Wicklow 200 2011

Did the 100 today with my dad and a buddy, left greystones at 0830 so had rain for pretty much the entire course, getting soaked in that puddle in kilcoole mentioned earlier wasnt an issue as we were wet through at that stage.

Finished in 4 hours flat, joined in with a couple of groups and was happy enough bar the climb to redcross, still hadn't warmed up after the stop in rathdrum! Nice touch having the food station up a hill too...

Overall happy enough but have to agree with the other posters about the food at the end, a cold salad on that day was pretty pathetic, soup or a chicken curry would gave coat the same and been a lot more welcome!

First time doing the Wicklow spin, the 100km for me. And only my second time completing 100km. Nothing more to really add weather-wise, just shocking.

Coming towards the joy that was Greystones, I punctured on one of the roundabouts leading into the town. Hit some gravel, tyre "popped" and nearly lost complete control of the bike. The front wheel nearly went from under me. Thinking I had only about a kilometer to go, along with the combination of the numbest fingers I've had in many a moon made me think walking with it was the best idea...

2.7KM later arriving at my car, I was only miserable! There was no consoling me.

To make matters worse, I was in full Boards kit. Bringing shame to the name. Would definitely do it again though, really enjoyed the route. But will definitely be weather-permitting next time.

WW200 completed in 9hrs30mins from clocking in to clocking out.

Up Sally Gap was ok, the weather really came in as people were hitting Slieve Mann and Shay Elliot. It was blowing a gale and raining sideways, pretty sure anyone who did the 200 ended the day soaked through.

It was well worth it, and given the conditions I am well chuffed with my time. It would be tough on a good day, and the weather today definitely made it all the tougher......good job I took my HTFU pills this morning

Numb hands, numb feet, ice cream headaches on the descents from SM and SE. Will post a full report in my blog later, off to have a hot bath.

Inq

ROK_ON i felt same way sometimes especially after a crash that put me on hard way back, but now i do it as hobbie dont let the over serious people who pass me out bother me, i can hang about on any climb at my own pace, and i do other things as well,
on day like today i leave bike indoors.

Weather looks good for the next few days!

Did the 100 in about 4 hrs 10 minutes. First time doing it and really enjoyed the cycle. Didn't mind the rain, until about the last 20k, I was just soaked through at that stage.

Worst bit was cycling 20k home from Greystones to Sandyford - wet, cold, legs not working and starting to cramp up. Ah well, a nice hot shower when I got home sorted me out.

kennyb3 wrote: »

I have to say the maddest thing about all the above seems to be the lack of proper clothing and prep given the weather - i know it would still be a miserable day for it but what about clingfilm under the overshoes, knee warmers under the winter tights, water proof and windproof gloves.

If you ve warm feet, warm hands and keep the core & chest protected will defo make a huge difference.

Going out without proper tights or overshoes is surely nuts

Still fair play to everyone finishing today!

Just back from a spin - it's not THAT bad out

Mild and wet. Although admittedly I wasn't ripping down off Sliabh Mann

Just finished this even in under 4 hours enjoyed getting soaked.
The food left a lot to be desired nice friendly service in Rathdrum but they could only serve what was given to them by the organisers.
We could have expected better for the €42 entry fee. Road markings were too small and in some instances on or too close to the turn. Why was there no marshalls to direct cyclists at some of the more dangerous junctions. Many clubs run better events for €20/€25 entry fee.
Rool on next week an the Burren.

Well done to all who did the Wicklow 100/200. It was the first time since 2001 that I hadn't entered and when I saw the weather I was glad.

You want more? Barrow Wheelers host their excellent 200/150/50km event next Sunday. See their website for details.

The toughness of today will stand you all in good stead, it can't get any harder. Well done again

One of the highlights of the day for me was the carloads of people at the top of Shay Elliot cheering and tooting like madmen, I was in a bad place at the time, frozen, legs like bloody stumps, top of climb shrouded in mist and not visible, that coupled with the 410's sprayed on the road in boardsie pink inside the last 500m helped me redouble my efforts!

easygoing39 wrote: »

Did the 200k.Had 2 dry hours and then it rained non stop.Had all my winter gear on,including Sealskin waterproof socks and gloves (they aint after 6 hours).Finished in around 9.30 hrs.Weather made it miserable.Threw the bike in a skip on the way home!!

Moreofthatjazz wrote: »

. So... em, where is this skip? :rolleyes:

was wondering that myself - did i tell you i had a nice dry spin this morning

did the 200. 8 hours 33 moving time, bout 9:30 overall. was a great spin to powerscourt mountain. Then, out of no where, came serious rain. Stayed like that until about 30 mins from the finish. Im so happy I did it, however, will not if conditions are that bad again, it's just two dangerous. Sleveman (sp?) and Shay Elliot were sickening. I believe they were a serious challenge for everyman/woman. I walked little less than a KM on each, my legs were cramping bad, very bad. Had all the winter gear on bar overshoes for feet were recked.

Sadly there were two crashes which I was aware of, one at the bottom on Sleveman looked very bad, the bed towards the end of the decent was incredibly dangerous. The other was over the bridge on the decent from sally gap, the rider was just too fast for the conditions.

The biggest problem with the even is no one was marshaling the parts where serious accidents could have happened, which would have been a much better use of resources.

Also the other issue is all the bars, gels, sweets etc i've eaten. I feel so sick now.