Conor Pass

on_the_nickel

I'm heading to Tralee this weekend with the family, I'm hoping get a crack at it.

So which is the best side to climb, from Dingle or from the North?

Any other suggestions for a 100km-ish loop welcome.

Morrisseeee

I would head out of Dingle to Castlemaine and then take on this climb (ooops longer version here) and then work my way back to the Conor Pass N-S climb and then finish off by going out the coast road to.............wind down (finish you off :pac:) > roughly 137km.
/just wondering if there's snow up there atm ?!

smacl

IMO, the descent into Dingle is better than the other way around, i.e. ascend from the Tralee / Castlegregory side. The reason is the Tralee side has a lot of narrow sections where you may have to pull in, whereas the Dingle side is straighter and wider.

on_the_nickel

Morrisseeee wrote: »

I would head out of Dingle to Castlemaine and then take on this climb (ooops longer version here) and then work my way back to the Conor Pass N-S climb and then finish off by going out the coast road to.............wind down (finish you off :pac:) > roughly 137km.
/just wondering if there's snow up there atm ?!

Oooh, that looks nasty - am considering cycling from Cork to Tralee on Friday (if the easterly win holds!) and might take this as a detour from Killarney, if time allows.

Cape Clear

Here's a cracking route for you http://www.dinglecyclingclub.com/dinglecyclingclub/Dingle_Peninsula_Challenge.html

youtheman

Another slightly shorter one (with no Conor Pass) is:

Head out the Dingle Road but turn left at Camp (Climb No. 1).
Down into Annascaul and Turn left for Inch beach.
Flat run back to Castlemaine
Turn left in Castlemaine for Tralee (Climb No. 2)

77 km in total with 642 m climbing.

shaka

I'm with smacl on this , descent into dingle is fast- can really push it.

on_the_nickel

youtheman wrote: »

Another slightly shorter one (with no Conor Pass) is:

Head out the Dingle Road but turn left at Camp (Climb No. 1).
Down into Annascaul and Turn left for Inch beach.
Flat run back to Castlemaine
Turn left in Castlemaine for Tralee (Climb No. 2)

77 km in total with 642 m climbing.

That the Lacey Cup route? Was thinking of doing that too, it's a option depending on how long of a pass I get.

petethedrummer

Cape Clear wrote: »

Here's a cracking route for you http://www.dinglecyclingclub.com/dinglecyclingclub/Dingle_Peninsula_Challenge.html

I would do something very similar to that.

I would do Slea head heading out by Ventry and the southern part of the peninsula. Then come back to Dingle. There are a lot of little side roads you can take with beautiful views on the return leg. Go over the Conor Pass. Head for Castlegregory and keep heading up till you pass all the camp sites and watch any surfers and eat from a burger van. Then come back the same way over Conor pass and into Dingle and have a steak sandwich in an Canteen.

I've read that the N86 from Camp to Dingle isn't the best for cycling, but that info might be wrong.

Edit: I thought you were starting from Dingle. Anyways I think the Pass is best from North to South. But both ways should be done.

Morrisseeee

Careful of side-winds on the descent into Dingle off Conor Pass, one minute you're sheltered and then bam it hits you, it can be a nasty surprise !

kingdomlad

I do alot of riding in this area most weekends. If you think you are able for a tough 110km, leave Tralee and head west and over the Conor Pass, into Dingle. Then take the main Dingle to Tralee road until you reach Annascaul. Take a right in Annascaul and onto the coast road to Inch Strand. Stop off for a coffee in Sammys Cafe on the beach.:cool:. Then continue to Castlemaine, and back to Tralee over the climb at Slieve Mish. A good hard 4 hours on the bike!! ENJOY!!

RobFowl

shaka wrote: »

I'm with smacl on this , descent into dingle is fast- can really push it.

The worst cycling accident I've ever seen was on the descent into Dingle. If you are doing it take it easy.......

petethedrummer

kingdomlad wrote: »

Then take the main Dingle to Tralee road until you reach Annascaul. Take a right in Annascaul and onto the coast road to Inch Strand.

I've done this road too. It is beautiful. Man, I have to go back soon.

Icyseanfitz

yeah the road along the cliff from annascaul to inch is breath taking on a nice day

dquirke1

Connor pass was closed yesterday because of the snow.
Not sure if its open yet...
Be sure to check before you head out anyway.

FWIW, I'd do it from the tralee side and descend into dingle. Very fast flowing descent :-)