Connor Pass question

Timmah!

Hello all,
I'm a relative newbie, been training for a couple of months doing 60k a couple of times a week. Did the WW100 and found it tough in parts (Rathdrum to Moneystown) but mostly grand.
Planning to cycle from Tralee to Dingle next Saturday over the Connor Pass. Haven't done any of the big climbs in Wicklow (SE, SM etc) and I'm filled with trepidation. Is it unrealistic to expect to get over it without any decent hills in my legs? Any advice?
cheers
Tim

interested

Timmah! wrote: »

Hello all,
I'm a relative newbie, been training for a couple of months doing 60k a couple of times a week. Did the WW100 and found it tough in parts (Rathdrum to Moneystown) but mostly grand.
Planning to cycle from Tralee to Dingle next Saturday over the Connor Pass. Haven't done any of the big climbs in Wicklow (SE, SM etc) and I'm filled with trepidation. Is it unrealistic to expect to get over it without any decent hills in my legs? Any advice?
cheers
Tim

Good choice for a cycle. If you've done the W100 you'll be fine - just dont be a hero on the road out of tralee.
From Tralee to the foot of the climb is very close to 40k or maybe a little over - the road is typically in good condition. If you get lucky the wind will be behind you and you should make light work of any of the drags. With the wind against you my advice would be to spin away and take your time. It can feel twice as long in bad conditions.

The Conor pass ascent itself starts just after a right turn to the village of Cloghane. Its about 6km to the car park at the top from here - maybe a touch more but cant remember.
No idea what gears you have on your bike but my advice would be to choose one to ensure you dont go into the red in the first 5 minutes of the climb. Keep it steady and enjoy the view - if you're struggling to look up and enjoy it you're pushing too hard imho

The road levels off after a few corners before coming to a small bridge. During the summer and at certain times of the day you can get traffic blocking the road around here. If you're using spd or similar pedals get out early - to avoid falling over in front of a crowd up there

From the bridge to the summit - the road condition is patchy to say the least - and following rain theres often surface water. Its pretty steep here but its only about 2k up to the summit (possibly less) - you can roll into Dingle from the top handy enough.

Enjoy.

hynesie

Timmah! wrote: »

Hello all,
I'm a relative newbie, been training for a couple of months doing 60k a couple of times a week. Did the WW100 and found it tough in parts (Rathdrum to Moneystown) but mostly grand.
Planning to cycle from Tralee to Dingle next Saturday over the Connor Pass. Haven't done any of the big climbs in Wicklow (SE, SM etc) and I'm filled with trepidation. Is it unrealistic to expect to get over it without any decent hills in my legs? Any advice?
cheers
Tim

You should be fine. I was down there about 2 months ago with my girlfriend and we cycled across from Castlegregory to Dingle and then looped back the long way. Its a lovely cycle, tough, but you should be fine if you did the WW100.

CheGuedara

I agree - you should be fine.

We train over it regularly from Tralee (we might even see you on Saturday) and the key things for you will be not hammering it out to the base of the climb, and just tempo climb it if you're not a naturally inclined climber.

There can be traffic (nervous/distracted tourists) that may slow things up around an locha Doon (though you may get shouts of 'Allez allez allez!' on a good day to drive you on) and for the last 1-1.5km where the road narrows to 1.5 lanes and the surface deteriorates would be the only places caution is advised on the ascent.

The view from the top is worth stopping for (if it's clear you can see Co. Clare!) and gives an opportunity to put arm warmers etc on for the drop into Dingle.

The descent is (can be) fast with 50mph very achievable but I advise caution when unfamiliar with it. You can run a race line along many stretches but there are one or two corners that come back on themselves that can throw you wide into the wrong lane :eek:.

Enjoy the ride

Timmah!

Thanks all, I'll take it as handy as possible so.

peterako

Yep, the descent into Dingle can be a bit frightening...

I uprated my brakes the Monday after climbing the Pass as my single pivot callipers (on my race bike) just did not slow me down at all!

Close to 50mph a lot of the way down and a lot of potential energy in my 100kg frame :eek:

You should be fine on the climb up

If I can make it anyone can!

Peter

Timmah!

Thought I should mention that I did that last weekend and it was tons of fun. The last bit from Peddlers Lake where the road gets narrow, bumpy and quite steep was torture but worth it. The descent into Dingle was a joy, didn't peddle once.

Then I met some mates and got friendly with some pints, also fun.

Jawgap

CheGuedara

I love that hill.

(I say that watching that, and when descending it - my opinion during the climb may be somewhat different)

Victor

If the weather is anyway bad (remember it will be colder and more windy up there), I think I'd avoid it.

Make sure your brakes and parachute are in good order.