Little Carlingford 200 in mode permanent

by Stuart 9. June 2014 09:52

Although it’s early in June, having blown some points away at REK and about to blow a lot more helping @MF I wanted to get my RRTY ride in asap.  I intend to do “Around Down” at the end of the month, a DNS or DNF would scupper my RRTY.

The short story

The Little Carlingford is a picturesque route.  It’s moderately challenging with a couple of climbs around Carlingford, some rolling hills between Stanmullen and Dunleer and the opportunity of a good sea breeze along the coast.  The controls have plenty of shops for both a sit down meal or a sandwich.  (Note stopped at the first shop on the way into Clogherhead, which had a sandwich counter, the garage/shop on way out seemed to have seats outside under shelter – so might be a better bet).

This was my first permanent.  The flexible start time and location really suits.  Sometimes its nice to ride alone as you can go at your own pace and please yourself at controls etc.  Sometimes it would be nice to do with company as 11 hours is quite a long time.

The Long Story

On Strava http://www.strava.com/activities/151116288

The Carlingford 300 was a breakthrough ride for me in 2013.  It was the first brevet I completed (relatively) comfortably without hours of lone painful soul searching.  I was able to ride with a group for most of the way round and I was not the “lantern rouge”.

In 2014 I was unable to ride again due to holidays.  So, when Marc announced a 200Km permanent version it was an obvious choice for me.  Also, the ability to start from any control meant I could start at Dunleer, a mere hours drive away.  It would also allow me to test Marc’s new route for him.

I got an electronic route sheet and stuffed it into excel and moved stuff about to give Dunleer start and distances from Dunleer.  If you don’t trust your Garmin, and who would, then this allows you to follow the route sheet without all that adding 55km, or whatever, in your head.

Saturday (08/06):

mrsm: Do you want me to get you some beers in for tonight.

me: no – I’m getting up early to go cycling tomorrow.

mrsm: another event? 

me: No – just myself.

Later that evening:

me: I’m going to the off license?

mrsm: why?  I thought you weren’t drinking?

me: that’s much easier to say at one than to do at eight!

However, I did make it to bed by 10 and was up and out the door by 5:30 – not bad.

Held up getting coffee in the Lisburn McDrive through – so didn’t get started until 6:50.  All the shops were, of course, closed, but I there is a bank machine.  Unfortunately it was refusing to give receipts due to a technical issue – so I took a picture and got started.

 

Apart from the drabness of Dundalk bypass, the trip out to Carlingford is pretty stunning.  Strong headwinds were brutal but luckily there are some hills for shelter on the way.

In Carlingford I was sucked straight into a Café for some fried delights.  Time ticked on.  Then back over the hills to Dundalk, where not only was it still grey but the heavens really opened.

I then fought my way down the coast into a strong South Westerly.  Marc had told me to pop in and, although I had declined, I decided to see if he was around anyway, as I had not had a conversation with anyone other than my dog that day – and that was 10 hours before.

We had a chat and I stayed longer than I should so texted mrsm with my new approx. arrival time.  Arrived back in Dunleer at 6pm, back home by 7.

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