The All-Ireland Hill Climb Cycling Championships was held in Tralee in very wet and windy conditions on Saturday. The event which was hosted by Tralee Bicycle Club was a 4KM individual hill climb based in the Sliabh Mish Mountains in Tralee, known locally as “Short Mountain”, which roses to a height of 310 Meters. Mountainbiker Ryan Sherlock (Mad MTB, Dublin) surprised many pundits by taking first place, followed closely by local favourite and defending champion Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond/Tralee BC) in second place with Cathal McCarthy (The Edge CC) taking the final podium spot.
Archive for July, 2010
July14
The Maum
This gruelling climb is infamous to cyclists throughout the county and is a challenge to even the most battle hardened. It is a category 1 climb that has been involved in many a Rás Tailteann and FBD Milk Rás throughout the entire history of the event. It is relatively short witth it’s summit being only approx 2 and a half miles (nearly 5 K) from Castleisland.
The View of Castleisland from the Top of the Maum
‘THE COAST RUN CHALLENGE’ 145Km Sportif, and 85km, Leisure Spin, is on Sun 11th July. Starting in Abbeyfeale,
The route is as follows. Abbeyfeale, Mountain Road into Tralee, and follows the Scenic Shannon Estuary, Ballyheigue, Ballybunion, Asdee (Food Stop)
Tarbert, plus the testing climbs out of Glin and Athea.
85km Leisure Route starts in Abbeyfeale, moves on to Listowel, Ballybuniion, and links up there with the Sportif route.
For more information please visit www.abbeywheelers.com.
The race will leave The Killorglin Sports and Leisure Centre at 11:00 a.m. and will be neutralised until it gets on the circuit (approx 1 mile). There are then 9 laps of a 10.4 mile circuit with the riders finishing up the hill in Killorglin at the end of lap 9. Unusually for a race in Killorglin the circuit is flat. The highest point on the course is only 104m high and there is almost 5 miles in which to gain that height.
A separate race for A3 and A4 riders, on the same circuit, will leave the sports centre 3 minutes after the Classic league and will be neutralised until the riders are on the circuit. They will then complete 5 laps of the circuit and will finish up the hill in Killorglin.
Sign – on is open from 9:30a.m. until 10:30a.m. at the Killorglin Sports and Leisure Centre.
July9
Eoin Ryan – A Legend
Cycling the Ring of Kerry is always an achievement. For some people the satisfaction of getting around safely and returning home with a smile is enough to keep them satisfied until next years event. For others it is not enough. I have recently read about Eoin Ryan a man from Dromid in Co. Kerry who pushed himself to cycle around the Ring of Kerry no less than five times in succession this year, starting on Thursday 1st of July and Finishing on Saturday the 3rd in Killarney, with his last ‘lap’ involving cycling with others in the annual event. Total cycling time was 45 Hours and 30 Hours.
Eoin Ryan - A Legend (From Kerry's Eye)
Eoin was cycling on behalf of the Kerry Parents and Friends Association and is still collecting for them. To find him, look for the man walking crooked around Dromid I would imagine. Chapeau Eoin!
The All Ireland Hill Climb Championship will take place on Saturday 10th of July and will be hosted by the Tralee Bicycle Club. This event is only open to all “A” Category riders however no one day licenses will be issued on the day. The climb will be a 4K challenge based in the Slieve Mish Mountains in Tralee and is known locally as Short Mountain which rised to a height of 310 Meters.
There will be All-Ireland Medals for first three riders and overall Team Prize.Tralee Bicycle Club will be sponsoring medals for the first 3 riders in the A2, A3 & A4 categories. For more information see www.traleebicycleclub.com.
