Mick Byrne 2019

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Was it last year that I took that turn with you? We went 6 or 7 kms when you asked me why I was doing the 160k. Dopey here had to retrace my steps to get back on the 200k route - as if it wasn't long enough!

MB is paced a bit better than the OR. None of those enthusiastic whippets hammering along at a ridiculous pace only to die a slow death half way through

Ya, I figured you were probably going to cycle the 160 and then do another 100 on the scenic route back home.
Don't worry, this year I'm doing the 200 so I won't be leading you astray
Orwell definitely a quicker pace alright. I found it tougher than MB the first year I did it although the rotten headwind all the way back up the Sally Gap probably made it feel even worse.

Edit; when I reached Avoca and had an unofficial coffee stop after that, another lad pulled in beside me.
"You on the MB? “ says I.
" Yeah, tough going" he said "I need a refill"
"So you decided to do the 160 too? “ I said

Blank stare from him for a few seconds
"What?? No, I'm on the 200“

He'd done an extra 40 km and 800m climbing in the same time it took me to get there.

Moment of madness Im in...
Beara at that entry price and the travelling can wait....
45km to 200km in a few weeks....lets hope my current form improves....

Colm18 over to you Sir....:D

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Anyone know if the roads will be marked? notice a few very old MB yellow sprayed ones around Glencree recently..
Havent been on some of the route before so dont fancy getting lost...
The beauty of Audax I suppose....

As far as I can recall it is marked (which is unusual for an audax). There was a bit of controversy a few years ago when multiple truck manoeuvres up to a wind farm on the very south of the route wore away the markings and a few got lost.

(I usually get lost at the very end coming back into Dalkey. I'd get lost at the start too but there's usually a bunch for the first few kms).

Best sportive of the year in my view. Gutted to be missing it this year after doing it every year since my first attempt in 2013. If anyone is on the fence, just do it!

Luxman wrote: »

I missed last year and therefore dont know what the new start is like for showering facilities etc. Anyone?

The run up to this is like a “cycling Christmas”��

I have a vague recollection that the school gym (beside the start point) was available for showering but perhaps someone else can confirm.

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Got 100k under the belt yesterday (only my 2nd century of the year) and 66k on Saturday....now to add them together and find another 34k with a couple of thousand metres climbing for Sunday.
just to find that compact crank now....

Calling Colm18 and you can bring Nico with you as well...

And the first one was way back in Jan, Nudge and full of punctures on a Wicklow route, on an extremely windy day

terrydel wrote: »

Signed up for the 200, have done 1 100km + cycle this year, in fact one since September last year I reckon. I haven't a fecking chance of finishing it.

Looks like a group of boardsies is forming...
Youll have to look at a few David Goggins vids on you tube Terry Saturday night
Mind over matter...Head down keep peddling....

About time Colm18..

Alek wrote: »

Wrong sportive Nudge! You'll see when you get there

Im trying to make lads feel better

terrydel wrote: »

I'd be delighted to get thru the 160.

The last few years I keep remembering that the MB160 is the perfect sportif. Terrific route with just the right amount of distance and climbing. So remind me please, why I have signed up for the 200 again?

Has anyone a Strava file of the 200k route they could throw up here?
Thanks
All this talk I've to try make myself feel better now

Mercian Pro wrote: »

The last few years I keep remembering that the MB160 is the perfect sportif. Terrific route with just the right amount of distance and climbing. So remind me please, why I have signed up for the 200 again?

Hula Hoops at the stop on the descent of Brown Mountain.

Resoguy wrote: »

This is converted from Sorrento Webpage 200KM Maymyride version, this was updated sometime last week from a 2018 to a 2019 route on the webpage, not sure if there is any real difference.

https://www.strava.com/routes/19027494

Looks handy:D...Alek stop scare mongering....

Alek wrote: »

I'm doing exactly the opposite!

What I'm saying is that you can ride MB200 as easy or as hard as you want it to be, its not W200 and you're not stuck in the Orwell train! ;D

NOW I get you!!