Sally Gap from Blessington side

Jabel

Hi all,
Planning an extended spin on Saturday to Enniskerry (70km) from my base in Rathfarnham out the Blessington road and on to Sally Gap and from there into Enniskerry. Haven't been up this way before, can anyone tell me how the climb compares to the Old Military road route?
Thanks
J

mcgratheoin

Jabel wrote: »

Hi all,
Planning an extended spin on Saturday to Enniskerry (70km) from my base in Rathfarnham out the Blessington road and on to Sally Gap and from there into Enniskerry. Haven't been up this way before, can anyone tell me how the climb compares to the Old Military road route?
Thanks
J

Much easier in my opinion. Short ramp past the Kippure adventure centre and then it doesn't ramp up again until the last 2-3km. You do a fair bit of climbing between Tallaght and Blessington so you're starting the climb proper at a higher level.

07Lapierre

mcgratheoin wrote: »

Much easier in my opinion. Short ramp past the Kippure adventure centre and then it doesn't ramp up again until the last 2-3km. You do a fair bit of climbing between Tallaght and Blessington so you're starting the climb proper at a higher level.

It can be a bitch if there's a headwind!

crosstownk

mcgratheoin wrote: »

Much easier in my opinion. Short ramp past the Kippure adventure centre and then it doesn't ramp up again until the last 2-3km. You do a fair bit of climbing between Tallaght and Blessington so you're starting the climb proper at a higher level.

+1.

The climb up to Crooksling takes you to over 200m. After that it's relatively flat until the adventure centre. The last 3km to the crossroads at Sally Gap is the toughest part but still easier than Kilakee, IMO.

I'm planning to do it myself this Saturday - hopefully the weather holds up!

Jabel

Cheers, weather looks ok, not sure about the wind though

crosstownk

Jabel wrote: »

Cheers, weather looks ok, not sure about the wind though

Current forecast is for light southwesterly in the morning then slackening marginally and turning south easterly in the afternoon. So hopefully that hold true.

seamus

07Lapierre wrote: »

It can be a bitch if there's a headwind!

You're nicely sheltered though by trees until the last 2-3km, so even if there is a headwind you tend not to notice until you get to the exposed part.

Coming in from the Kilakee side, even though it's downhill from the Kippure mast there's more often than not a headwind so you spend your time fighting that all the way across to the Gap. If it's foggy and/or raining that can be really miserable.

jackstaff

Is it sign posted the turn for sallys gap?
How far towards blessington is it

crosstownk

jackstaff wrote: »

Is it sign posted the turn for sallys gap?
How far towards blessington is it

It's well signposted at The Lamb - you can't miss it - about 3km outside Brittas. The road from the N81 to Sally Gap is the R759.

I usually take the left turn just after Brittas at Lisheen Golf Club (500m after Brittas) then at the next fork in the road keep to the left and you'll end up on the R759 for Sally Gap. It's signposted along this route too. Even if you keep to the right at the fork the signposts will still sort you out.

jackstaff

Thanks mate sounds like a good cycle.
We done the balinascorney hill out to brittas last week might give the gap ago this week
Any idea on distance from tallaght

crosstownk

jackstaff wrote: »

Thanks mate sounds like a good cycle.
We done the balinascorney hill out to brittas last week might give the gap ago this week
Any idea on distance from tallaght

Brittas is about 6/7km from the Jobstown Inn. Sally Gap is probably 17km (ish) from Brittas.

jackstaff

Ye I've done the lakes a couple of times think the gap could be a runner this weekend thanks

crosstownk

jackstaff wrote: »

Ye I've done the lakes a couple of times think the gap could be a runner this weekend thanks

I might see you up there!!

simonrooneyzaga

Thanks for the info lads - have been up to blessington before but have never taken sally from the rear! Might see you up there tomorrow.

Bikerbhoy

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

have never taken sally from the rear! Might see you up there tomorrow.

I'm sure there is a more relevant forum for this kind of carry on . . Poor Sally bless 'er

Jabel

OP here, I'm planning to leave Ballyboden area around 8.30am and head towards Tallaght
on the N81 turning at the Lamb following the signposts from there!
Anyone is welcome to join me at any stage, I'll be the one on the black/red Cube with white spokes
going slowly!

simonrooneyzaga

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

I'm sure there is a more relevant forum for this kind of carry on . . Poor Sally bless 'er

you've a dirty mind Biker Bhoy ;-)

Jabel, can barely get out of bed at half 8 on a weekday let alone the sacred weekend - ill be heading up with two others from terenure at half ten. Enjoy the spin!

crosstownk

Jabel wrote: »

OP here, I'm planning to leave Ballyboden area around 8.30am and head towards Tallaght
on the N81 turning at the Lamb following the signposts from there!
Anyone is welcome to join me at any stage, I'll be the one on the black/red Cube with white spokes
going slowly!

I'll be leaving around the same time (but probably a little later as I may have a couple of pints this evening )

I'll keep an eye out for you

Jabel

Did you ever get a missed call from your wife and a message saying contact me urgently while out on a spin? Well I got that call today but the thing is my wife is in hospital expecting our fourth baby. Yes it was THAT call:eek: where was I you ask? Oh, about 3-4 km from Sally gap from the blessington side... And struggling up the climb. Many thanks to my cycling partner for the day (we didn't know each other and only met at the Lamb turn) who selflessly lead me up the hills and across the featherbeds and on to the descent near home. A true gent.
Our little lad was premature and weighed just 5lb 3oz but both he and mother are doing fine. Some day!
Oh yeah the cycle ....how many Kms at what speed? Who cares:D

Posted in 'tell us about you cycle today' too, mods please delete if necessary

manafana

Jabel wrote: »

Did you ever get a missed call from your wife and a message saying contact me urgently while out on a spin? Well I got that call today but the thing is my wife is in hospital expecting our fourth baby. Yes it was THAT call:eek: where was I you ask? Oh, about 3-4 km from Sally gap from the blessington side... And struggling up the climb. Many thanks to my cycling partner for the day (we didn't know each other and only met at the Lamb turn) who selflessly lead me up the hills and across the featherbeds and on to the descent near home. A true gent.
Our little lad was premature and weighed just 5lb 3oz but both he and mother are doing fine. Some day!
Oh yeah the cycle ....how many Kms at what speed? Who cares:D

Posted in 'tell us about you cycle today' too, mods please delete if necessary

congrats mate, no more bike time now thou

jackstaff

Well I done sallys gap from the ballycullen Side and man that was a bitch had to stop twice once at view point and once on a steep hill past glencree then onto Sally gap and manor kilbride than brittas and home to tallaght took 2hrs and 50.6 km my furthest to date my average was 25kph

James 007

Guys, just wondering how the climb from Asford in the direction of Laragh/Glendalough compares to the Sally Gap.

I have done this climb but I have not done the Sally Gap yet.

I know its approx 190m elevation over 5.7km, but is it alot easier than the Sally Gap.