Wicklow 200 newbies training

seamus · 07-02-2011 05:32PM #1

I know there are other threads, but this one is about getting a group of WW200 virgins (or lapsed vets) who haven't bothered getting out with a club regularly to get together to build up to the main event.

I went ahead signed up so I can't back out, so the only thing now standing in my way is the will to get out on the roads at the weekend between now and 12th June. And we all know it's much easier to get out and ride when you've already told someone else you'll be there.

Ideally I want to get from being able to do 80km in Wicklow at around 23/24km/h (or 27/28 on the flat) to 160km at the same pace in advance of the 200. Just getting around the 200 would be nice, posting a respectable time would be even better

I'm sticking a rough schedule here for minimum distances to be covered each weekend. Doesn't have to be every saturday, if anyone's actually interesting in joining me, we can decide on a week-to-week basis.

Takers/critics?

wersal gummage · 07-02-2011 05:47PM

Hi Seamus,

I'd be up for this for sure. Probably wont be able to make a lot of the training sessions - but I would head along to a few at least. I've also signed up and have never been over a 'hill' bigger than howth head...... So just getting as far as wicklow and learning a bit of the route would be great for me.

Apart from the commuting, I haven't been out for a spin since the nice weather in september...

Thanks.

Cookie_Monster · 07-02-2011 05:58PM

I'd potentially be interested but have scheduled rides a lot of Sunday's already... but not all so maybe I'd turn up for a few when available

Other than distance do you have a plan on routes? IE do specific parts of it on different weekends?

seamus · 07-02-2011 07:14PM

I stuck in Saturdays more so I know how many weekends there are till 12th June, I'm not married to the idea of going out every Saturday. But Saturday tends to be my beer night, hence Saturday spins usually suit me best

My only plan on routes is to get into the Wicklow hills and take as many varied routes as possible, and with the intention of including parts of the route, especially the more famous climbs and stuff.

If the weather's really **** (wind/rain like last weekend), I'd probably switch to a flatter route out Kildare way.

Oldlegs · 07-02-2011 08:18PM

You might consider the Bray Wheeler's Paddy Martin Randonnee on Sunday 20th Feb. 80km and 100km options. Details on their website.
Fingers crossed for dry weather

ckeego · 07-02-2011 08:21PM

seamus wrote: »

I stuck in Saturdays more so I know how many weekends there are till 12th June, I'm not married to the idea of going out every Saturday. But Saturday tends to be my beer night, hence Saturday spins usually suit me best

My only plan on routes is to get into the Wicklow hills and take as many varied routes as possible, and with the intention of including parts of the route, especially the more famous climbs and stuff.

If the weather's really **** (wind/rain like last weekend), I'd probably switch to a flatter route out Kildare way.

Hi Seamus..
Im in a similiar pattern to you..80k around Wicklow is fine..I have done the W100 and the one they do from Tallaght to Imaal. I have gone as far as 130 around the hills and 160 on the flat.

Keen to complete the 200 and the Sean Kelly this year as off for both.

Not off evry Sat but very keen to join up with a few more to make the training a bit more fun.

Where are you based and where are most of your routes?

I am in Greystones and mainly go down towards Roundwood and up towards Laragh either through Kilmac or Ashford and then up towards Sally Gap from Glenmacnass.

Let me know if you are interested. As the evenings get longer, I'm up for afternoon spins and my work roster, whilst I may not be off every weekend, does give me some midweek days free.

Average times are very similiar too.

seamus · 07-02-2011 10:56PM

I'm in South West Dublin, so I'd generally be looking to head out from here. Meeting at Dundrum cross seems to work in general, but there's no reason why we can't move it around a bit and arrange to cross paths in roundwood or laragh for the longer routes.

Unfortunately afternoon spins don't work for me, I've a regular 9-5ish job and I just flatten onto the couch when I get home

No reason why we can't make a group effort though and people can stick their own planned sessions into the spreadsheet so others know when somebody else is out on the bike?

