|
|
Post by max on Jun 15, 2014 21:11:38 GMT
As I mentioned at AGM I am thinking of a Sunday route starting in Carlingford. Suggesting getting away around 8 am and getting to carlingford for 9.30 start. would need to double up on cars to drive down there. Route would be up to Clermont Cairn at top of Black mountain at 500 metres and higher and steeper than Spelga. Down along steep and bending roads and then across to Slieve Gullion park and climb halfway up Gullion and then back along country lanes. About 55 miles and around 5000 feet climbing with up to 18% going up to Cairn but absolutely stunning views. We can go at steady pace which is all I can go at anyway, so we can accommodate most people but not suitable for relative beginners. Probably about 4 to 5 hours hours of cycling and may need to take own food as do not know any specific suitable cafes. Could order food for end of ride or just come back to local pub for food and a a few beers. whatever it will probably be at least 4 pm before we get back. Just need to know if there is sufficient interest to plan this as there is a fair amount of work involved. Let me know on club forum site or email maxdavis@tiscali.co.uk or text 07816 367404 as to whether you are seriously interested and when you are on holiday as would try and choose best date. I have quite a bit on this year so need to work around that. At present 13th July looks not a bad date before main holiday season starts otherwise may need to push later into year. Will need a good day to do this ride because of the difficult terrain. On a fair weather day this would be a very good ride indeed. So let me know asap
|
|
|
|
Post by marty mullan on Jun 16, 2014 12:03:48 GMT
Sounds good max, hopefully I be there.
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Jun 20, 2014 18:34:32 GMT
So far a small but select group have responded. Marty mullan, Ollie, John F, Sam Kane, Niall Cochrane, Brian Bailie, Robin/Molly Ann, Tracey, Hayley. Thats 10 bikes including mine which makes it worthwhile. I am proposing 10 August at present with 17th August as backup as a dry day is essential. Am starting to plan now, so I would much appreciate provisional confirmation from anyone else who is interested as numbers will effect suitable refreshment stops during and after the event, possibly the route and also am looking at possibility of a minibus hire. If the latter comes to pass I will take seats in order of notifying me if numbers are tight for the bus. So responses asap please. Many thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by traceypriestley on Jun 20, 2014 19:27:02 GMT
Can you get the Bus the whole way round Max?
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Jun 20, 2014 19:53:36 GMT
Aagh Just noticed its Dromara Hilly/ Sportive on 10th august and 17th is Killinchy 150k Is 10th August still ok for all current candidates 24th is Sean Kelly Not sure who is doing that and I cannot do 31st So we would be pushing into september otherwise
|
|
|
|
Post by annesandford on Jun 29, 2014 17:16:45 GMT
COUNT ME IN MAX THANKS - ANNE SANDFORD
|
|
|
|
Post by dj on Jun 29, 2014 21:17:47 GMT
13 July is Shimna sportive
but let club do our own thing
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Jul 4, 2014 20:21:27 GMT
Update on current plans. With lots of other things happening on a number of Sundays, I am going to go for 10th August and the fall back if bad weather is 17th August, but do not want that as it is Killinchy's sportive. Suggested to Mrs D that she would enjoy a day out again in Carlingford and by chance we drove round the route ! Finalised the route which would be about 53 miles and 5000 feet of climbing.
Starts in Carlingford and makes its way around Carlingford Mountain and then up the Valley past Long Womans Grave before starting an extremely testing 2 miles at around average 12% peaking at 18% to the TV mast at Clermont Cairn on top of the Black Mountain. Views on way up are absolutely stunning if you have the energy to look up. This is followed by a hazardous descent which has a number of large potholes, sharp bends and 18% sections and will require extreme caution and dry weather. It is marked on the road with hazard signs for a sportive by CCC which I think is Cuchulainn CC in Dundalk so it is used by cyclists. I have driven down it twice now and know what to expect so would lead and shout warnings. Then a flatter section along country lanes until reaching Slieve Gullion Forest Park . It has a cafe and I have discussed with them the possibility of ringing them in advance to order scones. Then a cycle through the park on a superb smooth tarmac road which is a one way system and again hits 18% in parts. This goes about two thirds of way up Slieve Gullion with magnificent views. We walked last third to the top but will give that a miss on our outing. Then back along quiet lanes before a last steady climb into the top of the valley before descending down back to Carlingford.
I have discussed with the oldest hostelry in Carlingford the possibility of having a meal and a couple of jars on our return and they can reserve an area for us if we wish. Also have contacted Kilmore coach hire and can get a 26 seater coach for £300 which can take seats out to store some bikes or for another £80 to have a van as well to take all the bikes so say between £15 to £25 per head depending on numbers. We could pick up at Kilmore , Brennans, Dundrum aand then through Castlewellan to Newry. Would be looking to start around 7.30 to 7.45 to get cycling by 9.30. Route time with coffee break and break points to look at views and to recover will be about 5 hours as down sections in places will be as slow as going up and we will go at pace of slowest riders. So back to Carlingford at about 2.30 ish. Meal 1 hour and then return home for about 5 pm ish.
