Prelude

With the trauma of the Tour of the Glens, 100 plus miles of cycling in the rain still fresh in our minds, the closing date for pre-entries to Wicklow 2003 fast approached.  At a cost of £33, double last year, we had second thoughts.  But with internet booking and the promise of proper food the deed was done!

Arriving

Paul and I prefer to stay in Dublin the day before as the 100 mile drive means a very early start; 3.30 in the morning in Bob’s case. On Saturday Bob had given us each a walkie-talkie radio to help us find each other on the Sunday morning.  They were used a lot more than I had expected.

Sign on

This year’s event had changed in many ways.  We were given a swipe card which was used at the start, both tea stops and at the finish.  This provided proof of route completion and gave each rider their overall time.  All entrants received a green cycling jersey (although I preferred last years white jersey).  Both were very good quality.  Once again with around 900 entrants, The Wicklow 200 is a well organised event.  We arrived at the National Basketball Stadium at Tallaght at 06.35, the mass start was at 07.00.  I am always late; Paul says I operate on country time.   It was out with the radio calling Bob.  Back came the reply – he had collected our cards and signed us in at 06.00.  So on a bright dry morning, our legs bear, and bikes at the ready, off we went to the start.

The Main Event

The mass start was on the dual carriageway one km from the sign-in point.  A massive inflatable arch was erected over the two carriageways and more by luck than timing we arrived at the rear of the massed cyclists just as the starting siren went.  Many people had already drifted off on their way to the 1^st climb on Wicklow’s “Eleven hills to glory”.  Approximately 500 cyclists were at the start and they quickly separated into large groups as the gradual slope of the “Embankment” sorted people out.

Climbs

Sally Gap (Out)

At the last mile of the Sally Gap, the road gets steeper and there are 100’s of cyclists as far as the eye can see.  I am out of the saddle in the 39/25 over the top of Sally Gap at 1650 feet.  Just before the top Bob sprints off, the radio crackles, and he tells us that he is going on to the next climb to take a photograph. A fast descent follows, before a short sharp climb, with a fantastic view to our right of mountains and 200 feet below a still dark lake.  Ahead the crest of the hill beckoned, the figure of Bob, lens in hand clambering up the steep rocky slope to get the backdrop of the lake in the picture. “Mad to the last”, Paul and I said.  We waved as we rode by.  Three climbs down, eight left to go.  We descend at high speed for a number of miles.  I was keeping my wits about me as last year we came upon an injured cyclist staggering over the road at a bad bend.  This year at the same spot somebody was being helped out of the ditch.  Thankfully he looked okay.  Paul and I continued racing each other for the 30 mph limit signs for both Roundwood and Larragh, but no sign of Bob.  There was no reply on our radio, but they only have a 1-2 mile range so we slowed down and waited as dozens of green jerseys rode by.

Wicklow Gap

We were slowly riding towards the first steep section of the Wicklow Gap, where a section of Braveheart was filmed.  Just as a large group passed us the radio crackled and Bob said he was in Larragh, only half a mile behind.  Paul and I then speeded up.  This is a tough section, as all cyclists find out, you can only ride a hill at your own pace.  Paul always paces himself early in a long ride, whereas I suffer towards the end.  I was not therefore surprised to see Paul fall away from my wheel.  The road sweeps to the right, a good surface as it was resurfaced in 1999 for the Tour de France.  From there you can see for 1.5 miles as the road snakes left and then over the top.  All you can see are cyclists, ¾ of them in their green jerseys, a very impressive sight.  I eased off as the road flattened out and waited for Paul, still no Bob, back on the radio.  He had stopped for batteries for the camera.  As I was talking a girl rode by, she was very impressed with our radios, so I let her talk to Bob.  Three hundred yards from the summit, he appeared.  Dromara cycling tops are very distinctive being mostly white with stripes of red, blue and yellow. Over the top a lot of people stopped to regroup, some for a drink, us for a photo of course.  It was 10 miles to the tea stop and the cut off for the shorter event of 65 miles, The Gap Challenge.  A tandem flew past us so Bob took off after it.  I followed but never caught up.  Speeds of over 50 mph were reached – too quick for me.

Tea

The tea stop was in a school at a small place called Valleymount.  Hundreds were there before us.  A safe place to park your bike is a must.  A lot of expensive TREK bikes to be seen.  So, cards scanned, coffee and sandwiches collected, we sit down for a rest in the glorious sunshine.  Fifteen minutes later, a choice of which queue to join – the one for the toilet or the one for the water.  On our bikes, we twisted back and forth around the large and impressive Blessington Lake.  International rowing events are held here, but on a day like today many people were out at the shore side.  Then we came to the junction, left for the mountains or right for the 65 mile finish.  We don’t quit that easily!

