Mick Byrne 200/160/100 2016

Debrad

Folks,

The 9th annual Mick Byrne Randonee will take place on Sunday May 29th 2016, starting at Dalkey.

A brief reminder to all the boardies out there that entries for the MB events closes on Tuesday 24th May and no entries will be taken on the day.


As usual there will be three adventurous tours on some of the most beautiful roads in Co Wicklow.

With plenty of feed stations provided along the routes to keep your strength up a memorable day is assured. All in memory of a man who wanted people of all ages to experience the joy, excitement and adventure of cycling!

The 100km and 160km are great preparation for the Audax Ireland or the Wicklow 200 events and the 200km has over 3000 mtrs of climbing, a true challenge and a tougher day than the W200.

ChickenBalls

Link here with details

http://www.sorrentocyclingclub.com/featured/2015-mick-byrne-randonee/

neris

can you enter for 1 course and change on the day? thinking, entering for 160 but change down to 100 on the sunday

cdaly_

You can only change up to a longer route...

Debrad

Hi,
No problem either changing distance up or down on the day but let us know at sign on as we may have to send someone looking for a rider we were expecting at a food stop etc.

The other point is start time....don't go out in the 100km event at 8am(10am start) and expect us ready at Laragh for food before 11am(it happened last year) as we wont have it started there until at least 11.30am... our volunteers move around various checkpoints and some will work in Dalkey early...so ty and stick to our schedule if you can....it makes for a better day for everyone!

Euro Fred

Will food / water stops locations be posted closer to the event for the 200 or can you post them now?

Debrad

Hi,
We basically have stops located about every 40kms on the two longer routes.
For those on the 200 route here will be 4 stops,3 for the 160..
On the 100 route there will be 2 stops - one at about 25 and the main food stop in Laragh at 50km.
The route sheet is handed out on the day also so you will have the details listed.

It depends on which route you are on,you can see easily where the stops will be located.
The map is also available on our site for download to your garmin etc.
We will be posting details by email to all entrants during the early part of next week and this will include safety information and current route conditions as we see them in the coming week.
Regards
Sorrento CC.

Luxman

This event validates whether my training for the entire winter works or not. Its like getting exam results!! I bloody love it. Have a few club mates attempting it, 2 or which are planking it (exam result anxiety). Cant wait, oh wait, maybe I am sh*****g it too

NamelessPhil

Luxman, you and your mates will be grand, just don't try and keep up with the mountain goats at the start or you'll be regretting it come Glenmacnass in the late afternoon. One of the best bits is riding up Vico Road at the start and looking out at the Wicklow Mountains thinking "Oh F**k I'm going to be climbing those in about 30 minutes!". Then you realise that you'll be riding back down Vico Road in 10 hours...

terrydel

I've just signed up for the 160! Not 100% yet if I will be able to do it but really hoping to.
If not, can I pass my entry to someone else who is looking for one? (not bothered about the fee)
Also, how well signed is the route? As in, is it easy to follow when out on the road? Or easy to get lost?! Not into reading a map at all when out, so hoping that its easy to know where to turn etc.
Cheers.

NamelessPhil

It's really easy to follow the route, there are MB signs on the road at every significant junction. So much so that you can still trace the entire 200 even in the middle of winter.

Luxman

NamelessPhil wrote: »

Luxman, you and your mates will be grand, just don't try and keep up with the mountain goats at the start or you'll be regretting it come Glenmacnass in the late afternoon. One of the best bits is riding up Vico Road at the start and looking out at the Wicklow Mountains thinking "Oh F**k I'm going to be climbing those in about 30 minutes!". Then you realise that you'll be riding back down Vico Road in 10 hours...

Thanks for the encouraging words NP, I know Vico road, its not the place for a photographer to perching themselves and snap you as you limp home completely knackered.

Euro Fred

Do we need to print off the ticket and bring it or just give a name at the start?

