Around Carlow and Laois

Organiser: Seamus O’Leary

Event Date: 27th April 2024

E-Mail: seamusoleary9@gmail.com  

Entry will be on Eventmaster only. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE CORRECT “TICKET” FOR YOUR RIDE, 300KM OR 400KM !

Eventmaster Link: https://eventmaster.ie/event/qn0YHP7SQq

Entry Fee: €5

This event can also be ridden as a Permanent, on a date of your choice, by arrangement with Seamus. Please see the Permanents page for more details. https://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/

Optional ACP or Audax Ireland Medals €7 each

Closing date for entries: Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Start time 6:00 am.  5:30 am for Registration.

RWGPS Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34396306

Routesheet:

Start Location: Killeshin Community Centre (just outside Carlow town).

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 €20, and will be charged automatically on Eventmaster if you do not provide a valid current Cycling Ireland Licence Number.

Route Description:

Controls as follows: Killeshin; Templeudigan (68km); Rathvilly (136km); Clonaslee (210km); and Borris-in-Ossory (253km).

The first half of this route follows the Carlow county boundary, taking in surrounding counties and some of Carlow’s best scenery.  Starting in Killeshin village with an immediate steep 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 second half of this route cuts across Kildare into Laois.  The route flattens out for 60km in Kildare and Laois, before taking a steady climb up to The Cut.  The route then descends from the Slieve Bloom Mountains into Borris-in-Ossory, before turning east over some rolling terrain across the south of County Laois, back to Killeshin.

Numerous re-fuelling opportunities at shops along the route, particularly in Graiguenamanagh (53km), Bunclody (97km), Rathvilly (136km), Athy (163km), Mountmellick (197km), Clonaslee (210km), Borris-in-Ossory (253km) and Abbeyleix (275km).

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