Donard, Ballybarney

This centre flat section of this climbing event allows time to recharge the batteries.  A change this year was the winding undulating road to the village of Donard.  A steady pace allowed a large group to form as we swooped down into Donard village, a number of thirsty cyclists, pints in hand, were standing outside the bar.  A half mile of steep climbs, some of it out of the saddle, caused the group to splinter.  Down the other side, after some sharp sandy bends we regrouped and continued to the gradual climb of Ballybarney Gap.  This was a narrow road giving great views of woodland and surrounding farm land.  A long descent down the Military Road before turning left for the toughest climb of the day.

Slieve Mann

Two sweeping bends disguise the steep start to the two mile climb of Slieve Mann.  So it’s everyone for themselves as there is only one way to climb and that’s at your own pace. Bob was away and Paul soon fell away from my back wheel.  For the next mile I grinded and grimaced up this hard climb. Steep wooded slopes on the right and the Road curved around to the left, with a drop below. I needed all my will power to keep going, a few yards standing up and a few sitting, hardly able to push round the pedals, as cyclists steadily rode by.  The only thing keeping me going was the determination not to give up and the odd person I caught and passed.  The last third eased slightly, much to my delight and as I crested the top, I looked back for Paul and he was only 10 yards behind me, and of course there was Bob to take our picture!  There had been a light drizzle on the climb which had been very refreshing, but at the top it was cold and heavy drizzle, so on with the coats and on down the fast descent with 2 hairpin bends at the bottom.  In the valley out came the sun and the temperature soared.

 Rathdrum

Before the 2^nd tea stop at Rathdrum a climb of what seemed never ending corners sapped the last energy out of my legs, but at last, the 30 mph sign showed it was the top.  A very strange setup in Southern Ireland, all distances are in kilometres but all speed signs are in mph.  Into the hall, our cards were scanned and coffee and sandwiches collected.  Outside and inside dozens of tired cyclists milled around, eating, chatting and refreshing themselves before the final leg.  In 2002 Paul had a free massage here and he was first to go and join the queue this time.  I tagged along and just had to wait five minutes.  For what seemed like ages, twice the time the girl spent on Paul, my legs were massaged and stretched.  The 6 ladies involved were certainly kept busy.  Bob sneaked a photo and was going to put on a caption of ‘a beached whale’.  Before we got back on our bikes Bob was back out with the camera.  Sheila, a Banbridge cycling club member had arrived so she offered to take a photo of all 3 of us.  Off to Larragh and the Sally Gap.

Sally Gap (In)

At the tourist village of Larragh lots of buses and traffic greeted us.  Showers had started and 14 miles was between us and the radio mast which overlooks Dublin. Most of this climb is very gradual but after a few miles the road steepens and a large waterfall can be seen on the left, dropping some 200 feet to the valley floor below.  Ahead storm clouds gathered but as on the climb, people were sunbathing as they looked at the stunning scenery of mountains and waterfall.  From here on, mile upon mile of open moorland, false summits and ever darkening skies.  Just as we reached the crossroads of the Sally Gap at 1650 feet, the rain arrived and looked here to stay, only one and a half miles before we crested the last major climb.  A very steep, cold and wet descent followed.  I was cold and miserable as the last drag started and I quickly lost 200 yards.  But the rain stopped, the road levelled out and I put in a big effort to catch up.  Four miles of hairpin corners and fast descents followed on wet roads with large white SLOW signs making it very dangerous.  But as usual Bob just flew on.  Paul and I have too much self preservation.  We stop at a road junction to take off our rain jackets.  One mile more down, then the 30 mph sign meant 2 more flat miles to the finish.

 Finish

As we rode into the National Basketball Stadium grounds, there were hundreds of families enjoying a funfair and stalls.  Ahead the inflatable arch of this morning’s start was erected to welcome us home.  Paul and I rode up to the door and quickly got our cards scanned for our finish time.  We started at 7.05 and the time was now 16.45.  We had covered 122.75 miles.  On an event like Wicklow, time does not matter as long as you are able to finish.  A hundred or so people were around the car park having completed the event, some home as early at 14.09; others would not be back until 21.00.  A welcome shower and some chocolate helped the system.  Sean Kelly was in the car park, green jersey on, happy to have finished.  Nearly 900 cyclists took part in this great event.

 So just over 2 months to go:

Sunday 17^th August 2003 the Dromara Hilly 125, just 76 miles but pure torture.  Come one come all we want to know your thoughts on our tour of the stunning Mourne area.

Trevor Annett

(Club Secretary)

 E-mail: dromaracc@audanet.com