The Reservoir Dog Sportive 2018

Corker1

Do you fancy a challenging cycle sportive that will leave you grinning from ear to ear? You do?....Well on-line registration is now open for the Reservoir Dog Sportive 2018. It will be hosted again this year at Russborough House near Blessington, taking place on Sunday 2nd September. As with previous years the tough Reservoir Dog 125km course follows the same challenging route around the major reservoirs of County Wicklow and South Co. Dublin and has some serious climbs along the way including the infamous Cunard climb. And as with previous years we have kept the fantastic value on-line entry fee to €30 (C.I. members) +€5 for non-C.I.! The Reservoir Pup 65 km route is a deceptively tough circuit with some tasty wee climbs on especially scenic roads. This event has proven very popular as an end of season leg tester and with the Tour of Waterford no longer running it is a great chance for a cracking day around the mountains before autumn sets in. We are planning to run this as a sustainable event to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. Rider numbers are limited to ensure the best experience for all entrants. For more information see the link posted below. Early registration is recommended to secure a spot. This is one 'terr(ier)ific' sportive you really shouldn't miss http://www.reservoircogs.ie/reservoir-dog-sportive/

triggermortis

Excellent news. Plus I’m not working that weekend! I’ll be there again

AxleAddict

Have taken part in this for the last two years - and have already signed up for this years event - has turned out to be one of my favourite sportives - some challenging climbs - especially 'Cunard' which is probably the steepest part of the route. All the climbing is rewarded with some great views (if the weather plays ball). A word of warning though, the climbing does start pretty early, so be prepared!

rollingscone

Awesome. I plan to be there.

The Noble Nudge

Did it last year great sportive but will have to wait till the last minute to sign up as its falls on All Ireland football final day this year..

terrydel

Corker1 wrote: »

Do you fancy a challenging cycle sportive that will leave you grinning from ear to ear? You do?....Well on-line registration is now open for the Reservoir Dog Sportive 2018. It will be hosted again this year at Russborough House near Blessington, taking place on Sunday 2nd September. As with previous years the tough Reservoir Dog 125km course follows the same challenging route around the major reservoirs of County Wicklow and South Co. Dublin and has some serious climbs along the way including the infamous Cunard climb. And as with previous years we have kept the fantastic value on-line entry fee to €30 (C.I. members) +€5 for non-C.I.! The Reservoir Pup 65 km route is a deceptively tough circuit with some tasty wee climbs on especially scenic roads. This event has proven very popular as an end of season leg tester and with the Tour of Waterford no longer running it is a great chance for a cracking day around the mountains before autumn sets in. We are planning to run this as a sustainable event to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. Rider numbers are limited to ensure the best experience for all entrants. For more information see the link posted below. Early registration is recommended to secure a spot. This is one 'terr(ier)ific' sportive you really shouldn't miss http://www.reservoircogs.ie/reservoir-dog-sportive/

See you there!

Borderfox

Fantastic event last year and will bring some of my club down this year

estariol

Shame, clashes with frank duffy 10 mile rescheduled date (bloody pope). Loved doing it last two years.

AxleAddict

Borderfox wrote: »

Fantastic event last year and will bring some of my club down this year

I've put the word out to my club also - so hoping to coax a few hardy souls to make the journey down with me this time around!

AxleAddict

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Did it last year great sportive but will have to wait till the last minute to sign up as its falls on All Ireland football final day this year..

*sheesh* You'd have thought the GAA would've had the sense to check with the Reservoir Cogs first before planning their fixture calendar :P

Corker1

Yes it's a bummer that it clashes with All-Ireland football final day. We had booked the venue and CI calendar slot for 2nd September prior to the GAA moving the Finals back a week to facilitate the Popes' visit. By the time we realised that there would be a clash, other dates for the venue were no longer available to us. If you pedal fast you will get home in time for throw-in.

man_no_plan

It clashed with the all Ireland the first year too as far as I remember but there was still a good turn out.

I'm putting in the book now. As good as done!

saccades

It's an excellent event, missed last due to illness but will head back this year.

Daroxtar

I'll be there. I've done the previous ones and rank them as my favourite day out. See you in September

terrydel

Corker1 wrote: »

Yes it's a bummer that it clashes with All-Ireland football final day. We had booked the venue and CI calendar slot for 2nd September prior to the GAA moving the Finals back a week to facilitate the Popes' visit. By the time we realised that there would be a clash, other dates for the venue were no longer available to us. If you pedal fast you will get home in time for throw-in.

Not a fan of Catholicism or the gaa so I wont be missing it for that!

