Date: Not currently scheduled
Organiser: John O’Sullivan
E-Mail: jos@iptas.com
Phone: 086 2546554
Address: 18 Priory Hall, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Entry Fee: €5 by Cheque or Postal Order, or PayPal to above e-mail address (plus €5 for optional Medal if required)
Closing Date: None
Start: Blackrock Shopping Centre, Co. Dublin
Time: 5.30am (TBC)
Facilities: Zero
Numbers: All are welcome, Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Fáilte.
Route Description: The EWC (East West Challenge) is a fun event that seeks to join the East Coast with Pontoon towards the West on a cyclist’s gourmet tour in as straight a line as possible. It follows the old N4 and N5 roads mostly.
The ride departs at 05.30 (TBC) to avoid rush-hour traffic and the first break is a short comfort stop behind the bus shelter outside the West County Hotel. At this stage, the countryside beckons.
After an unusually long leg to the first control at Mother Hubbard’s (56km) riders are expected to rest well and partake in a Full Irish Breakfast with several trimmings. Thereafter the next (optional) stop is On the Run at the Downs, Mullingar (approx 80 Km). The route thereafter is peppered with more unofficial stops but with a few highlights: the long descent into Rathowen (107 km) and its photo opportunity; Barry’s (Keenan) in the eponymously name Termonbarry (138 km) offering a culinary highlight (bikes round the back – but carefully); Strokestown (150 km) as a double entendre; Frenchpark (178 km) for its natural down-home beauty, and the well-remembered Charlestown by-pass for the freshness of its headwind. This pan-flat route meanders gently and though it reaches a peak at only 126 metres it still sets a challenge because the time allowed is the same for a 200 km ride (EWC is a total of 236 km) and the number, frequency and length of the stops require a smart pace in-between. Regular riders – for this will be its eighth running – for a small fee, will also point out where the peloton stopped very briefly the weekend of the long shower. Editor’s Note: The shower started in Dublin and finished sometime after the cyclists in Mayo. It was accompanied by ‘fresh’ Westerly winds). Some swear they saw Noah’s Ark float past. Riders will also learn why ‘ina’ is pronounced one way in Ballina and a completely different way in Crossmolina.
The après-ride is a feature. After a quick dip in Lough Conn, Leonards pub in Lahardaun is a must-see and it would be a shame to leave the area without a next-day ride up the Windy Gap. Riders should consider booking a B&B locally and indeed staying in the hospitable Mayo surroundings for a good number of days. The Westport (or Castlebar) train will return riders and their bikes all too quickly to Heuston Station in Dublin.
Cycling Ireland Licence required, One-day Licence available on the day for €5.00
See also
- 12 hour Reliability Trial
- Angel of Mons 200
- Around Down 200
- Aughties EPIC 200 Audax
- Banner 200
- Beara 400
- Connaught Centenary 200
- Dawn Raid 200
- EWC 200
- Forgotten Roads 200
- Fratres Cruciferi/4 Towers 200
- Inner Ring 200
- Iron Mountains 300
- Magilligan 300
- Marble City 200
- Mayo Western Lakes 200/100 MTB
- Midlands Meander 200
- Night of the Swan 300
- Nutcracker 200
- Nutcracker 300
- Red Line Red Lane 600
- Rock Savage 200
- Six Megaliths 300
- Slieve Maan 200
- Tara 200
- The Penance Or Perish /The Road To Salvation 400
- Trench Eyre 400
- Wolfe Tone West Cork 200
Looks pretty good John, you are down playing the usually strong Westerly head wind. That Charlestown By-Pass, won’t be on my route next September, I’m going through Charlestown.
Great description, well done John
John
Is there a ideal location to meet for the apres ride or is it pot luck
Perhaps Healy’s Hotel at journey’s end?
John, suggest Healy’s Hotel or The Pontoon Bridge Bridge Hotel along with a trip to Leonard’s in Laherdaun for a pint.
meet ya long the way john