Toughest Climb in Ireland?

Wishbone Ash · 29-08-2016 4:11pm

terrydel wrote: »

Is Ballinascorney/Tallaght Hill not on there?

Yup- in 25th place.

(EDIT - which seems strange as Wicklow Gap westwards is down at 54th. I'd consider the Wicklow Gap a bigger slog than Ballinascorney.)

smacl · 29-08-2016 4:42pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Yup- in 25th place.

(EDIT - which seems strange as Wicklow Gap westwards is down at 54th. I'd consider the Wicklow Gap a bigger slog than Ballinascorney.)

AFAIK it includes the climb that then leads you towards Kippure village which adds a fair bit to it.

Wishbone Ash · 29-08-2016 10:37pm

smacl wrote: »

AFAIK it includes the climb that then leads you towards Kippure village which adds a fair bit to it.

Yes - I just presumed it was the bit up to the quarry.

Fingers Mcginty · 29-08-2016 10:44pm

Going up black mountain on Thursday from the Omeath side. Can't wait!!

Wishbone Ash · 30-08-2016 9:10am

A category 1 climb here - Bray Harbour to Kippure Mast. Mild gradient at an average 3% but fairly drawn out at almost 25k and an elevation gain of 736m.

https://www.strava.com/segments/9412109

smacl · 30-08-2016 9:41am

What's the minimum length for these climbs? Clara bridge up to Clara Mor is 900m with 90m of climbing and a killer, even the ramp from Clara bridge up to the Laragh road is evil.

Wishbone Ash · 30-08-2016 9:54am

smacl wrote: »

What's the minimum length for these climbs? Clara bridge up to Clara Mor is 900m with 90m of climbing and a killer, even the ramp from Clara bridge up to the Laragh road is evil.

It has to have an elevation gain of at least 200m to qualify. That Clara bridge climb, although very steep, is quite short.

Thud · 02-09-2016 10:20am

Crocked wrote: »

220ish km with 4.7k climbing looping around the Wicklow mountains. Only retrace would be for about 2k in and out of Laragh from Shay Elliot. Could get it to 5.2k climbing going up and down Kippure & turlough hills.

He's not just fast downhills...207kms with 4658m climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/697190535

retalivity · 03-09-2016 10:41pm

Heres a few more from Donegal to add to the list

Col de Grianan of Aileach 2.7k, 7%, 207m vertical
https://www.strava.com/segments/7090828

Grainnes Gap 2.5k, 8%, 209m vertical
https://www.strava.com/segments/2544095

Gweedore Windmill climb 1.5km 13%, 197m vertical
https://www.strava.com/segments/5089781

^ That segment starts inside the gate, taking the whole climb from the main road is 1.7km, 13.1%, 224 vertical

And one from the north, although i dont think they are included in your list? Murlough road, 1.8km, 12%, 223m vertical
https://www.strava.com/segments/7976126

Sinbad_NI · 04-09-2016 12:29pm

NI is in there, few in the Sperrins and Torr head as well I think.

Shoco83 · 04-09-2016 5:27pm

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

Going up black mountain on Thursday from the Omeath side. Can't wait!!

How did you get on? Did you go from the centre of the village?

Fingers Mcginty · 04-09-2016 9:28pm

Shoco83 wrote: »

How did you get on? Did you go from the centre of the village?

Yup. Parked in Carlingford and went to Omeath, centre of the village (turned left before Howes) and up to the mast. Had the wind in my face all the way up to the top.
Came back by Long woman's grave to Jenkinstown and back to Carlingford. Great spin...really enjoyed it.
Doing the mountain from the North during the week.

Dm1 · 05-09-2016 9:31pm

Excuse my dopiness but how do you find the actual climb list in the thread?

magicbastarder · 05-09-2016 9:32pm

post #385 in this thread.

Fingers Mcginty · 07-09-2016 3:54pm

Black hill in the Cooleys is definitely much tougher approaching it from the North.
The hill after the carrickdale up to the cattle grid is one dirty bitch.
Collapsed into the ditch when I saw another hill after the crest at the grid. I'll try a different strategy next week. Not going to get up out of the saddle at all on that hill as it expends too much energy. That's the toughest part of it i think.

ford2600 · 22-06-2017 1:49pm

Anyone been up to Aihilies mast lately? Had a go in December but there was roadworks near the top, never got higher than about 340m. It wasn't as bad as expected.

No 9 is short but horrid.

