Organiser: Paul O’Donoghue

Address: 12 Tinnapark, Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow

Entry Fee: €5 (cash/cheque/PO)

€5 PayPal – to paypal@audaxireland.org

Download Entry Form New Entry Forms

CI Licence required, 1-day Licence available for €5.

Closing Date for Entries:

Start Point: Bray Wheelers Clubhouse, Bray, Co Wicklow

The Dying Sow is an extension of the Dying Cow.

“The Dying Cow is a a solid 200, not flat certainly, but nowhere near as unrelentingly brutal as the Mick Byrne 200. Starting with a fast run down the coast road from Bray, the route turns inland before Rathnew over the first undulations to Laragh, then over the hills to Greenane, through Ballinaclash and on to Aughrim.  Following the river road to Aughavanna Bridge, the hills start increasing in size as you push west to Hackettstown and the control at the community centre. Then comes the first serious challenge of the day – the viciously steep climb by the eponymous “Dying Cow” pub. If you can make it up this without resorting to your granny gear, you are a grimpeur indeed.  You have the opportunity to recover on the next stretch through Shillelagh and on to Coolboy before tackling the ascent to the old Wicklow Gap. The remainder of the ride offers few challenges, passing through Arklow, Rathdrum and Rathnew on the way back up to Bray, with the Windgates Hill as a sting in the tail for the weary.”

It would be hard to surpass Eoghan’s florid description of the Dying Cow above, except to add that the 300 splits from the 200 at Shillelagh(114km) and rejoins at 219km. In the meantime it follows a path through Clonegal and Myshal to the Barrow Valley at Bagnelstown. Then it’s down the valley to Goresbridge before turning for the Blackstairs and the lofty heights of Mt Leinster, never a bundle of laughs with 180k in the legs. Following a well earned descent to Bunclody it’s back across the county line to Carnew and home via 200 route.

Permanent Ride

If riding this route as a Permanent ride on a date of your own choice, please pay the €5 Entry fee to paypal@audaxireland.org and contact Paul at podluna@gmail.com to make arrangements.