Wishbone Ash

man_no_plan wrote: »

It clashed with the all Ireland the first year too as far as I remember but there was still a good turn out...!

It clashed with the all Ireland hurling final last year (Galway v Waterford). Pretty sure I made it home for the second half.

terrydel

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It clashed with the all Ireland hurling final last year (Galway v Waterford). Pretty sure I made it home for the second half.

Yeah I recall people chatting about that at the end.

RustyGears

I've done this sportive twice and have to say it's one of my favorites. Great challenge at the end of the summer, would highly recommend!

AxleAddict

Having just completed my first Wicklow 200 at the weekend, I think I can fairly safely say that I still enjoy the Reservoir Dog route more. In my opinion, the views are better and the surfaces on the descents are generally better too, so you get to enjoy all the hard work you put into the climbing. Roll on September!

davef1000

Can anyone tell me what the total climbing is in the 125k? I'm interested in this, having finished the WW200 yesterday, and actually enjoying it!

thelawman

davef1000 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what the total climbing is in the 125k? I'm interested in this, having finished the WW200 yesterday, and actually enjoying it!

Think it’s 2000 meters or thereabouts

davef1000

thelawman wrote: »

Think it’s 2000 meters or thereabouts

Ouch. Sounds delightful...

gmacww

davef1000 wrote: »

Ouch. Sounds delightful...

Just checked my Strava from 2016 (same route) and it's 2001. Don't forget that extra 1. Could make all the difference. The real difficulty is not the start which is heavily loaded with climbing it's towards the end. Small hills that are usually no issue are suddenly mountains. Ballyknockan in particular is a bitch that far in.

py

The killer is lake drive at the end, **** that piece of **** road. :mad:

Macy0161

py wrote: »

The killer is lake drive at the end, **** that piece of **** road. :mad:

Worst feckin bit of the Reservoir Dog and the Orwell Randonee!

Borderfox

I would go back the way I came rather than that lake drive piece of sh*t tarmac

in other news I have a nice shiny 11-36 for this year specially for Cunard

terrydel

Macy0161 wrote: »

Worst feckin bit of the Reservoir Dog and the Orwell Randonee!

Practically my backgarden, love it!

secman

Not feeling "the love " on here for the beautiful lake drive

Macy0161

secman wrote:

Not feeling "the love " on here for the beautiful lake drive

I'm sure it's a lovely drive...

retalivity

Ive purposely avoided it ever since the 2016 reservoir dog.
Also got a gdpr email from yourselves today, gotta be compliant!

Paul_Mc1988

Macy0161 wrote:

Worst feckin bit of the Reservoir Dog and the Orwell Randonee!

Lies.. the second pass up to the gap is the worst part of the randonee. Legs screaming by that point with nothing left in the tank. But would we have it any other way

AxleAddict

As if it wasn't tough enough, on my first attempt of the Reservoir Dog a couple of years back, I ended up unintentionally adding a few additional Km to my route by turning left going through Roundwood rather than continuing straight ahead - ended up following the road markings of another sportive for a while before realising that 'something was up' when I hadn't passed (or been passed by) another cyclist for some time - eventually re-joined the route at Laragh via Rathdrum, missing out the foodstop in the process! After the last water stop I thought I was on the home straight - 'thats all the climbing out of the way now' says I - but like others have pointed out, the section after Ballysmutten seems to sap any remaining energy you might have in the legs. I thought I'd be better prepared for that bit after doing the Dog for a second time last year (whilst not making the mistake of adding extra km's to my route this time around) but still found it tough going right 'til the end. Great day out though!

Corker1

Here is the 2018 Event poster. With thanks to Lance Connolly.

siochain

Best sportive the last 3 years next is the Pat Colgan, then Orwell Randonée ðŸ˜႒

Mercian Pro

py wrote: »

The killer is lake drive at the end, **** that piece of **** road. :mad:

Macy0161 wrote: »

Worst feckin bit of the Reservoir Dog and the Orwell Randonee!

You're singing WA's song. He takes on some of the toughest climbs in Europe in atrocious conditions but this is the one road he gives out about.

I think it depends on whether it comes at the start or near the finish of an event. The former can be quite enjoyable whereas the latter is inevitably "challenging". I have been forbidden from ever using the word "undulating" again after describing it as such near the end of a long spin!

secman

Haven't been around lake drive in 27 days, 9 hours and 37 min. Just might head there in the morning 🎺🎻ðŸ¥ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¸ðŸŽ·ðŸ“¯ music ...pure music !

