The Dawn Raid is a permanent / non-calendar event that is an excuse for randonneurs living around the Meath flatlands to visit Wicklow for some hills.

Starting in Kilmessan, Co Meath, it travels through Maynooth and Straffan and on to Blessington, around the Poulaphouca Reservoir, and the granite village of Ballyknockan. Then begins the first main climb of the day, the Wicklow Gap and down into Laragh village, a good place for a break.

The second big climb is up to Sally Gap via Glenmacnass waterfall. After the long descent to Manor Kilbride, the short but sharp climb of Cupidstown / The Lamb Hill, the road is relatively flat back through Straffan, Kilcock, Summerhill and Trim.

There is about 2000m of climbing on the route – the first and last 70km are relatively flat, with most of the climbing concentrated in the middle 70km.

How to enter :
Send €6 to: paypal@audaxireland.org
Fill in the Entry Forms and send to: patrick.doocey@gmail.com

Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16686978

Thanks to Daniel O’Sullivan for the photos below

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