Evil 2023 -17th June

irishrover99

So the date will be the 17th of June.

Hope to see many there on the day.

Mods. Can the thread title be updated please with 17th of June.

thanks.

irishrover99

1 month to go. I hope the training is going well for all this year and we see a few turn up on the day.

gmacww

Folks just one word of warning on the route. The gap road (or sorrel hill as us locals would call it) just after ballysmutten bridge was gravel surfaced in sections there a few weeks back. I went up it recently on a CX bike and honestly it needed that bike. In my mind I wouldn't tackle it on a road bike. It's a popular training route for club mates and we've all been staying off it. May have calmed down a bit since but one to keep in mind. Be no shame skipping it and not taking the left. Go straight on up to the rowing club and around the lake from the bridge.

I can take another look at it in a couple of weeks and see what's it's like closer to the time.

irishrover99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120606713#Comment_120606713

Thanks, will check it soon.

That would be side we are climbing from i think so hopefully its improved by then.

I went up in it at the end of march i think and the surface was no better than usual TBH but i do love that climb and descent.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607099#Comment_120607099

(O/T) I've never approached it in the other direction (from Lacken) but I wouldn't fancy descending towards Ballysmuttan on the crappy surface

gmacww

The climb from Lacken is great given the surface also it's a steady climb and of course the views. Descending however is a shocker. Most of the time I do the lakes anticlockwise and the climb really starts at the graveyard, up to lacken, turn right and up you go to the top. All in all that's same distance and overall gradient and Shay but without the savage gradient at the start of that one.

irishrover99

Less than a week to go now and the weather looks like its going to be fantastic 😀.

I haven’t had the chance to get up to the Gap Road and check it out.

I was planning to this week but i wont have the time unfortunately and i hurt my foot slightly on Saturday therefore ill be resting up for the week.

So ill leave it in the route but if anyone doesn't want to take that road thats perfectly ok and totally up themselves.

We can always double back if the surface becomes an issue but it will be a month now since gmacww mentioned the road had some gravel so hopefully its fine now.

Wishbone Ash

irishrover - has the link to the route on the opening post been updated to reflect the previous error which was highlighted? (I haven't had a chance to study it in detail yet). Thanks.

Plastik

I was on Gap Rd last week, SG to Lackan direction, and it was absolutely fine to ride from a road bike pov. Loose chippings weren't an issue.

irishrover99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713455#Comment_120713455

Yes, it was rectified and just had another glance over and it should be fine and up to date.

Weepsie

I could be a father by Saturday so I don't think I'll be making the start line. Its my best excuse yet

godtabh

Plan for water stops. It was brutal out there on Sunday.

Good luck

Wishbone Ash

It doesn't appear that there are any shops along the first 95k. I'm going to find that tough going as I'm not a fan of eating out of my pocket.

daragh_

Nothing until Laragh really.

Best of luck all. It will be a savage day out that all sane people will rightfully avoid.

I'll be doing a completely flat spin in the opposite direction as a mark of respect.

godtabh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120716776#Comment_120716776

I'm doing nothing out of respect

irishrover99

A c'mon lads, we can get the band back together from 2016 😂

gmacww

What time are you rolling out folks?

irishrover99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717638#Comment_120717638

Its usually 8 am and happy to leave it as it give more time for folks to travel over to Dundrum.

godtabh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120716991#Comment_120716991

I've neve finished one. Based on the Wicklow 200 I'm unlikely to ever finish one!

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715853#Comment_120715853

Ensuring it happens before Father's Day on Sunday? That's cute hoor planning if I ever saw it!

irishrover99

I'd say bring a rain cape just in case as we could have a shower or 2 throughout the morning.

When the sun is out by midday/afternoon, it will be warm and by the looks of it a nice day.

godtabh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120720948#Comment_120720948

I'd bring fly spray.

Mercian Pro

I think mudguards, a rain jacket and over-shoes might be the first priority!

irishrover99

See you all in the morning.

8am roll out so meeting from about 7.45 am at the bus stop across from Joe Dalys at the Luas bridge in Dundrum.

Wishbone Ash

Going with my usual preparation of a few pints of Guinness in the local followed by a nice bottle of red. It seems to have got me through every other year! See you in the morning,

magicbastarder

Fair play to whomever turned up for it this morning - that's a grubby morning out there.

Mercian Pro

Things always look good at this stage!

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715853#Comment_120715853

Any update?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120727476#Comment_120727476

I recognise yourself and two others there. Who else did it? Regardless, fair play to you all 💪👍

Weepsie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120728275#Comment_120728275

Nope. Taking their time

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120728293#Comment_120728293

Good thongs come to those that wait! All the best for you & Ms Weepsie with this! It'd been a long time since I was in your shoes but it's a great (but scary) feeling - youse will be great