Howth Cycle

maverick_21

Anyone cycled the Shellmartin-Fintans-Sheilmartin part of the Howth climb?
I was cycling out to Howth on Sunday and took a right at Sutton and kept right until I came to this sick hill. I read online that its 13% gradient but not sure if this is right?

stecleary

maverick_21 wrote: »

Anyone cycled the Shellmartin-Fintans-Sheilmartin part of the Howth climb?
I was cycling out to Howth on Sunday and took a right at Sutton and kept right until I came to this sick hill. I read online that its 13% gradient but not sure if this is right?

only about 8% - https://www.strava.com/segments/1775512
Cracking climb that, 3 laps of that and your legs know all about it :cool:

Wishbone Ash

maverick_21 wrote: »

... and took a right at Sutton and kept right until I came to this sick hill...

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

stecleary

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

you're a mean mean man!

maverick_21

stecleary wrote: »

only about 8% - https://www.strava.com/segments/1775512
Cracking climb that, 3 laps of that and your legs know all about it :cool:

Its the route coming up from Strand road and you take the very last left to come up shielmartin rd? Know it?

maverick_21

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

Ha! I found that scenic route before....LEG KILLER

stecleary

maverick_21 wrote: »

Its the route coming up from Strand road and you take the very last left to come up shielmartin rd? Know it?

is it the one in the link?

maverick_21

stecleary wrote: »

is it the one in the link?

Nope. I cycled down and kept right along strand road and then took a left just before the green on your link image?

stecleary

maverick_21 wrote: »

Nope. I cycled down and kept right along strand road and then took a left just before the green on your link image?

as in the blue area here

bazermc

stecleary wrote: »

as in the blue area here

What's cycling in the sea like?

stecleary

bazermc wrote: »

What's cycling in the sea like?

Dark blue!!!

maverick_21

bazermc wrote: »

What's cycling in the sea like?

Yep. I cycled up that road and then took a left and left again, and then joined back with St Fintans road.

maverick_21

bazermc wrote: »

What's cycling in the sea like?

Very refreshing actually

carltonleon

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

Only if you add Windgate in as well and then straight up to the carpark. It was beautiful doing that yesterday, if you can ever call the Balkill Road beautiful. I have heard it call several other things but probably none are fit for this site !!LOL

Derrydingle

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

What gear would you take that at:-)

neris

when you come up from strand road and come to the T Junction turn right and go up the hill then take the right at the T Junction and follow carrickbrack road down to the junctions at ceanchor and windgate roads and take the left up windgate road and follow the road around to the left and up the nice little drag there

mirrormatrix

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Next time go via Howth village and keep right at the church for Balglass/Balkill Road. Much more scenic!

Did that for the first time yesterday evening. Figured it wouldn't be any steeper than the main road, but god was I wrong about that. Short but very tough climb. Will be trying to built up to a few laps on that route.

The descent down the Windgate road was absolutely terrifying! Came across a sharp left hander I was not expecting and ended up in someone's driveway on the far side of the road.

neris

mirrormatrix wrote: »

Did that for the first time yesterday evening. Figured it wouldn't be any steeper than the main road, but god was I wrong about that. Short but very tough climb. Will be trying to built up to a few laps on that route.

The descent down the Windgate road was absolutely terrifying! Came across a sharp left hander I was not expecting and ended up in someone's driveway on the far side of the road.

was that the fast sharp bend just before you come down on the big rock wheres there a fork in the road?

mirrormatrix

neris wrote: »

was that the fast sharp bend just before you come down on the big rock wheres there a fork in the road?

Sounds like it. Its here:

https://goo.gl/maps/Y7iHFjCDGhT2

Was no slow sign on the road, and what initially appeared to be a mild bend became much more acute. I got lucky that nothing was coming the other way. Makes me realise how much i rely on cues like signs on the road when descending!

neris

Thats the one, a little basterd of a climb if going the other way