Wicklow 200

You've never heard of the infamous hipster barrier technique? It comes from track cycling, like the track stand and its a useful way for cyclist who don't actually 'cycle' to win races.

I'm not uppity, they should definitely do it, it would be a great experience and an even better chance to feel at one with their bikes. My point about being a pain in the ass is, if they are gonna just give up and walk (or if just one of them is) then the organizers have to wait around, insure that they are safe, not holding up traffic, etc, etc. Thats all totally fair enough if the guys are trying, but as I said earlier, trying to do a 200km in the wicklow mountains on a fixed, means training for it.

Ah yeah fair enough but sure if they're going to pussy out then surely they'd have the decency to turn around and go home if you're not finishing...

Not saying your going to pussy out lads, just for argument ;)

You've never heard of the infamous hipster barrier technique? It comes from track cycling, like the track stand and its a useful way for cyclist who don't actually 'cycle' to win races.

I'm not uppity, they should definitely do it, it would be a great experience and an even better chance to feel at one with their bikes. My point about being a pain in the ass is, if they are gonna just give up and walk (or if just one of them is) then the organizers have to wait around, insure that they are safe, not holding up traffic, etc, etc. Thats all totally fair enough if the guys are trying, but as I said earlier, trying to do a 200km in the wicklow mountains on a fixed, means training for it.

don't you think you're taking this a little too seriously given you're not actually involved in any way?

No, but I think anyone undertaking a sporting event should show respect to the other competitors and to those who volunteer to marshal and organize the event by at least training for it somewhat seriously. Similarly, training for it (if you need to and you sound like you cycle plenty anyway) will only yield more enjoyment when you do it.

Thats all. These opinions are general. I don't know you guys or you're cycling backgrounds. I just know what's being discussed here.

Also, I'm fucking sick of the pussification of the Dublin Fixed Gear Agus Single Speed section of lfgss. People are taking such offence about shit and others are having to caviate every thing they write. HTFU Dublin.

+1 htfu

Ok you might have seen on the main forum that I am looking for an entry for the W200, I missed the deadline on entry and dont have a pass, so if you know anyone who no longer needs their pass send me a pm and I will pay them in full for it.
Hopefully I will be doing it in aid of a charity I do some work for called Camara.

check boards, someone is selling one now

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055581773

As far as I know he has already sorted one out

wow, peoples is sensitive around here.

i come in, i ask if you guys have a clue what you're doing, and for some reason, offence is taken? that makes me suspect that you don't. feel free to correct me.

i'm really just trying to assuage my curiosity...

have you guys ever done long distance (150km +) fixed?

have you ever done these hills, fixed or not?

my main concern is that you guys might pose a bit of a risk to other participants.

are you familiar with riding in a group? the etiquette of it? how to not be a dick?

do you understand that the way you will accelerate and decelerate on a fixie is different enough from a geared bike to make riding in a group difficult and dangerous? are you prepared to stay out of people's way? or is this being done with a 'fuck em anyway' frame of mind? Are you VERY thick skinned? people will shout at you.

are you using a brakes for this? do you understand what these descents are like? and that you are going to be being passed by guys doing 80kph+ ?

i have huge respect for anyone who can pull this (fixed) off, but most people who attempt it are hardened roadies who do have done a few WW200s before and who eat hills for breakfast - not people who are overly concerned with barspins.

for reference i did a 160km sportive last weekend on my fixie - it was very enjoyable, but that was largely becuase the first part of the course was flat enough to stay on the back of the group without problems and we let the group go before things got properly lumpy. being in the middle of a group of 150 cyclists who come to a descent, the speed goes form 30 to 60 in a few seconds - everyone else can gear up and stay together but unless you can spin like a bastard and stay in place, you begin to drift back and everyone has to get around you. Poeple don't recognise a fixie is slowing because you're still pedalling, and the danger of getting rear-ended and there being a pile up is real.

i hope you do it, and have fun doing it, but mostly i hope you don't fuck anyone else day up. that's all.

have you guys ever done long distance (150km +) fixed?

have you ever done these hills, fixed or not?

1 - I once cycled the whole way to the Phoenix park and back again... in an hour!! Yeah...

2 - Do speedbumps count?

i think people are starting to get a little hysterical over this whole issue.

I do know what you are saying yes, but just because roadies go down hills expecting people to be going at the same speed doesnt mean that they are right.
I do understand what you mean completely, I havent ridden in large groups before, no more than two or three other people, I have read up on group etiquette but unfortunately havent been able to practice it myself.

Yes I am prepared to stay out of peoples way, is it really necessary to stay in groups though?
Yes I am using two brakes, I have done the climbs and descents.
I dont think even if we are in groups it will be too much of a problem, when the group climbs we are at the back, if not completely separate by the top.

I am welcome to tips of any sort, since you seem to have more experience it would actually be nice.

Hey,

Once again, I hope you guys do this, I hope you love it and its a deadly day out and because I hope all of that I hope you do a bit of training for it.

It'll be a massive and great achievement for you guys so I support you all the way.

Read up on this stuff and practice it. I mean, something as simple as eating and drinking in the saddle should be something you are familiar with.

Oh, and Roadies a fucking assholes. hahaha

Peace

Edit:

wow, peoples is sensitive around here.

Yeah, whiny bitches.

I am welcome to tips of any sort, since you seem to have more experience it would actually be nice.

Advice ay? Hmm.

