Wicklow 200

mustbeeasier

Hi Guys,
I've signed up for the Wicklow 200 this year as it is something I've always wanted to try, but want to know if anyone has any tips etc. I'm still a novice with only one sportive completed last year around Pembroke.The furthest I've cycled is 150km and regularly do around 100km rides once a week.
Would be grateful for any advice.

Bobbinogs

Looking at the site (rather than any specific experience of this ride) then it is a 200k ride with ~2,000m of climbing so it is going to be tough...but not a killer. Hence, if you are doing regular 100k rides and the odd 150k then this one shouldn't be too much of a leap forward for you. I did an audax the other week with the same stats (200k/2,000m) and there was a bloke that made it around on an old steel butcher's bike, complete with strings of onions and 2 gears (one high one and a low one that was utlised by peddaling backwards!! I kid ye not). So think about him when you hit the doldrums at about 150k and use that as inspiration to keep you going

Just do what you normally do, train well but take it easy in the week before...and a day spent lazying around eating belgian buns on the penultimate day always works for me, yeah!. Eat/drink well on the ride, ride at your own pace (hopefully tagging with others at the same pace), start cautiously and finish strong. Oh, and enjoy the day.

Esroh

There is only 1 way to prepare for the W200 thats climb.
There ar 3/4 climbs which details of are given on the site are long and steady . But its the rolling short sharp hills that are mixed into it that really knock the stuffing out of you. Beware of getting caught up in a strong group from Kilbride (water stop)to Baltinglass(1st Feed stop) after the 1st big descent as the route along the Lake is rolling sharp hills .
Its also important to remember that Aughavanna climb is not mentioned in the blurb and it comes just when you would be expecting to start Slieve Mann which starts almost immediately afterwards , Glenmalour/Shay Elliott comes almost straight after again.
After the Rathdrum feedstop ther are no climbs that are noted but there is plenty of climbing left
The other thing about over here is that alot of our roads are dressed with a chip surface that is rough and dead so is constantly sapping your energy.

Other than that hope for a dry day. Last 2 years have been cursed by bad weather and have been days from Hell.

Leroy42

Have done this event a number of times.

It is a tough course and as Esroh mentioned the weather has been poor, especially last year were it was held in very cold & wet conditions all day.

The course is tough, as Esroh mentioned the main hills are fairly well documented but it is the non categorised hills that can be the killer. After the second foodstop at Rathdrum, it is quite a long up and drag cycle home, with a tough climb coming out of Avoca. This climb is actually that bad, and sertainly is ranked, but after so many miles in the legs it really feels tough and the rest of the course is lots of sharp up and downs.

The road surface is very 'sticky' not cause of the heat (its Ireland after all) but just no rolling on it and some of the surfaces can be pretty brolen up so it feels like you're on the Paris Roubaiz course or something.

It is certainly a challenge, certainly doable. One thing I will mention is that although it is the biggest event of its kind in Ireland, & I would urge you to do it, the 'event' itself leaves a lot to be desired. By that I mean, it is very low key rollout and finish with everyone really just let off to do their own thing. It is mentioned every year but there is no mass start or big finish.

It doesn't bother me, but for some it does that away from what is a great course.

mustbeeasier

Thanks for the advise guys; really looking forward to it. Over 20 years ago I used to ride around some of those hills, so I cant wait. I've seen previous posts from the last few years and the weather really has added to the experience. It is the short sharp hills that get me all the time, hard to pace. And from the one & only sportive I did last year it is very easy get caught in the excitement and eagerness at the start and head off too fast and curse yourself for the remainder 60+miles. Anyhow cant wait. Thanks again.

redjeepǃ

I've done it the past 2 years and agree with Leroy. It's tough but doable, some of the hills are very hard and there's meant to be one that's Cat 0. Last year was terrible because of the weather with rain that could only be described as biblical, and I wimped out and did the 100km.

It's not as well organised as some other events, like the An Post series in Ireland, but in general it's fine. I'm still undecided as to whether to do it this year.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.