Date: 15th November 2025 at 8:00

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.

Start: Ballyvolane, Co. Cork

Organiser: Mick Walsh

E-Mail: audaxnorrie@yahoo.com

All entries must be made on Eventmaster only.  An Annual or One-Day Cycling Ireland Licence is required.  One-Day Licence costs €10, this will be charged automatically on Eventmaster if you do not provide a valid current Annual Cycling Ireland Licence Number.

Eventmaster Link: Link to follow later

Entry Fee: €5 plus fees

Ride with GPS Map: Northside Lowlander Map

Facilities/Parking:

Parking in the Lidl carpark Ballyvollane T23 P270

Please park at the east end of the car park. Straight ahead as you enter.

There is a 24hr petrol station with toilet facilities 500m away from the start at the junction of Ballyhooly road and the North Ring Road.

Route Description:

Beginning in Ballyvollane on the outskirts of the northside of Cork City, the Northside Lowlander first takes you out the Ballyhooly Road before turning left towards Mallow. Some of the road surfaces in the first 7.5km are in a state of disrepair, use caution. After joining the Old Mallow Road, you will cross the N20 at Rathduff, again caution is advised. Continuing in a northwesterly direction, in view of the rail line, you will pass underneath it as you reach Mallow, which is the first control.

From there you will turn east, following the Blackwater River, crossing it in Kilavullen and leading to Fermoy, where you will pass an Inver service station which could provide a second breakfast (recommended)! There is also a bike shop 500m off route towards the town center if needed (Mike’s Bike Shop P61YE89). Entering Co. Waterford with a view down onto the Blackwater River on the way to Ballyduff you will cross the river again in Lismore (control).

Turning south in Lismore you will have your last sight of the Blackwater River and your first of the river Bride as you begin to climb to the highest point on the route, crossing the Waterford/Cork border again, (Please use extreme caution on the decent into Inch (123km) the road surface is very bad, and roadworks are somewhat in progress) before dropping  down into Killeagh (control).

From Killeagh you will turn north, towards Mogelly, catching sight of the soon (?) to be opened Midleton-Youghal Greenway on route. Arriving in Conna (control), there is a speed bump on the descent into the village, caution is advised. You will cross the river Bride again, turning west towards Rathcormac and Glenville (control) before turning south and joining up with the Ballyhooly road again which brings you back to Ballyvolane.

Controls:

Ballyvolanne ( 0km)

Mallow (36km)

Lismore (97km)

Killeagh (130km)

Conna (157.5km)

Glenville (182km)

Ballyvolanne (202km)

Shops:

There are shops at all the controls. The shops in Conna and Glenville close at 6pm however, so stocking up in Killeagh or Rathcormac (170km) may be advised.

Lighting:

As this is a winter event, proper lights are mandatory. No lights – no start.

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