Quest Glendalough

Jk_Eire

Anybody signed up for this?

http://questglendalough.com/

I'm aiming to do the 57km route with training kicked off this week.

The bike routes would be familiar with most cyclists who spin around the Wicklow mountains.

It's a little more expensive than some of the other races, but coming from Dublin the cost of getting there is a lot cheaper than the likes Gaelforce, for me anyway.

fletch

Yep...I'm signed up. Really looking forward to it. Was sad to see the demise of the Wicklow Adventure Races so this will be a nice replacement.

Jk_Eire

Yeah, totally agree. I'd plans to do War last year and Hellfire again so this is a solid alternative.
I think I'll ditch the SPDs pedals too, and keep my trail shoes on full time.

fletch

Jk_Eire wrote: »

Yeah, totally agree. I'd plans to do War last year and Hellfire again so this is a solid alternative.
I think I'll ditch the SPDs pedals too, and keep my trail shoes on full time.

Same...too much hassle changing especially given there are 3 bike sections

Shedite27

Looks interesting, never done an adventure race before but looks a good one to kickstart the triathlon year.

I assume it's road bikes with trail shoes all the way yeah? What do people wear for this type of race?

Jk_Eire

Road bike and trail shoes for me anyway.

I've only done a couple of adventure races, but cycling shorts, under running shorts on bottom, and cycling jersey on top (for pockets) does it for me. The cycling sections are short enough, so I won't both with bib shorts for comfort.

I'd imagine the more serious competitors would go with tri suits.

Johnny_Fontane

thinking of signing up. Need to get fit though....how strenous would the middle option be? I've done 10k's in like 47 minutes but it was a couple of years back. Never done much trail running....

Jk_Eire

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

thinking of signing up. Need to get fit though....how strenous would the middle option be? I've done 10k's in like 47 minutes but it was a couple of years back. Never done much trail running....

Tough enough, but 10km in 47 mins is a decent time.
A few training long cycles and regular running will get through it.

Peterx

Jk_Eire wrote: »

Road bike and trail shoes for me anyway.

I've only done a couple of adventure races, but cycling shorts, under running shorts on bottom, and cycling jersey on top (for pockets) does it for me. The cycling sections are short enough, so I won't both with bib shorts for comfort.

I'd imagine the more serious competitors would go with tri suits.

Tri suits lack pockets (I think) Dessie Duffy always wears one though and he wins a lot.
The pockets in a cycling jersey should comfortably hold all the mandatory kit.
Sprinters shorts or those triathlon swimming shorts are good to wear too. Full cycling shorts with a chamois would feel a little like overkill on all those runs.

There are loads of transitions so I would think many people will wear trail shoes all day and use flat bike pedals with straps.

If you are much much stronger on the bike than you are running it starts to make sense to wear spd's for the cycling as they will save your calves a little more due to the position of the foor on the pedal axis. (as compared to most toe-cages, I think, again)

mmrs

Hi, I've signed up for this race. It will be my 1st race like this. I've done many runs and a few long cycles. Looking forward to it.

Would people generally have a backpack/bumbag for holding the mandatory kit? I don't carry anything when running except my keys in my hand. I'm not sure about carrying the kit in my cycling jersey in case I get too warm and need to remove it.

Thanks for any advice.
Roll on April 23rd!

fletch

When I first started doing adventure races, I used to carry a backpack but it bounced around a lot and definitely slowed me on the running sections. Nowadays, I try to leave as much food/energy bars/gels on the bike and just keep my mandatory kit in the back pocket of a cycling jersey. 2 bottles of water/electrolytes on the bike too is generally enough to get around without the need to top up.

Jk_Eire

Signed up over the weekend.
Good advice on stuffing all the kit into the cycling pockets. It probably sounds like a lot more than it actually is on paper.

Full cycling shorts with a chamois would feel a little like overkill on all those runs.

There are cheap ones with a light chamois so I reckon I'll get away with + give me a little extra comfort on the uphills cycle which I reckon will by my strongest sections.

PoorFarmer

mmrs wrote: »

Hi, I've signed up for this race. It will be my 1st race like this. I've done many runs and a few long cycles. Looking forward to it.

Would people generally have a backpack/bumbag for holding the mandatory kit? I don't carry anything when running except my keys in my hand. I'm not sure about carrying the kit in my cycling jersey in case I get too warm and need to remove it.

