How time flies…..
For four years we’ve doing this event for our club members and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s always a tough and demanding day riding the Ring of Kerry yet, still it sits very much as the to do cycle of the year.
This year we had somewhere in the region of 57 members taking part. That number would of been increased somewhat more, but sadly due to a handful of our member nursing injuries it wasn’t to be. Our thoughts went out to our missing team mates.
You were very much in our minds and we know you’ll be back stronger in 2020.
All in a days cycling
The majority of our members met in Killorglin and got moving on the road between 7 and 8 am. The bulk of our 30 group started their day in Tralee at 7 am doing on average a mammoth 210 km, the rest of us mere mortal cyclists opted for the 170 km easy option!
The first leg between Killorglin and Killarney offered a mixed bag of experiences for our cyclists, from sunshine to freezing cold rain which tested the resiliance of our stronger cyclists. From then on the weather behaved itself with light breezes and sunshine the order of the day.
After the exhilarating descent of Molls Gap into the Kenmare, the first stop was at Brook Lane Hotel for scones and coffee. As ever we were well looked after and the refreshments came at the right time and was welcomed by everyone.
A nice touch by Tom Galvin, making a delicious and 100% organic energy bar for everyone. If you fancy more of this you can contact Tom for an order at galvin69@hotmail.com
The cycle from Kenmare to Sneem is always a case of getting the head down and working through a terrain that offers plenty of greenary but little views. An undulating road with a sapping surface. Sneem is always a welcome distraction with options for some refreshment and a stretch. The first few kilometers leaving Sneem are difficult with plenty of climbing but from there on until Waterville route offers the nicest part of the Ring of Kerry with spectacular sea views and the cosy villages of Castlecove and Caherdaniel an added bonus.
The climb up Com an Chiste is approximately 5.5 km in length and we had perfect conditions for it. Below are eye catching views of Donals Fort, Derrynane House and beach plus the Beara Peninsula and the eye catching deep blue ocean and Island’s dotted below in the bay.
Well done to Leonie Smith who completed her first Ring of Kerry cycle!
The summit is always a welcome break with our A1 back up team of Seamus, Clodagh, John, Frankie and Noel waiting with minerals, water, bananas and bars to keep us going. The view never disappoints.
The descent into Waterville is a lovely cycle down to the Ring of Kerry’s only seafront village, with it’s connections to Charlie Chaplin and Kerry’s greatest football manager Mick O’Dwyer. Upon leaving Waterville it’s very much a 16 km slog to Cahersiveen, as the road falls and rises and rises some more. The eye catching views are scarce and the stomach is rumbling for lunch.
The lunch stop at the Ring of Kerry hotel in Cahersiveen is more than welcome with toasted specials, pasta, curry, soup and chowder hitting the spot.
Various photo’s from the cycle
The cycle out of Cahersiveen towards home was a big enough challenge considering we had well over 100 km in our legs, the mountain stage pull that amounts to roughly 8 km of steady uphill cycling. The descent is welcome passing above Kells to our left and then magnificent views of Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula to the north and a reminder of by gone days with the still impressive Gleensk railway viaduct still very imposing despite being redundant for a good 70 plus years.
So after fizzy drinks, ice creams and chocolate bars in Glenbeigh it left just 13 km to the finish in Killorglin. From here on the roads narrows a bit and becomes a touch more busier with traffic. Once past the Red Fox Inn gravity starts working in our favour and the the sight of Killorgin is satisfying and welcome.
Well done to everyone who cycled the Ring of Kerry you were awesome! Finally many thanks to John Murray and the back up team for giving up their day. They did a sterling job keeping everyone going and adding a smile and plenty of added fun to the day.
The day also added €1000 towards charities which will compliment the gross amount that we will be distributing after our SRAC Atlantic Challenge Cycle endeavours.
Relive ‘Morning Ride’
PS….The evening in the Meadowland’s was a blast. Plenty of stories, banter, food and good fun!
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