Post by saintdavy on Jun 13, 2007 12:25:00 GMT 1
Decided to drive down for the Wicklow, this meant a 4 o clock start….. Yes I know there’s air getting in. First mistake was to follow a 4x4 with a Dublin registration loaded with bikes as I came into the city. On our 2nd circuit of the city centre I turn of to find my own way.Made the check in with a couple of minutes to spare. Still quite a few riders around at the start, but no sign of any Dromara jerseys. Bright blue skies as I set of with a guy from Dublin.
Sally Gap came and went… don’t know why I thought this was such a struggle last year. The road on the decent was every bit as bad, just slightly better than the dry river beds Bob likes so much. Teamed up with a freight train of about 15 bodies at the bottom and got towed along at 20mph…brilliant. The first food stop was at Laragh if you call Jaffa cakes and Fig rolls food. There was plenty of water though which was a big improvement on last year. Waited for the freight train to leave and jumped on the back, this was going to be an easy day. Still no sign of any Dromara jerseys.
The climb up Wicklow Gap was a bit of a drag but no big deal. That trip to the Alpes was paying of. The big yellow monster was beginning to flex his muscles, by the time I got to the top my arms and face where beginning to tingle even though I had slapped on plenty on factor 30. The decent down to the first check in was a pleasant way to cool down and much needed cup of tea.
The route towards Slieve Mann was fairly flat but it was getting very warm. The lower slopes of the Mann had already begun to take its toll. There was quite a few red faces stopped pouring water down their throats. By the time I was half way up my feet where on fire and I had lost a bucket of sweat. It was hard graft getting to the top…so much for the Alpes.
The few miles to the second check in where an absolute slog, burning feet, cramp and a headache. Three cups of tea and half a malt loaf, I brought with me, and I rolled out of Rathdrum for the final leg. After a few steady miles the caffeine kicked in and I was back cruising at 17mph. The last few climbs where a bit of a drag but at least they where in the shade. The gates to UCD where very welcoming. It had turn out a harder day than I first thought it would be.
The 25th Anniversary certificate was a bit of a cheapo, brown paper with some black squiggles, our cat could have made a better effort. Now the big question did anyone else from Dromara take part or was I chasing ghosts all day?
;D