Luxman

I got a mail this morning, it allows me to add my (e)tickets to my iPhone or print them off. I would print them if its convenient for you just to be sure. You won't want any delays or fumbling about before heading for the first hill!

andy69

aaaahhhh no!! Just back from hols this morning and I see entries closed on Tuesday and it's sold out: was on-and-offline over the couple of weeks I was away, but my fault, i should have sorted my entry :mad:

anyhoo.... just wondering if anyone has entered and can't make it, if I could buy your ticket maybe? please, pretty please.....

I was going to do the 160k, not sure if it matters as I seem to remember we all used the one main foodstop in Laragh

Carawaystick

NamelessPhil wrote: »

It's really easy to follow the route, there are MB signs on the road at every significant junction. So much so that you can still trace the entire 200 even in the middle of winter.

Sounds like the voice of experience...

shamrock2004

Any first timers doing the 200km route like me?! How are the nerves?!

Wishbone Ash

shamrock2004 wrote: »

Any first timers doing the 200km route like me?! How are the nerves?!

My first time doing the MB200 (....but I've done much longer rides with a lot more climbing so no nerves! )

You'll be grand. Just avoid getting into a group who are going slightly faster than you're normally accustomed to. You might feel great and think you're flying but it can backfire later on. And, at the start, there'll be a few mountain goats - let them off. You have all day.

Weather looks promising so far.

Luxman

I did the 200 last year but still wondering if I have enough vertical metres in the legs over the winter. I know I will be walking funny after it, but man what a feeling of achievement when you plonk yourself down for a cuppa at the end.

shamrock2004

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

My first time doing the MB200 (....but I've done much longer rides with a lot more climbing so no nerves! )

You'll be grand. Just avoid getting into a group who are going slightly faster than you're normally accustomed to. You might feel great and think you're flying but it can backfire later on. And, at the start, there'll be a few mountain goats - let them off. You have all day.

Weather looks promising so far.

Thanks a million for the positive reply WA That has helped settle the nerves. Im registered for 160km but what's an extra 40km so am going for the 200km with 3 others. I do intend to go at my own pace alright. I'm a strong climber by nature but will try and forget that and just maintain an easy pace. Have just stocked up on the snacks I need for sunday. Will you be in your boards gear?

shamrock2004

Luxman wrote: »

I did the 200 last year but still wondering if I have enough vertical metres in the legs over the winter. I know I will be walking funny after it, but man what a feeling of achievement when you plonk yourself down for a cuppa at the end.

How long did it take? Would somewhere around 8 hours be the average? Man I can't imagine the jubilation after it

Wishbone Ash

shamrock2004 wrote: »

.. Will you be in your boards gear?

No, I'll be in club gear (McNally Swords CC) although the rest are doing the 160k as far as I know. I haven't decided on the bike yet but it will probably be on the black Fuji.

Wishbone Ash

shamrock2004 wrote: »

How long did it take? Would somewhere around 8 hours be the average?....

Perhaps 8 hours moving time at least but when you factor in foodstops, junctions etc. it will probably be 9 or 10 hours elapsed time.

Luxman

shamrock2004 wrote: »

How long did it take? Would somewhere around 8 hours be the average? Man I can't imagine the jubilation after it

9hr 28 mins for me last year, that moving time. I paced myself superbly (slowly). 3556m vertical. The best stat on the go was 500m climbed in the first 25k!

cajonlardo

I did it the 1st year , when I was near enough fittest I ever was. It nearly killed me.
I did it the 2nd year, determined to go easy. It nearly killed me.
Then I got really sick, sick enough to be told to forget about even walking again let alone riding a bike.
Then I was reading about it here and signed up last year. Everyone ( I do actually mean everyone...) spun past me but it didn't nearly kill me, so feck it, I'll be there again on Sunday ... and it probably will actually kill me stone dead this time

shamrock2004

cajonlardo wrote: »

I did it the 1st year , when I was near enough fittest I ever was. It nearly killed me.
I did it the 2nd year, determined to go easy. It nearly killed me.
Then I got really sick, sick enough to be told to forget about even walking again let alone riding a bike.
Then I was reading about it here and signed up last year. Everyone ( I do actually mean everyone...) spun past me but it didn't nearly kill me, so feck it, I'll be there again on Sunday ... and it probably will actually kill me stone dead this time

I think the key to it sounds like you need a good level of fitness but to go at your own steady pace, not that of others.

