The Lost Sheep

[Dena]

Hi all, I'm seriously considering trying to get into The Lost Sheep, the only thing that's really holding me back is these 2 big scary hills that are on the cycle course! I'v tried to google how bad they are and i seem to be getting a very mixed reaction, from the hardest cycle in Europe, too not near as bad as their reputation. Jim, James or anyone else thats completed this race could you compare them to anything around here that i could have ago at and see am i able for, don't fancy lugging the entire family to Kerry for a DNF!
Cheers Dena

[lazyboypops]

No chance of a DNF here Dena.This is a very scenic race with 2 good hills on the bike one after about 15k and the second after about 55k. No problem for you its just like cycling to the nine stones but not as steep. The last 15k is all downhill which gives a great rest for the run. Myself, JB and TR are going down this year so you will have plenty of company. I think JB has booked a house in Kenmare - give him a call.

Lots of steady training is the key with a few hills thrown in on the bike. We will start some hill sessions a bit later in the year. The wicklow 100 would be a good taster for the hills. Some of us will probably try the 200.

The run is an undulating course over narrow country roads. Mostly out and back so there should always be a bit of company.

Any more info will be posted here.

[pcoulahan]

Hi Dena,
I haven't done this race (yet!) but you wont DNF over a steep climb - you can always get off and walk which people often do in tri's with steep climbs. The one bit of advice I can give you is to make sure you have a gearing set up on your bike that suits climbing. As long as the granny gear is as easy as possible you'll be able for the climbs.

[DavidC]

Peter is right, you can spin the easiest gear, or walk and you will get to the top eventually. I find the biggest challenge on long steep climbs is pacing myself. I always feel I'm going to slowly but I just have to settle into the pace of the climb and be patient. It helps to know the length of the climb and then you can pace yourself better, or push on if you know you have enough left for the distance.

[Dena]

oh i love all the vote of confidence, hopefully now i'll get in. I hope there will be a few more racing 795 members joining me on the madness!

Is it true that time trial bikes are no good for climbing?

[DavidF]

Is it true that time trial bikes are no good for climbing?

in a word, yes. wrong position altogether for serious climbing like what you can expect in the Lost Sheep.

great example of this is when GB's Emma Pooley won the silver medal in the womens time trial in Beijing. The TT course was unusually hilly, so instead of riding a regular TT bike, like all the others, she rode a modified bike which was effectively a hybrid road/TT bike. So the bike had drops and regular STI levers so she could attack the climbs in a better position. here she is on the bike in question:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... _trial.asp

[BarryB]

don't know much about long distance triathlons but have done a bit of reading and research lately on time triall bikes and riding (considering my woe's of late crashes poor times etc) and came across a rule of thumb from the guy who used to set up lance armstrongs bike "every time you are not in the aero position you're better off on a road bike" hope this helps

[lazyboypops]

"every time you are not in the aero position you're better off on a road bike"

This definitly means the road bike for the lost sheep

[Dena]

Well after a very panic stricken 15 min, there is no going back, The Lost sheep here i come!!!!
Dena

[Martin]

I am now in for this one as well, may get to know mount leinster a bit better between now and then!