Date: Not scheduled as a Calendar event

Available to ride as a Permanent, by arrangement with the Organiser.

Please read this page for details of Permanent rides https://www.audaxireland.org/audax/permanents/

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

Organiser: Stephen Gallagher (Slieve Gullion Wheelers)

Contact details: stephenpg@hotmail.co.uk

2 Wilton Grove, Millvale Road, Newry, Co. Down BT35 7EU

Phone – 0044 (0)28 30260014
Mobile – 0044 (0) 773 417 1516

Start point: Newry Hockey Club, Belfast Road, Newry

Facilities:  Free car parking at Hockey Club and overspill car park 300-400m away. Showering facilities/tea and sandwiches available at end of event.

Cycling Ireland Annual Licence and helmet mandatory. 1-day Licences not allowed for Permanents.

Accommodation available in area:

Canal Court Hotel 02830251234
Francis Court Hotel 02830266926
Mourne Country Hotel 02830267922
Hyde terrace guesthouse 02830266145
Belmont Hall guesthouse 02830262163
Mourne drive B&B 02830261660
Marymount B&B 02830261099

This 200km Audax event starts from Newry Hockey club.  The first part of the route takes you on a gentle climb out of Newry until you reach Rathfriland (on the hill).  You will then drop down from Rathfriland passing through Moneyslane and Dromara on the way to the busy market town of Ballynahinch.  From here you’ll pass through Ballygowan (first control point) on your way to Comber, the most northerly part of your route.  The route then takes you along a road running parallel with the inner shore of Strangford Lough down to Killough before turning left before Downpatrick onto the road to Strangford.  Out of Strangford you’ll continue around the coast to the second control just before Ardglass.  The route then continues through Ardglass and Killough on your way to Newcastle.  Providing we have a good day you’ll catch glimpses of the Mourne Mountains (C.S. Lewis’ inspiration for Narnia) and Newcastle nestled at the foot of Slieve Donard (the highest mountain in Northern Ireland).  Fortunately you’ll not be heading up Sl. Donard today but it’s certainly worth the hike up for the views on a clear day (you can see the Isle of Man and parts of the Scottish coastline!).  Your route takes you through the main street of Newcastle, a busy seaside resort.  The beach on your right was the site of one of the first ever-powered flights in Ireland by Harry Ferguson.  Running out of Newcastle you head in the direction of Kilkeel.  The last control point on the road is a few kilometres out of Newcastle at Bloody Bridge car park.  Continuing on you’ll pass through Annalong, a small fishing village also formerly used for the export of Mourne granite, and into Kilkeel, the largest fishing village in Northern Ireland.  A short climb takes you out of Kilkeel and onto the final stretch, a relatively flat route through Rostrevor and Warrenpoint onto Newry, where a hot shower awaits you along with refreshments.  All control points will be manned and snacks and water will be available.

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