Cycling long 3:18:51 [3] 99.43 km (2:00 / km) +923m 1:55 / km
ahr:141 max:177 shoes: Spiuk ZS11
Ring of the Reeks 2019
Used a bit too much energy at certain times which I paid for later.
Big group at a fast pace once the lead car took the brakes off after Torc. Serious speed along by the lake, a lot faster than on my own. Was at the back of the group at Derrycunnihy and then after the cafe the 2 in front of me lost the group which I didn't realise as there were 2 other cyclists being passed out. So attempted to give chase but in vain. Gap wasn't huge at Ladies View but increased from there due to a headwind and 1 versus a group is never going to win. Got joined by Bernard from Killorglin after the sheep farm so it was the 2 of us to Molls Gap and then on the descent to Blackwater. Lot more energy used here than i'd have planned for.
Stopped at Blackwater and ate a few bits. Then off with the main group to Ballaghbeama. Downpour as we approached the bottom of the main part of the climb, in the open. Very heavy rain with visibility low. Was feeling grand and on the first ramp I decided to drop to the lower ring in front. Chain decided to keep going and came off. Exactly where you'd want it to happen. Stopped and put it back on. Then tried to get going but couldn't get left foot to clip back in so off the bike again and just ran up the road with the bike until it flattened out a bit. Got both feet clipped in and then tried to catch whoever I could in front.
Went over the top to a dry descent, so only rained on one side of the pass. Which was good. Was with Bernard again and another chap. Went hard down the hill and out the Brida Valley as far as Glencar where we joined up with a small front group. Had to work hard between Blackwater and Glencar, and it was all about to come back and bite me in the ass.
Caragh Lake was ok really apart from nearly coming off on the left hand bend on the descent, bit damp and rear wheel skidded out. Stayed upright! Next few lumps were fine but after the last one and the run up to the other side of the lake after the bridge the speed seemed to increase. Was quite high and I was starting to feel it.
Pulled out of the group at the school near Carraig House. Legs were about to go. From there until Beaufort I went at my own pace. Was ok until Killorglin but got progressively slower. Back also started to hurt a lot. So real sufferfest, in a bad way, to the finish. Lack of long spins definitlely evident.
Good day on the bike otherwise.