The Orwell Randonnee 2019

GabbaTheHutt

The Orwell Randonnee is filling up fast!!

With just over a month to go to the big day there are only 100 entries left! Don't miss out on the chance to try this early season cracker!

There is the usual monster of a route which includes The Wall, Lugalla, Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap, the back of the lakes, the Sally Gap AGAIN and home:)

The Randonnee Lite has been changed for this year and comes in just under 100km but it is still a serious challenge with 2 trips up the Sally Gap!

https://www.orwellwheelers.org/events/randonnee/1228-the-orwell-randonnee-2019

GabbaTheHutt

The Orwell Randonnee is 3 weeks from this weekend. They have just hit 300 entries and will be closing it when they get to 350.

Don’t miss out on this epic early season event!!

Mercian Pro

Free "blister" packs of Sudocrem!

As if you needed another reason to sign up

fat bloke

That's put me right off the carrot cake's butter-cream icing...

GabbaTheHutt

Last reminder - entries to the Orwell Randonnee will close this Friday!

https://www.orwellwheelers.org/events/randonnee/1228-the-orwell-randonnee-2019

Daroxtar

So, quick boardsie roll call. Who's doing this?
I'll be in Clonard RC colours on a black Wilier, say hello if you see me.

Eamonnator

I am.
Black Canyon with red handlebar tape , I'll be wearing black, red and white shoes, red mitts, red and black helmet.
Old man, grey goatee.

irishrover99

Glad I’m not doing it. Weather looks rubbish with a highs of 11 degrees in Dublin so that means about 5 or 6 up there and possibly even lower earlier in the morning.

Eamonnator

irishrover99 wrote: »

Glad I’m not doing it. Weather looks rubbish with a highs of 11 degrees in Dublin so that means about 5 or 6 up there and possibly even lower earlier in the morning.

Thanks for the positivity.

Eamonnator

I wonder, will we get burgers?

Wishbone Ash

irishrover99 wrote: »

Glad I’m not doing it. Weather looks rubbish with a highs of 11 degrees in Dublin so that means about 5 or 6 up there and possibly even lower earlier in the morning.

Sounds about normal for the OR.

(Working myself unfortunately so won't make it).

ED E

irishrover99 wrote: »

Glad I’m not doing it. Weather looks rubbish with a highs of 11 degrees in Dublin so that means about 5 or 6 up there and possibly even lower earlier in the morning.

A tad cool compared to 2018. Basically Costa Del Sol compared to 2017/16.

I wonder, will we get burgers?

Only reason I bother so we'd better :pac:


Apparently numbers this year are the highest they've ever been but don't worry its still no ROK so you won't be stuck in a herd. A pace for everyone.

fat bloke

I'll be in IRC gear on .... actually I'm not sure. If I can't be arsed moving the garmin pedals to my good bike, then I'll be on a grey/orange TCR.

As for the weather. Facebook memory photos during the week of Randonnees past are of full, head-to-toe winter regalia. Forecast is dry though and that's the main thing. The climbs will be warm and the descents chilly.

fat bloke

Eamonnator wrote: »

I wonder, will we get burgers?

The carrot cake / burger combo have twice knocked me off my vegan perch. I'm back on it now and determined to resist. Pretty sure they'll do me a veggie burger, and my carrot cake resolve will depend on how fcuked I am coming in the gate at the finish. :pac:

ED E

Carrot cake will get you at the Laragh food stop

Heartbreak Hank

looking forward to Saturday

irishrover99

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Sounds about normal for the OR.

(Working myself unfortunately so won't make it).

Yeah. On the 2015 event which was rerouted and shortened due to weather.
I ended it been wrapped in foil due to the cold, like one of this hamburgers they serve.
The following year wasn’t much better and haven’t done it since.

Mercian Pro

Daroxtar wrote: »

So, quick boardsie roll call. Who's doing this?
I'll be in Clonard RC colours on a black Wilier, say hello if you see me.

Looking forward to meeting up again D. I'll probably be in Swords gear unless it's even colder than forecast and on the Van Nicholas.