Current members who have expressed an interest are Myself, Ann, Marty M, Olly, John F, Sam Kane, Niall C, Brian B, Robin , Molly Ann, Tracey, Hayley, Brian McC, Shane, Chris Reid, Peter B, Michael O's, Dermot and Dylan. Thats 19 in all, sorry if I have left anyone out. I would really appreciate some feedback as soon as possible as to anyone else who might want to come, also for those coming whether you would want to avail of the coach transport or drive down yourself and if so can you take any other people or bikes with you. Also whether you agree with meal in Carlingford or prefer to come back closer to home for a get together. I am going to be away in GB several times over the next month and also it will be very busy in August so need to put name down on bus and pub if that is what we decide so I want to make decisions and finalise things asap.
If we get good weather( and for safety reasons dry roads are essential) , I can promise you the most interesting route we have done on a Sunday in my time at the club.
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Jul 9, 2014 19:55:40 GMT
Further update on Carlingford. We are now up to a possible 25 people. If you are interested and have not told me yet , please do so as soon as possible and if you know of people who do not use computer , please let them know. I have been investigating and indeed measuring buses and seeing how we can transport bikes safely. Have a bus to take 26 people and an auxiliary bus in which seats can be removed to fit in bikes. Will need everyone to bring a blanket/towel and cushion so we can ensure bikes are not damaged and will also be able to tie them down to fixing brackets. To get all bikes we there will need a couple of cars to take bikes as well and Shane and Olly have already expressed a desire to do this. With bike loading I would like to be at Kilmore at about 7.15 ish Need to be certain that we have enough people committed to the bus hire as I have provisionally booked two buses. Do not want bus owner , me or club being faced with a bill which cannot be met, so would be very appreciative if everyone apart from Olly and Shane put a deposit of £20 down and give to me or give to someone to pass on, on a Sunday within the next two weeks. If after that time we do not have enough subscribers to make it worthwhile I will cancel the booking. Final cost will be no more than £25 and hopefully the £20 will suffice. Am going for food in Carlingford as it will provide a good social finish to ride and I think if we wait till getting back home , people will drift off. Need to plan for potential delays so lets say back 6 ish. Date definitely 10th August.
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Jul 23, 2014 8:05:17 GMT
Still only have 10 people who have paid money for bus so am not able to reserve a bus yet. Would really appreciate payment of £20 this week from those who are coming. Will make my life much easier if I can fix more or less exact numbers as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Aug 5, 2014 15:49:11 GMT
Forecast bad for carlingford. Final decision Friday. Start time at kilmore coach hire at 7.15. On main rd through kilmore on right if coming from Brennan's. by the pub. Can park cars there for the day. Would prefer just one load point to simplify things but could accommodate pick ups if essential. can drop off at castlewelan and Brennan's on way back. Will take a bit of time to load, bring cushions and blankets and twine to protect your bike and take pedals off in advance if possible. Looking to be in carlingford by 9.15. Start point car park by tourist office. By rubbish bins and toilets !! On right about 300 yards after going under bridge and next to town centre also parking along road just out side car park. Cafe will need sterling. And meal in carlingford euros. Will bring copy maps so can opt to take easier routes back if necessary. Meal at carlingford will try and book a pub area but there is an oyster festival but nominally ok Cycled route and probably back about 3.30 ish. Meal then home. So maybe 6 to 6.30 ish home. On coach I have Gerry Paul barney ann john f Brian b. robin Hayley Tracey Christ r Keiran Damien Sam k. Niall c. Peter b. Dylan. Johnny and me. By car. Marty m. Olly . Brian mcc. Michael o,s. Dermot. John m Niall mc. Catherine. Please let me know if anyone else is coming or anyone pulling out. Bus working out at at £25 on current numbers plus tips. Two buses one for passengers and one bikes. Insurance covered for road accidents for bikes on bus !!
|
|
|
|
Post by max on Aug 8, 2014 13:17:32 GMT
I am afraid weather forecast remains grim for Sunday. Rain from 10 oclock and even possible thunderstorms and the top of a mountain is not a great place to be in those conditions. So carlingford postponed. Could do 17th but weather looks unsettled on 10 day forecast, it is Killinchys first sportive and I am away most of next week and at a wedding on Friday so not able to make on/off decisions so overall not a good day. 24th is Sean Kelly and I am away on the 31st. So perhaps the 7th or the 14th september but no later as nights draw in. Can get decent weather in early September. If worst comes to worst, we can do it next spring as the route deserves and needs a good weather day. Let me know if you cannot make 7th or 14th or indeed if you can now come and also any other suggestions. You can have £20 back if you wish but otherwise I will keep unless we postpone to next year. Its Dromara Hilly this weekend but storms forecast here as well so if we go out suggest just Daft Eddies or Castle Espie.
|
|
