Organiser: Seamus O’Leary

Event Date: 2nd September 2023

E-Mail: seamusoleary9@gmail.com

Entry on Eventmaster only: Link to follow

Entry fee €5

Optional ACP or Audax Ireland Medals €7 each

Closing date for entries: Tuesday 29th August 2023

Start time 8.00 am.  7.30 for Registration.

RidewithGPS Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32017847

Start Location: Killeshin Community Centre, Killeshin, Co. Laois

Facilities/Parking: Parking available at and/or nearby community centre.

Helmets and Cycling Ireland Licence are mandatory. One-day Licence is available if required, cost €10, and will be charged on Eventmaster if you do not provide a valid current Cycling Ireland Licence Number.

Route Description:

Start/Finish: Killeshin Community Centre (just outside Carlow town)

Controls (and stops for re-fuelling) as follows: Killeshin; Graignamanagh (59km); Bunclody (103km); and Crookstown (165km).

The route follows the Carlow county boundary, taking in surrounding counties and some of Carlow’s best scenery.  Starting in Killeshin village with a steady climb to the top of Rossmore Hill for good views across Carlow, the route then descends quickly to cross the River Barrow.  The second climb of the route comes before Graignamanagh, Co Kilkenny leading to great views of the entire Blackstairs Mountain range.  Rolling hills along the Carlow boundaries with Wexford and Wicklow are broken up with views of Mount Leinster, the Slaney River and Lugnaquilla.  With nearly 1,800m climbed after 150km, the last section through Kildare and Laois is relatively flat.

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