Corker1

Mercian Pro wrote: »

You're singing WA's song. He takes on some of the toughest climbs in Europe in atrocious conditions but this is the one road he gives out about.

I think it depends on whether it comes at the start or near the finish of an event. The former can be quite enjoyable whereas the latter is inevitably "challenging". I have been forbidden from ever using the word "undulating" again after describing it as such near the end of a long spin!

After the cumulative effects of the tough climbs earlier in the day, Lake Drive and that drag towards Tulfaris and Poulaphuca are certainly hard on the legs. It's also a bit of a head wrecker to have to pass Blessington Bridge heading for Lake Drive knowing that if you turn right your burger and beer at Russborough are only about 5km away down a mostly flat road. But that is all part of the challenge.
I was actually out cycling on Lake Drive this evening. And lovely it was too . I was scoping out some new roads for the 2019 Dog Route....


BTW I hope you enjoyed your French biking adventures Mercian Pro.

Mercian Pro

Corker1 wrote: »

BTW I hope you enjoyed your French biking adventures Mercian Pro.

Great time in France based in Vaison la Romaine with some super cycling routes including Ventoux of course. Some of the group managed Ventoux three ways in one day (Ventrois!) which was seriously impressive.

Off to Slovenia on the Hospice Cycle next weekend but will make sure to be around for the Dog on 2nd September.

Corker1

Cunard Climb. It looks a whole lot nicer from this perspective!

Corker1

Only two weeks to go now. Lots of climbing on both routes but which is your favourite climb?

ofthelord

Signed up for the 125km route today. Haven't done this cycle before and looking forward to it, just need to get out on the hills more over the next few weeks in preparation.

Try1ng

Hi guys, honesty now - how does it compare to the SERC 3 peaks or the W200?

siochain

Try1ng wrote: »

Hi guys, honesty now - how does it compare to the SERC 3 peaks or the W200?

‘‘Tis grand till ya get to the lakes. If you have done the two ya mentioned you’ll be fine just pace the first 40km.

AxleAddict

Try1ng wrote: »

Hi guys, honesty now - how does it compare to the SERC 3 peaks or the W200?

In my opinion, its tougher than 3 Peaks and 'easier' than the W200 - but only because the Wicklow 200 route is longer. If you were to extend the Reservoir Dog sportive to 200km, or take a 125km chunk from the W200 route, I reckon the Dog would still be tougher - certainly the W200 doesn't have anything like Cunard.

Macy0161

AxleAddict wrote: »

certainly the W200 doesn't have anything like Cunard.

Or Lake Drive.

I'd agree that it's harder than 3 peaks, and then distance makes it less than the 200.

Was initially hoping to racing this weekend, then thought I might make this, but still not over the crash enough to contemplate it. Had to settle for a Mont beer or two at the Big Grill instead!

Daroxtar

Really looking forward to it now. The racing cassette is off, climbing one on. Weather lookin good.... Can't wait

Corker1

Weepsie wrote: »

Is it possible to set off early once registered. I#ll be taking it easy but the OH might be collecting me and taking me for lunch as I may not fancy 40 km home

Also any change/shower facilities

Hi Weepsie. The roll out of the 125km Dog is a mass start at 9am. There is nothing stopping you setting off early but just to be aware that you will not have the benefit of marshals along the route especially early on. Depending on your pace you may also get to the waterstops and foodstops before they are set up. The 65km Pup is a mass start at 9.30. I hope the burger and beer doesn't spoil your appetite for lunch.
We checked with the venue and there are no showers on site. There are some very well maintained clean loos including a spacious disabled loo in the main house that would be suitable for changing. Oh, and there will be a physio on site for post ride massages. At least the weather forecast looks promising. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Corker1

Was initially hoping to racing this weekend, then thought I might make this, but still not over the crash enough to contemplate it. Had to settle for a Mont beer or two at the Big Grill instead![/QUOTE]


Sorry to hear about your crash Macy. We will save you a Mont for next year...a fresh bottle of course! We might even do something about your beloved Lake drive by then too;)......

Borderfox

Weepsie wrote: »

Still rocking the 34/26, I'm don't know if I could swap for a 30 on, but I'll try a 28 at least

I have 11-32 on the back and 46-30 on the front, mostly just for Cunard. Back wheel slipping last year in the wet so had to sit down for quite a bit. Also just to be a bit fresher over the rest of the climbs

Macy0161

Corker1 wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your crash Macy. We will save you a Mont for next year...a fresh bottle of course.

I think he said he was bringing the draft set up this year?

Macy0161

Weepsie wrote: »

Save you a keg?

Just the one?