Inaugural Piranha “Fish Out of Water” cycle sportive.

Date: Sunday 23rd June, 9am. Perfect timing between Dunmore and Kilkee!

Location: Starting in Newry (just over one hour from Dublin)

Full route is 155km with seven climbs:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/215945089

There is an option of half distance with four climbs.

There will also be a (somewhat handicapped) King of the Mountains award to see who is the club’s big fish!

You must be prepared for a challenging but rewarding day in the saddle, featuring a magnificent seven climbs. Some nutrition/hydration will be provided at several of the cols (4, 6 & 7), and a support vehicle will be there to carry spares & track pump, give directions and pick up stragglers and strugglers. Coffee and buns in Warrenpoint at 90km, with a late ‘lunch’ in Newry upon completion (both self-provided).

Cost: FOC! But entrants are encouraged to give a small donation on behalf of Newry Hospice. Open to all Piranha members and friends of Piranha. Please post interest but note all entrants must be confirmed by email by Friday 21st June

Description of Climbs:

1. Long woman’s grave: a good warm up of about 4km; some decent ramps with plenty of false flats for recovery.

2. TV tower (southern approach): about 5km total with a steep start for about 1.5km, followed by some false flat then a steady 6% to the col where it kicks up for the last few hundred metres to the summit. (Caution on the descent; road surface is patchy and the final sector is steep and ends in a T junction!)

3. Slieve Gullion: just over 5km of climbing in the forest drive with a super-steep first 500m, followed by a flat kilometre then a series of steep enough ramps for about 3km to the summit. Interesting descent with a couple of little surprises to keep the climbing legs working!

4. TV tower (northern approach): return via the descent taken earlier. Steep start for about 2km then a gradual, sweeping climb to the col before the same kick up to the summit. (Again, caution on the descent; similar road surface and T junction)

5. Reed Hall: very steady 6km climb of about 4%. Generally easy enough in the big ring, but the legs will be feeling it now.

6. Spelga dam: Another 5km climb, this time starting very steady, kicking up to some steep S bends then a straight 2km climb at around 7-8% to the dam, before a relatively shallow finish to the col.

7. Kilbroney: aka ‘the little beast’. An easy entrance into the forest park, then a sharp right turn onto the climb proper. Steep for about 1.75km, all the way to the top (think Dolomites!). Tough climbing at any time but at the end of a long day…?

Looking forward to a good day out. Excellent training for Beast of the East!