PERMANENT ROUTE ONLY
Organiser: Seamus O’Dowd
Phone: 085 1740747
E-Mail: seamusodowd10@gmail.com
A new perm for MTB’s
The challenge is to complete this 312km Audax route on an MTB bike. My recommendation, minimum of front suspension, 45c tyres and bike has to be Human powered only !
Starting in Ballina beside the Cathedral and the river Moy it follows the route of the Mayo XTRM for the first 200km and then an easy 100km extra in the Ox Mountains back to Ballina.
Start in Ballina and first through Belleek Woods for a view of the concrete boat.
On through Killala and after Palmerstown Bridge another offroad section at 22km, next Ballycastle at 32km and the Western Way. By the time you reach Moygownagh Centra (well stocked and a hot deli) at 73km it will be time to refuel. Do a U turn to continue and the route is mostly flat to the Bothy at 114km, this is Wild Nephin so nothing here only shelter, fresh air, trees and hills all around but the gravel roads are excellent. More gravel takes you through Wild Nephin Wilderness area and some fine views as you circle Nephin Mountain and on to Lahardaun at 141km. Fuel up here, or it is only a further 24km to Foxford at 165km. After Foxford you are heading to the grassy knoll at 172km, on a wet day it might be a bit sticky. Bonnifinglas Wood at 175km is another chance to hear that crisp sound gravel that MTB tyres make. Through Attymass and on to good gravel bog roads above Bunnyconnellan for some fine views of the Ox Mountains . Continue on The Sligo Way above Lough Talt at 196km, more fine gravel roads to Joe Dans at 212km. Aclare next at 216km and rivers Moy & Maiden to Tubbercurry at 235km mean the terrain is quite flat. Spar & SuperValu open to 10pm to refuel and also a few takeaways to 1am, last stop before the finish. Leaving Tubbercurry takes you on to Masshill, Ox Mountains, Lough Easky and Kings Mountain. Bunnyconellan at 304km and it’s a nice (Tar) 8km to the finish. Recommended starts Ballina or Tubbercurry. Route is 50/50 on/off road.
See also
- Antrim 300
- Banner 5-County 300
- Carlingford 300
- Criu a Chairde 300
- Dying Sow (permanent)
- Innisfree 300
- Joe Dolan 300
- Killeshin 300
- Midlands 300
- Monaghan Presbytery 300
- Pale Rider 300
- Priests Leap & Devils Elbow 300
- Surf & Turf 300
- The Quiet Man 300
- Three Provinces 300
- Three Rivers 300
- Western MTB 312