Date: Saturday 25th January (Rescheduled Date)

9th January: Good evening folks, a decision has been taken to postpone Saturdays Birr 200 due to the southern section of the route still having very dangerous road conditions. We are rescheduling to Saturday 2 weeks, the 25th January pending CI approval (approved), we will confirm as soon as we get confirmation, we will also reopen entries if that suits anyone else who were trying to enter late. Ultimately rider safety is the most important thing and we hope everyone understands our reasoning for postponement. We look forward to seeing as many as possible in 2 weeks, safe cycling,
Regards Criù A Chairde
Gerry, Adrian, Peter

Please note that Winter events may be cancelled or postponed at short notice due to adverse weather conditions. In general, the Audax Ireland Committee has agreed that if a MET Eireann Weather Warning is issued for snow/ice or high winds, we will probably not proceed with an event. Warnings relating to heavy rain will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Difficulty/Climbing (from * to *****)   **

Organiser: Peter Doyle (086 1603895)

Organising Club: Wolftrap CC

Contact Address: Peter Doyle, Fancroft, Roscrea, Co.Offaly

E-Mail: birraudax@gmail.com

Entry on Eventmaster only: https://eventmaster.ie/event/o7MZuk3tLm

Optional ACP or Audax Ireland Medals €7 each

Closing Date for Entries: Tuesday 7th January 2025

Start Location: Birr Rugby Club, Birr, Co. Offaly

Start Time: 8.00am

Mandatory: Cycling Ireland Licence, Helmet and good lights.  Cycling Ireland Licence required.  If a valid Licence number is not entered on Eventmaster, a 1-day Licence will be charged automatically for €10.

Ride with GPS Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40385894

Route Description:

The Birr 200 is designed as a route suitable for winter riding, it sticks to fairly flat roads with good surfaces and has a control about every 40-50km. The biggest challenge at this time of the year is usually the weather and lack of training.

The route starts in the historic Georgian town of Birr, Co. Offaly and heads North towards Banagher where it crosses the Shannon into Co. Galway.  There is a small climb out of Eyrecourt over Redmount Hill before reaching the first control in Ballinasloe after 57km.

The next leg is fairly flat towards Loughrea and along the shores of Lough Rea and towards the foothills of the Slieve Aughty mountains where there are a few drags, but nothing too hard before reaching the second control in Portumna at 125km where you cross the Shannon again and into Co. Tipperary.

The third leg of the route heads to Moneygall for the third control at the Barack Obama Plaza at 160km.

The route follows the old Dublin – Limerick road into Roscrea and then heads back towards Birr along quiet roads via a small climb at Leap Castle.

Good lights are essential and riders will not be allowed to start without them.

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