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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 12:06:24 PM |
MUNSTER LEISURE NEWS and UPDATES
By Pat Lyons, Munster Leisure Rep
15 Apr 2011,
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Dolmen’s ‘Mid Coastal and Burren Tour’ Report.
Numbers Well Up, But U-Turns May Have Been Applicable!!
Weather smiled again for Dolmen’s, Mid Coastal and Burren Tour, in ideal cycling conditions; we headed off from the Lee Road Sports Complex, in Ennis.
The wind was with us for the climb up to Poulanine, from here to Ballyallban is one of the best downhill sections of the best downhill stretch signing On in the country, good twists and turns, Simply Put Brilliant, but there’s nearly always a catch, and in this case, for the leisure group, facing the Corkscrew Climb against the wind, whilst the Sportive headed for Ballyvaughan and onwards to Lisdoonvarna via the coastal route.
Killorglin CC have the ‘Humpy Hundred’’ on the 15th May, but there’s no lack of Humps in Dolmen’s ‘Mid Coastal and Burren Tour’, no sooner your going down, you’re back up climbing again, don’t recall any 5km flat stretch on the route.
Besides the normal calls of ’Braking, ‘Hole(s)’, Car Up’, there were no shouts of ‘Cows Up’ or, ‘Bull Up’, like last year, but there were a few distractions, one in particular coming against us half way up on the Corkscrew Climb.
Like a vision, there’s she was, flying down the hill, her long black hair tied up in a ponytail, that was floating in the wind, and a smile that would melt countless hearts, clearly she enjoys her cycling.
Shouts of U-Turn, U-Turn, could be heard, looked back and she was long gone, the prospect of doing the Corkscrew twice in the one day wasn’t very appealing, easier option, phone Mick Daly, (Lisdoonvarna) and enquire about said lady!!
Anyway back to the cycling, on a climb, you’d often get a few good natured exchanges, but in this case on the Corkscrew nearly everybody was at it, also when you think the climb is over, nope there’s another leg to it. On a positive note, it’s a good workout for next weekends Kilmallock Hub Tour, with its five testing climbs, including ‘The Glen of Aherlow’, all of which are before the food stop!!
A few Cyclists on the Sportive route commented that the 7 km leading into Lisdoonvarna was particularly tough, as the wind speed increased significantly. A number of them opted to join the Leisure group and head for Kilfenora, and Corofin whilst the Sportive (125km riders) went by the coast to Miltown Malbay, with everybody finishing up in Ennis.
Overall an excellent tour, full credit is due to Dolmen CC and to all who helped out on the day.
NEXT UP
Kilmallock’s Second Cycling Hub Tour, Sunday 17th April, with Pig on a spit confirmed for the finish again this year, (Derek, small favour, any chance of a few Onions, Red and Yellow peppers to go with it??)
Excellent routes, three options, 120km Sportive, (Five Climbs in beautiful scenery which pose a serious challenge), 60km Hub Experience and a 10km Family Spin.
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