achill quest 2017.

dougal13

doing achill for 1st time this year and just a few questions if anyone can help me out. new to kayah is it hard to get hang off? I row in gym alot but no it different. also with the bike. I have both a road and tt bike. which best to use on the roads? should I use cycling shoes or just go with straps on the bike. run is not a problem as I'm mainly a runner. thanks

flash84962

I'm guessing you're doing the long one?

I have done it the last two years. Great race. The run is class!

Anyway, kayak is sound enough. Probably easier to jump on a double than a single. I think last year it took about 25 minutes.

The run then is up over the top of the cliff and around to the booster station on minaun. It's a steep descent back to the beach. It can be slippy on the desent and there are a few holes to avoid

Back into transition and stick on the bike shoes. I'd go with the road bike. You have to cycle out of keel back towards achill sound which can be busy with traffic, onto a tight hilly road, and then there's the sheep....so better with a more heads up position.

Rack the bike and either run to the finish line in the bike shoes or socks, tis less than 100m on grass.

Excuseless

Try to get out for a spin in a sit On Top Kayak in advance if you can
Great for the confidence but easy to muddle the kayak section through if you are not too worried about the time.
Get into a double as they are generally faster than singles unless you are a super paddler.

Use trail shoes for the run as can be slippy in places and Better grip => confidence => time saved and less chance of falling in general

Use clip in shoes and regular road bike

FROM Race Info on Website: - TT bikes or bikes fitted with Tri Bars of any type may not be used

Keeks

Excuseless wrote: »

FROM Race Info on Website: - TT bikes or bikes fitted with Tri Bars of any type may not be used

I see this statement in a lot of adventure races and wonder is it ever enforced.....did a quick search for photos from last years Achill race and didnt have to spendling before i found these....

http://actionphotography.ie/image/200339/159370/
http://actionphotography.ie/image/200339/159399/

woody1

TT bikes or bikes fitted with Tri Bars of any type may not be used

well thats an absolute balls... was planning on entering .. will need a long think about it now.. i wonder is it new for this year .. ive done it a few times on tt bike and on road bike with tri bars..

what would annoy me more is to land down with the road bike and see lads on tt bikes ..

Newtown90

TT bikes / Tri bars ruling hasn't been enforced in Killarney or Glendalough this year so far anyhow even though that rule has been in!

Really looking forward to Achill this year, went last year while injured supporting a few buddies and caught the bug from the buzz.

woody1

Newtown90 wrote: »

TT bikes / Tri bars ruling hasn't been enforced in Killarney or Glendalough this year so far anyhow even though that rule has been in!

Really looking forward to Achill this year, went last year while injured supporting a few buddies and caught the bug from the buzz.

can see a few chancing the tri bars in the killarney photos, didnt see any full tt bikes though.. if its enforced properly and the same for everyone then its grand,
i just have my doubts that it will be..

yeah theres a good buzz at those races, still havent decided though, didnt go last year with the price increase, was warming up to it this year but the bike thing might put me off ..

Keeks

Of the Quest Adventure series races, it would seem only Achill has the ban on TT/Tri Bars.....no mention of it in the race informtion on the websites for the other races...

Might be worth dropping them an email for clarity

woody1

yeah, just got on to them , new for this year .. health and safety .. as long as its applied to everyone then thats fine with me...

itd be in their own interest to flag it up a bit more.. on facebook and maybe send out an email to anyone entered.. itd avoid a bit of hassle

could be some craic with lads landing down from afar with the tt bike to be told they cant race .. a lot of these lads cant spend 5 minutes paying attention to a race briefing never mind read the rules off a website..

looking at last years results, was the course different to the previous year .. theres a big difference in times, guts of 20 mins.. looks like the run kayak run might be different.. ? maybe a calm day versus a windy day.. 20 mins is a lot though..

fletch

woody1 wrote: »

looking at last years results, was the course different to the previous year .. theres a big difference in times, guts of 20 mins.. looks like the run kayak run might be different.. ? maybe a calm day versus a windy day.. 20 mins is a lot though..