Luxman

Mate of mine can’t go and wants me to use his registration. What’s the procedure for this on the day

lissard

I'll be there for the annual punishment. Grey haired chap on a white Cannondale with red bar tape. I'll be keeping an eye out for the other boardsies. According to yr.no it will be 3-5 C up on the military road and that site is normally spot on so I'll be bet into a fluo Castelli Gabba top.

Macy0161

Weepsie wrote: »

Signs up around old long hill and roundwood this morning.

They've been up a couple of weeks at this stage.

Eamonnator

lissard wrote: »

I'll be there for the annual punishment. Grey haired chap on a white Cannondale with red bar tape. I'll be keeping an eye out for the other boardsies. According to yr.no it will be 3-5 C up on the military road and that site is normally spot on so I'll be bet into a fluo Castelli Gabba top.

Good call on the Gabba.

ED E

Weepsie wrote: »

Signs up around old long hill and roundwood this morning.

Macy0161 wrote: »

They've been up a couple of weeks at this stage.

Notice to locals signs have been up since the last bank holiday Friday.

terrydel

Was a beautiful day last year. I've to go viewing a house so cant make it, got an email midweek about bringing the cycling licence number and only for that I would have forgotten I'd signed up.
As a result I checked with the organisers and was very kindly given a refund when I said I couldnt make it.
Worked out well!

Daroxtar

Highs of 10 degrees and blue skies, sure that's nearly summer I am less optimistic about that headwind back up Sally gap the second time though, 2017 was borderline traumatic

Mercian Pro

Daroxtar wrote: »

I am less optimistic about that headwind back up Sally gap the second time though, 2017 was borderline traumatic

Was that not when you took off after the ambulance!!


That last bit coming up to Sally Gap from Kilbride can be a killer alright especially in an east wind. Met Eireann are showing NE easing a bit in the afternoon and temperatures of 4-6 degrees at Sally Gap. Looks like I better dig out the Mistral jacket and tights as well as the winter base-layer

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

...That last bit coming up to Sally Gap from Kilbride can be a killer alright especially in an east wind. Met Eireann are showing NE easing a bit in the afternoon and temperatures of 4-6 degrees at Sally Gap. Looks like I better dig out the Mistral jacket and tights as well as the winter base-layer

I thought you were taking a young lady under your wing on the OR this year (or was that just a rumour?).

Mercian Pro

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I thought you were taking a young lady under your wing on the OR this year (or was that just a rumour?).

Not sure that taking her under my wing will affect my choice of clothing

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Not sure that taking her under my wing will affect my choice of clothing

LOL


I meant to ask if you were doing the full distance or the 'lite'?

Seanieke

Weepsie wrote:

Signs up around old long hill and roundwood this morning.

Are they closing the roads?

Eamonnator

Seanieke wrote: »

Are they closing the roads?

no

fat bloke

Seanieke wrote: »

Are they closing the roads?

Not even Orwell could afford that. - I'd say in a couple of years though...

Seanieke

Ah grand. A sign just appeared at the gate a few weeks ago, we got no further information on what the cycling event was.

Mercian Pro

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

LOL


I meant to ask if you were doing the full distance or the 'lite'?

All or nothing is the plan.

Two other friends still looking to take part but missed the deadline. Anyone out there getting cold feet (and hands)?

terrydel

fat bloke wrote: »

Not even Orwell could afford that. - I'd say in a couple of years though...

Shane Ross will sort it out for them.

Lumen

1C and raining near Greystones.

magicbastarder

a friend who lives in monkstown had heavy hail showers this morning. long since passed over though.

Luxman

Yeah. Damp chilly start but it heated up fairly quickly. Currently scoffing cake in laragh

ED E

It's perfect weather now. Skies are blue in all directions so we should be safe.

Daroxtar

Premature end. Tallaght hospital, dislocated shoulder. Currently waiting to have it popped back in. Touched wheels on Wicklow gap descent. Think the bike is OK, maybe rear mech needs looking at.
Ah well, twas a great day up til that point.