NamelessPhil

shamrock2004 wrote: »

Thanks a million for the positive reply WA That has helped settle the nerves. Im registered for 160km but what's an extra 40km so am going for the 200km with 3 others. I do intend to go at my own pace alright.

You do know the extra 40km includes Slieve Maan and an interesting detour into the evil hills of north Wexford! :eek: By the time you reach Laragh you still have 60km back to the finish in Dalkey including Glenmacnass and that long drag up to Sally Gap. Give yourself plenty of time. Also the 200km starts an hour earlier than the 160km.

It's a great route, this will be my 6th time doing the route in the last three years. I usually ride it in March solo, it's a great ride of truth. This year was my slowest yet.:( The ride in May is usually good fun with more company on the road.

I'll be the woman in the Audax Ireland jersey:P

Tipperarymike

Has anyone on here done the 100k before? It seems most lads on here are much hardier than myself and fitter too, another lad and myself are doing the 100, my first 100 of the year and fitness levels aren't ideal for this but the challenge looks fairly tempting.

In terms of pacing yourself on this , would anyone have any tips? I know the question is a bit like 'how long is a piece of string?' I suppose it is just the first 80k that are tricky....

Thanks

Zen0

Luxman wrote: »

3556m vertical!

Ah jaysus! Now you're really putting the fear of God into me! :eek:

Wishbone Ash

NamelessPhil wrote: »

...I'll be the woman in the Audax Ireland jersey ripping the legs off all the lads. :P

FYP.

Luxman

Pacing is a very personal thing, I tend to pace by keeping an eye on my heart rate, also getting to the top of the climb is the focus, not getting a PB on starva. I did the 200 last year and didn't know the severity of the climbing up to Laragh, but I knew I had another tough hour of so after Laragh and kept enough for that. Maybe I was too conservative in the pacing last year but I would prefer to have the energy to get up Glenmacnass rather than weave all over the road. The run home from Sally Gap feels like winning the lotto, they even painted a smiley face on the road at that cross roads meaning you more or less made it home.

NamelessPhil

Tipperarymike wrote: »

In terms of pacing yourself on this , would anyone have any tips? I know the question is a bit like 'how long is a piece of string?' I suppose it is just the first 80k that are tricky....

The 100km is tough enough. In terms of climbing, you're on the same route as everyone for the first 40km. The climbs start at the beginning in Dalkey village so make sure you have a nice low gear on the back. There isn't much flat in the first 25km and you just keep going upwards. Once you reach the top of Old Long Hill (Djouce Woods) you have a bit of a break into Roundwood. The climbs aren't so steep and there's some descending. After Roundwood you descend a bit more until you have a sharp right and then you're slogging up and around a mountain to get to Laragh, be careful on the descent down the hill, the road surface isn't great in places and fairly narrow.

In Laragh you've time to get your breath back, the food stop is there in the Brockagh Centre. Then you've got the long slow climb for 20km up to Sally Gap. A nice descent into Enniskerry will give you a break before the last drag out of Enniskerry. Down to Shankill from Kilternan and then the sting in the tail that is Vico Road!

You'll be grand, just pretend it's a mountain stage in the Giro!

Wishbone Ash

Tipperarymike wrote: »

Has anyone on here done the 100k before? It seems most lads on here are much hardier than myself and fitter too, another lad and myself are doing the 100, my first 100 of the year and fitness levels aren't ideal for this but the challenge looks fairly tempting.

