Dromara CC Message Board - Which Route to Choose

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Jan 1, 2010, 1:46am

Dromara CC Message Board :: Leisure :: Hilly 125 :: Which Route to Choose

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Topic: Which Route to Choose (Read 190 times)

frostythesnowman
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Which Route to Choose
« Thread Started on Aug 5, 2009, 11:39am »

Some guidance on the Dromara Hilly Tours to help you choose the right event for you.

The little Hilly (60K)

Some regular County Down hills but no major climbs. This event is suitable for juniors and non-club cyclists. This is also an option if the weather is bad or for anyone who feels their fitness is not up to the standard required harder events.

Includes:-

Some little County Down Hills
Lunch in Leitrim
Some more little County Down hills

The Hilly (125K)

The original and some say the best. This event is for strong cyclists and visits all major climbs. After lunch there is Spelga Dam and a number of other hills to climb including Leganny Dolmen. This event remains a real challenge in every sense of the word.

Includes:-

The Cornmill

Dree Hill

Windy Gap

Lunch in Leitrim

Spelga Dam

Legananny Dolmen

The Hilly (85K)

Same first half to lunch in Leitrim as the Hilly 125K including:-

The Cornmill

Dree Hill

Windy Gap

Lunch in Leitrim

The easier 60K route home

This is a good option for those who want to do some climbs but not all of them. Also useful as a bail-out for those that intended to do the 125 but by the half way stage have had enough and do not want to do anymore big hills!

The Mourne Sportive

For very fit competitive cyclists and is only available to those that have pre-registered on-line.

Same first half to lunch in Leitrim as the Hilly 125K including:-

The Cornmill

Dree Hill

Windy Gap

Lunch in Leitrim

Some more hills...

Spelga Dam

Second lunch in Meelmore Lodge

Even more hills...

Legananny Dolmen

Stephen Phillips

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roaddrone
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Re: Which Route to Choose
« Reply #1 on Aug 7, 2009, 7:12am »

You couldn't give me so idea of what these climbs are like ie the grade and length so that I can get some sort of idea of what route might be appropriate for me.

I have done Spelga Dam from the Glassdrumman side ie up Quarter Rd, HeadRd, Moyad Rd and done Slieve Croob both from Dree Hill & Clonvarghan Rd though slowly. I've gone up past Meelmore Lodge from Bryansford side though got lost that day and was up and down hills like a yo-yo so had no idea what hills I actually done that day as I was just trying to find a road back home

Not familiar with any of the rest so and idea of what I might be letting myself in for

« Last Edit: Aug 7, 2009, 7:13am by roaddrone »

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rossg
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Re: Which Route to Choose
« Reply #2 on Aug 7, 2009, 11:44am »

climbs are steep and long

I'd say do the 125, if its too much by the tea stop you can go back on the 85.

« Last Edit: Aug 7, 2009, 11:45am by rossg »

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frostythesnowman
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Re: Which Route to Choose
« Reply #3 on Aug 7, 2009, 11:52am »

The main climbs are. for 85km, 125km and Sportive.
Cornmill and Hill Road, approx 1.5 miles, with very steep but alsp down sections.
Spa lake to Drumkerragh Forest. Three roads steep in places 2.5 miles.
Dree Hill 2.0 miles, very steep at times and constant climb, worst of the day
Windy gap, you climb for 4.0 from Katesbridge Road, but last 0.5 has three steep sections.
for Sportive only.
Tamary between Rathfriland and Mayobridge 2.5 mile fairly constant climb.
a lot of ups and downs before the second worst of the day
Coyles Hill from the Warrenpoint side approx 1.0 mile, but very steep.
Rostrevor to Letrim Lodge 1.5 miles quite constant.
Rejoins rest of route home
Kinnahalla to Spelga 2.5 miles but steep in places, but good road surface.
from Leitrim there are steeps sections for about 5 miles to the Sleive Crobb In
Kinhill Road about 0.50 mile, but two real stinkers with tired legs.
Last climb of the day the back of the Windy Gap 0.75 miles very steep and at 100 miles, this will feel the worst.

Don't know how you will react to this, but the Mourne Sportive is the toughest one day event in Ireland and there can't be many worst in mainland Britain or indeed in europe.

Trevor

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roaddrone
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Re: Which Route to Choose
« Reply #4 on Aug 7, 2009, 7:53pm »

Great stuff. Yes it is certainly very tough looking which is why I wasn't even considering the Mourne Sportive. Something for the future. This will be my first ever cycling event so I don't know if this is madness or not but I'll soon know won't I.

As the prices are same for the other events I think I'll go with what Ross says and enter the 125km and decide at Leitrim if 85km would be a wiser option (if I even make it that far that is).

I was finishing early from work today so I decided to take a look at the map and I can't say that I really understand where any of these climbs actually are but hey I think I managed to find the one that was nearest to me and that I hope was the Cornmill (certainly steep enough). My computer said 26% for the first climb and 24% for the second. This is certainly the steepest hill I have ever been on but thankfully short and my greatest problem was trying to work which was best - climbing it seated or standing - both felt like I was going to tip backwards. I'll watch what everyone else is doing for that one - assuming there is anyone to watch.

Think I have convinced my brother that he wants to do it too so taking him over it tomorrow (he can cope with short and sharp as he's about 12kg lighter than me) to lull him into a false sense of security.

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