I'll do up the first route in the morning and stick it in the spreadsheet. The paddy martin randonee looks like a good idea, get me used to the sportive environment too

Oldlegs · 07-02-2011 11:52PM

The Dundrum-cross bods could meet up with the Greystones-bods in Enniskerry. From there any number of hilly routes beckon :eek:

Other options include ...
1) Greystones-Enniskerry,Stepaside (meeting the Dundrum riders) Firhouse, up to Pine Forest, on up and over to Glencree, Lough Bray, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Roundwood, Calary, Kilmac, then split to Dundrum & Greystones.

2) Dundrum, Enniskerry, Kilmac (joined by Greystones), Roundwood, Laragh, Wicklow Gap, Hollywood, Blessington, Firhouse, Marley Park (Split for Dundrum & Greystones)

But count me in for a few of them (I am also based in the Greystones area)

Blowfish · 08-02-2011 01:05AM

seamus wrote: »

My only plan on routes is to get into the Wicklow hills and take as many varied routes as possible, and with the intention of including parts of the route, especially the more famous climbs and stuff.

Definitely a good idea. The first time over a climb is always the toughest as you never know what's around the next bend, which can lead to it feeling as if it goes on forever. Knowing you've already beaten the climb at least once helps psychologically on the day.

Oldlegs wrote: »

You might consider the Bray Wheeler's Paddy Martin Randonnee on Sunday 20th Feb. 80km and 100km options. Details on their website.
Fingers crossed for dry weather

The Mick Byrne also covers some of it afair, though the 200k version is tougher than the WW200, so the 160 or 100 would probably be best.

The way I did it last year for training was build up to eventually doing a spin of 160k which included the 3 main climbs (Sally Gap, Slieve Mann, Shay Eliot) 2 weeks before the WW itself. For the last week I did a relatively long spin (~120k) but kept it much flatter with only really the hill out of Avoca to contend with.

If you run out of people to head out with, give me a shout

smacl · 08-02-2011 09:03AM

Sounds great, but I'm on a reasonably heavy hybrid (and not in great shape), 20-22kph is my average through the hills so I wouldn't meet your pace. My current plan, which myself and my sister are working towards, is as follows;

Feb - Get used to the saddle again and see the sally gap a few times.

1 Meeting at Stepaside -> Johnny foxes, Enniskerry, Glencree. If the legs are good on up to sally gap, lough Dan etc.. otherwise back down by powerscourt waterfall, Enniskerry home.

2: Same again, but no chickening out of sally gap. Take old long hill home if legs are ok.

3: Same again, long hill home.

March - Bit of extra distance

4 - Laragh from stepaside, back via round wood

5 - Laragh, going to Cruagh from Johnny foxes, old long hill home

6 - Stepaside, Enniskerry, long hill, Laragh, Rathdrum, Newcastle, Greystones, Kilmac, Enniskerry, home (close to W100 route)

April - Distance with hills

7 - Johnny foxes, sallygap, blessington lakes (inside route), Wicklow gap, roundwood, home

8 - Johnny foxes, sallygap, blessington, Wicklow gap, old long hill home

9 - Foxes, Laragh, shay elliot, Greenane, Rathdrum, , Newcastle, Greystones, Kilmac, Enniskerry, home

May - Cover most of the route

10 - Stepaside, Enniskerry, glencree, sallygap, blessington, donard, glen of imaal, slieve mann, shay elliot. laragh, home

11 - Foxes, Enniskerry, powerscourt, sallygap, blessington, donard, glen of imaal, slieve mann, shay elliot. laragh, home

12 - Stepaside, Enniskerry, glencree, sallygap, blessington, donard, glen of imaal, slieve mann, shay elliot, Rathdrum, Newcastle, Greystones, Kilmac, Enniskerry, home

June - ease off

13 - Laragh, going to Cruagh from Johnny foxes, old long hill home

12th june, Wicklow 200

I'm also planning on Rathfarnham - Johhnie foxes and back at lunch a couple of times a week, and will throw in a couple of evening runs to glencree as the evenings get longer. I've only but three weekend spins per month in as weather & family are always going to cause the odd weekend to get missed.

