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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 12:06:24 PM |
LEISURE CYCLING: The Wicklow 200 is Next Sunday
By Wicklow200.ie
2 Jun 2008,
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The Wicklow 200 is famous for the range of ages and abilities that take part. From beginners to ex-pros it's the fun and the challenge that keeps them coming back. Keep an eye out on Sunday and you never know what well known faces you might see..
Weather forcast for next Sunday looks fairly good, a dry partly cloudy day. Maybe bring both the rain jacket and the sun cream.
THE ROUTE DETAILS
THE WICKLOW 200
The route of this year’s “200” is, as usual , concentrated around the three major climbs of Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap and Slieve Maan but, as is also usual, it varies from that of the previous year, and even brings us into some new territory.
Starting at UCD we leave the city by way of Dundrum and Stepaside to Enniskerry. From there we continue past main gates of Powerscourt, cross the Dargle river and turn right. After a short steep drop we negotiate a sharp bend at Powerscourt waterfall before climbing, at first steeply and then gradually to Glencree.
Here a sharp left at T-junction brings us brings us onto Military Road and ever upwards between the source of the Liffey and Kippure TV transmitter to Sally Gap.
We have our first alteration of last years route, turning left at crossroads for a glorious descent to Roundwood, only briefly interrupted by a brief steep uphill at Lough Tay/ Luggala. Enjoy the spectacular scenery here. Soon we reach our first refreshment point at Laragh.
Now, it’s back onto the inner ring for the spectacular climb of Wicklow Gap and after the descent of same the long undulating road to Hollywood. After a brief spell on the main N81 we once again branch left through Hollywood Glen to the first checkpoint at Donard - and some very welcome food and drink.
Leaving Donard we continue on secondary roads, having at the request of the Gardai, to bypass Baltinglass before rejoining main roads shortly after the town.
We now head eastwards before turning left again at Kiltegan for Rathdangan. We are now approaching what most will regard as the toughest part of the day – the climb of the daunting Slieve Maan.
However, after the very welcome refreshment station at the summit it is now almost all downhill to Rathdrum – if we just ignore the annoying “drag” at Greenan. Rathdrum is, of course, the second and last checkpoint and after Tea/Coffee and sandwiches we start out on the final leg.
We leave town downhill and very shortly divert left and through the woods to Moneytown and a staggered crossroads to Roundwood once again. Then it’s left at the fork and over the shoulder of Djouce Mountain and down a very steep hill – with a concealed T-junction at the bottom.
Now it’s familiar territory as we are reversing the route we took out of Dublin some hours ago. Vigilance is required over these last few Kms. as Sunday afternoon traffic can be quite heavy and road markings not so easy to pick out.
THE WICKLOW CHALLENGE
The shorter Wicklow Challenge is run at the same time as the Wicklow 200, and shares much of its route with the Wicklow 200. The Wicklow Challenge is about 100 km long, and has about 1200 metres of ascent. Riders can choose on the day which route they want to ride.
The 2007 Wicklow Challenge will start, like the full Wicklow 200, from UCD Belfield at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday 10th June 2007. It will follow the same route as the Wicklow 200 through Stepaside and Enniskerry, but then the routes separate. Wicklow Challenge riders will go left a few kilometres after Enniskerry, and out onto the Long Hill where they will turn right to climb the hill up to the Sugarloaf. Following the undulating road to Roundwood, Annamoe, and Laragh, riders will arrive at the checkpoint in Rathdrum.
After a short rest, riders will return from Rathdrum using the same route as the full Wicklow 200 riders. This will bring them through Moneystown, Tomriland Cross Roads, Roundwood, and over Djouce. At 320 metres Djouce is the highest point of this route. From here riders descend the steep drop (careful!) to rejoin the road used on the outward journey, and then via Enniskerry and Stepaside to the finish in UCD.
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WICKLOW 200 ENTRY CLOSED:
2008 On-line Entry Closed & Postal Entries closed:
Entry for this years Wicklow 200 and Wicklow 100 is now closed as we have passed the cut off mark of 1500. The organisers do not have any waiting list or cancellation list.
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