Pretty much the same although slightly shorter kayak last year. I do recall a serious tailwind into the finish in 2015 so I presume that tailwind was a headwind too which may have slowed down times.

flash84962

There was a change form 2015 to 2016 alright. When quest took over from the old Roar event.

In 2015 you had to run back through transition after the kayak, then onto the beach. In 2016 it was straight onto the beach and up the hill!

PoorFarmer

The ban on TT bikes and Tri bars is new for this year. Don't think any of the other 3 races have a cycle course to suit TT bike but I haven't done achill so I can't comment. The 1st 3 Sport bikes in Killarney had Tri bars in March but saw none in Glendalough. Had notices at sign on in Glendalough saying there were none allowed though.
Think there were a lot of spills in Achill last year with tri bikes and that may be the problem. Few fallers in DAR Sport too this year I believe

jngm

Sorry to hijack the thread, does anyone have any info on the bike transition; if we switch to clip ons in elite do we have to carry our runners on the bike leg too - my bro-in-law did Glendalough and in 99% sure that is the case. Again it is difficult to tell from the pictures.

woody1

the bike leg is the last section of the race, you do re-rack the bike and run about 100 yards across the finish line but its all on grass, you can do it in your socks or leave your bike shoes on .. whatever suits .. but you dont need to bring your runners with you on the bike

dougal13

when I enquired bout tt bikes this the response I got from quest ireland

Thank you for your message. No im afraid tt bikes and road bikes with Tri bars are not allowed due to heath and safety. Bikes will be checked before participants begin and will not be allowed part-take if they have tt bikes or tri bars I apologise for any inconvenience and please let me know if you have any more questions.

Laoise

wannabecraig

So what kind of gloves would you use here, just standard cycling gloves?
You defo need gloves for the Kayaking part I think?

fletch

wannabecraig wrote: »

So what kind of gloves would you use here, just standard cycling gloves?
You defo need gloves for the Kayaking part I think?

Never bothered with gloves before...and don't recall seeing anyone else wearing them either.

WANDERING WONDER

You certainly wont need gloves for the kayak but you might need them for the bike if its raining heavy
Anyone know what the 45km cycle is like ? How hard is it ? Is it as bad or worse than Molls gap in Killarney haha

ThisRegard

If you're not a strong cyclist it's a tough cycle. Never done Quest but I always found the cycle for Achill was the toughest of the lot if you find yourself alone.

It's certainly a course the benefits a good cyclist over a good runner anyway.

WANDERING WONDER

ThisRegard wrote: »

If you're not a strong cyclist it's a tough cycle. Never done Quest but I always found the cycle for Achill was the toughest of the lot if you find yourself alone.

It's certainly a course the benefits a good cyclist over a good runner anyway.

Thanks !  crap Ive been worrying more about the run than the cycle !

Baby75

I have been more worried about the cycle than the run my self I signed up months ago with my hubby and he picked the long one :eek: so have been working on running and cycling ever since I am so glad I have been cycling on hills for training. !!!

only 2 more weeks to go

Baby75

wannabecraig wrote: »

So what kind of gloves would you use here, just standard cycling gloves?
You defo need gloves for the Kayaking part I think?

The last few events I have had them with me and used them, I am keeping an eye on the weather for 2 weeks time because if the weather is bad you will need them for the bike to stop the hands freezing off you Achill can be wild if the wind is blowing and it is raining.

WANDERING WONDER

I really hope we get good weather ! we got amazing weather for glendalough and it just made the atmosphere even better ! Under 2 weeks to go now and getting really nervous ! Should I be starting to hold back on the training yet ? 
And if one of ye dont mind can I tie a rope on to yer bikes so i can get up the hills ......dear god what have I let myself in for !!!