Sinbad_NI · 22-06-2017 2:40pm

New toughest one I've come across in NI.
Benbradagh near Dungiven
https://www.strava.com/segments/4310646

iwillhtfu · 22-06-2017 5:11pm

I'm not sure if the Gap of Dunloe is on their but according to Strava there's some sections that hit 38% I never realised I could go so slowly and remain up right. Carrying a bit if extra timber these days mind you.

ford2600 · 22-06-2017 5:15pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I'm not sure if the Gap of Dunloe is on their but according to Strava there's some sections that hit 38% I never realised I could go so slowly and remain up right. Carrying a bit if extra timber these days mind you.

There's 100 climbs ahead of Dunloe at least.

Very short section at 20% maybe. It's a beautiful climb though

iwillhtfu · 22-06-2017 6:57pm

ford2600 wrote: »

There's 100 climbs ahead of Dunloe at least.

Very short section at 20% maybe. It's a beautiful climb though

Haha condescending much

Ah there's definitely sections that are greater than 20%. On the whole not a difficult climb but certainly up there in terms of sudden ramps at least in that middle section towards the upper lake.

A beautiful location though as with most of Kerry.

mhiggy09 · 24-06-2017 11:27pm

Tackled minaun today in achill it is a right toughy indeed. Definitely the toughest climb I've done. I made it up about 3/4 of the steep section then faltered and ended stopping.... Well falling over(and into some sheep ****e, it's all over the verges up there) took a small break most of it was spent clipping in. After I got going again it was fine the rest of the way. The views are amazing up above, very windy though so couldn't stay very long.

I had a day's cycling around Connemara done the day before and today had about 40km of pretty much a head wind in the legs, so id definitely say I would have made it to the top in one go if the legs were abit more fresh.

One thing about the climb though is the decent. Its as bad as the climb if not worst if your not a fan of going downhill. Very steep and alot of sheep which don't really care and plonk themselves in the middle of the road and run across the road to. I had abit of a crosswind to which didn't help but managed, my arms were in bits after though.
All in all a great climb and a great days cycling in achill.

Popoutman · 05-07-2017 5:20pm

I cycled up Minaun about 7 years ago, and took me about 3/4 hr to climb up, but ~3 min to get back to the road junction at the bottom, 3km away. Next time I'll wear some armour for the descent and try for 70 kph average instead. That was on the full-sus bike which definitely made it easier both for going up and coming back down!

marvin80 · 14-07-2017 8:59am

mhiggy09 wrote: »

One thing about the climb though is the decent. Its as bad as the climb if not worst if your not a fan of going downhill. Very steep and alot of sheep which don't really care and plonk themselves in the middle of the road and run across the road to. I had abit of a crosswind to which didn't help but managed, my arms were in bits after though.

The descent is the worst thing about some of these really steep climbs.
I cycled up Truskmore a few years ago (only got halfway!!) but the descent was horrible, not enjoyable at all.
I hope to get to the top someday, descend and never climb it again!!

smacl · 14-07-2017 1:50pm

Found a tough little off roader here on holidays last week, not that long but have a gander at the sattelite view. Was on slicks on the CX unfortunately and didn't make the top as I lost all traction when it started raining. Next time in the Kingdom I'll be running CX tyres.

Quickpip · 14-07-2017 9:42pm

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

New toughest one I've come across in NI.
Benbradagh near Dungiven
https://www.strava.com/segments/4310646

Sinbad, I don't see any of the climbs in NI on the list, have they been added? I did the Black Mountain climb this evening approaching from Davey's pub and although pretty brutal wasn't as tough as the Kilbroney Park Climb in Rostrevor(including the road through the car park) which is about 220m for about 1.8km of climbing @ 12% avg gradient.
https://www.strava.com/segments/15426859
There are a few others around South Down including Yellow Road/Coyles Hill
https://www.strava.com/segments/9207389
201m for 4.9km @ 4%
https://www.strava.com/segments/15427663
277m for 6.2km @ 4%
You may have already mentioned those? if so apologies.

Fingers Mcginty · 15-07-2017 10:57am

[quote="Quickpip;104089987" I did the Black Mountain climb this evening approaching from Davey's pub and although pretty brutal wasn't as tough as .....[/quote]

Try it from the North ....much tougher

Steve SilverMint · 15-07-2017 1:37pm

Anyone got a link to this list?

Thud · 15-07-2017 1:43pm

Steve SilverMint wrote: »

Anyone got a link to this list?

