Best hill training areas in Meath?

marketty

Where would you guys suggest as a good area for doing some hill training around Meath? I'm in the Dunshaughlin/Ashbourne area but don't mind travelling a bit as I enjoy a good long spin! I am a beginner though and my first trip to Wicklow did not end well...so I'm looking to build myself up for the hills. I have a reasonably good level of fitness and no major problem covering 100k in a day, but I die on the hills!
I'v heard the naul suggested but haven't been yet

Inquitus

marketty wrote: »

Where would you guys suggest as a good area for doing some hill training around Meath? I'm in the Dunshaughlin/Ashbourne area but don't mind travelling a bit as I enjoy a good long spin! I am a beginner though and my first trip to Wicklow did not end well...so I'm looking to build myself up for the hills. I have a reasonably good level of fitness and no major problem covering 100k in a day, but I die on the hills!
I'v heard the naul suggested but haven't been yet

The Naul is definitely your best bet. Naul, Skerries/Ardgillan and Howth are the only major bumps I have found in/around NCD.

victorcarrera

There are three different routes to climb Tara hill and a good variety if you alternate and repeat them. (A nice coffee shop at the top too.)
North is approx 1.4Km (the longest) and average 6%
East is approx 500M and max 10%
South is not really a climb but there is a link road to the west off this towards Kilmessan which is short 500M and steep maybe 15% max.
Try to include the Naul and Screen hill on the way out and back.
Not much else in South Meath me thinks.

Side Show Bob

marketty wrote: »

Where would you guys suggest as a good area for doing some hill training around Meath? I'm in the Dunshaughlin/Ashbourne area but don't mind travelling a bit as I enjoy a good long spin! I am a beginner though and my first trip to Wicklow did not end well...so I'm looking to build myself up for the hills. I have a reasonably good level of fitness and no major problem covering 100k in a day, but I die on the hills!
I'v heard the naul suggested but haven't been yet

Try Ashbourne to Kilmoom, then onward to Duleek, there are 3 different ways to climb to Bellewstown then onward to the Naul and then home via Garristown,
You won't find better than that!

marketty

Thanks for the suggestions, i'l hav to master them before I head to Wicklow again!

karltimber

will have to try these diff routes too - have only done the hill off the n3.

Slane & Collon have good hills but fairly short.

k (navan)

victorcarrera wrote: »

There are three different routes to climb Tara hill and a good variety if you alternate and repeat them. (A nice coffee shop at the top too.)
North is approx 1.4Km (the longest) and average 6%
East is approx 500M and max 10%
South is not really a climb but there is a link road to the west off this towards Kilmessan which is short 500M and steep maybe 15% max.
Try to include the Naul and Screen hill on the way out and back.
Not much else in South Meath me thinks.

granda

i'd definitly go with side show bob's suggestion belllewstown and naul its a great workout

triggermortis

+1 on sideshow bob's too. I went over Naul way last week for the first time and its more bumpy than I'm used to. I don't know which hills I did as I don't know the area and my phone battery died halfway round so my mapmyride data didn't show the second half of my ride.

bitemybanger

The routes around the hill of Tara are excellent but narrow in places and a few big potholes to watch out for but after a lap ot two and youll have no problems.
On my way up there now actually

Jawgap

Side Show Bob wrote: »

Try Ashbourne to Kilmoom, then onward to Duleek, there are 3 5/6 different ways to climb to Bellewstown then onward to the Naul and then home via Garristown,
You won't find better than that!

FYP

Slane and Collon (Mount Oriel) offer some good climbs as does Naul / Ardcath / Garristown / Oldtown / Greenanstown.

You can go through Duleek to Donore (not a bad climb in itself), then turn left and go parallel to the river and turn back towards Duleek Roughgrange - that's a super climb (IMO) - http://app.strava.com/segments/653485 - starts off with a nice kick then levels off gradually.

Roughgrange - followed by Bellewstown (http://app.strava.com/segments/636872) - followed by the Naul (Snowtown - http://app.strava.com/segments/632213) - would be a good climbing session!!!

marketty

thanks for those suggestions will give them all a go in time, tara is nearby so will tackle it first once this weather improves, got drowned on the commute yesterday