Anyone doing the Wicklow 200...?

Original post

Bubba

Archived post

11 December 2004, 17:39 UTC #1

Hi,

Here it is December 11th and I'm feeling a wee bit depressed as I look out
my window and see rain, lotsa' a wind and a thermometer that says it's
really cold outside (Pacific Northwest!). I'm thinking of more joyful times
of riding my road bike under much better conditions, that's for sure!

Anyway, enough melancholy, I'd like to go to Ireland and do the Wicklow 200
Challenge this coming June 12th and was wondering if there are any other
cyclists out there considering doing the same ride?

I'd like to hear from anyone who has either done this ride or is planning on
doing it...It would be nice to chat with others about the Wicklow 200, Sally
Gap, Wicklow Gap (I believe featured in the 1998 Tour de France). I have
plenty of cold, wet training rides (until the spring!) ahead of me to get
prepared for what I understand is a very strenuous ride!

I realize I must be a bit of a masochist to be thinking of riding up some
long steep mountain road with my heart rate monitor on 'TILT!', my bike
barely moving, sweating my brains out and my head feeling like the lit end
of a match...(aahhhh, those are the days!) during the holiday season but,
hey, what can I say!

P.S. Also around July 2nd is the Killarney SummerFest that includes a
supported(?) 112 mile ride around the Ring of Kerry...I understand that
riding the Ring of Kerry between June thru August can be very challenging
due to the narrow roads and summer tourist traffic!

I've seen pictures of the Gap of Dunloe and all I can say is I'd hate to
crest that climb and have a truck (lorry?) reaching the top from the other
direction at the same time!

Anyway, let's have a 'bit of a chin wag' to get through another crappy
winter...Okay, okay I know Winter doesn't start for another ten days...Get
over it!

George

Mike Kruger

Archived post

11 December 2004, 18:58 UTC #2

Bubba said:

I'd like to go to Ireland and do the
Wicklow 200 Challenge this coming June 12th and was

wondering if

Quoted message said:
there are any other cyclists out there considering doing

the same

Quoted message said:
ride?
I'd like to hear from anyone who has either done this ride

or is

Quoted message said:
planning on doing it...

You might try the newsgroup uk.rec.cycling

--
Mike Kruger
"So class, who can tell me how much of our genetic code we
share with
chimpanzees?" "Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh! I know, sir!"

Bubba

Archived post

11 December 2004, 21:45 UTC #3

Hi Mike,

I was hoping I would hear from a couple of my fellow North Americans who may
have done this ride or are planning to...If I don't hear from any in a day
or two I'll copy over my original note to the newsgroup you suggest...

Thanks,
George

"Mike Kruger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:1102791432.5b598035f0773eabfc28395a38d37f1f@teranews...

Quoted message said:
You might try the newsgroup uk.rec.cycling
--
Mike Kruger
"So class, who can tell me how much of our genetic code we
share with
chimpanzees?" "Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh! I know, sir!"

gearoidmuar

Archived post

12 December 2004, 08:10 UTC #4

I'm Irish, living in Ireland.

I've done it 6 times but not last year. Will do it again this year.

It's hard, but a wonderful ride for 2 reasons.

1. The start is not bunched but you just sign up and ride.
This stops huge bunches and ensures cyclists all along the road.
2. The scenery is good and very variable.

Downsides.
Much of the road is pretty bumpy and I've found it easier to do with some
suspension than without. My favourite bike for it is my old Cannondale FS
MTB with road tyres.
The food supplied is not great. just rubbish really.
The cameraderie en route is good.

p.s. There's usually a ride up Slieve Maan (Sliabh Meán) at about 80 miles.
A killer when you're tired. About a mile of 10%.
Better ridden with a triple OR a 39-28 at very least.

Anyone doing the Wicklow 200...?

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