The Reservoir Dog Sportive 2017

Corker1

Hey Folks, Just to let you know that on-line registration is now open for the Reservoir Dog Sportive 2017. It will be hosted again this year at Russborough House near Blessington, taking place on 3rd September. As with previous years the tough Reservoir Dog 125km course follows the same challenging route around the major reservoirs of Wicklow and South Dublin and has some serious climbs along the way including the infamous Cunard climb. And as with previous years we have kept the entry fee to €30 (C.I. members) +€5 for non-C.I.! The Reservoir Pup 65 km route gets a makeover this year and has grown from 50km with some new climbs thrown in for good measure. This event has proven very popular for previous editions and numbers of riders doubled in 2016. Rider numbers are limited to 400 to ensure the best experience for all entrants. For more information see the link posted below. Early registration is recommended to secure a spot. Hope to see you there http://www.reservoircogs.ie/reservoir-dog-sportive/

Euro Fred

In, great day out.

rollingscone

Did this last year. Highly recommend this event, equal parts challenging and interesting lots of lesser known climbs in the mix.

Can't make it this year but expect to be back the next.

py

Also enjoyed it immensely last year. Good route/climbs, good food/water stops, good welcome as you return. Don't underestimate the immense pain that Lake Drive brings after 100Km and ~1750m of climbing, it really stung the legs at that stage last year. Will hopefully be in this year.

triggermortis

Did this last year for my first taste of Wicklow and wouldn't mind doing it again this year. Starting a new job at start of August and don't know my shift pattern yet, but hopefully it will work out I can do this again

siochain

Best sportive in Ireland the last two years

retalivity

Was a good day in the saddle last yr, would do it again but not sure of my availabilty. Will it sell out early?

Daroxtar

Booked in now, wouldn't miss this one. Definitely my favorite sportive last year.

DD Mikasa

Signed up for this last year but couldnt make it on the day. Defo doing it this year. Want that medal! Looking forward to cursing Lake Drive!

Euro Fred

Will there be beer again?

Corker1

siochain wrote: »

Best sportive in Ireland the last two years

Thank you... we are glad you enjoyed it so much!!

Corker1

retalivity wrote: »

Was a good day in the saddle last yr, would do it again but not sure of my availabilty. Will it sell out early?

It's hard to say but seeing as the numbers are limited there is a fair chance that it will sell out - so book online early once you know your availability. Hope you can make it.

RobFowl

Did this last year and nice event marred for us by a nasty injury to one or our riders. He's back on the bike now thank God though. ;

Corker1

Euro Fred wrote: »

Will there be beer again?

There will indeed be a cold beer waiting for riders who complete The Reservoir Dog or Pup event - which, lets face it, will be well earned. Other cold and hot non-alcoholic bevereges will also be available . In addition we provide a full BBQ at the finish. The burger washed down by a beer on the front lawn of Russborough went down a treat last year! We also cater for a range of dietry requirements.

PhillySteak9

How does this compare to the Wicklow 100? I did that early this year and found it tough but doable.

Crocked

PhillySteak9 wrote: »

How does this compare to the Wicklow 100? I did that early this year and found it tough but doable.

Its harder than the W100. The W100 shows as 1200m climbing over the 100km, whereas this is 1900m over 125km.

Now you'll have had an extra 3 months in the legs so you should be able to do it, just a matter of pacing it. Most of the climbing is in the first half so just don't hammer it up the early climbs when you're fresh.

It's a great route and there's beer n burgers at the end. Superb event and great way to end the season.

py

Harder than the WW100 for sure, not quite as difficult as WW200 but not to be taken lightly as it's a good chunk of climbing in 125Km. The weather last year was favourable so made for a great day out. Food stop a few Km out from Wicklow Gap was most welcome and then were water stops along the way to ensure you've enough H2O to get you home.

Euro Fred

This and the Orwell Randonee are by far the best sportives in my opinion.

PhillySteak9

Thanks for the replies. Still not sure whether to do the 100 or 65. Leaning towards the 65.

Corker1

PhillySteak9 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Still not sure whether to do the 100 or 65. Leaning towards the 65.

The 125km Reservoir Dog route is tough but very do-able if you have been training for hills in the run up to it and your bike has a suitable gearing set-up. Map My Ride gives it 2001 metres of ascent over 125km. But the 65km Reservoir Pup route is new for this year and we have stolen a couple of the climbs from the Dog. It is a good challenge in it's own right with 815metres of ascent over 65km. I rode the 65km Pup route a few weeks back and yeah, there is a nice bit of climbing to be done. Whatever you choose to book you can always decide on the day which route suits you best depending on how your training goes and how you feel then.

Corker1

So the medals were a big hit with riders last year. We have 400 medals on order. The only change this year is the updated 65km Reservoir Pup route on the ribbon.

Star hurl

Can anyone compare this to the rebel tour ? Cheers

Corker1

Our local Blessington brewery, Manor Brewing Co. is once again sponsoring the beer at this years Sportive, with every finisher of the Reservoir Dog receiving a cold bottle of MONT Lager as they cross the finish line. After all 'great beer tastes better when its earned', right? Mont Beer will also be given as prizes. To be in with a chance of winning a case of MONT Beer or a 5L mini-keg just enter on-line at ; http://www.reservoircogs.ie/registration/,
Spot prizes of 4-packs of beer, Mont T-shirts, Free 'Errol Mont Club' subscription etc. will be given as prizes on the day to some lucky riders. And this year Manor Brewing will even have some of their new 'limited edition' craft beers available to try.