In terms of pacing yourself on this , would anyone have any tips? I know the question is a bit like 'how long is a piece of string?' I suppose it is just the first 80k that are tricky....

Thanks

Break it down mentally and focus on sections at a time. The old long hill is a bit of a drag but it fairly flat after Roundwood. Then focus on the foodstop at Laragh at around 55k. There's the long drag out of Laragh through Glenmacnass but it's not steep and you'll be refreshed after the foodstop. It also very scenic along here. Towards the Sally Gap can be tedious in a headwind but again nothing steep. When you get to the turn off at Glencree, it's mainly downhill to the end except for a few short ramps. You'll be fine - think of it as a Sunday ride with a bit of extra climbing.

Wishbone Ash

Luxman wrote: »

...The run home from Sally Gap feels like winning the lotto, they even painted a smiley face on the road at that cross roads meaning you more or less made it home.

Reminds me of the feeling of going over the Devil's Elbow after 14 hours or so in the saddle and knowing that I've almost made it to the end of the Boards Evil Ride! (Which has a lot more climbing than the MB200).

Tipperarymike

Luxman, Nameless Phil and Wishbone Ash, thanks a million for the replies and advice. It is great to get the bit of insight in to the parts of the spin We will take heed of that and certainly we will be aiming to finish as opposed to worry about Strava or pushing any pace early on so. We won't worry about anything containing the word 'evil' for a long time yet.

It seems like a great day out and reading the threads from other years it sounds like if you can finish the Mick Byrne, you are set up for most leisurely sportives for the rest of the year. The weather forecast looks to be favourable too which is a big help.

Best of luck to all on here who are going on Sunday.

shamrock2004

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Break it down mentally and focus on sections at a time.

I think this is key.

I did the lap de gaps 100km a few weeks back on a hybrid and to be honest i didnt find it that difficult at all. It's the first hilly sportif Ive done. That took in the sally gap and wicklow way. I hope if i could get through that then ill last the test on sunday...

Mercian Pro

Luxman wrote: »

3556m vertical.

Zen0 wrote: »

Ah jaysus! Now you're really putting the fear of God into me! :eek:

Will be very surprised (and even shocked) if it's anywhere close to that amount of climbing. Sorrento link to Bikemap.net gives 2790m and there's another version of it there at 2450m.

My records from doing the 160 in 2014 show 2200m (which tallies with Bikemap) and 2551m last year.

I think the best policy is to assume the lowest figure you can find when thinking of signing up, a middling figure on the day and the highest for the weeks after you complete it. See you all bright and early in the morning. I'll also be in Swords CC gear and hope to make it a triple with WA after Donegal Bay and the Orwell Randonee.

Luxman

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Will be very surprised (and even shocked) if it's anywhere close to that amount of climbing. Sorrento link to Bikemap.net gives 2790m and there's another version of it there at 2450m.

My records from doing the 160 in 2014 show 2200m (which tallies with Bikemap) and 2551m last year.

I think the best policy is to assume the lowest figure you can find when thinking of signing up, a middling figure on the day and the highest for the weeks after you complete it. See you all bright and early in the morning. I'll also be in Swords CC gear and hope to make it a triple with WA after Donegal Bay and the Orwell Randonee.

Sorry that 3.5k refers to the 200k spin. Sorry for any confusion. That what my garmin recorded last year

Wishbone Ash

Forecast looks pretty good!

http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Leinster/County_Wicklow~2960935/hour_by_hour.html

I might consider using the summer bike as the front derailleur on the Fuji was giving trouble on today's ride. (Don't think I'm ready to do the MB in the big ring yet!)

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Will be very surprised (and even shocked) if it's anywhere close to that amount of climbing. Sorrento link to Bikemap.net gives 2790m and there's another version of it there at 2450m...

Sorrento CC webpage says it's over 3,000m!

