Mount Leinster Challenge 2014

King Kelly

Just a heads up to everyone that entry for the 9th Mount Leinster Challenge Sportive has recently opened. Saturday May 17th is the date, 140km & 100km routes and entry is again restricted to 300 riders with online entry only and no entry on the day. Almost 40% of places taken at this stage so don't leave it too late if you'd like to take part!

Both routes climb Mount Leinster from the Carlow direction climbing the infamous Corrobutt Gap while the longer 140kph route takes in a 2nd ascent of the mountain this time from the Bunclody side

More information and link to register at http://www.slaneycyclingclub.com/?page_id=33



"Enjoying" the Corrobutt Gap!

Those of you interested in the An Post Rás can ride part of the route of stage 7 this year a week before the big boys head over the mountain. Thats two Cat 1's, a Cat 2 and two Cat 3 climbs!

Stage 7 Rás route, Saturday May 24: Carrick on Suir to Baltinglass, 147.7: (7 climbs)
Carrick on Suir, KOM Category 3 at Tullaghought (km 11.8), Kilmaganny, Newmarket, Knocktopher, Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown, Dungarvan, Gowran Post OfficeSprint (km 46.3), Goresbridge, Borris, KOM Category 3 at Knockdramagh (km 72.6), KOM Category 2 at The Heights (km 75.4), KOM Category 1 at Corabutt (km 78.4), KOM Category 1 at Mount Leinster (km 82), Kiltealy, KOM Category 3 at Rossard (km 101), KOM Category 3 at Bunclody (km 110.6),Tullow, Rathvilly, Baltinglass

(The route marked in bold is ridden on the Mount leinster Challenge each year).

bazermc

Looking forward to doing this, never done it before.

Can I decide between 140 and 100 on the day?

kencoo

great sportive. While the corabutt gap is the single toughest hill i have found on any cycle the series of hills after the feedstop (on the longer route) always seem to wipe me out. I always debated that it was my early season unfitness though!

Carpenter

Does it go up to the mast

Buzwaldo

Carpenter wrote: »

Does it go up to the mast

No
(think that would mean climbing a gate, and one way only- ie descenders would have to meet later climbers)

Buzwaldo

bazermc wrote: »

Can I decide between 140 and 100 on the day?

Yes. Decide at the foodstop which is after about 75-80k whether you just want to roll home or go again, which afaik is a longer climb than first time. Last year I did neither - just took a longer 40k flattish route home with the help of a little local knowledge.
Steeling myself for the second ascent this year if I can swing the day off work.

MichealD

Some ye may be interested in a "Baby" Mount Leinster being run next Saturday. Its a fundraiser for underage cycling in Co Wexford and is being promoted by the five Wexford cycling clubs. Start and finish is at the Community Hall in Kiltealy where the main Mount Leinster Challenge feedstop takes place each year.

The two distance are shorter than the usual sportives at 45km and 70km so probably will be a bit short for most of you guys but if you are looking for a first sportive and just getting into cycling it might suit. It doesn't go over Mt Leinster but skirts around the base so a few decent short climbs but nothing major.

No bells and whistles ( or t shirts etc.! ) with this one but should be a good spin starting in Wexford but mainly on quiet roads in Kilkenny and Carlow. Details are on the Slaney CC website http://www.slaneycyclingclub.com/?p=5829

slowcyclist

Does anyone have a route map that I can download to my Garmin?

MichealD

slowcyclist wrote: »

Does anyone have a route map that I can download to my Garmin?

Link to Strava segment if its any good to you


http://www.strava.com/segments/1416060

smithslist

Wont be able to make this and have already registered(CI member).

Since my entry will go un-used, If anyone wants it please let me know(PM). I prefer it to be used than not since entries are limited.

andy69

slowcyclist wrote: »

Does anyone have a route map that I can download to my Garmin?

Here's a Garmin Course of the route I saved from last year - that should load straight to your device:

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/6564980

kayaksurfbum

Just wondering it the road up to the aerial is open? If someone should want to take a spin up there tomorrow while on the sportive!!!

ford2600

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Just wondering it the road up to the aerial is open? If someone should want to take a spin up there tomorrow while on the sportive!!!

The gate is typically closed to traffic but there is access to side for pedestrians and cyclists

MichealD

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Just wondering it the road up to the aerial is open? If someone should want to take a spin up there tomorrow while on the sportive!!!

As Ford says there is access to the mast but not sure if you'll be spinning up there!

Event is now full and entry closed.

kayaksurfbum

Im registered for the event. Iv done it 3 or 4 of times. But never been up to the mast.

Eamonnator

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Just wondering it the road up to the aerial is open? If someone should want to take a spin up there tomorrow while on the sportive!!!

I've done it the last three years, and am doing it again tomorrow.
I'm a bit worried about you, wanting to add more climbing to the route.