Thanks for any advice.
Roll on April 23rd!

I usually get somebody on the start line to safety pin my kit into the pocket of the cycle jersey to stop it jumping around or falling out on the run descents

fletch

PoorFarmer wrote: »

mmrs wrote: »

Hi, I've signed up for this race. It will be my 1st race like this. I've done many runs and a few long cycles. Looking forward to it.

Would people generally have a backpack/bumbag for holding the mandatory kit? I don't carry anything when running except my keys in my hand. I'm not sure about carrying the kit in my cycling jersey in case I get too warm and need to remove it.

Thanks for any advice.
Roll on April 23rd!

I usually get somebody on the start line to safety pin my kit into the pocket of the cycle jersey to stop it jumping around or falling out on the run descents

Great idea...thanks

mmrs

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll try the cycling jersey.

Jk_Eire

Sold out now according to the website!

trihead

If anyone has a spare entry they are not using can they get in touch as didn't get an entry.

Mods - official swap

Thanks

fletch

trihead wrote: »

If anyone has a spare entry they are not using can they get in touch as didn't get an entry.

Mods - official swap

Thanks

There is a cancellation list
http://questglendalough.com/register/

saltrock2007

Hi guys,

I tried to register today but its sold out, any ideas what forum might be the best for spare entries?

fletch

saltrock2007 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I tried to register today but its sold out, any ideas what forum might be the best for spare entries?

There's a waiting list on that link I posted above

Please note: Quest Glendalough is now SOLD OUT. If you would like your name placed on a waiting list, please fill out the short form below:

Raging I missed out on this, serves me right for procrastinating as usual, have put my name on the waiting list anyway and will train toward the 57km course.

micar

I added my name to the cancellation list - expert race

Anyone know what the chances of getting a place?

Yeager101

Got an unwanted ticket there. Was going to get a mini ticket for fiancé also but that's the same price. We both agreed €85 for that is pretty steep. These run events are making a fortune. Good event though and they seem to be putting on a good spread for the runners

Peterx

Cycled the bike loop there yesterday. It's a great loop, if you like climbing that is
Four climbs, the two biggies - Shay Elliott and Slieve Maan - then there are also two other biggish climbs, one up to the CroaghanMoira Run and then a nasty steep kicker when you leave the Greenane crossroads.
On the bright side all the descending is pretty fast with only one tight right over a bridge after the CroaghanMoira run.
So many transitions.

BUACHAILL

I have a ticket for the longer distance I wont be using. How do I go about sticking it up for sale here ?

trihead

hi,

I would be interested in swapping your entry. You can message me through the site to arrange.

Thanks

Trihead

BUACHAILL

Not looking for a swap to be honest as I am injured, just looking to sell thanks

micar

BUACHAILL wrote: »

I have a ticket for the longer distance I wont be using. How do I go about sticking it up for sale here ?

Can I have it?

BUACHAILL

I guess first person who agrees to give me the €90 I paid for it gets it, Hope I am not breaking and rules of the forum doing that.

micar

BUACHAILL wrote: »

I guess first person who agrees to give me the €90 I paid for it gets it, Hope I am not breaking and rules of the forum doing that.

Just sent you a pm. However it's not registering as being sent.

fletch

10% off any of the Quest Adventure Series Races using code: QA2016

Jk_Eire

A picture of the jersey has been released. Very nice!

https://www.facebook.com/QuestIrelandAR/photos/gm.555730391276229/1137821449574897/?type=3&theater

trihead

BUACHAILL wrote: »

Not looking for a swap to be honest as I am injured, just looking to sell thanks

hi BUACHAILL

I meant swap your entry for cash.
I pm'd you yesterday but not sure if you received it?
Can you let me know

thanks

BUACHAILL

Sold to Micar.

Apologies trihead I picked it up that you were looking to swap races.

fletch

Recce'd the 3 runs today and drove the full cycle route...it is going to be one tough race!

PoorFarmer

fletch wrote: »

Recce'd the 3 runs today and drove the full cycle route...it is going to be one tough race!

What's the road surface like up there? Are racing tyres or Gatorskins more suitable?

fletch

Fairly potholed and gravely in sections...I'd go with the Gatorskins.

