2002w200diary

The Wicklow 200 - 2002

Map of course Report from Dungarvan Cycling Club

What a day! Did you find it a hard cycle, well I did. The first half went by ok but after Donard the rain started and then we hit Slieve Mann. At least when we got to the bottom and into the pub extra-time had just started in the day's other major sporting event. We watched the rest of it there only to see Ireland denied victory in the penalty shoot out. It might have made the ride home a little easier if we had won but thankfully we had a good tail wind up to the Sally Gap and home.
A hot shower and dry clothes - maybe next year will be a better day.
David Blake.

A special word of thanks to everybody who helped in any way on the day, all who made the tea etc at the check points and especially to Dick O'Brien, Donal O'Connell and others who were in the Basketball Arena from 6.00am till 8.30pm or so. I'm sure it was just as hard a day for them as it was for the riders.
Email from John McCormack Co. Wexford

Dear David,
I am very impressed at the speed with which you have your report on the Wicklow 200 up on your site ( probably reflects the speed with which you completed the day's cycling!) Despite the poor weather after Rathdrum it was great to finish : congrats to all on a smoothly organised event

John McCormack
Wexford

Left: Riders making their way over the Wicklow Mountains.

Congratulations to all who rode this years event - long or short.

If anyone wold like to email me their story of the day. dsblake@eircom.net

David and Sheila Blake before heading out

Left: The McNally family, Grace, Joe and Breda crossing Sally Gap.

Right: That great campaigner Kevin Simms, still going great and fit as ever.

Below: Group from Swords CC, Sheila Blake, Peter Brogan, Jim Ludden, David Blake and Tess Quinlan pictured in Valleymount.

Pat Murphy, Hugh Byrne and Ben Gaughran enjoy some refreshments in Valleymount.

What a day! Did you find it a hard cycle, well I did. The first half went by ok but after Donard the rain started and then we hit Slieve Mann. At least when we got to the bottom and into the pub extra-time had just started in the day's other major sporting event. We watched the rest of it there only to see Ireland denied victory in the penalty shoot out. It might have made the ride home a little easier if we had won but thankfully we had a good tail wind up to the Sally Gap and home. A hot shower and dry clothes - maybe next year will be a better day. David Blake.	A special word of thanks to everybody who helped in any way on the day, all who made the tea etc at the check points and especially to Dick O'Brien, Donal O'Connell and others who were in the Basketball Arena from 6.00am till 8.30pm or so. I'm sure it was just as hard a day for them as it was for the riders. Email from John McCormack Co. Wexford Dear David, I am very impressed at the speed with which you have your report on the Wicklow 200 up on your site ( probably reflects the speed with which you completed the day's cycling!) Despite the poor weather after Rathdrum it was great to finish : congrats to all on a smoothly organised event John McCormack Wexford Left: Riders making their way over the Wicklow Mountains.	Congratulations to all who rode this years event - long or short. If anyone wold like to email me their story of the day. dsblake@eircom.net David and Sheila Blake before heading out
	Left: The McNally family, Grace, Joe and Breda crossing Sally Gap. Right: That great campaigner Kevin Simms, still going great and fit as ever. Below: Group from Swords CC, Sheila Blake, Peter Brogan, Jim Ludden, David Blake and Tess Quinlan pictured in Valleymount.
		Pat Murphy, Hugh Byrne and Ben Gaughran enjoy some refreshments in Valleymount.