If you see a middle aged bloke on a hybrid in a hi-vis DHB jacket struggling up the sally gap, say hi on your way past. Might catch you for a coffee at the hippy cafe

Shane

ckeego · 08-02-2011 11:01AM

Oldlegs wrote: »

The Dundrum-cross bods could meet up with the Greystones-bods in Enniskerry. From there any number of hilly routes beckon :eek:

Other options include ...
1) Greystones-Enniskerry,Stepaside (meeting the Dundrum riders) Firhouse, up to Pine Forest, on up and over to Glencree, Lough Bray, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Roundwood, Calary, Kilmac, then split to Dundrum & Greystones.

2) Dundrum, Enniskerry, Kilmac (joined by Greystones), Roundwood, Laragh, Wicklow Gap, Hollywood, Blessington, Firhouse, Marley Park (Split for Dundrum & Greystones)

But count me in for a few of them (I am also based in the Greystones area)

Good plan...Give me a shout anytime you are heading out and we'll hook up.

Are you riding with Bray Wheelers or Sorrento or with a club?

seamus · 08-02-2011 01:47PM

I've updated the spreadsheet now with a route:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/27993218

80k-ish, takes in kms 15-50ish of the Wicklow 200 including one major climb - 9km long avg 4.1% gradient from Kilmacanogue to Glencree.

Only problem is that I've gotten my wife's cold this morning

Typical.
I'll have to dose myself, stay off the bike and avoid making my lungs sore in the hope that I'm 90% clear by Friday morning. Otherwise I'll have to wait till the Paddy Martin.

sled driver · 08-02-2011 02:26PM

Great idea Seamus, Keep me posted aswell and I'd meet you in Dundrum Saturday mornings!!

andyoc · 08-02-2011 04:37PM

Hello Seamus

I've just joined up for the 200 in June

.
My stats are about similar, so I would be very interested in your
training group.

If you are going out on Saturday, please let me know where and when,
and I'll be there. Weather looks reasonable, so it's all down to your cold!!!

Andy O'Callaghan

snollup · 08-02-2011 05:24PM

Hi Seamus,

Good idea putting together the spreadsheet for training routes. Am hoping to do the Sean Kelly & the WW200 this year myself.

Just wondering what time you plan on setting off on Sat (providing your feeling better that is)?

Cheers,
Joe

seamus · 08-02-2011 05:31PM

I'm thinking 11am right now. It'll be chilly enough any earlier and should still be home for 3 o'clock, even at an easy pace & with stops.

snollup · 08-02-2011 05:34PM

Sounds good. will be heading over from Clontarf so glad no to early.

andyoc · 09-02-2011 08:06AM

@ snollup

Headin over from Sutton, so I could meet you at the bottom of Castle Ave whenever....let me know

snollup · 09-02-2011 11:56AM

andyoc wrote: »

@ snollup

Headin over from Sutton, so I could meet you at the bottom of Castle Ave whenever....let me know

Sounds good, say 10.20 at the end of Lawrence Road.

daragh_ · 09-02-2011 01:24PM

Fair dues to yiz all! Won't be able to join you as I normally go out Sunday mornings. But I look forward to being overtaken at speed on the day of the W200 by all you zealous Boardies.

Snollup - how's the new bike?

Cookie_Monster · 09-02-2011 01:29PM

Ye'll probably whizz by me at some point on Sat so

I'll be attempting this
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=R116&daddr=53.22348,-6.1818+to:53.1951238,-6.276737+to:R115+to:53.009968,-6.282715+to:R755+to:Upper+Dargle+Rd+to:53.2240395,-6.1244776+to:N11&hl=en&geocode=Fdh1LAMdWmOi_w%3BFTggLAMdWKyh_ykxhv3TgadnSDHYmIIgaOxDbA%3BFXOxKwMdfzmg_ymTtk8P76BnSDEvOpolj1UjLg%3BFS-rKgMdesmf_w%3BFTDeKAMdJSKg_ynzTSIhdr1nSDFj_tymdgSeeQ%3BFdj7KQMdvTqh_w%3BFbLJKwMdOoOi_w%3BFWciLAMdQ4yi_ykzSL5IBqhnSDGhIOv7pscAEw%3BFbZ0LAMdPmai_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=3&mrsp=7&sz=13&via=1,2,4,7&sll=53.240564,-6.100502&sspn=0.045613,0.259895&ie=UTF8&ll=53.182996,-6.047287&spn=0.182697,1.039581&z=11

