jan/ Feb. Should be available as permanents if you can't make the actual events. Winter miles, summer smiles .

Wishbone Ash

OleRodrigo wrote: »

One of the appealing aspects of the ride is returning to the same spot each day..

That could also increase the temptation to abandon it!

(The Barkley 160k ultra-marathon (with 16,500m climbing) has five loops from the centre starting point. Competitors say that the urge to give up is overwhelming each time one sees one's car parked at the start.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons

OleRodrigo

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That could also increase the temptation to abandon it!

(The Barkley 160k ultra-marathon (with 16,500m climbing) has five loops from the centre starting point. Competitors say that the urge to give up is overwhelming each time one sees one's car parked at the start.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons

They aren't really similar events. There were three DNFs this year - one due to a mechanical and the other two with knee problems ( mainly due to the PBP qualifier rides beforehand).

The feedback was positive on the loop system out of a single base, especially from those doing their first long ride.

OleRodrigo

Good news. Some extra accommodation has been secured at the venue bringing the total amount of participants to 33. If you haven't got your entry in yet, there is currently a cancellation list in operation.

darkvalley

A serious rush of blood and over-enthusiasm made me join the waiting list for this one.
Damn you pre-christmasy positive thought!!

Koobcam

Just wondering how people are getting on with their training for this? Not too much longer to go at this stage, starting to wonder if the training is up to scratch. I've done a few 300s, plenty of 200s, a load of longish (150-200) rides back-to-back, but the distances in this event are going to be longer than anything I've done before

OleRodrigo

Don't worry about it. Try to keep in group that suits your pace. Keep the pace a bit less than you might like and focus on getting through all of it. Slow and steady will win through.

Just did the route check last week, there could be up to 150km of a headwind on the second section so it's important to conserve energy and share the work if possible.

CramCycle

Koobcam wrote: »

Just wondering how people are getting on with their training for this? Not too much longer to go at this stage, starting to wonder if the training is up to scratch. I've done a few 300s, plenty of 200s, a load of longish (150-200) rides back-to-back, but the distances in this event are going to be longer than anything I've done before

Think of it as either 3x300 with an extra 100 FOC, and not ime off in between.
Actually, just don't think about it, just do it.

How are you feeling overall? Have you made a battel plan or are you just going to go for it and see let the plan happen around you as you go?

Koobcam

CramCycle wrote: »

Think of it as either 3x300 with an extra 100 FOC, and not ime off in between.
Actually, just don't think about it, just do it.

How are you feeling overall? Have you made a battel plan or are you just going to go for it and see let the plan happen around you as you go?

Feeling grand, I've been in Beijing the past three months, so it's not been possible to simulate Irish roads or weather, but it's been good for getting the kms in. Been hard to do many long rides in the past few weeks because of work and the incredible heat (high 30s most days). Not sure how group ridign will go, I had kind of been working on the assumption of having to ride most of it solo, but a group for part of it would certainly make it more manageable. Wind and rain are going to be the biggest obstacles I think.

OleRodrigo

The Route has been finalized and is ready for next week:

http://www.celticknot1000.com/the-route.html

ford2600

Weepsie wrote: »

Saw the Facebook post. A little bit if a cruel joke butting the biggest climb (unless I'm mistaken as I often am) 750 km in to the cycle

Mistake too I thought felt they should have routed it day 3 the other way and left climb for last 50km..

They'll be bored of flat roads at that stages and glad of a bit of mountain

OleRodrigo

Yeah, it is quite flat . ' The Cut ' wouldn't rank in the challenging climbs of Ireland.

That said, quiet flat roads are mentally challenging, especially after a few days. Some sections have dead roads with strong headwinds.

Its no walk in the park, despite its scenic nature.

Koobcam

ford2600 wrote: »

Mistake too I thought felt they should have routed it day 3 the other way and left climb for last 50km..

They'll be bored of flat roads at that stages and glad of a bit of mountain

Nah, get all the climbs out of the way at the start of day 3, best way to do it.

ciaeim

Doing this at weekend. And am bricking it. Training was badly disrupted with illness and have never done a 300 k cycle and now have 3 to do back to back. Have almost 6k done this year tho so hope that helps.

DanDublin1982

ciaeim wrote: »

Doing this at weekend. And am bricking it. Training was badly disrupted with illness and have never done a 300 k cycle and now have 3 to do back to back. Have almost 6k done this year tho so hope that helps.

Best of luck. Really like the idea of this event and hoping to maybe have enough in me to give it a bash next year.

ciaeim

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

Best of luck. Really like the idea of this event and hoping to maybe have enough in me to give it a bash next year.

Thanks. And I will no doubt need it 😉

NamelessPhil

Good luck to everyone. I did it last year and it was the furthest I'd ridden in one weekend. I'd done 400 and 600km events but this was my first time facing into riding 300km on the third day and it was fine. I managed to get about 4-5 hours sleep every night and being able to come back to a bed, food and a shower was a great advantage.

The route is much the same as last year for days one and three. Day two has a detour into the dead roads of Clare that wasn't on last year's route. Although there isn't a lot of climbing over the three days, I found the first day's route over Sligo and Mayo surprisingly lumpy and if there's a headwind it could be quite sapping. The Cut is not particularly difficult on day three, you've got a bit of a warm-up and it's not the hardest climb in the country. My least favourite section of the route was the 15km of road between Enniscorthy and Bunclody, the Slaney Drive, last year it had feck all road surface and with nearly 900km in my legs at that stage I felt every lump!

It's a great way to see the country and you have a certain satisfaction from knowing that you've ridden from Ballina to Enniscorthy via Corrofin!

OleRodrigo

We've two women this year. One flying from the States and the other camper-vaning from Wales.

Koobcam

Been checking the forecast with apprehension for the past week, but as things stand, looks like it could be an ideal weekend weather wise. Temperatures not particularly high, but light winds and not much rain, with a fair amount of sunshine. Of course that can all change by the weekend, but looking good so far. I've been going over my packing and I think a battery pack will be essential-I'm going to need to use the navigation on my Garmin a lot of the time, which is going to eat the battery-no way it will make it over about 12 hours unless I charge it up. Uncertain also as to whether or not to stuff a spare tyre in my extra large saddle bag-maybe some large patches would be just as good. I'll definitely have spares stashed in Clara anyway.

NamelessPhil

Being able to leave any extra stuff you bring in Clara is very useful. You can then adapt what you bring with you to suit each day. You could get away with a jacket stuffed into a pocket and little else.

The weather was good last year too and it got better over the three days. I was using the route as a PBP training ride so I brought a small Ortlieb pannier with me as I knew I'd be using one on PBP. I did have an external battery pack for the Garmin 500 and it lived in a small top tube bag with the Haribo sweets!

cdaly_

Koobcam wrote: »

Uncertain also as to whether or not to stuff a spare tyre in my extra large saddle bag-maybe some large patches would be just as good.

Bring the spare tyre. When you're cold and tired at 3 am in the middle of nowhere and your second spare tube has punctured because you couldn't find the thorn, fit the spare tyre and your third spare tube and you can hunt the thorn back at base...

OleRodrigo

Well, that's this year over with. By all accounts so far it was a success with the international participants and newcomers being especially impressed - good news for future editions I think.

Just sorting out details for next year but it should run in summer 2017 as a warmer-up for LEL. Well done to koobcam who rode very strong ( and had a few flaky moments )