TheBlaaMan

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Just wondering it the road up to the aerial is open? If someone should want to take a spin up there tomorrow while on the sportive!!!

The gate is always open and the final 2.6km at 13.5% average awaits you.....:D

at1withmyself

Arrived down the B&B early today so thought I'd go for a warm-up spin and ended up doing 115 km with 1900m climbing taking in the Wicklow Gap, Slieve Mann & The Shay Elliot. Way more then I intended but it was such a nice day! Hopefully I don't suffer too much tomorrow but looking forward to it and the weather looks good again tomorrow :-)

NeedMoreGears

Great day for it today. Met Quozl and Smcclaw. Foolishly stayed with the big boys until about 3km before the food stop. Pretty knackered for the second half but very enjoyable spin. Burger and beers made all ok again. 05:06 rolling for 136.4km/1795m. Fastest I've ever done it so quite pleased with myself.

NeedMoreBeers

slowcyclist

Excellent marshalling, excellent company. Enjoyed the day, and in particular my first time on the Corrobutt Gap. Wimped out in the end - had signed up for the 140km but only did the 100km in the end - I didn't have the legs for a second climb up that hill today. Will be back next year.

Buzwaldo

Great day, who could ask for better weather (in this country)-although the wind was rising.
Did the 100 last year & had the 140 as a target, but my knee thought otherwise:(
Enjoyable nonetheless, great spread at the stop. got up corrabut without stopping, for the first time, but will have to return...unfinished business.

at1withmyself

From arrival to the GAA to the finish what a great day the Slaney CC put on, free tea / coffee in the morning and the glorious sunshine at the start. Nice goody bag as well including multiple energy products, €10 Wheelworx voucher and a nice Beenie cap (although not my colour!) given out at the start as well.

Set off and stead in the lead group for the first hour before dropping back, felt the pace was too high for me knowing what was ahead plus I was just wheel sucking and glad I did as I started looking around rather watching wheels in front and began to enjoy the scenery! Stead on my own then for the rest of the day but there was a good number out on the road and on the climbs. First ascent of Mount Leinster and on the steep part a sign saying 100m to go so once over that I thought it wasn't that bad and then realised that was only the steep section but after that the rest was just a long drag and not the downhill as there was a slight downhill section there. The downhill itself was fun and a bit technical but I just took it handy and rolled down most of the way.

The food stop was fantastic and at that point I thought about dropping out with 100km as not sure if the legs could do the steep section again but was told we didn't go over it a second time so headed off for second loop and it was a long haul to the top but the views form the mountain were spectacular and glad I did the second loop. Nice fast finish then to the end as it was mainly downhill.

Some drinks, food and even a medal at the finish was nice and unexpected. Completed the challenge in 5 hours rolling time so very happy with that after a tough day previous in the Wicklow mountains. Very well organised and perhaps one of the best value sportiffs I have ever done.

Slaney CC should consider setting up a sportiff organisation and run them around the country as they put most others to shame for value for money!

That's my second visit now to the South East for cycling (Wicklow 200 last year) and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and beautiful part of the country 255km with 3600m of climbing over the 2 days meant I easily reached my 16 hours Strava challenge

kencoo

Really good day out - well organised, a stress free start with the carpark and handy to get to. Organisation was good (esp the foodstop - the best in ireland!) although there was no one at bunclody crossroads. I new addition was the tent in the carpark which was a great idea as the atmosphere before and after was excellent which can be lacking in some saturday sportives.

After doing the Orwell Randonee this year i though i had A1 prep done for this. Set out with the first group and was chewed and spat out after 15k and struggled (thanks corrubutt!)to the foodstop . i carried on to do the 140 but was badly dehydrated. Surprisingly hot day - drank 6 bottles of water (last year i drank 1.) There were a few crashes along the way - we were going a good clip and a dog ran out of a driveway right into the middle of our group and took 3 or 4 out. does anyone know if they are alright?

Was absolutely cooked after it. Went to bed at 12 and only out of it now! It was the toughest day on the bike in a long while.

fondriest

Great day as usual laid on by Slaney cc , perfect weather and my own body weight in cakes from the food stop helped me enjoy it all the more . I rode to and from the event so had 210km on the clock by the time I got to the sofa . Let's just say I slept well last night .

MichealD

Over 400 photos of the Mount Leinster Challenge were uploaded here https://pix.ie/liamr last night.

buffalo

Really enjoyed the day out in the sun, well fed. Cattle grids were well-marked too, thanks for that.

Two things to perhaps address - the turn at Borris at 32km could've done with a marshal.

And, more controversially, the Strava competition segment seems to end after the waterstop! :pac: Means my time is ten minutes behind the current leader, despite the fact that I beat him in a TT a couple of weeks ago!

quozl

One of my club-mates did up a video of the day from an Orwell point-of-view.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EQjSCfOdc0&feature=youtu.be

Really reminds me how good the day was.