Organiser: Paul O’Donoghue

Address: 12 Tinnapark, Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow

Entry Fee: €6 (download Event Entry Form). CI license required.

Closing Date for Entries: Thursday, 24th February 2011

Start Point: Egan Centre, Lower Dargle Road, Bray.

Start Time: 8am, Saturday 26th February 2011

Facilities: Parking available at start.  Limited entries may be available on the line at €8.

The Slieve Maan is a tough 200, taking in many of the best-known climbs in Wicklow. Following an easy run down the Coast Road to Rathnew, riders will tackle the notorious Devil’s Glen before passing through Annamoe en route to Laragh and the Wicklow Gap. After the long descent off the Gap, you cross the Hollywood Hills (somehow always steeper than you remember them being) to the first control at Dunlavin.  After a short climb out of the village, the route joins the N81 as far as Baltinglass before turning off for the second control at Tinahely and the last flat stretch of road in the event.  Leaving Tinahely, there’s a long drag up to Knockananna before the trifecta of Slieve Maan, the Shay Elliott and Sally Gap.  Once past the television mast at Kippure, it’s downhill in the gathering darkness all the way to Bray.  Only the strongest can hope to complete this ride in daylight this early in the year, and riders should be prepared for the chance of severe weather conditions.

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