2010
Mount
Leinster Challenge Cyclo-Sportif
140km
and 100km routes
Saturday
May 15th
Slaney Cycling Club
is delighted to announce that this years Mount Leinster
Challenge takes place on Saturday May 15th. This will be the fifth
running of the event which starts and finishes in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford and
takes in the fantastic scenery of the
Blackstairs
Mountains
.
The
event has proven very popular and has become a must do event for riders
preparing for the Wicklow 200 and the Etappe. And with two different ascents of
Mount
Leinster
to be tackled you’ll need your climbing legs!
Proceeds
from the event support Slaney CC’s racing and underage activities, please
visit our website www.slaneycyclingclub.com
to see what we get up to!
The Route:
After
leaving Enniscorthy the riders with get an close up glimpse of what’s ahead as
they ride around the mountain along undulating roads towards the picturesque
villages of Ballymurphy and Borris. After climbing the historic main street of
Borris we turn and head towards Bagnelstown and then to the
village
of
Myshall
nestling underneath the Blackstairs.
From
Myshall the only direction is up! First the short but steep climb of The Heights
(Cat 1 in the FBD Rás) and make sure you are in your lowest gear for the first
right hand turn which must be a 25% plus gradient. Over the top there’s just
time to get the breath back before we turn left and the hit The Corrobutt Gap
(again a Cat 1 climb). This one is longer with a steady but steep gradient for a
few kms.
Over
the top it’s a short descent and then the climb to the Nine Stones. Although
this is also a Cat 1 is doesn’t compare with the previous pair and this time
you have the open and glorious views of Carlow, Kilkenny and counties much
further a field on your right, while the summit of Mount Leinster and its famous
TV mast is on your left.
Now
it’s an exhilarating descent towards Kiltealy and the legendary food stop!
This is the descent on which David McCann attacked on the penultimate day of the
2004 FBD Rás gaining 30 seconds on the bunch and taking the yellow jersey at
the finish in Tullow. But take care. On the descent there are two cattle grids
to be crossed and the road is open and fast. Remember you are on open roads.
The
ladies of the catering committee have made the Kiltealy food stop a huge
success. After the tough roads and heavy climbs the home baking and tea and
coffee goes down a treat. But don’t eat too much - there’s more cycling to
be done yet.
Both
distance groups take a right towards Enniscorthy after the feed stop. The 100km
group will head directly back to town while the 140km group takes a left and
heads for the beautiful town of
Bunclody
. From here the road again rears up towards the mountain and
the fourth category 1 climb of the day, Kilbranish and onwards to the Nine
Stones again. This approach of
Mount
Leinster
is the same as used by the Tour of Ireland pro riders last
August. After the summit it’s the descent to Kiltealy again and the return leg
to Enniscorthy.
Details:
Entry fee for the day is €25
(non Cycling Ireland members will also need a one day CI licence costing €10,
available on the morning). Sign on from 8.00am. Event starts at 9.30am. Free
parking, showers, food stops and commemorative medal for all participants.
Full
and updated details of the event including maps, accommodation links are
available at http://www.slaneycyclingclub.com/?page_id=33
Any
queries about the event? Contact secretary@slaneycyclingclub.com
