Wicklow 200, how tough is it?

lismore7

Never done the Wickow 200 but thinking about it. I have done the Rebel 160 & SK 160... but how would the Wicklow 200 compare in terms of climbing and endurance to these?
I've heard it's 1 of the toughest events in the country?

I've signed up for the Burren 160 the following week, so might be mad doing such a tough event the week before...

stecleary

If you've done the rebel you'll be fine.

I've done both

There's more to the w200 but nowhere near as boring as the rebel.

lissard

Climbing wise it's similar to the Rebel and SK 160s but crucially it has an extra 40k. Those final 40k look ok on the map but in reality it's rolling terrain when you've nothing left in the legs. Definitely the hardest event I've done. I would be in no rush to follow it with another 160k less than 7 days later but maybe that's just me. I'm sure there are others on here that could do it easily.

nordicb

I found Tour of Burren 160 (it's 170 actually) harder than W200... Did twice both.
W200 has long climbs and long descents, but Burren is just a sequence of sharp short climbs - just less opportunity for recovery.

68 lost souls

I was debating doing it the 100 or 200 this year. Havent gotten the mileage I had hoped fo rin yet this year but dit Haul dNaul and hopefully Lap de Gaps next week, how does it compare to lap de gaps? Thinking I might only be bale for the 100?

mr spuckler

68 lost souls wrote: »

I was debating doing it the 100 or 200 this year. Havent gotten the mileage I had hoped fo rin yet this year but dit Haul dNaul and hopefully Lap de Gaps next week, how does it compare to lap de gaps? Thinking I might only be bale for the 100?

if you're doing lap the gaps you'll definitely be fine for the 100 anyway and should have enough time to tack on some extra mileage in your training over the next few weeks to do the 200.
the 200 is a long haul tbf, as someone above said the last 40km or so when you're already shot are tough going. i had done around a few training spins of up to 140km in wicklow before doing the 200, i wouldn't advise doing it if you're not doing more than 100 in advance in training / other events.

fat bloke

stecleary wrote: »

There's more to the w200 but nowhere near as boring as the rebel.

Did you do it blindfolded??!

I'm struggling to imagine a more spectacular backdrop than the Ring of Beara to a day's cycling. I've done it twice now and experienced a range of emotions around it. Boredom was not one of them. :rolleyes:

stecleary

fat bloke wrote: »

Did you do it blindfolded??!

I'm struggling to imagine a more spectacular backdrop than the Ring of Beara to a day's cycling. I've done it twice now and experienced a range of emotions around it. Boredom was not one of them. :rolleyes:

some amazing sights alright but once the climbs are out of the way its slow rolling bush lined roads with noting worth noting until the next climb.


It was a beautiful day two years and i even spent about 25 min at the top of Healy's pass enjoying the view while waiting for someone, but there's very little i remember about the rest of the course

Plastik

Have to agree with Fat Bloke, the Ring of Beara is absolutely stunning. Far more picturesque, in my opinion, than the Wicklow200.

spudbike

W200 is one of the best events in the country. If you can do 160, by managing your food stops you can squeeze out the other 40, even if the hills round Avoca are rolling/tough. You'll be kicking yourself afterwards for doing the 100. Its an all round great event, yeah, climbs are challenging but iconic in Irish Cycling. If its a 100k spun you want there's loads of these around. Full duck or no dinner - go for the 200. You'll be glad you did.

ford2600

lismore7 wrote: »

Never done the Wickow 200 but thinking about it. I have done the Rebel 160 & SK 160... but how would the Wicklow 200 compare in terms of climbing and endurance to these?
I've heard it's 1 of the toughest events in the country?

I've signed up for the Burren 160 the following week, so might be mad doing such a tough event the week before...

You'll be fine, do both, just dial back pace a little from what you would normally do a hilly 100km in. From 26.5km/h to 25km/h or whatever.

Be strong for last 50km so your passing more people rather than the other way round.

AFAIK there's is a good few going from club. Leave the goats off you'll meet them again

Wicklow is really pretty but very very different from Beara which as you know is stunning.

Did Wicklow twice years ago, great event

pedro_colnago

stecleary wrote: »

If you've done the rebel you'll be fine.

I've done both

There's more to the w200 but nowhere near as boring as the rebel.

You found the rebel tour boring? Id have to say it's one of the hardest sportives in ireland in one of the most beautiful locations in the country! Each to their own though...

The Davestator

68 lost souls wrote: »

I was debating doing it the 100 or 200 this year. Havent gotten the mileage I had hoped fo rin yet this year but dit Haul dNaul and hopefully Lap de Gaps next week, how does it compare to lap de gaps? Thinking I might only be bale for the 100?

I'm the exact same Niall! I'm doing the lap de gaps and a few other long spins and defo doing the 200. Did the 100 last year, and it's lovely, but too short.

BailMeOut

stecleary wrote: »

but nowhere near as boring as the rebel.

bizarrest thing I have ever read!!!

Eamonnator

If you're doing the W200, try and keep something in the legs for the draggy climbs after Avoca, they're hoors.

outfox

stecleary wrote: »

some amazing sights alright but once the climbs are out of the way its slow rolling bush lined roads with noting worth noting until the next climb.