Its in post 385 of this thread

Sinbad_NI · 15-07-2017 2:50pm

Quickpip wrote:

Sinbad, I don't see any of the climbs in NI on the list, have they been added? I did the Black Mountain climb this evening approaching from Davey's pub and although pretty brutal wasn't as tough as the Kilbroney Park Climb in Rostrevor(including the road through the car park) which is about 220m for about 1.8km of climbing @ 12% avg gradient.

Tried that on the MTB a few years ago. Very steep I agree.

I don't be down in Mournes road cycling much, mostly up in the Sperrins, but might try to make an effort to visit those couple of roads :-)
Cheers.

Daroxtar · 15-07-2017 2:55pm

The list
https://docs.google.co...wS0/edit?usp=sharing

While doing a bit of research for a cycling holiday in Spain I came across this http://retocima.webcindario.com
And it's associated site
http://www.altimetrias.net
http://apmforo.mforos.mobi

It's a database of over 600 of the toughest, most scenic and historical climbs in Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Needless to say, there's a challenge to complete the list or do as many as possible, closing out the provinces or regions as you go. Which got me thinking. Completing the list on here would be a good achievement.

Anyone on here with bit more technical nous than me be interested in creating some kind of spreadsheet or something where we could log our progress through the list, adding Strava or Garmin links for proof? Or is that a lot of work?

Shoco83 · 15-07-2017 3:43pm

Quickpip wrote: »

Sinbad, I don't see any of the climbs in NI on the list, have they been added? I did the Black Mountain climb this evening approaching from Davey's pub and although pretty brutal wasn't as tough as the Kilbroney Park Climb.

Try it from the centre of omeath

Quickpip · 16-07-2017 11:48am

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

[quote="Quickpip;104089987" I did the Black Mountain climb this evening approaching from Davey's pub and although pretty brutal wasn't as tough as .....

Try it from the North ....much tougher[/quote]
Thanks....Just back from doing this spin this morning. Certainly a little tougher than from the LWG side, particularly that first spike to the cattle grid. The fact that the road is not in great shape over this section makes it more difficult as you cant really zigzag up. Nice breather in between then another spike to the mast.
Still think the Kilbroney Park climb on the other side of the lough is on par if not tougher as its a continuous climb the entire way. Then again its shorter and has a better surface and wider road. Oh well, if you are ever in Rostrevor area give it a go(go right to top of car park) and let us know how you got on.

Fingers Mcginty · 16-07-2017 12:44pm

Quickpip wrote: »

Oh well, if you are ever in Rostrevor area give it a go(go right to top of car park) and let us know how you got on.

Will do ...I'm always on the look out for local spicy ones

I might try out rostrevor during the week. Can you link a strava segment?
Edit: Just seen it ....your post on previous page

Quickpip · 16-07-2017 1:19pm

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

Quickpip wrote: »

Oh well, if you are ever in Rostrevor area give it a go(go right to top of car park) and let us know how you got on.

Will do ...I'm always on the look out for local spicy ones I might try out rostrevor during the week. Can you link a strava segment?
Edit: Just seen it ....your post on previous page

I'll do out a wee strava route from newry? Take in a few of the climbs/sights to rostrevor and then small loop back to newry and you can follow route and/or pick out the parts that suit.

xxyyzz · 18-07-2017 10:48am

this one in Kerry looks a doozy according to strava

magicbastarder · 18-07-2017 10:55am

the use of percentages can be a bit misleading - i just had to confirm what it actually means; a 45 degree climb is measured as 100%, where many people would assume it was 50%, i guess?

goldenboots · 18-07-2017 11:35am

magicbastarder wrote: »

the use of percentages can be a bit misleading - i just had to confirm what it actually means; a 45 degree climb is measured as 100%, where many people would assume it was 50%, i guess?

Don't think that is true. A 45 degree climb would have a slope of 1 (100%), but a gradient of approx 0.7 (70%).

An upward slope is measured from 0 to infinity, while an upward gradient is from 0 to 1.

G1032 · 18-07-2017 12:35pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

the use of percentages can be a bit misleading - i just had to confirm what it actually means; a 45 degree climb is measured as 100%, where many people would assume it was 50%, i guess?

Simplest way to calculate is meters climbed divided by distance travelled *100
A 1km climb that rises 100m is basically a 10% gradient [(100/1000)*100]

This isn't exactly accurate but close enough that it doesn't matter

http://theclimbingcyclist.com/gradients-and-cycling-an-introduction/

magicbastarder · 18-07-2017 12:39pm

what calculation is used to work out that the gradient of a 45% slope is 0.7?

anyway, i guess a lot of people assume that a 6% slope is 6% of the way between being horizontal and being vertical; i.e. that 100% would be vertical.

smacl · 18-07-2017 12:58pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

what calculation is used to work out that the gradient of a 45% slope is 0.7?

anyway, i guess a lot of people assume that a 6% slope is 6% of the way between being horizontal and being vertical; i.e. that 100% would be vertical.

