The Tara 200 Audax
“Patient “Doctor, I’ve caught the Audax bug!”
Doctor “I usually prescribe a good long cycle for that.” ”
The Tara 200 Audax held last Sunday, on the 12th March, was sandwiched in between two important dates in Irish History. The 8th of March; the day Nelson Pillar was blown up in O’Connell Street in 1966, and of course the 17th of March; honouring, St Patrick, our primary patron saint.
The Audax got off to a speedy start, and groups started to form, as to their ability. Alan and myself were very lucky to join up with two members of the Dublin Wheelers C.C. The Northside is the cycling playground of their Club, and Ciara and Imelda were great sport and knew the area very well. Can you spot the Audax route sheet, held on with a hair band, on Ciara’s left arm? This was a very nifty way of securing the card, and very convenient for checking the instructions without having to stop cycling.
Leonard, Imelda, Alan and Ciara (photo with thanks to David Finnigan)
Difficulty rating
While this Audax is officially called the ‘Tara 200’; it is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Tara Hill 200’. Alan Gordon and myself will refer to it from now on as the ‘200 Hills of Tara’. Yes, it’s a very lumpy 200kms cycle.
An Audax is rated, by difficulty, from 1-5. For example, the Orwell 200 is rated at 1, with its 957 mts of climbing. The Tara 200 is rated at 3 with 1,500 meters of climbing. By comparison the Mick Byrne Audax, with 2,790mts of climbing, is rated at 5.
While the ‘Tara 200’ punishes with its multiple hills; it rewards with its: winding roads, quaint villages and historic buildings and monuments. As we cycled beside the Boyne, in the distance, we could see a most magnificent sight of the ruined castle on Slane Hill. Close to Slane village we got another great surprise to see our very own Orwell racers; participating in the Drogheda Wheelers - Boyne GP - multiple laps of the 12km circuit. Yes guys that was Alan and myself screaming “Come on Orwell” as you went racing by.
De Northside
On our way over to “De Northside”, and back to my roots! I joked with Alan, him being a “South-sider”, that he would no longer need, like in the past, to get his passport checked. That great North/Southside divide was more social than political; unlike the German East–West divide with its Check-Point Charlie. I wonder did our Orwell Wheeler cyclists, last year, know that Dublin had its very own Check Point Charlie! It was built on the very spot where our club members gathered for the ‘Great Dublin Bike Ride’ last year. Yes, Smithfield market was the location for that Checkpoint - built for the film ‘The Spy Who Came In From The Cold’. Exactly 50 years ago as the cast and crew of that film were making plans to celebrate the 10 awards it received; another crew of Irish Republicans were also celebrating their success in blowing up ‘Nelson’s Pillar in O’Connell Street.
Refreshments
I warned Alan that if he asked for ‘Decaf’ on the Northside, his request may well be interpreted as an enquiry for ‘The Café’ or what we call the ‘De Chipper’. But all will not be lost as we may well be in need of the speciality item on the menu, i.e. an energy bar - known locally as the ‘The Battered Mars Bar’. There was, however, no need to worry about energy food as David Finnigan, the organiser, provided for us very well. David, who was according to our own Dave Mac was organising his very first Audax, did himself very proud. David provided us with a laminated route sheet with clear instructions. And organised two free food stops along the way with: boiled eggs, tuna and cheese sandwiches, energy bars, energy and thirst drinks and his own home-made banana bread. Nice work for a first Audax.
David Finnigan pointing to his home-made Banana bread, at the first control and food stop in Donore at 51kms, and David’s home-made banana bread and othergoodies. (Photo - Leonard Kaye)
We had good fun and weather on the day was perfect. We did have the usual mechanicals as well. These included a puncture, a locked up chain, loose mudguards and a sticky cleat. However, none of that spoiled the event for our group.
Alan fixes a slow puncture at the 2nd Control will be at Bailieborough at 111kms; while Ciara and Imelda, from Dublin Wheelers, giving instructions. (Photo-Leonard Kaye)
Night time cycling
It was a long day’s cycling into the night with the four of us coming home together in the dark; just like last week on the Orwell Audax. But unlike the outskirts of Dublin with its street lamps; our cycle into Ashbourne was completed in the darkness of the rural country side. As we crossed over the Boyne for the last time, at 170 km, heading towards the Hill of Tara, the daylight disappeared rapidly. Tara Hill played a central role in the history, legend, and folklore of Ireland and is home to important earthworks from the: Stone Age, Iron Age, Roman times and the rule of the Celtic kings. Yes, we could have done with St Patrick’s paschal fire, on that hill that evening, to guide us in. We stopped at the top of Tara Hill to get set for the last 20 km. Alan produced the last of his wine gums (bought in Aldi). We all agreed that they were flavoursome and delicious with no after taste like the wine gums from the brand leader.
While the led lights on our bikes were very bright, literally frightening the bats out of the bushes, it was a scary return to Ashbourne in that black darkness. Many times on the route we relied on the local knowledge of the Dublin Wheeler ladies. For example, they warned us in advance of a very large pothole on our decent of Tara Hill.
In Ashbourne, we were greeted by David with some more food, yes you won’t believe it mini Mars Bars; not of the ‘battered’ variety. It was a great day, thanks to: David, Alan and the girls. And even if we were last home of the 52 participants; we all agreed that it was a most enjoyable day.
The 3rd Control at Trim, where more food and drink was be provided (photo- Leonard Kaye)
With another 200km of Audax cycling in the bag; I leave you with a ‘What’s App’ message I received from Rosie, one of our band of 6 from the Orwell Audax: Dead Last is greater than Did Not Finish which trumps Did Not Start.
Happy cycling, Leonard Kaye