Baby75

WANDERING WONDER wrote: »

I really hope we get good weather ! we got amazing weather for glendalough and it just made the atmosphere even better ! Under 2 weeks to go now and getting really nervous ! Should I be starting to hold back on the training yet ? 
And if one of ye dont mind can I tie a rope on to yer bikes so i can get up the hills ......dear god what have I let myself in for !!!

wonder would they notice LOL feeling a bit nervous myself I am planning on taking it a little easier next week have a long cycle on Saturday and LSR on Sunday that will be it until next week, plan for next week train Tuesday, Wednesday all easy and rest till Saturday!

I will be watching the weather closely this week!! and getting gear and food organized:)

Whyner

Any tickets going???

Baby75

I plotted out the cycle route for the expert route I am sure I have the start and finishing spot wrong but you get an idea on hills https://www.plotaroute.com/route/489060`

WANDERING WONDER

Brill , thanks for sharing ! Getting excited now ! Still not sure if I should be more nervous about the run or cycle !
Last day of hard training tomorrow then it's slow down mode till Wednesday, hopefully we should be bursting to go on Saturday morning !
Hopefully we won't have gusts of wind in our faces during the cycle !
Mars bar or snickers for mid race boost?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Can anyone confirm what you have to carry during the run, i would like to have the bare minimim.
I was planning on having the safety blanket, whistle, bandages in my pocket.
Food and water on the bike along with helmet and shoes.
Some of the guys doing it with me reckon everything accept the bike must be carried during the race.

WANDERING WONDER

U need ur mandotary kit,a light rain jacket , and id advise water , leave everything else on the bike.

WANDERING WONDER wrote: »

U need ur mandotary kit,a light rain jacket , and id advise water , leave everything else on the bike.

brilliant thanks, ill try have a bottle on me but i think ill manage the run without water, usually run alot further without any.

WANDERING WONDER

If u can manage without fair play to u , the run is gonna be my weakest so I'll need all the help I can get 😂
Best of luck!

Excuseless

<bert> wrote: »

brilliant thanks, ill try have a bottle on me but i think ill manage the run without water, usually run a lot further without any.

Don't be fooled by the length of the run as there is 500+m of climb in it and a fair amount of proper off road terrain as well as the beach.
You will also have done the kayak stage before you get back to the bike.
Lots of folk try to manage w/o water until they get to the bike and come unstuck as it takes at least 80' for the top folk to get back to the bike (and over 2 hours for others!).
At race pace that means dehydration & high risk of subsequent cramps so give yourself a chance and bring fluids on the run :eek:

Would you go to run a marathon ( Taking say 3-> 5 hours like Achill will take for most) and not take a drink of water or something to eat until after the half way point?
May work ok for some but not for most IMHO

PeterX and several others had the fortune of seeing the leader come badly unstuck on the bike leg in the very first Achill race back in 2009 due to his lack of food & drink

Good luck to all taking part

WANDERING WONDER

Excuseless wrote: »

wrote: »

brilliant thanks, ill try have a bottle on me but i think ill manage the run without water, usually run a lot further without any.

Don't be fooled by the length of the run as there is 500+m of climb in it and a fair amount of proper off road terrain as well as the beach.
You will also have done the kayak stage before you get back to the bike.
Lots of folk try to manage w/o water until they get to the bike and come unstuck as it takes at least 80' for the top folk to get back to the bike (and over 2 hours for others!).
At race pace that means dehydration & high risk of subsequent cramps so give yourself a chance and bring fluids on the run :eek:

Would you go to run a marathon ( Taking say 3-> 5 hours like Achill will take for most) and not take a drink of water or something to eat until after the half way point?
May work ok for some but not for most IMHO

PeterX and several others had the fortune of seeing the leader come badly unstuck on the bike leg in the very first Achill race back in 2009 due to his lack of food & drink

Good luck to all taking part

Totally agree , im expecting to take 3hrs on the run as im an awful slow runner , and i plan on carrying a camel back pack with 2 litres of water - they are very lightweight! Plus food - gels or cliff bar. Otherwise I will be zapped by the time you get to the bike
BTW you have to carry your rain jacket on the run too.