Cosine of 45 degrees (0.7071) where gradient is based around the angle of inclination.

goldenboots · 18-07-2017 1:04pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

what calculation is used to work out that the gradient of a 45% slope is 0.7?

anyway, i guess a lot of people assume that a 6% slope is 6% of the way between being horizontal and being vertical; i.e. that 100% would be vertical.

It's basically an application of Pythagoras theorem that we all loved in school.

Imagine a triangle, where the horizontal and vertical lines each measure 1 in length. The diagonal line would then measure 1.41 (approx). You would have a 45 degree angle where the slope is the vertical divided by the horizontal which equals 1 (100%).

The gradient is the vertical divided by diagonal, which is 1/1.41 = 0.7 approx.

magicbastarder · 18-07-2017 1:17pm

smacl wrote: »

Cosine of 45 degrees (0.7071) where gradient is based around the angle of inclination.

ah, i'd not heard of cosine being used for gradient calculations before. i'd usually seen vertical rise vs. horizontal run mainly. many ways to skin a cat, i suppose.

smacl · 18-07-2017 1:37pm

goldenboots wrote: »

It's basically an application of Pythagoras theorem that we all loved in school.

Imagine a triangle, where the horizontal and vertical lines each measure 1 in length. The diagonal line would then measure 1.41 (approx). You would have a 45 degree angle where the slope is the vertical divided by the horizontal which equals 1 (100%).

The gradient is the vertical divided by diagonal, which is 1/1.41 = 0.7 approx.

Yep, hence cosine = adjacent / hypotenuse. Would be a great idea for an applied math class, getting them to repeat this out loud going up Stocking Lane

goldenboots · 18-07-2017 1:54pm

smacl wrote: »

Yep, hence cosine = adjacent / hypotenuse. Would be a great idea for an applied math class, getting them to repeat this out loud going up Stocking Lane

In this case, Cosine would give the correct answer because the Adjacent is equal to the Opposite when angles are 45 degrees.

In general, however, the gradient would be given by Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse.

smacl · 18-07-2017 2:29pm

goldenboots wrote: »

In this case, Cosine would give the correct answer because the Adjacent is equal to the Opposite when angles are 45 degrees.

In general, however, the gradient would be given by Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse.

My bad, too many years in land surveying where the convention is 0 is up and 90 is straight ahead (i.e. zenith angles)

angles%20zenith.gif

Steve SilverMint · 19-07-2017 11:43am

Fairplay for putting that together it's a brilliant reference for anyone looking to find new hills to challenge themselves on.

As a Kilkenny native I was disappointed to see we don't even have one in the top 100. Coppenagh made it in at 118 but Kilkenny has a few far tougher climbs over 200m than Coppenagh.

Links to a few good ones on Strava.

https://www.strava.com/segments/2208250

https://www.strava.com/segments/7273090

https://www.strava.com/segments/15447115?oq=the%20brown

https://www.strava.com/segments/1188337

Euro Fred · 19-07-2017 1:37pm

What's the longest climb you can do in the greater Dublin region?

I have it in my head (probably from here) it's from Bray up to the TV mast at Kippure

retalivity · 19-07-2017 2:03pm

Euro Fred wrote: »

What's the longest climb you can do in the greater Dublin region?

I have it in my head (probably from here) it's from Bray up to the TV mast at Kippure

Yep.
Shorter longish ones but closer to the city would be rathfarnham to featherbeds or firhouse to ballinascorney

Euro Fred · 19-07-2017 2:09pm

retalivity wrote: »

Yep.
Shorter longish ones but closer to the city would be rathfarnham to featherbeds or firhouse to ballinascorney

That's brilliant, I really don't want to cycle all the way to Bray and your options are closer to home

Wishbone Ash · 19-07-2017 2:12pm

Euro Fred wrote: »

What's the longest climb you can do in the greater Dublin region?

I have it in my head (probably from here) it's from Bray up to the TV mast at Kippure

https://www.strava.com/segments/9412109

There's another one on Strava (Lucan to Kippure) that is 30k but the first 10k is fairly flat: https://www.strava.com/segments/10477018

Toughest Climb in Ireland?

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