But leaving the house by 9-9.30 hopefully...

snollup · 09-02-2011 01:35PM

daragh_ wrote: »

Fair dues to yiz all! Won't be able to join you as I normally go out Sunday mornings. But I look forward to being overtaken at speed on the day of the W200 by all you zealous Boardies.

Snollup - how's the new bike?

Lovin it! Bit heavier then the last one though.

seamus · 09-02-2011 01:39PM

I got nerdy last night and compiled the results from the last WW200. Aside from a handful of animals (or incorrectly recorded times) who appeared to have average speeds over 30km/h (the fastest being 38 km/h :eek:), only the top 5% of the field (roughly 100 people) had an average speed over 24km/h. Though if that time includes stops, then the average might be a bit higher than that.

In fact, less than half the field (800 people) managed to register an average over 20km/h, the overall average for the field being 19.81km/h.

One poor soul took over 10.5 hours to do the 100km route. He must have been walking an awful long way that day. Or he forgot to "clock out" till the end of the day.

Just something to consider when we're struggling up hills and looking at 22km/h average...and dropping

Benylin night and day is handling my cold admirably, though since they contain a derivative of amphetamines, I'm not surprised. Won't know till Friday morning if I'm up to this. Was dying this morning.

Blowfish · 09-02-2011 02:06PM

seamus wrote: »

I got nerdy last night and compiled the results from the last WW200. Aside from a handful of animals (or incorrectly recorded times) who appeared to have average speeds over 30km/h (the fastest being 38 km/h :eek:), only the top 5% of the field (roughly 100 people) had an average speed over 24km/h. Though if that time includes stops, then the average might be a bit higher than that.

Unfortunately, the time does include stops. Times are only recorded at the start and finish lines, hence why the average is so low.

seamus · 09-02-2011 02:30PM

Blowfish wrote: »

Unfortunately, the time does include stops. Times are only recorded at the start and finish lines, hence why the average is so low.

Yeah, that seems more like it. Added in 30 mins average per stop, and it makes a surprisingly large difference. Top 5% is around 27.5km/h and up. Top 50% is anything over 22km/h.

Hmph.

Lumen · 09-02-2011 04:23PM

seamus wrote: »

Yeah, that seems more like it. Added in 30 mins average per stop, and it makes a surprisingly large difference. Top 5% is around 27.5km/h and up. Top 50% is anything over 22km/h.

Hmph.

Well, the point still stands that if you want to "beat" loads of people you just need to cycle slowly and carry your own food.

michael196 · 09-02-2011 11:55PM

Lumen wrote: »

Well, the point still stands that if you want to "beat" loads of people you just need to cycle slowly and carry your own food.

simples: for 160 KM

andyoc · 10-02-2011 08:21AM

Personally, just to DO the Wicklow 200 would be a great achievement.....:)

smacl · 10-02-2011 10:20AM

andyoc wrote: »

Personally, just to DO the Wicklow 200 would be a great achievement.....:)

Likewise. It's not the other riders I'm worried about, it's the sun setting

Cookie_Monster · 10-02-2011 10:56AM

smacl wrote: »

Likewise. It's not the other riders I'm worried about, it's the sun setting

My goal is just to finish it and not be last, 2nd last is fine, but not last

smacl · 10-02-2011 12:52PM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

My goal is just to finish it and not be last, 2nd last is fine, but not last

Could be a sprint finish between us so

Wicklow 200 newbies training

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