Sunday 16th June 2002

Ireland's Premier Cycling Challenge, 

The Wicklow 200 Classic, (approx. 126 miles) takes place on Sunday 16th. June. To celebrate this, it's 20th. Anniversary, all participants will be awarded a Commemorative Racing Cycling Jersey, plus an Illustrated Certificate and a Gold Medallion. This year the route includes eleven climbs over some of the highest mountain passes in Wicklow. Needless to say it is not a fun run, and is only suitable for experienced, fit cyclists.

The Wicklow Gap Challenge, (approx. 60 miles) which is run over the first leg of the Wicklow 200 course and includes only four of the climbs. It is still a tough challenge which will be rewarded with a Silver Medallion, an Illustrated Certificate and of course the special Commemorative Racing Cycling Jersey. 

Both events start and finish at the National Basketball Arena, Tymon Park, Tallaght, where supervised free car parking, changing and shower facilities will be available. The Wicklow 200 starts very early (7 a.m.) and the Wicklow Gap Challenge one-hour later at 8 a.m. Maximum time allowed for these events is 13 hours, so the Basketball Arena will close down at 9 p.m. The entry fee (which includes the commemorative cycling jersey) is Euro 30 or Sterling £ 18.50 and the closing date for entry is 4th. June. No entry on the line. Entry Forms and Brochure from Dick O' Brien, 24 Dowland Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12. Phone (01) 455 8216, E-mail w200@gofree.indigo.ie or on the net at www.ivca.info <Download Entry Form Here> <See Map of Route>

The 20th Wicklow 200 this year 2002

The year 2002 has been officially designated ‘The Year of the Mountain’. Well the Wicklow 200 is the event of the Mountain so what better way to celebrate the year 2002 than by riding the Wicklow 200 Classic or the Wicklow Gap challenge which covers the first half of the course. When it comes to mountains Wicklow has it all and in the Wicklow 200 we take full advantage of them. Been there, done that and got the T-shirt then you know what we mean. The Embankment (1000 ft.), Sally Gap (1650 ft.), Luggala (1500 ft.), Wicklow Gap (1600 ft.), and on the second half of the course, Donard Hill (800 ft.) Ballinabarny Gap (1050 ft.), Mullan-Aghavannagh pass (1000 ft), Slieve Maan (1500 ft.), Greenane-Rathdrum drag (700 ft), Sally Gap (1650 ft) and Killakee (1600 ft). Add in a stiff wind, heavy rain or sweltering sun and you have all the ingredients for a challenging day in the saddle. No wonder the Wicklow 200 Classic is Ireland’s Premier Cycling event. It’s like a mountain stage in the Tour de France and this great challenge is right here on your door step. Sunday 16th June Just Do It

Eleven Hills to Glory <See Map of Route>

• The Embankment. (1000 ft.) Category 4 Known also as Crooksling Hill, it’s the ideal warmer up. About 3 miles long the gradient is never too stiff , and the surface is very good. The Tour de France zoomed down this hill on their way into Dublin. 

• Sally Gap (1650 ft.) Category 1 Now this is a different story. The climb up Sally’s Western flank is 5 miles long and quite stiff particularly towards the top. It is also very open country with no shelter from the wind. Sally Gap is probably the toughest climb on the course but because it comes early in the day others climbs later on may seem more demanding. Sally Gap is definitely a Category 1 climb. 

• Luggala (1500 ft) Category 2. The road drops from Sally Gap (1650 ft) down to Boleyhorrigan Bridge (1300 ft) so the climb up to Luggala (1500 ft) is not too demanding overall, but as usual there are a few stiff parts, particularly towards the top. However the magnificent scenery on this climb helps to dull the pain. 

• Wicklow Gap (1600 ft) Category 1. This is another 5 mile long climb. It begins gently but the most demanding gradient comes about one third of the way up. Like Sally Gap this is a real mountain climb. There is no shelter but on the other hand the view is breath taking. Unlike Sally Gap the gradient eases towards the top. The Col de Wicklow Gap earned it’s fame when it was included in the Tour de France in 1997. You can fanaticise that you are amongst the grates as you struggle up this mountain amidst the cheers of the multitude 

• Donard Hill (800 ft) Category 3 Category 3 because it comes right as you leave the check-point in Donard Village. If you have delayed too long and allowed yourself to cool down, then this climb can be a shock to the system. Its short and stiff but guaranteed to get the heart beat back up . 

• Ballinabarney Gap (1050 ft) Category 3. This climb resembles the Embankment. It’s rated as Category 3 because it comes after 75 miles but its not a demanding climb. 

• Mullan Aghavannagh pass (1000 ft) Category 2. Considering this climb has no official name a category 2 rating may seem high but once again allowance is being made for the amount of miles already covered. Perhaps it should be Cat. 3

• Slieve Maan (1500 ft) Category 1. No arguments about Slieve Maan. It’s category I right from the start. The forest cover on the left side has been cut down so that shelter no longer exists. The panoramic view from the top is spectacular and the long descent into Drumgoff is rewarding though quite dangerous. Braking and handling skills will be severely tested

• Greenane – Rathdrum Drag (700 ft). Category 4 This drag is out of all proportion to its showing on the map. It is one of those deceptive climbs that twists and turns always promising to finish around the next corner but seeming to go on forever. The reason perhaps is that Slieve Maan has taken its toll and the check-point in Rathdrum won’t come soon enough. Once there however there is a feeling of success and a cuppa tea works wonders. But your not home yet. 

• Sally Gap (1650 ft) Category 1. The gradient on this Southern flank is fairly constant until the Glenmacnass waterfall comes into view. Hopefully the beauty of the scenery will help offset the increase in gradient. Beyond the top of the waterfall it tends to ease off again but it is open country up here. Passing through the cross-roads that marks the summit of Sally Gap riders will recall how full of riding they were all those hours ago when they floated up the Western approach from Kilbride. But now with the Television mast ahead its due North for Glencree Valley (1200 ft) before the final climb of the day 

• Killakee (1600 ft). Category 3 With over 100 miles on the clock any climb is going to be tough. But the view across Dublin Bay signals the end is near

Category One = Very Hard. 

MAP OF ROUTE