Mt Leinster Mast - too much for me

BGT

Nine stones to Mt Leinster, very pleasant, fan views, excellent road surface - bliss. But then I tried the bit to the Mast, again excellent surface but gradient got me. Did first bit but seeing the last rise to the Mast made me (shamefully) turn around. I've done some legendary climbs and today was a first. Is it just me or have others had the same experience??

thebourke

never cycled...whats the average gradient?

devonp

according to Strava from the barrier to the mast


https://www.strava.com/segments/700788 :eek:

Carawaystick

From the ground, up to the 9 stones and up to the top is more than half the Tourmalet

Wishbone Ash

In fairness, it's one of the toughest climbs in the country and you have to do a good bit of climbing just to get to the gates to the mast road.

at1withmyself

Similar experience on priest's leap limb. 3 attempts now.:
1 had to stop half way and turn back to admit defeat, 2 other times made the top but stopped along the way. New gearing on current bike and itching to get back and make it in 1 go.

BGT wrote: »

Nine stones to Mt Leinster, very pleasant, fan views, excellent road surface - bliss. But then I tried the bit to the Mast, again excellent surface but gradient got me. Did first bit but seeing the last rise to the Mast made me (shamefully) turn around. I've done some legendary climbs and today was a first. Is it just me or have others had the same experience??

Wishbone Ash

at1withmyself wrote: »

Similar experience on priest's leap limb. 3 attempts now.:....

I managed Priest's Leap on the first attempt (from Cork side) without putting a foot down but it's insanely difficult. By far the most difficult I've ever done and a climb I've no desire ever to return to. It has to be much worse than Mount Leinster but other's disagree. It also has a much crappier surface than Mount Leinster.

ford2600

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I managed Priest's Leap on the first attempt (from Cork side) without putting a foot down but it's insanely difficult. By far the most difficult I've ever done and a climb I've no desire ever to return to. It has to be much worse than Mount Leinster but other's disagree. It also has a much crappier surface than Mount Leinster.

Mount Leinster is harder. There is no let up, there is downhill sections on PL which allow recovery from the ramps.

Climbing those things is primarily in the head. I'm 83kg or so and not much of a climber but I've done all those climbs on very long days. ML was halfway into a 250km spin and PL was done twice on 300km audax.

Being stubborn and eating elephant one bite at a time are what you really need.

OP you didn't climb it this time, get stronger and go back before winter and do it. Be careful on descent it's not simple

Wishbone Ash

ford2600 wrote: »

.... there is downhill sections on PL which allow recovery from the ramps...

I think that's what makes it more difficult - I'd prefer a constant steep gradient.

(I wouldn't call them' downhills' as such, more like a short plummet before the next 20%+ ramp! )

Plastik

The climb up the access road to the Mt. Leinster mast is an absolute beast. It was the closest I've come in years to having to bail on a climb, but I couldn't, I was the fascination of various groups of walkers. Nearly put my back out trying to haul the 39x25 to the top. I found it much more difficult than either side of Priests Leap.

Irish Raven

Plastik wrote:

The climb up the access road to the Mt. Leinster mast is an absolute beast. It was the closest I've come in years to having to bail on a climb, but I couldn't, I was the fascination of various groups of walkers. Nearly put my back out trying to haul the 39x25 to the top. I found it much more difficult than either side of Priests Leap.

Ouch....unless you 20kg....your knees hate you for going up in a 39x25 🀣😂

iwillhtfu

Tried it on both the road bike and the MTB the climb isn't particularly enjoyable on either but the offroad down on the MTB is bliss. I would imagine the down on the road bike wouldn't be much fun unless you've a serious pair of plumbs you'll be on the brakes the majority of the way down.

loyatemu

ford2600 wrote: »

Be careful on descent it's not simple

Looks straightforward enough :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJcYWXkt9UE

iwillhtfu

loyatemu wrote: »

Looks straightforward enough :pac:

There's a nasty cattle grid half way down that you will hit at speed and it's not your typical cattle grid this thing would keep elephants out the gaps are that wide.

Wishbone Ash

iwillhtfu wrote: »

There's a nasty cattle grid half way down that you will hit at speed and it's not your typical cattle grid this thing would keep elephants out the gaps are that wide.

It also has several metal strips which run in the direction of travel.

Franz Von Peppercorn

loyatemu wrote: »

Looks straightforward enough :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJcYWXkt9UE

The scurrying pedestrians would beg to differ.

dastardly00

Walked up to the mast last week... Tough even on foot.

I shall return some day on the bike!

ford2600

Weepsie wrote: »

The descent video would put me off. I'd be going a hell of a lot slower than that.

See here
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=86140300&postcount=7

Davyation

I cycled up to the Mount Leinster mast this summer and it was terribly hard going in a 42x23. It turned out to be great craic though as there was a school tour walking up to the mast, and I had kids running alongside, cheering and clapping (totally taking the pi$$). Other than that I'd probably have turned around :')

magicbastarder

Davyation wrote: »

it was terribly hard going in a 42x23

you don't say!

wanderer 22

It's my white whale - the only climb I've ever had to dismount on. I shall return!

