I really enjoyed my week in Ireland, culminating in Wicklow 200 on Sunday. I am a Welshman, living in Norway, but I was persuaded to come over and try the W200. The organisation was great, and I hope the event builds on this.
Having done a few races in Norway, there are quite a few differences between the way you did it and the way they do it here. Here are some notes, I hope they are helpful.

-In Norway, there are group starts, even for races which are not strictly timed. This adds a frisson of excitement at the start. I know you're keen to stress that W200 is not a race, so maybe you don't want people riding together? Anyway the W200 both the start and the finish felt a bit flat because of the lack of build up. Having some guy with a tannoy (e.g. calling out names and numbers of finishers, and times?) could also be cool. I gather most people started at 7am. I set out at 6:35 and had quite a solitary ride.

- in Norway, food is mostly taken on the bike - people hand out bananas and paper cups of water/energy drink at the stops. This causes litter in the immediate vicinity, but is nice for people who are in a hurry

- in Norway start numbers often go on the front of the bike (this is esp. true for moutnain biking), this makes identifying people from the photos a lot easier

- in Norway they often have a secure area where you can leave your bike at the start finish - hand in your bike, get a raffle ticket, hand in the raffle ticket, get your bike back. This is nice.

For the entry fee for W200 I was impressed that I got so many energy bars (at the start even) and underway, and the medal is nice. I've seen discussion about a t shirt - these are commonly handed out at running marathons - and almost never are a good fit or good quality, so i think they are a bad idea. Medals are nice. Often in Norway they give little pin badges instead. This is nice if you do lots of races, otherwise you get snowed under with medals.

- some races in Norway put up signs for the # of km to go to the finish for the last 30km or so....extra motiviation (you could just print this on the same signs 170km / 23km to go

- there were lots of motorbike marshalls patrolling the route which was very good.

- the pasta at the end and endless cups of tea was wonderful. This was much better than they do it in Norway (e.g. you can buy it yourself, or there is nothing at all)

Anyway that's my 2p worth. Thanks again to all involved for what must be a mammoth task of organisation.

- Justin