..and the 200km has over 3000 mtrs of climbing, a true challenge and a tougher day than the W200

doozerie

For the 200km route last year NamelessPhil's Garmin recorded it as over 3,200m of climbing. Mine recorded it as a little more because I was mucking about a bit as preparation for a hilly stage race a week later.

Garmins can certainly be contrary yokes and consistency isn't their strongest point, but I reckon it's safe to assume it'll be over 3,000m of climbing for the 200km route. That sounds worse than it is though, being spread out over such a distance helps and when the sun is shining (fingers crossed!) everything seems easier anyway.

Zen0

Ah! Yiz can stop now! I have resigned myself to a day of suffering. Reassurances from nameless Phil, Wishbone Ash or Doozerie are meaningless. I need reassurances from some big fat guy with a wooden leg. I'll be the slow guy in the Tiernan's jersey.

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...I might consider using the summer bike as the front derailleur on the Fuji was giving trouble on today's ride. (Don't think I'm ready to do the MB in the big ring yet!)

Sorted now (I think!) so it will be the Fuji.

doozerie wrote: »

...Garmins can certainly be contrary yokes and consistency isn't their strongest point..

Indeed. I have an 810 which can act up at times. On long rides I also take the old 500 as a back up (just in case the 810 decides to switch itself off half way through). I've noticed that when both are set to record the exact same ride, the 500 records about 5% more elevation and about 1% more distance.

doozerie

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I've noticed that when both are set to record the exact same ride, the 500 records about 5% more elevation and about 1% more distance.

The 500 is only little, it has to work harder to travel the same distance as the bigger 810, so its measure reflects the extra effort involved.

Like with humans. I speak for all little people when I say that rides feel longer and more climb-ey for us! :pac:

meisce

Zen0 wrote:

Ah! Yiz can stop now! I have resigned myself to a day of suffering. Reassurances from nameless Phil, Wishbone Ash or Doozerie are meaningless. I need reassurances from some big fat guy with a wooden leg. I'll be the slow guy in the Tiernan's jersey.

Don't have a wooden leg but as a "larger" cyclist I survived the 160 last year......just
😞

Mercian Pro

Luxman wrote: »

Sorry that 3.5k refers to the 200k spin. Sorry for any confusion. That what my garmin recorded last year

I suppose all the different climbing figures prove is that you can plot a route on three different programmes and record it on three different Garmins and end up with six widely diverging figures. The hills aren't going to miraculously flatten out and the legs aren't going to sprout new muscles overnight. Going easy on the drink tonight might help I suppose.

cajonlardo

Mercian Pro wrote: »

I The hills aren't going to miraculously flatten out

No, but you'd think they'd have been worn down a bit now the amount of times we've been over them..

Unknown Soldier

Mercian Pro wrote: »

I suppose all the different climbing figures prove is that you can plot a route on three different programmes and record it on three different Garmins and end up with six widely diverging figures. The hills aren't going to miraculously flatten out and the legs aren't going to sprout new muscles overnight. Going easy on the drink tonight might help I suppose.

I've been testing Garmins of late and I "think" a lot of the differences are down to the "internals" and things like GPS Accuracy, such as the Edge 1000 being down to 3m. I'm edging towards it being bigger =/= to its expensiveness. it acts completely differently to other garmins I have played with.

When I can track down what the bleedin' internals are, I'll hopefully answer my own questions.

that aside, Best of luck to all of you doing the MB tomorrow!

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

... Going easy on the drink tonight might help I suppose.

Plenty of drink the night before is an integral part of long sportives! I can't imagine starting one without being hungover - that's why I usually have to cycle out to the start line!

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

.. Best of luck to all of you doing the MB tomorrow!

Now what's your excuse?

That Garmin 1000 you have needs to see regular action - and I'm not talking about commutes. Otherwise we'll have to arrange to put a CPO on it. :pac:

irishrover99

Don't for get the sun cream tomorrow. Looks like it's gonna be a nice day throughout