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Post by max on Oct 10, 2013 19:07:05 GMT
Here is a possibility for Sunday as weather does not look too bad at present. Saintfield, Moneyreagh, Gilnahirk and coffee at LeMon Hotel. Back via Ballyalloly House , Ballygowan. Lots of new roads along quiet country lanes. Bit of a Magical mystery tour in parts so you would need to stick close to my wing tips to avoid getting lost. Suggest we split on getting back to Priests Bridge and let quicker ones go back via Killyleagh Downpatrick etc while direct routers go along carson town road. New coffee stop as well but Michael O'S who knows owner has negotiated a private room for us at £3.50 for very good scones and extra shortbreads, sampled them 4 weeks ago and excellent. We go up market all the time, its a 4* hotel. About 45 miles Brennans to Brennans and although no monsters there are quite a few lumps so around 3750 feet of climbing. connect.garmin.com/course/4493409
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Post by max on Oct 13, 2013 17:14:45 GMT
About 25+ at Brennans. Pat Gibney and party went out around coast and rest set off going North. Past Rowallane National Trust and into Saintfield where we realised we had lost Niall McK who had broken his chain. Continued on along the back lanes past Ballygowan and through Moneyreagh and alongside Gilnahirk golf club and then to LaMon Hotel. Thanks to Michael O'S for organising the break. A good room and all being around the same table created a great atmosphere, scones and service were excellent. The Business Development Manager is very keen to have us back so obviously we made a good impression perhaps we were not there long enough to change his opinion. Joe still felt the quality could have been better so I am now looking to plan a route going past the 5* Culloden at Cultra and as it might be a bit expensive, Joe has agreed to pay for all our scones. The Bo announced a confirmed date for Mallorca 11 to 16th so let him know of interest asap. Back along the lanes past some fine houses and again bypassing Ballygowan. Split at Priests Bridge with the thoroughbred racing team going off to Killyleagh along fast but flat roads and the trusty old workhorses going back via Carsons Town Road and the Heights (some of us) . Great weather for October and I know I am boring to keep going on about this but I say this as someone who has lived in a lot of places elsewhere, we are really blessed with the fantastic cycling countryside round here which cannot be matched anywhere else in the UK. A good day out !! Also congrats to Robin who is supposed to be resting for the next 3 months but was contesting the lead on every hill we encountered.
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Post by max on Oct 13, 2013 17:20:10 GMT
Also on my clock 44 miles 15.4 mph average and 3400 feet climbed which is much the same climbing as the Granite Run but spread out over the route
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Post by Gavin on Oct 13, 2013 20:00:15 GMT
Max, good run, legs still tight. Michael, great tea break. We are becoming very continental. Now all we need is the evening spin with the Vin Rouge
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