Wishbone Ash

Weepsie wrote: »

The descent video would put me off. I'd be going a hell of a lot slower than that.

The surface is much better now than in that footage.

Davyation wrote: »

I cycled up to the Mount Leinster mast this summer and it was terribly hard going in a 42x23....

42x23! :eek: Sweet mother of Jesus!

And I was in awe of Sean Kelly getting over the Gap of Mamore in a 42x21 and it wouldn't be as difficult as Mount Leinster.

I suppose someone will be along shortly who did it on a fixie.

iwillhtfu

Davyation wrote: »

I cycled up to the Mount Leinster mast this summer and it was terribly hard going in a 42x23. It turned out to be great craic though as there was a school tour walking up to the mast, and I had kids running alongside, cheering and clapping (totally taking the pi$$). Other than that I'd probably have turned around :')

Either these are yours or you're telling porky pies

mloc123

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

The scurrying pedestrians would beg to differ.

Yeah... I dunno, I feel if you are sharing a route like that with walkers you should be considerate and not almost plough through them.

De Bhál

I cycled to the mast a couple of summers ago, I didn't put a foot down but I was zig zagging back and forth for about 5mins.

Toughest climb I've done- I was doing a fair bit of club and open racing at the time so was in pretty good shape for it. There's a bit of a mental barrier to get over as well as it's so bad at times.

View off the top was great.

The descent is no fun at all especially if like me you're a bit yellow. Bike just takes off as soon as you release the brakes.

No chance I'd make it up there at the moment without stopping and walking.



Looking down over The Blackstairs and Brandon Hill off to the right background

route66

I haven't done Mt. Leinster but I did manage to struggle up Mhionnain (aka Minaun) in Achill Island once - Strava link. It looks a little less steep than Mt. Leinster but longer.



Anyone out there done both? I'd be interested in the comparison.

wanderer 22

Weepsie wrote: »

The descent video would put me off. I'd be going a hell of a lot slower than that.

Alek and I descended in the rain, our disc rotors were red hot at the bottom..pretty terrifying descent :eek:

mhiggy09

route66 wrote: »

I haven't done Mt. Leinster but I did manage to struggle up Mhionnain (aka Minaun) in Achill Island once - Strava link. It looks a little less steep than Mt. Leinster but longer.



Anyone out there done both? I'd be interested in the comparison.

I've also done Minaun, hardest climb I've ever done and it was the second day of a Connemara/achill tour which really didn't help as I was knackered. Didn't even get to put a foot down as I just fell straight over..... One of my embarrassing moments as a car was behind me. I will definitely be back to take it on again.

I have only walked up to the Mt Leinster mast and even that was a struggle personally I'd say the Mt Leinster climb is alot harder due to the fact the amount of climbing needed to get to the gate alone and then the steepness of the climb to, and it's relentless, on Minaun there's abit of a rest after the first long step section.

loyatemu

the "toughest climb in Ireland" spreadsheet has Mt Leinster at #1 and Minaun at #3:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ElqKjY8GMgqLqbtfFJYW0lnKTf3_LgZ5r0zxwAm6wS0/edit#gid=0

Wishbone Ash

De Bh107907887 wrote:

....

Looking down over The Blackstairs and Mount Brandon off to the right background

Mount Brandon? Isn't that in Kerry?

De Bhál

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Mount Brandon? Isn't that in Kerry?

yep, you're right. I should've said Brandon Hill. Highest point in Kilkenny going by a quick search.

I'll go back and update it.

Weirdview

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Mount Brandon? Isn't that in Kerry?

You can see for miles.

Consey

Did Mt Leinster a few years ago on the Trek 1.2. Just about kept the cranks turning. Biggest downside (literally) was coming back down, as the Sora brakes could not hold the bike back.... Or maybe that was my bulk....

Did the Priests Leap from both sides albeit on a better bike. Found Mt Leinster harder and more unrelenting.

Again, I found the descents of Priests Leap scary......

Know a strong cyclist who has completed the Marmotte etc and who has yet to conquer Mt Leinster after 3 attempts...

Plastik

mhiggy09 wrote: »

I've also done Minaun, hardest climb I've ever done and it was the second day of a Connemara/achill tour which really didn't help as I was knackered. Didn't even get to put a foot down as I just fell straight over..... One of my embarrassing moments as a car was behind me. I will definitely be back to take it on again.

I have only walked up to the Mt Leinster mast and even that was a struggle personally I'd say the Mt Leinster climb is alot harder due to the fact the amount of climbing needed to get to the gate alone and then the steepness of the climb to, and it's relentless, on Minaun there's abit of a rest after the first long step section.

Relentless, that's actually how I described it to anyone that asked afterwards. I didn't even get to enjoy the views at the top because the cloud was down. The descent is equally as tricky but for different reasons, conscious of now wanting to melt the brake blocks, but when you release the brake you pick up speed at an ungodly rate.

Luxman

I did minaun last month. Cruel. It just goes on and on. It was a cracking day and the views are breathtaking. Coming down is nerve shredding. Bike just zips away when you ease off the brakes. Loads of sheep around which makes it more treacherous