Date: 24th May 2025
Closing date for Entries: Tuesday 20th May 2025
Start: Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Organiser: Mark Hodnett
E-Mail: audaxirl.mark@gmail.com
All entries must be made on Eventmaster only. Cycling Ireland Licence is required. One-day Licence is available for €10 if required, this will be charged automatically on Eventmaster if you do not provide a valid current Cycling Ireland Licence Number.
Eventmaster Link: Link to follow later
Entry Fee:
Ride with GPS Maps below:
Day 1: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44407892
Day 2: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44408175
Facilities/Parking:
Route Description:
The West Cork 600 takes you over some coastal and inland roads. It’s a tough 600 with grippy road surfaces and some steep climbs, but it also has some of the best views in Ireland. The route is split into two loops starting and ending in Skibbereen in West Cork. This allows you to come back to a base after the first day.
Day 1 is 370km, with 4220m of elevation.
The first loop is 370km and takes in some of the Wild Atlantic Way, taking you down to Mizen Head, Sheeps Head, Castletownbere and Kenmare. From there, we come back inland to Millstreet. We then climb over the famous “Butter Road”. This rote was used by travelers from Kerry to Cork taking butter to the Cork Butter Market. From there, we pass by Coachford, Beal Na Blath (where Michael Collins was shot), Enniskeane and back to Skibbereen through quiet roads.
Day 1 Controls: Skibbereen, Mizen Head, Kilcrohane, Castletownbere, Millstreet, Beal Na Blath (Centra or a picture of the monument), Skibbereen.
Day 2 is 231km with 3100m of elevation.
Day 2 brings you on some hidden gems inland. We start again from Skibbereen on quiet roads to Bantry. From there, we go inland and pass through the village of Inchigeela and on to the town of Macroom. From there, we are back on quiet roads and pass “The Gearagh”, which is a woodland and nature reserve. In 1954 to facilitate the building of hydro-electric dams, the area was flooded, but you can still see bridges and old settlements in the reservoir. From here, we go cross-country to Innishannon and Kinsale. The return is mainly coastal roads back, passing through the Old Head of Kinsale, Timoleague, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Glandore and Unionhall before arriving back at Skibbereen.
Day 2 Controls: Skibbereen, Bantry, Macroom, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Skibbereen