62km of cycling, running and kayaking across Waterford's Knockmealdown Mountains.
Ireland's adventure racing calendar is dominated by the wildly popular, and usually sold out races of the QUEST Series & Gaelforce Series. Beyond those is a scattering of smaller races, often run by local communities with unique, personal touches that make them popular in their own way. Knock-Me-Down is one such race which came highly recommended and did not disappoint.
I had horrendous bad luck on the day and had this been a QUEST race I don't think they would have let me finish. Instead I was cheered on by local families and light hearted marshals who laughed with me in my misery, but more on that later.
It was a cloudy but beautiful morning in the village of Newcastle, right on the Tipperary/Waterford border. I joined the crowds in registering, finding my wave and lining up at the gates for our countdown. The first 15km cycle flew by, through quiet country roads and over small hills to the first transition at Kilballyboy Wood. This is at the base of the famously steep Vee Road that the Knockmealdowns are famous for.
The first 2.5km run route was up a steep forest. The views opened up behind us and before long we emerged at Baylough which sits right on top of the Vee. Here we got in the water to kayak a lap of the lake, which probably took 7-8mins, before having a much more enjoyable run back down the hill to our bikes. I had a chocolate bar and some water to prepare myself before cycling right back up the hill towards Baylough again. It did feel slightly torturous.
The best views of the day are from up here, and the downhill after felt well deserved. It was windy but warm for the 21km cycle which followed the entire southern side of the mountain range, towards the steep hills around Mount Melleray Abbey which was our transition area for the final 7.5km run. I was only 1km from here when I heard a pop.
The first puncture of the day! No big deal really, I couldn't find what caused it in the tyre, but feeling nothing sharp I swapped the tube and continued on. My hopes of a fast time were hurt but no real harm done. This transition area had the most amazing chocolate truffles and granola balls, so I stuffed my mouth and pockets full, then set off on a really enjoyable woodland loop. They had sections which went through dense forestry with no trail, just markings on trees that felt very unique for a race like this. It was probably the highlight for me, and before long I was back at my bike and more importantly those amazing truffles!
Everyone's tired at this point, whether from running or eating, but it's smiles all round. All that's left is an entirely downhill 13km cycle to Newcastle, which amazingly requires almost no pedalling. Excited for this home strait I set off down the hill, having to pull my brakes lightly to keep it controlled. And pop!
Another puncture, about 1km down the road. I reckon I've only had two punctures in my life up to now, but somehow that's the second today. I was angry taking off the tyre, being yet again unable to find any nail, or glass that caused it, but put in another tube and after a long delay rolled on. I made it about 500m before the next pop. I could have cried.
Wheel off, checked inside and found the small slash in the tube but no obvious cause. I suspected I may have nicked it while putting on the tyre, but would later learn it was the brakes rubbing the wheel which caused a slit and pinched the tube. I sat in sheep poo trying and failing for 20mins to make patches stick, watching cyclists fly past me with looks of pity. A storm rolled in and dumped rain on me that matched my mood like pathetic fallacy, and I genuinely didn't know what to do.
I jogged with the bike another 500m, where I found a marshall with his car. He was super nice, offering to have me and the bike collected, but although I was grateful, I hated the idea of giving up. Instead I hid the bike behind a bush where I'd find it later and jogged the last 11km. It felt really stupid, and upsetting to see the cyclists enjoy rolling back in a fraction of the time, but I was just so happy to know I'd finish.
I passed lots of marshals on the way, all who found it entertaining at least. My legs were a bit sore and the rain was brutal until I left the mountains, but the downhills passed by in under an hour meaning that somehow I was still far from last. The town itself was full of people and I felt genuinely embarrassed by the looks and questions as I ran through with my race number still on. Families cheered as I turned towards the community centre to cross under the line. What a day.
4hrs 53mins 24s
A race organiser had been expecting me and asked if I was the guy with the bike problems. I am certain that a race like QUEST would not have allowed me to finish, but instead he said fair play and offered to collect the bike if I needed. I drove up myself to thank my marshal friend and load that stupid bike away. Then back for the free food and drinks, before a final photo which I'm extra proud of because of how close it almost got to 'Knocking Me Down'.
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