It's too late to get any fitter so all you can do now is fret about underpreparation, stay away from any booze, fags, etc. Eat healthy (vitamins and such), drink loads of water, and sleep as much as you can.

On the day, have a big breakfast with loads of carbs and a bit of protein and sugar - porridge is traditional. Loads of coffee. Then eat enough on the bike. On the fixie you don't have any options if you run out of glygogen - you are fucked - so eat a little and often (nutrigrains elevenses are my weapon of choice), drink, and use dyoralyte or sea salt to stop cramps. PACE YOURSELF. Be very conservative for the first 100k, they're the easy bit. Stretch at the stops.

I do know what you are saying yes, but just because roadies go down hills expecting people to be going at the same speed doesnt mean that they are right.

It ain't about right or wrong - it's about expected and unexpected. Just be aware of it, and try to be as predictable as possible. Maybe stay to the left to allow them to pass you on the outside when possible.

I havent ridden in large groups before, no more than two or three other people, I have read up on group etiquette but unfortunately havent been able to practice it myself.

TBH, if you haven't experienced riding in a group before the WW200 is not really the ideal day to try to learn. There'll be a shit load of cyclists pouring out of UCD between 6:30 and about 8 and, being cyclists, they'll naturally form bunches, two by two. It would actually be quite difficult to avoid ending up in some sort of bunch, and there'll be a lot of very nervous and twitchy fucker out. Stay frosty. And relaxed. Frosty but relaxed. yeah.

Basics:
Call shit in the road. If someone is a wheel's distance behind you they can see fuck all in front of them so if you bunny hop a pothole, or swerve around it at the last second (swerving is bad), they'll go straight into it. That's bad. So point at the pothole and say HOLE loudly. Or say HOLE LEFT! or HOLE RIGHT! or HOLE MIDDLE! depending on where the hole is relative to the group. You'll hear the word shouted about 210,000 times on Sunday.

Call cars if it seems people are a bit dozy, ie, CAR! or CAR UP! /CAR DOWN!

Some roadies really make a big deal out of the calling thing, and it can seem like like some sort of bizarre completition as to who can call the most innocuous ripple in the road the loudest, and with the most urgency. Ignore these people. But some of these calls can save your wheel, and thereby your day.

Lastly, and most importantly... BE PREDICTABLE. No swerving, no sudden braking, skidding, skipping or anything.

Yes I am prepared to stay out of peoples way, is it really necessary to stay in groups though?

No, it's not necessary. But it does save energy to sit on someone's wheel and you'll need to save all the energy you can. We all will. It's also a bit difficult to remain solo when there's about 2000 cyclists on the route at the same time. Close quarters cycling is going to happen. There's a great atmosphere on a day like the 200, and you'll end up having loads on conversations with randomers. Your conversations will mostly start with the question "Are you fucking mental? Is that a fixie???". You'll be noticed.

Yes I am using two brakes.

Good. Use 'em. Spinning is energy sapping enough (everyone else will be able to recover on the descents) but leg braking will be, uh, leg breaking over that distance, so let the callipers do the work. Your knees will thank you in the years to come.

Oh, and Roadies a fucking assholes. hahaha

Ah, sectarianism. The mark of a truly great mind...

is this longest post in the history of this sub forum? fucking 1 line posts a go go around here.

yeah lol.

Lastly:

GOOD LUCK LADS

I hope it goes well for you and that any naysayers eat humble fucking pie (that includes me - I like pie but prefer cake). I might see you in UCD on the morning - I'll be rocking a fully geared bike (!) and boards.ie kit. Say hi.

Lastly:

GOOD LUCK LADS

I hope it goes well for you and that any naysayers eat humble fucking pie (that includes me - I like pie but prefer cake). I might see you in UCD on the morning - I'll be rocking a fully geared bike (!) and boards.ie kit. Say hi.

What a way to hide -you know full well there'll be lots of geared bikes and boards kits... I'll give ye a clue to spot tom -he's on a black bike :D

He in last years boards jersey group photo? lol

Good luck lads!!

Its going to be frikin shcweet when you've done this!!!

Oh, and Nice one niceonetom! That was an excellent post. I include myself in the asshole sect.

Peace

He in last years boards jersey group photo? lol

Potentially... I can't remember who is now -I'm not in the one taken recently, I think cos I took the pic :)

so did ya make it?

Since crown of storms had to pull out and the weather was to be shit I decided not to do the 200, did the 100 in under 5 hours:P.

Fair play man!! Congratulations!

Animal! Well done Stein!

Fair balls.

Cheers, I toddled along for the first hour or so with Caz and her friends, decided to go ahead since it was just too slow for me, split at the 100/200 change.
From there I was faster than all the roadies, except on the downhills of course;).
I was really surprised, I climbed much faster than the rest of them.
The weather held off and overall it was a nice day.

Well done Stein! Our group (which included non cyclists) took over 6.5 hours!

There were times when the pace was as slow as a critical mass ride and there were points where I had to leave the group for a bit - when I was cold or my gears weren't low enough or there was a bit of walking going on - but it was kinda nice to get away on my own for a bit cos it gave me a chance to cycle a more comfortable pace for a bit and chat with other riders and stop for coffee. Fair play to my brother and Adrian who supported the weaker cyclists so well - I did my best but when it came to walking I had to draw the line!

Anyway our goal was to take it easy and finish together - which we did - albeit with the help of mobile phones! We all had a good laugh, a great day, and I came home with sore neck & shoulders rather than sore legs!