For those that don't know, the Manor Brewery is based at The Manor itself, in Manor Kilbride, and has the distinction of being 'Ireland's highest brewery' right there on the Sally Gap Road about 12km along the 'Reservoir Dog Sportive' route. Most of us have ridden past on our way to or from the Sally Gap without even knowing it was there!

triggermortis

New job shift pattern works out well for once and I'm in, just registered. Hope the weather is as good as last year..

Arthurdaly

Corker1 wrote: »

So the medals were a big hit with riders last year. We have 400 medals on order. The only change this year is the updated 65km Reservoir Pup route on the ribbon.

Yes loved the medal, would it be possible to get the year inscribed this year?

Corker1

Arthurdaly wrote: »

Yes loved the medal, would it be possible to get the year inscribed this year?

Thanks Arthurdaly. The medals have been delivered from the manufacturer. All 400 of them. Sorry but it's too late to inscribe the year. Though the ribbon design has changed from last year to set them apart.

Lotsafish

Are there still open places for this cycle?

Corker1

Lotsafish wrote: »

Are there still open places for this cycle?

There are places still available. Places are filling briskly but if / when the event fills up we will let people know on our website and facebook and I will post an update on this thread too. http://www.reservoircogs.ie/reservoir-dog-sportive/

thelawman

What time do you need to be there beforehand, thanks

Corker1

thelawman wrote: »

What time do you need to be there beforehand, thanks

Registration opens at 7.30 am on Sunday for the 125k route but any time before 8.30am is good. Roll out is at 9am sharp. The 65k route rolls out at 9.30am so sign on between 8.30am and 9am ideally. Tea/coffee and cake will be available on the morning to give riders a boost before the off. See you there on Sunday Lawman.

nilhg

Any chance of being able to register on the morning, I won't know till late Saturday whether I can go or not?

Borderfox

See you on Sunday, im on the Roubaix Disc if anyone wants to say hello (and maybe a push too!!)

Corker1

nilhg wrote: »

Any chance of being able to register on the morning, I won't know till late Saturday whether I can go or not?

I'm sure we can squeeze you in on the day nilhg

Galego

Does anyone have a link to the Strava routes?

The link below does not seem to work for me.

http://thereservoirdogsportive.ie/route.html

Thanks.

nilhg

Galego wrote: »

Does anyone have a link to the Strava routes?

The link below does not seem to work for me.

http://thereservoirdogsportive.ie/route.html

Thanks.

Last years long route

https://www.strava.com/activities/700437710

Corker1

Galego wrote: »

Does anyone have a link to the Strava routes?

The link below does not seem to work for me.

http://thereservoirdogsportive.ie/route.html

Thanks.

Try this Strava Route Galego. ; https://www.strava.com/routes/10393058

Also to get the current link to routes from our website try ; http://www.reservoircogs.ie/routes/
Here is a link on Map My Ride also; http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/587890316

Corker1

nilhg wrote: »

Last years long route

https://www.strava.com/activities/700437710

And here is this years 65km Pup route; https://www.strava.com/routes/10393333

Galego

Corker1 wrote: »

nilhg wrote: »

Last years long route

https://www.strava.com/activities/700437710

And here is this years 65km Pup route;     https://www.strava.com/routes/10393333

Thanks so much. I will register tonight. :-) :-)
I am yet to decide which route to do.......

Corker1

Some people have been having trouble finding route information for the Reservoir Dog Sportive on Sunday. Here is the link to the route information on our website. Scroll down the page for route information for the 65km Reservoir Pup route.

http://www.reservoircogs.ie/routes/

py

Not going to make it out for the event this year but hope all participants have a blast, tis a great spin.

retalivity

py wrote: »

Not going to make it out for the event this year but hope all participants have a blast, tis a great spin.

Same as....enjoy!

Corker1

Our Signature Climb; .....https://www.facebook.com/ReservoirCogsCC/photos/a.1615737652049360.1073741829.1593442387612220/1945835792372876/?type=3&theater

AlreadyHome

Just checked the forecast...looks like it's going to be a bit miserable. I'll be on the blue Planet X (probably looking miserable)

Mercian Pro

Corker1 wrote: »

Our Signature Climb; .....https://www.facebook.com/ReservoirCogsCC/photos/a.1615737652049360.1073741829.1593442387612220/1945835792372876/?type=3&theater

You really do know how to cheer us all up ��

Will the other climbs be signposted as well?

retalivity

Mercian Pro wrote: »

You really do know how to cheer us all up ��

Will the other climbs be signposted as well?

Lough bray was signposted when i went past earlier

triggermortis

I'll probably be doubly miserable if the weather is bad. Managed an awesome faceplant on a dark country lane 2 days ago and so my face is swollen and cut - and making me miserable without even wearing my helmet or sweating like a pig. Promises to be a memorable spin all the same...

Corker1

Mercian Pro wrote: »

You really do know how to cheer us all up ��

Will the other climbs be signposted as well?

We do have similar Sign posts on all the major climbs around the route, and on a couple of smaller hills near the end, that will probably feel like major climbs by that stage!

Lotsafish

Good luck today everyone! I'll be the one with the red spokes and the worried expression coming up to the hills.... :P

nilhg

Sorry to miss this but things just didn't work out for me, hopefully next year...

siochain

good auld crack today

Mercian Pro

The Damp Dog certainly lived up to its reputation of being one tough sportive. Were there any flat bits other than a few km at either end? Great organisation as ever with the added signs this year including a few smart-ass ones. The burger and Mont beer went down in double quick time before dashing home to catch the second half of the match.