Good Friday Spin aka the Monster

Hey all

If anyone is aiming at a W200, Mick Byrne, Beast, Etape, Raid, Marmotte or any long mountain spin this year then this could be for you!
We did this last year and was a fantastic day...25 started only 8 finished the full thing...a tough but great day out
www.strava.com/activities/131571544/segments/2976018085

Plan is to meet up at Yellow House at 9am Good Friday. It's a training spin open to all but is a very challenging day so it's definitely one to think hard about before just turning up on the day.
Route is in link above but it's basically:
158km and 2800m of climbing across 7hours of cycling. We'll break for 2 brief coffee stops in Laragh. Like last year we'll keep the group together as much as possible and regroup at the top of each climbs etc. If you're interested in bombing around the course and not waiting then this is not for you. If you have a hatred of coffee stops then this is not for you either!(even Ken O'Neill sometimes stops for coffee and enjoys it)
Route: Yellow House-Cruagh-Sally Gap-Laragh(stop 1)-Shay Elliot-Sliabh Mann-Brown Mountain-Greenane-Shay Elliot-Laragh-Wicklow Gap-Laragh(stop 2)-Glenmacnass-Sally Gap-Featherbeds for the 1st kom of the season!-Dublin.

It's a long day and I think it could be 430-5pm before we return home.
It's very much a spin aimed a measuring ones legs as the mountains season gets on it's way. We'll be taking it at a nice easy pace and keeping it to orange pace max.
All welcome to join the monster! Any questions please ask.....and yes Eugene....there will be banter

Garret

There will be craft beer on tap in Laragh, won't there?

Hi Gar

I'll probably tag along just for the coffee :-)

Ken I'll let Wicklow cc know to resurface that corner 1st...wouldn't want there to be a excuse to miss it!

Many thanks Garath for organising the Monster spin today, I'm at home absolutely knackered but content that I'm ready for the Sportive season ahead...

Thanks for organising Gareth. My hardest day to date on a bike. And thanks to all four lads for nursing me home over the Gap and Featherbeds.

Come one come all.... The monster is back.

This is the springs toughest training day on the planet and is strictly and dark yellow orange and red spin.

Meet at 830am yellow house.
Then the route is cruagh featherbeds sally gap laragh for lunch. Then it's up shay Elliot sliabh Mann Brown Mountain then back over Shay Elliot.
If weather allows its up Wicklow gap and up to turlough hill and then back to laragh. After that it's glenmacnass sally gap featherbeds home.
www.strava.com/activities/278612207
145km and 2800m approx
It will be 4-5pm before you get home.
If you're aiming at the w200 or any tough spin this year this is a serious training spin that could be for you. However it's a tough day out so think about whether you're up for it this early in the year.
All welcome to slay the monster
Garret

Definitely up for at least trying to slay the monster!

Can't wait. Will we stop along the way for the Stations of the Cross.

Sounds like a fitting way to spend the day, I hope to give it a lash (pun may or may not be intended..!)

Hi Gar

I hope to join you on Good Friday for my annual coffee fix :-)

Hi Gar,
I've got to be home before 5pm, so I'll head off through Roundwood after Laragh 1, ~84km with 1300m
Anyone is free to join with me, but beware of Gar's Wrath.


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Count me in.
Donal, you could always have a Mass stop instead of one of the coffee stops :)
Noel

One last reminder this is on this Friday at 830am yellow house.
Forecast looks good, starting cool but staying dry and hopefully less wind than last year.
See you all on Friday.
Stations of the cross is optional:-) blasphemy is probable tho

I'll be there, I guess.
Thanks for organizing

I would like to give this a go - familiar territory so can shorten the route if I need to - thanks for setting it up.

Donal

Sounds absolutely horrific, I'm in.

I'll pack the beads.

Thanks for posting Garret. I will join for outward spin please but plan on not stopping for coffee before Shey Elliot and Slieve Mann, and then rewind via Roundwood www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1018927475

Gar

That quiet lad from Clonard CC might join us on Friday

Hopefully get to go along for some of it.