Climb from Wicklow Gap?

Izoard

Was over the Wicklow Gap today and noticed the ESB road heading up the elevation to the south (?). Was on the tri bike, so no way was I going to take a look without the triple (:)).

Has anyone taken a road bike up there? Can you get to the summit?

It looks Kippure-esque (but with a better surface), which I'm a big fan of!

Dura Ace

It's cycleable. I went up a couple of years ago. I think it might add another 2km on to the climb. Not as steep as the road to Kippure though.

Morgan

That's the road up to Turlough Hill reservoir/generator. It's a nice cycle up, the wind can really be against you sometimes - it's a nice addition to the climb of the Wicklow Gap. There's a nice offroad descent from the summit right down to Glendalough if you're that way inclined.

iregk

Been up it plenty of times and it is a nice climb after all you've done up to that point. Also steeper than anything you tackled to there as well.

uberwolf

is this it?
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Dublin,+County+Fingal,+Ireland&ll=53.032697,-6.405373&spn=0.021885,0.055189&z=14

IM0

iregk wrote: »

Been up it plenty of times and it is a nice climb after all you've done up to that point. Also steeper than anything you tackled to there as well.

you cannot be serious! you mean from the glendalough side? if so what about the 15% section around the coach/car layby which starts the climb propper going westwards towards WG then again it could be worse, but I doubt it [Ive never actually gone on the private road to turlough hill]

iregk

me@ucd wrote: »

you cannot be serious! you mean from the glendalough side? if so what about the 15% section around the coach/car layby which starts the climb propper going westwards towards WG then again it could be worse, but I doubt it [Ive never actually gone on the private road to turlough hill]

I sh!t you not and yes, from the Glendalough side.

niceonetom

me@ucd wrote: »

you cannot be serious! you mean from the glendalough side? if so what about the 15% section around the coach/car layby which starts the climb propper going westwards towards WG then again it could be worse, but I doubt it [Ive never actually gone on the private road to turlough hill]

The old quarry bit? That's never 15%, is it? I would have thought more like 10%. It's one of my favourite bit of descending in Wicklow though, so maybe you're right... The little road up to the top looks much steeper, though I've never actually investigated. I will next time.

manwithaplan

I doubt that's anywhere near 15%. I was up and down it yesterday and I didn't think it was too bad. I agree about the descent. You hardly have to touch the brakes from the top down. Motorbikes whizzing by adds to the thrill.

We had intended to do the loop from Laragh over the Wicklow Gap and through Hollywood, following the W200 route through Aughavanna, Slieve Mann etc and back to Laragh. I had to be home at a certain time to drop child no. 2 to a party and when we reached the small roads after Hollywood, I thought we mightn't make it in time. Hence doing the Gap the opposite way too. I am going have to start getting up at 4am at this rate!

I saw that ESB road and it piqued my curiosity alright - thanks for the info.

Izoard

Thanks...definitely one for the next spin down there...

blorg

Wickow Gap is a very easy climb really; that ramp goes to about 11-12% for only maybe 2-300 metres. Apart from that it is 2-3% before and settles down to 5-6% after. Haven't tried this extesnsion but the idea that it would be steeper is hardly unbelievable; kippure is certainly steeper than any part before it.

redmenace1

If memory serves me right its about 25% in spots:eek:
Coming down is as tricky as going up as the surface is bad and the sheep can wander into your path, plus its twisty.
Good climb though.

Guybrush T

redmenace1 wrote: »

If memory serves me right its about 25% in spots:eek:
Coming down is as tricky as going up as the surface is bad and the sheep can wander into your path, plus its twisty.
Good climb though.

I don't think memory does serve you right, I doubt it's any more than 12%, it's not hard or long but it does add a couple of hundred metres ascent to Wicklow Gap, it gives a nice 500m ascent from the junction with the Glendalough Road to the top.

levitronix

I meet a wirey old man in the glendasan and he said its 45% and only giants can climb it ....

levitronix

He then also told me that Marco Pantani would need a stairmaster to climb it .... i kid you not ....

redmenace1

[QUOTE=Guybrush)........it's not hard or long but it does add a couple of hundred metres ascent to Wicklow Gap, :rolleyes:

Well if its giving you a couple of hundred metres ascent on top of WG, and its aint long then its fair to say that it will be hard. No?
I stick with my earlier point that it could be about 25% in spots. Can someone ride it with a Garmin please:D

blorg

25% is extreme, Kippure only gets to around 20 momentarily at the very steepest point.

loyatemu

Guybrush T wrote: »

it gives a nice 500m ascent from the junction with the Glendalough Road to the top.

9K according to MMR

Guybrush T

loyatemu wrote: »

9K according to MMR

Just to be really nerdy (I ride this route every now and then) you can go another 500m around the reservoir thing to make it 10K