Sportive Mk II

Given the interest in the inaugural Piranha “Fish Out of Water” cycle sportive in June, and the fact that the timing wasn’t ideal for many people (racing calendar, climbing fitness etc.), we are delighted to announce a re-run of the event.

There will be a handicapped King of the Mountains award to see who succeeds Casso as the club’s big fish! (Although he insists on people calling him “Your Majesty”, he is exempted from the competition; he will, however, be used as the base line for the handicap system and no doubt will be there as someone to chase/watch disappear over the horizon). Competition details to follow…

See Casso’s excellent race report to pique your desire to climb:

http://cloverock.info/piranha/oldsite/news/reports/1085-race-report-fish-out-of-water-sportif

Date Sunday 18th August, 9am. Perfect timing for Kenmare training!

Starting in Newry (just over one hour from Dublin)

Full route is 155km with seven climbs:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/332353080

There is an option of half distance with four climbs.

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 (3, 4 & 6), 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! Open to all Piranha members and friends of Piranha. Please post interest but note all entrants must be confirmed by email by Wed 14st August (greggyc at icloud dot com)

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 (10%+) for about 1km, followed by some false flat then a steady 7-8% 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, or kill them off completely!

4. TV tower (northern approach): return via the descent taken earlier. V steep start for about 1.5km 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 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 1.5km, all the way to the top (think Dolomites!). Really tough climbing at any time but at the end of a long day…?

Looking forward to another good day out (this time without the strong winds!),

Greg