| Sometime around December 2009, myself and my friend thought it might
be a good idea to try the Wicklow 200. Its been etched in my memory
for a long time and Ive been itching to do it for years. So in between
black ice and flooding the training started. Ive been cycling for
years now and will usually do two or three days into work on the bike,
Swords to Blackrock is about 50 kms round trip. Ive done a few randonneés
and sportifs, max distance being the Tour of Flanders randonneé
of about 140kms. 200kms was always going to be a bit daunting. A 165
kms spin from Swords to Wexford tested the legs and gave some indication
of what a full day in the saddle would be like. Having survived that
day and with the weather looking promising we prepared our bananas,
energy gels and steeds for the big day.
We pulled up to the start at 8.30 am and were surprised to see
so few bikes there. The vast majority seemed to be up and out at
the ungodly hour of 6am!! Maybe there's a lesson for us next time?
It was a beautiful morning with not much hint of the weather to
come.
Started climb up through Kimacanogue and onto Sally Gap and the
sheets of rain just kept coming. My only concern was that the wind
was going to spoil the decent, it did. Ah well. As it happened we
hooked up with a gang of 8 lads and lasses from the Western Lakes
CC. They had a good pace so we asked could we join and were accepted.
They dropped us on Sally Gap but we caught them again in Blessington.
Great to have a gang with a good pace and some chats, so thanks
a million. Eventually Donard came up and we stuffed our faces (chicken
and stuffing sambos were excellent) and had some caffeine hits too.
Legs feeling good and all water refreshed we hit the road again.
The banter on the road was brilliant. Some surprising bikes being
used out there. I heard a rumour afterwards that someone had been
on a Dublin Bike!! Is that true? If so, fair play. Always someone
to chat to, moan about the weather to or get help if it was needed.
Slieve Maan nearly broke me. Shay Elliot tired hard to break me
and that climb out of Rathdrum had me cursing but none broke me.
A magic banana and gel at the bridge over the N11 jump started me
and with about 30kms to go I knew we were almost done.
Thankfully we had no mechanicals or punctures. Im very surprised
to hear of thumb tacks being put on some of the roads. Who in Gods
name would do that?
Without doubt the hardest day I've ever had in the saddle but easily
the best. Its an amazing county to cycle through Organisation was
flawless. Great to have a warm shower afterwards and Im sure Ill
be back to do it again.
Thanks
Mark Carroll
PS: Probably best I didnt meet Sean Kelly as the last time I met
him was at the start of Paris Roubaix in 2004 and the only thing
I had for him to sign was the Roubaix programme with Jens Voigt
on the front and confusion reigned. I bet he still thinks that I
thought he was Jens Voigt!! Ah well.
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