PoorFarmer

Shyte anyway. Was the answer I was expecting but not praying for

fletch

I'm not really a "proper" cyclist though...just a commuting cyclist so perhaps others would disagree. I'd much rather carry the few grams/increased rolling resistance of the Gatorskins than go through the trauma of a puncture repair mid race....
I'll be on my commuting flat bar racer with Schwalbe Marathon Pluses which weigh an absolute ton. :eek:

Edit - Peterx has cycled the route so perhaps he could comment on suggested tyre choice

Peterx

The cycling is all on tarred roads (I think) so any tyre should be fine, once in good condition. Gatorskins should be more puncture resistant then race weight bike tyres and fixing a puncture will cost any chance of a place unless you are Tim O'Donohue.
I will probably have a new set of GP4000's (mainly as I have them in the spares box in the shed) otherwise I would be using the 25mm wide Gatorskins that are always on the bike.

It's a tough course, I would be more concerned with staying hydrated and fuelled to be honest as opposed to tyre choice. You have 5 stages out on the course before (presumably) returning to the same bike rack as the start which will be the first time to get more liquid on board. If the end of stage 5 is not back at the start bike rack you will be heading out on a tough stage 6 with the thirst - with another run looking hard, plenty of contour lines to climb..

I must find out if stage 5 finishes at the start area.

Jk_Eire

Good call on that water, they seem a bit vague at the moment on their FAQ.

Is there any water available along the route?
The exact locations of water stops will be highlighted on the map given to you at registration. You will be required to carry water with you for the duration of the race. There will be water available at: – Bike Transition area

Hopefully that means a couple of stops.

I'll be riding on Schwalbe Durano Plus's. I find just as good for protection as Gatorskins, but with more grip and a smoother ride.

Johnny_Fontane

Have been training for this the last two months. It's my first type of this race. Have no idea where I will be at. I got roped into signing up for the 57k.

Have been running a good bit doing 46 minute 10k and got my 5k down to just over 21 minutes. As for cycling have been doing a good deal of spinning and been out on the bike twice doing 35k up and over howth (and back up through the village).

Finding the cycles fine averaging 24kpmh (via strava) over a 85 minute period including the climbs.

No idea though how all this is going to piece together on the day. Really looking forward to it. Haven't done a cycle/run combo yet.

1. How would the climbs compare to howth (from village side), obv longer but for gradient?
2. Should I start doing longer runs like a 15k or longer cycles like 60k?
3. How long do people reckon the 57k will take?

Cheers and see you up there!

PoorFarmer

Try get a few trail runs in before the race if possible. Definitely try do a few run/cycle/run or cycle/run/cycle sessions in too

cantwbr1

Is there a profile of the cycle available anywhere (57k)

Peterx

cantwbr1 wrote: »

Is there a profile of the cycle available anywhere (57k)

On this strava spin the QUEST Glendo cycling is from approximately kilometre 3.8 to kilometre 43.1 (from the GAA pitch back to the GAA pitch) giving a distance of ~39km with ~900m of climbing in 4 sectors:

Shay Elliott - 250m in 5km
Slieve Maan - 320m in 4km
To Croghanmoira - 170m in 3km
Up from Greenane - 145m in 3km (steep kicker to start)

https://www.strava.com/activities/522321396

AdpRo

Do you know what the 41k cycle is like, what sections of the above strava link are on it? Thanks.

fletch

AdpRo wrote: »

Do you know what the 41k cycle is like, what sections of the above strava link are on it? Thanks.

Just did a quick route up in Garmin Connect for you...think I got it right
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/12015085

AdpRo

fletch wrote: »

Just did a quick route up in Garmin Connect for you...think I got it right
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/12015085

Thanks for that, doesn't look too bad apart from the 5k or so, I will try and get down there beforehand for a look even if it's just to drive it! It that the Shay Elliot climb?

fletch

AdpRo wrote: »

Thanks for that, doesn't look too bad apart from the 5k or so, I will try and get down there beforehand for a look even if it's just to drive it! It that the Shay Elliot climb?

Yes the initial climb is Shay Elliot

fletch

Wave Times just announced

Enduro

fletch wrote: »

Wave Times just announced

Is the Kevin Keane in the expert class the rather good Triathlete, or a name duplicate, does anyone know? PeterX?