Western Grandeur 600

Event Date: Saturday 2nd August 2024

Start time: 6:00am, Sign-on from 5:30am

Start Location: Claremorris, Co. Mayo

Closing Date for entries: 29th July 2025

Organising Club: Audax Ireland

Organiser: Darragh Delaney

E-Mail: darragh.delaney@gmail.com

Difficulty/Climbing (from * to *****): ****

A 600km Audax route consisting of a 400km and a 200km loop. Total elevation is around 4800m making it an ideal event if you are targeting your first 600km or a seasoned randonneur looking to complete another SR.

Travel: Claremorris is at the heart of the west, making it very accessible to many parts of the country.

  • by Road – If traveling from Dublin, take the motorway to Tuam. Claremorris is 15 minutes from this point. Journey time from Dublin (Lucan Spa Hotel) is 2hr 20mins. Claremorris is on N17 so decent roads from the south or north.
  • by Rail – Multiple options from Dublin Heuston. If traveling from the south, a change is needed at Portarlington or Tullamore. https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/
  • by Air – Knock airport is a 20 min drive, with many flights serving the UK and beyond. Shannon Airport is a 90-minute drive, mostly via motorway.

All entries must be made on Eventmaster only.  Cycling Ireland Licence is mandatory.  One Event 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 Entry Link: Link to follow later

Entry fee: €5 plus Eventmaster Fees

Optional ACP or Audax Ireland Medals €7 each, can be ordered on Eventmaster.

RidewithGPS Map (DRAFT, subject to change): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49040936

Parking/Facilities: Free parking at the event start line. Navigate to Claremorris Railway Station car park. There is a 2m barrier so if you have a tall van or campervan, park at Aldi, Lidl, or Tesco car parks. If using supermarket car parks, please park discreetly away from the main entrances. On-street parking and parking at SuperValu is pay per hour.

Route Description:

Road surfaces are generally good. Caution on descents and watch out for sheep. Short sectors on N roads, so be smart if traveling in a group. 

From the base at Claremorris, you head west. The roads are mostly flat to start, so you have a chance to get a nice warm-up done. The first site of significance you pass is Ballintubber Abbey. The Abbey was built in 1216 in the Hiberno Romanesque style, characterized by the chevron archivolts and foliate capitals of the three light-transitional windows to the east.

Next, you will head past the shores of Lough Mask before tackling the first climb, which is known locally as Lallys Mountain. This is a good challenge that goes on for a few km. Be careful on the descent, as you have sharp corners and sheep to watch out for. The right-hand bend 300m from the top is one to be extra cautious with.

Next up, you have Westport, and from there, you head west along the shore of Clew Bay. Croagh Patrick will be to your left as you make your way towards Louisburgh, an ideal spot for breakfast. Westport may also be a food stop for full-value cyclists. The Westport to Louisburgh road can be busy so don’t get too distracted by the beautiful scenery.

Head south from Louisburgh and through the stunning Doo Lough valley. It is an amazing piece of road, but it has a tragic past; there is a cross built in memory of the victims of the “Doolough Tragedy”. Watch out for it on the left-hand side. From there, you travel to Leenaun around one of the many fjords in the area. Leenaun is a small village with a shop and café. The route now brings you deep into Connemara following the coastline as you pass through Tully and Cleggan. Just before Clifden, you will go up and over Sky Road, a short climb with amazing views. Clifden is also an ideal location for lunch or dinner.

4km to the south of Clifden, you come close to the Alcock and Brown Memorial. Built to commemorate the first transatlantic flight, it was achieved in 1919 with the arrival of a Vickers-Vimy biplane. You keep following the Atlantic coastline from here through Roundstone, Carna, Kilkieran, and Camus. Full-value riders will bear witness to golden hour and sunset across Galway Bay. You will be right in the middle of the Gaeltacht and signposts may be in Irish, Kilkieran/Cill Chiaráin for example.

As you get closer to Costelloe/Cashla, be sure to top up on supplies and take food options where you see them. While the countryside is beautiful, it is remote so don’t leave yourself short. After Cashla, you will hit the second big climb on the route at Shannapheasteen. Most riders will do this in the dark, so be careful. The descent brings you into Oughterard, where you turn left and head north on the N59. A busy stretch of road during the day, but you only have 16.5km to cover before you turn right at Maam Cross. A short climb brings you into Maam, where you turn right and then start following the shores of Lough Corrib. A relatively flat run brings you through Cong and Headford before returning to base at Claremorris.

When you arrive and how long you stay in Claremorris is entirely up to you. Garages start to open at 8am if you do need to stock up on supplies. The route now heads north on the N17 for a short distance. You will pass through Kiltimagh and Swinford before hitting the windy gap climb beside Lough Talt. Ballina is an ideal stop for breakfast with a couple of options as you pass through the town. From here, you head to the most northerly point on the route at Ballycastle before heading south through Crossmolina.

The last major climb is a leg stinger, but it is short, the windy gap into Castlebar. Once you get through Castlebar, it’s a fairly flat route to home, passing through Balla village. A few shops along the way if you need some last-minute top-ups. The homeward leg takes you through Mayo Abbey and back to base at Claremorris.

Accommodation suggestions

Hotels & Guest Houses

Other B&Bs and Airbnbs may be available

Campervans

Pats Aire (5km from town) – https://park4night.com/en/place/157117

N17 Campervan stopover (4km from town) – https://www.facebook.com/N17CamperStopover/

Long-distance cycling in Ireland