Event Day Checklist!

In association with Cycle Superstore

You’ve clocked up the training miles and your bike is ready to go. Is there anything that needs to be done at the last minute? The friendly team in Cycle Superstore give some last-minute advice.

Night Before

To help eliminate or reduce any pre-event nerves or stress, we suggest you complete the following checklist:

Get your cycling kit ready the night before. As it’s going to be a long day, plan for every eventuality. Don’t leave anything to chance. As the saying goes: “It’s better to be looking at something than looking for something”.

Always pump up your tyres the night before to ensure there are no slow leaks.

Check over your saddle bag. Check the quality of the spare tubes, that there is no rips or tears in them. You’ll be amazed how many people pick up a puncture only to discover their spare tubes are not fit for purpose. Also check your pump is working.

Something you should also try and pack in your saddle bag is Rear Derailleur Hanger. The hanger is a sacrificial part located at your rear mech and costs in the region of €20-€40. It is designed to deliberately break to limit or prevent damage to the bike frame or other components. As each bike model has its own unique hanger, the likelihood of the event support vehicle having your type is remote.

For more information on what you should pack in your saddle bag, please see CSS blog post her e

The Day Itself

Don’t try anything new on the day of the event, be it clothing, energy food or even breakfast cereal. A minor change or trying something new on the day can ruin the event for you. Arrive to the start line with a clean bike and clean drive train. As they say, a clean bike is a fast bike, and a clean drive train will ensure your bike performs to its best.

Remember to pace yourself on the day and most importantly remember it’s not a race. The second half of the course is traditionally harder then the first half, so keep that in mind when you start. When it comes to the hills, pace yourself going up and take your time descending. The event is taking place on open roads so there will be other road users on the day. There is no shame in taking your time descending.

Make sure you take enough fuel onboard. During your training you would have established what works best for you. Even if you don’t want to stop at a food stop, our advice would be stop and at least put something in the back pocket of your jersey.

Wishing you the best of luck at this year’s event – we are looking forward to seeing you at the start line on 11th June!

Route Update 2023

We have made some slight changes to the 100km and 200km routes. The links below will take you to the updated 100km and 200km routes, plus the ability to download a GPX file.

To download the GPX file (or an alternative file type):

Click the Plotaroute link below.
The map of the route will be displayed.
Underneath the map, click on the button saying ‘Download’.
Then select the ‘GPX’ option to download to your device.

It may work better for you if you don’t download the GPX file using your mobile phone.

W100km: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2098633

W200km: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2098624

Route Changes Explained

A road closure for critical road works has been extended, and we have had to change the start of both the W200 and the W100 routes.

The original route:

Went from Bray Emmetts along the Ballyman road to Enniskerry and onto Glencullen via the Devils Elbow.

The changed route:

Now goes from Bray Emmetts to Rathichael, into Kilternan and onto Glencullen.

This adds an additional 7km to the both routes.

We look forward to seeing you in Wicklow for a great weekend of Cycling!

Important Safety Message: Respect

In order for the Wicklow 200 to be held every year, we need the cooperation of everyone involved – the cyclists, the local communities, the emergency services, Gardai and the 400 volunteers.

As we are all in this together, we have to respect everyone on the day of the cycle.

We are asking you – the cyclists – to make the day enjoyable for everyone by thinking about the following:

1. Respect other road users

All roads will be open and busy.
Please only cycle two-abreast, obey the rules of the road and be courteous to fellow cyclists.

2. Respect Marshals

We have over 400 volunteer marshals on the day of the cycle.
Please follow their instructions and if requested to stop please do so.

3. Respect Fellow Cyclists

With over 3,000 cyclists taking part the roads will be busy.
Not everyone is an experienced cyclist so give people space and encouragement.
When cycling in a club group, be mindful of passing out other cyclists and give them space as required.
Encourage cyclists of all abilities.

If we all follow these three simple rules we will have an enjoyable and safe day for the Wicklow 200!
Thank you for your co-operation.