Wicklow 200

notanotherhill
notanotherhill Posts: 137
edited August 2007 in Training, fitness and health
Was wondering how many if any of you have ridden the Wicklow 200 and if you have what you thought of it both as an event and in relation to how well (or not) it was organised

I was thinking of riding it next year as a training ride basically but ive gotten very mixed reports about it so would be interested in hearing what you have to say about it

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,573
    I've ridden it twice, in 1997 and 2002.

    I think it's a great event with a tough and challenging course. The organisation was very good too with well spaced stops which had plenty of food and drink available.
  • comsense
    comsense Posts: 245
    edited August 2007
    I've ridden it a few times. I've found it tough ( why else would you bother ?). I have found the organisation to be faultless in that I didn't notice anything that could have been improved. I remember Cycling Weekly doing a few pages on it and they gave it a very favourable report. I've never heard a complaint about it even though I know plenty of cyclists who have done it. All that said you need the miles in your legs and you need to be confident on the hills and safe coming down. Your bike needs to be in perfect working order. There are large groups along the road and abilities are mixed - don't get in races unless you are up to it. Heres a blog with a report on it from a guy who is better with words than me (you need to scroll through the 2nd page ..)
    http://tinyurl.com/24dn5n Do it and make up your own mind.
  • notanotherhill
    notanotherhill Posts: 137
    Sound advice comsense, I think its one for the calender next yr.
  • ColinJ
    ColinJ Posts: 2,218
    comsense - you need to edit the full-stop off the end of that link for it to work properly.
  • comsense
    comsense Posts: 245
    ColinJ wrote:
    comsense - you need to edit the full-stop off the end of that link for it to work properly.

    Done - thanks
  • T.C.
    T.C. Posts: 495
    i did it in 2004. i rode 5 milesto the start , then i did the ride which turned out to be 126 miles 9 hours riding time , i found it very hard, had some bad spells and i was on my own for a while, fast at the start !
  • Philip Davis
    Philip Davis Posts: 965
    I did it in 2006, nice ride, very friendly bunch of people. Nice mix of determined racers with people just out for a pleasant, slightly challenging ride. At stage I saw a rather eccentric looking middle aged lady on a bike with a shopping basket determinedly trying to draft a guy on a Colagno!

    No complaints at all about the organisation (its very informal, maybe some people expect to be told exactly what to do). I haven't heard anyone complain about it.
    I hate to advocate drugs, violence or insanity to anyone, but they\'ve always worked for me.\' Hunter S. Thompson
  • Floodcp
    Floodcp Posts: 190
    I rode the Wicklow this year and have to say the course was challenging but nothing compared to the alps etc. The weather was beautiful on the day of the event which is always a benefit. Generally the event was well organised with road marking etc to guide you around the course.
    Only couple of gripes that I would have were 1. riding back into Dublin at the end of the day. I probably would not have found my way if I had not been with a local and 2. The food stops were ok but only offered bicuits, bars and tea or coffee. I would have maybe expected some sandwiches whilst out on the route.

    Apart from the small issues above the organisation was very good and the event as a whole was throughly enjoyable.
  • Toks
    Toks Posts: 1,143
    notanotherhill wrote:
    Was wondering how many if any of you have ridden the Wicklow 200 and if you have what you thought of it both as an event and in relation to how well (or not) it was organised

    I was thinking of riding it next year as a training ride basically but ive gotten very mixed reports about it so would be interested in hearing what you have to say about it
    Hey its a brilliant ride! Its not the toughest but then again its not the easiest. It was very well organised and well sign posted. Also unlike a lot of other cyclosportivs its a lot less competitive so if you're not 'race fit' you'll find quite a few groups to ride with.
    comsense wrote:
    Heres a blog with a report on it from a guy who is better with words than me (you need to scroll through the 2nd page ..)
    Thanks Comsense, he's a great bloke that Ademerckx fella :wink:
  • Kilroy
    Kilroy Posts: 64
    Did it the last two years and in 83 & 84.
    The Tour De France went over The Wicklow Gap when it was over here. Nice ride. Never worried about the food stops or what to expect at them. You're told in advance to bring enough supplies. I usually end up bringing food home!
    Drinks are as important and you can get plenty along the way.
    Looking forward to next year.

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