NamelessPhil

^^^
"Thanking" your post seems inappropriate. I hope you recover well and soon.

secman

Daroxtar wrote: »

Premature end. Tallaght hospital, dislocated shoulder. Currently waiting to have it popped back in. Touched wheels on Wicklow gap descent. Think the bike is OK, maybe rear mech needs looking at.
Ah well, twas a great day up til that point.

Always sorry to hear of a cyclist down, speedy recovery.

Wishbone Ash

Speedy recovery Daroxtar - see you at the Mick Byrne.

Plastik

Great morning for a spin. Wasn't doing the Randonée but was on the route for a bit. Super to see so many cyclists out.

ED E

Daroxtar wrote: »

Premature end. Tallaght hospital, dislocated shoulder. Currently waiting to have it popped back in. Touched wheels on Wicklow gap descent. Think the bike is OK, maybe rear mech needs looking at.
Ah well, twas a great day up til that point.

Get well soon Daroxtar!

meercat

Daroxtar wrote: »

Premature end. Tallaght hospital, dislocated shoulder. Currently waiting to have it popped back in. Touched wheels on Wicklow gap descent. Think the bike is OK, maybe rear mech needs looking at.
Ah well, twas a great day up til that point.

Sorry to hear that. Get well soon.

Very well organised event as usual.

Mercian Pro

That's terrible Daroxtar. You were well gone by the time I came down from the Gap and I only heard about it in the clubhouse when I finished. Hopefully some of your clubmates were around and could help with logistics - bike, car, etc.

I'm still recovering from ligament damage to my shoulder after a relatively slow crash compared to yours but hopefully you will be back on the bike before too long. I hope the phone call home wasn't too traumatic ��

paddydriver

Sorry missed this.. Had seen the signs up over last few weeks but never joined the dots to look at booking it. Ended up meeting lots of participants on the route and then shared a chat and a cold can of Coke in Enniskerry with one on way home - riding a lovely Blue Canyon with Dura Ace and discs... maybe an Ultimate

Would have been a perfect spin for me as I wanted to get a good long cycle in today. Did 125k on my lonesome in the end (IM training... can I say that around these parts.. )

Well done everyone who took part and Sorry to read about some accidents. Hope recovery is fast.

Will book this next year!

terrydel

Daroxtar wrote: »

Premature end. Tallaght hospital, dislocated shoulder. Currently waiting to have it popped back in. Touched wheels on Wicklow gap descent. Think the bike is OK, maybe rear mech needs looking at.
Ah well, twas a great day up til that point.

Very sorry to hear that, given it happened on that descent you're lucky it wasn't a lot worse. Perfect excuse to get that new bike now!
Get well soon.

terrydel

paddydriver wrote: »

Sorry missed this.. Had seen the signs up over last few weeks but never joined the dots to look at booking it. Ended up meeting lots of participants on the route and then shared a chat and a cold can of Coke in Enniskerry with one on way home - riding a lovely Blue Canyon with Dura Ace and discs... maybe an Ultimate

Would have been a perfect spin for me as I wanted to get a good long cycle in today. Did 125k on my lonesome in the end (IM training... can I say that around these parts.. )

Well done everyone who took part and Sorry to read about some accidents. Hope recovery is fast.

Will book this next year!

Reminds me of that joke, how do you know someone who's a triathlete? They tell ya :P

Joking aside, 125 on your own, that's proper cycling!

Luxman

Sorry to hear about your misfortune Daroxtar, speed recovery

Three punctures for me today so ran out of tubes. Dave from (Sheelin Flyers) handed over one of his and off I went again. He just told me to 'pay it forward'. Which I think I did about 30 minutes later by helping a fellow cyclist free a lamb that was stuck in the fence (front end went through the wire fence but the rear end was going nowhere). So pulled it out and set it free into the field where it sprinted off to Mama. Felt good and though Dave would be happy with that! Cheers, a gent he was). I then punctured about 30km to go and limped home pumping the tyre to about 20psi every 8km or so. The mechanicals took the shine off the end (descending very carefully).

Orwell did a stunning job at marshalling this event. Food was top notch and Mr Orange is a gent too.