Baby75

Excuseless wrote: »

Don't be fooled by the length of the run as there is 500+m of climb in it and a fair amount of proper off road terrain as well as the beach.
You will also have done the kayak stage before you get back to the bike.
Lots of folk try to manage w/o water until they get to the bike and come unstuck as it takes at least 80' for the top folk to get back to the bike (and over 2 hours for others!).
At race pace that means dehydration & high risk of subsequent cramps so give yourself a chance and bring fluids on the run :eek:

Would you go to run a marathon ( Taking say 3-> 5 hours like Achill will take for most) and not take a drink of water or something to eat until after the half way point?
May work ok for some but not for most IMHO

PeterX and several others had the fortune of seeing the leader come badly unstuck on the bike leg in the very first Achill race back in 2009 due to his lack of food & drink

Good luck to all taking part

100% agree with you, I took part in the Wicklow women's adventure race, which was a 3k cycle and then trail run 10KM they kayak before returning to bike, but the weather was cold windy and wet, So I just opted for water on my bike and left my hydration Backpack behind thinking I would not need it. How wrong was I, it was a hard run and then the sun came out roasting us, by the end of the run many who also had no water were in a bad way lot of poor girls getting sick as I passed them :eek: I was very lucky I was thirsty but no tummy issues, I was never so glad to see my bike and drink from my bottle I was dehydrated at that point, which also made it harder to eat with a dry mouth and panting from running up hill to the bike transition. not to mention cramping on the bike working hard cycling up hill. That was a much shorter adventure race as well!

So I plan on having my hydration Backpack on I am using tailwind for hydration and fuel

WANDERING WONDER

Baby75 wrote: »

Excuseless wrote: »

Don't be fooled by the length of the run as there is 500+m of climb in it and a fair amount of proper off road terrain as well as the beach.
You will also have done the kayak stage before you get back to the bike.
Lots of folk try to manage w/o water until they get to the bike and come unstuck as it takes at least 80' for the top folk to get back to the bike (and over 2 hours for others!).
At race pace that means dehydration & high risk of subsequent cramps so give yourself a chance and bring fluids on the run :eek:

Would you go to run a marathon ( Taking say 3-> 5 hours like Achill will take for most) and not take a drink of water or something to eat until after the half way point?
May work ok for some but not for most IMHO

PeterX and several others had the fortune of seeing the leader come badly unstuck on the bike leg in the very first Achill race back in 2009 due to his lack of food & drink

Good luck to all taking part

100% agree with you, I took part in the Wicklow women's adventure race, which was a 3k cycle and then trail run 10KM they kayak before returning to bike, but the weather was cold windy and wet, So I just opted for water on my bike and left my hydration Backpack behind thinking I would not need it. How wrong was I, it was a hard run and then the sun came out roasting us, by the end of the run many who also had no water were in a bad way lot of poor girls getting sick as I passed them :eek: I was very lucky I was thirsty but no tummy issues, I was never so glad to see my bike and drink from my bottle I was dehydrated at that point, which also made it harder to eat with a dry mouth and panting from running up hill to the bike transition. not to mention cramping on the bike working hard cycling up hill. That was a much shorter adventure race as well!

So I plan on having my hydration Backpack on I am using tailwind for hydration and fuel

I did quest glendelough and that was a tough run , wouldnt have made it without electrolytes esp in that sunny weather!
Im also gonna leave a litre of water beside the bike so I can refill before the cycle. 
getting nervous now !

Baby75

I am feeling nervous myself

WANDERING WONDER

looks like the run is gonna be quite boggy !

woody1

looks like it could be fairly windy tomorrow, achill is very open so be careful on the bikes.. and of course itl make the cycle tougher..

if it turns out to be very windy, they could cancel the kayak, which has happened before.. and it turned into run.. bike.. run .. might not happen though..