It was a beautiful day two years and i even spent about 25 min at the top of Healy's pass enjoying the view while waiting for someone, but there's very little i remember about the rest of the course

I assume you're referring to the Rebel 85 km? You can't be referring to the 160 km surely. That road out by Allihies is jaw-dropping.

Esroh

Forget about the number 200. Ride within your comfort zone( ie don't get caught up trying to stay with groups that are just a bit fast) on the flats
Climb steady .
Make sure you eat and drink often enough.
You will be grand. Its about completion not how fast.
Its a great day out and as other said you will regret it if you don't give it ago.

Enjoy.

fillup

I did it last year for the first time.
I had done a lot of spins in the months leading up to it around Sally Gap and got in as much of the route as I could before hand as I find that half the battle of climbing psychological- if youre not familiar with the climb it can seem endless.
As said above the last 40k is a killer - you're all psyched up for the big climbs and feel like a TdF pro as u summit them but the drag from Avoca to Greystones is monotonous and drains what's left in the tank.

It is undoubtedly tough but that's half the fun and all the bragging rights.

stecleary

outfox wrote: »

I assume you're referring to the Rebel 85 km? You can't be referring to the 160 km surely. That road out by Allihies is jaw-dropping.

Nope I'm on about the 160.
It just didn't livebup to what I was expecting.

Beasty

It's as tough as you make it. So long as you can stay in the saddle all day you can simply take it at your own pace. I did it a few years ago and struggled towards the end but that may have been as much to do with the fact it was (and remains) the longest cycle I had ever done (certainly distance-wise) and it was less than 3 weeks after a knee cartilage operation

Wishbone Ash

As has been said, the last 40k is a bit of a drag and I certainly felt it last year. However, like all distance cycling, a lot of it is psychological as, after resting and eating at the finish line, I had no problem doing the next 50k or so to get home.

While there is a bit of climbing in the WW200, there are no steep bits compared to some other sportives. In my opinion, the Donegal Bay CC Spring Sportive last month was a lot tougher climbing wise - lots of short very severe ramps.

Beasty wrote: »

.... but that may have been as much to do with the fact it was (and remains) the longest cycle I had ever done (certainly distance-wise) ....

Did you do a coast to coast in the UK?

shaka

stecleary wrote: »

If you've done the rebel you'll be fine.

I've done both

There's more to the w200 but nowhere near as boring as the rebel.

Boring? Lol you must be doing it wrong.. don't think any Sportive comes close for scenery as the rebel 160 as well as a good challenge. The stretch from allihies to eyeries is just stunning

Beasty

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Did you do a coast to coast in the UK?

I did, back in the 90s, but IIRC that was slightly short of 200km (think it was 118 miles - also did Manchester to Blackpool which was about 60 miles, then rode home....), It was pretty much me and the father in law bringing up the rear on our heavy hybrids. Did Sutton Bank, which was the major climb in the Tour de Yorkshire. Reckon I found it a bit easier than the pros mind as we walked up it.....

NeedMoreGears

FWIW I've done the W200 and the SK160 a few times. The W200 is different simply because of the additional 40km. At that stage you've had plenty of climbing and the course is quite up and down to the finish. I normally pretty wrecked at the end of both but I'd probably average 0.5kph quicker around the SKT. I would expect that if you can manage the SKT160 you should be ok if you pace yourself and have done the training.

terrydel

As everyone has said, its the last 40k that makes it tough. There is one draggy climb in that, and a short, sharp, very steep one, and by that stage you will be well softened up. Personally I have to be in really good shape to get thru it, I'd die trying to wing it. But in saying that, when in good shape its still tough but very manageable and enjoyable. Its a cracking route.
Ive done the SKT a few times, and I think the main climbs there are harder, but the big difference is the last 25-30k of that is practically downhill and you do be flying. But its also later in the year and tends to suffer more with the weather.
With the w200, you need to be doing a couple of training spins over 100 at least, somewhere in the 120-150 ballpark preferably. Thats if they are solo.
Its doable and great fun, but only a beast of a cyclist would get thru it without serious suffering if they had minimal training done.

Unknown Soldier

Don't be afraid.







Be VERY afraid.





That is how I was did last years. And it worked out in my favour.

Esroh wrote: »

Forget about the number 200. Ride within your comfort zone( ie don't get caught up trying to stay with groups that are just a bit fast) on the flats
Climb steady .
Make sure you eat and drink often enough.
You will be grand. Its about completion not how fast.
Its a great day out and as other said you will regret it if you don't give it ago.

Enjoy.

^^ great advice.

It's actually not that bad if you think of it as four 50KM spins, on the same day.

It's not a race, take your time, and just aim to complete it. That is what I did last year (while being real scared of it)

Just complete it, and take YOUR time.

It's the type of spin to do solo, unless your partner is fully with you.

In saying that, the above advice is coming from someone who does a lot of BNM spins.

Oh, and drop every extra bit of weight you can, like those extra Work keys/phone cover/saddle bag etc you don't really need to carry.