WANDERING WONDER

Damn it and the kayak is the only one im confident on hahaha time to put the auld child of prague out!

Baby75

Kayak was cancelled today


How did you find it some wind at one point I was leaning into it on the bike lol we did the expert and apart from the running on the stones to the boggy start on the hill I enjoyed the run wind was a bit crazy near the top on the ridge

The wind on the bike section was unreal at points I knew we in for a hard cycle when I seen the faces of the lads on the way back in from the first wave lol

did the 63km. really liked the run. and the first half of the cycle had a good wind assist. Got a flat 10 minutes in on the bike. defiantly needed to bring water on the run in the end. The wind on the 2nd half of the cycle killed me. good weekend in achill all round though

WANDERING WONDER

Wind nearly blew me into a car ! it was an added challege , I did the run in under 3 hours and they told me I had to do the sport cycle , it was ridiculous ! I though it was a very badly run event compared to the other Quests I did! My friend finished in 6hrs and they had the finish line taken down , water and food were gone and their were more people coming in after , I thought that was very bad form and very disrespectful. 
Having us run on the loose stones coming off the beach was an accident waiting to happen , a local told me to get off it as they had seen loads hurt themselves on it before. I loved the route but id never do it again because of how badly it was run! If they had cut off times they need to say it on the website !

Baby75

WANDERING WONDER wrote: »

Wind nearly blew me into a car ! it was an added challege , I did the run in under 3 hours and they told me I had to do the sport cycle , it was ridiculous ! I though it was a very badly run event compared to the other Quests I did! My friend finished in 6hrs and they had the finish line taken down , water and food were gone and their were more people coming in after , I thought that was very bad form and very disrespectful. 
Having us run on the loose stones coming off the beach was an accident waiting to happen , a local told me to get off it as they had seen loads hurt themselves on it before. I loved the route but id never do it again because of how badly it was run! If they had cut off times they need to say it on the website !

I have to agree with you about the finish line, it was so disheartening to arrive back and only one rack up for racking your bike, I got a bottle of water and a little bit of soup nothing else left, I felt bad for the people coming behind me I thought it was very bad form we all paid the same price to do the event, it would be nice if they made sure there was enough left for all at the finish line, as after the cycle in that wind you needed something after being on your feet for 4 or more hours.

They never mentioned cut off points at all are you going to email

but well done for finishing it was the hardest thing I have ever done I am sore today from coming down hill

actually, at the way up to the top just after the check point, we were going straight up and my hubby noticed a group heading off to the right following the ridge rather than heading up the top, we started to follow when he said I see no markers and retraced his steps to find we were heading the wrong way, he ran and called them back as if they kept going they would have had to climb up a very steep incline to get to the top where the mast and point for decent. it was very misty so hard to see, I wonder how many others went that way

WANDERING WONDER

It was an amazing day even though im disgusted i wasnt allowed do the cycle , the mountain run was amazing ! A couple of people broke legs I heard , im not surprised and it was badly marshalled and sign posted! 
Coming down was so much fun but my ankles are sore from it too ! 
Well done on finishing , it was a tough course and tough conditions! Sea2Summit next for me !

Baby75

WANDERING WONDER wrote: »

It was an amazing day even though im disgusted i wasnt allowed do the cycle , the mountain run was amazing ! A couple of people broke legs I heard , im not surprised and it was badly marshalled and sign posted! 
Coming down was so much fun but my ankles are sore from it too ! 
Well done on finishing , it was a tough course and tough conditions! Sea2Summit next for me !

it was amazing, I must admit on the way up the mountain I faltered I think I let the enormity of what I was doing creep in and I just thought I can not do this, thanks to my hubby I shook it off and kept going after that I kept thinking if I stop I won't get that medal and I wanted it LOL .my favorite part of the run was running along the ridge and reaching the point where we started cycling back towards the finish line I got a second wind and even caught a few people

Good luck at sea2summit I am looking at coast to coast LOL or similar I think loads of training to do first lots of hiking and mountain running I think

Neady83

Baby75 wrote: »

it was amazing, I must admit on the way up the mountain I faltered I think I let the enormity of what I was doing creep in and I just thought I can not do this, thanks to my hubby I shook it off and kept going after that I kept thinking if I stop I won't get that medal and I wanted it LOL .my favorite part of the run was running along the ridge and reaching the point where we started cycling back towards the finish line I got a second wind and even caught a few people

Good luck at sea2summit I am looking at coast to coast LOL or similar I think loads of training to do first lots of hiking and mountain running I think

Sounds like you have the bug for adventuring Baby75 Well done at the weekend, not an easy course and in tough conditions, kudos. It's a great buzz isn't it

If you're thinking of doing the Coast2Coast (as a pair with your hubby maybe?), focus on cycling and kayaking for the winter. You're DCM training will be enough to get you through the hike/run/crawl at the end of the Coast2Coast but the 260km on the bike and the long kayak will be tough.

The trekking section in Newcastle Co. Down isn't very technical and at that point you'll most likely be walking and jogging sections of it so a lot of technical running won't need to be top of your list

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

Sounds like you have the bug for adventuring Baby75 Well done at the weekend, not an easy course and in tough conditions, kudos. It's a great buzz isn't it

If you're thinking of doing the Coast2Coast (as a pair with your hubby maybe?), focus on cycling and kayaking for the winter. You're DCM training will be enough to get you through the hike/run/crawl at the end of the Coast2Coast but the 260km on the bike and the long kayak will be tough.

The trekking section in Newcastle Co. Down isn't very technical and at that point you'll most likely be walking and jogging sections of it so a lot of technical running won't need to be top of your list

It is I could not believe how good I felt at the end of it, no problems running through the finish line my legs worked yesterday they were sore more my left than right, but that was the way I bounced, ran slid on my ass on the way back down.

Yes, I am thinking of doing it as a team with my hubby, Thanks for those tips I want to work on my cycling so I can get stronger did you find spinning helped with your cycling? we are thinking of getting our own Kayak to go out in, the river Barrow is just on our doorstep and a new adventure club is hopefully starting up we are going to the meeting tomorrow night to see what it is all about.

Neady83

Baby75 wrote: »

It is I could not believe how good I felt at the end of it, no problems running through the finish line my legs worked yesterday they were sore more my left than right, but that was the way I bounced, ran slid on my ass on the way back down.

Yes, I am thinking of doing it as a team with my hubby, Thanks for those tips I want to work on my cycling so I can get stronger did you find spinning helped with your cycling? we are thinking of getting our own Kayak to go out in, the river Barrow is just on our doorstep and a new adventure club is hopefully starting up we are going to the meeting tomorrow night to see what it is all about.

Bouncing and sliding down the mountain, sounds like my kinda race

Spinning helped but if you could get a turbo for your own bike or access to a wattbike it would be great. You're looking at 8 to 10 hours on the saddle so while the spinning will make your legs stronger, it won't get your bum ready for a long time on the saddle

The kayak stage on the C2C is mostly calm - there's one small lake to cross that can get choppy but the rescue boat will be on hand to direct ye to the smoothest way around if it is choppy so it's really quite safe. If I can help at all drop me a PM

That adventure club sounds great.

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

Bouncing and sliding down the mountain, sounds like my kinda race

Spinning helped but if you could get a turbo for your own bike or access to a wattbike it would be great. You're looking at 8 to 10 hours on the saddle so while the spinning will make your legs stronger, it won't get your bum ready for a long time on the saddle

The kayak stage on the C2C is mostly calm - there's one small lake to cross that can get choppy but the rescue boat will be on hand to direct ye to the smoothest way around if it is choppy so it's really quite safe. If I can help at all drop me a PM

That adventure club sounds great.

Thanks so much Neady I will take you up on that, Just as well I love cycling I see a lot of saddle time in my future