Category Archives: Climbs

The Maum summit from the Castleisland to Listowel road
Climbs

The Maum

Posted: August 2, 2018 · By: Dave Elton · Comments: 1

This gruelling climb is infamous to cyclists throughout the county and is a challenge to even the most battle hardened. In the past this climb has been a part of the Rás Tailteann and FBD Milk Rás leaving participants with no shortage of adjectives to describe Castleisland and it's hinterlands. Although relatively short, with it’s summit being only 5 km from central Castleisland it certainly packs a punch. This climb has two very steep sections, both at either ends with a mid section that levels out somewhat. This middle section is welcome [...]

Climbs

Short Mountain (S-N)

Posted: July 29, 2018 · By: Dave Elton · Comments: 1

Make no question about it! This climb is up there with the best of them in Kerry or even the country as a whole. Certainly from a Kerry perspective, the Priest's Leap and Coomanaspic are the 2 standout climbs combining length and gradient that might edge this "short cut" to Tralee. The thing I like about this climb is the fact that it keeps it surprises hidden. It doesn't have the mind numbing drag of the Conor Pass from Dingle that offers an agonising glimpse of the summit and road ahead for the full climb. True, if you know where to look [...]

At the Summit of Short Mountain looking Southwards towards the MacGillycuddy's Reeks
Climbs

Short Mountain (N-S)

Posted: July 13, 2018 · By: Donnacha Clifford · Comments: 1

A climb of legend and only braved by those who have excess energy or lacking in common sense, Short Mountain from the north to south approach is quite the challenge although dubbed as being much easier than the south to north approach (a story for another day). The benign adjective 'short' sounds like a rather fluffy term that can only lead to the perception that this climb "can't be too bad" but anyone who has done it will know better, unfortunately "short" when it comes to climbs in Kerry does not always mean sweet. This climb was twice recently [...]

Living in the Upside Down at Ballyfinnane
Climbs

Farmers Bridge (S-N)

Posted: June 21, 2018 · By: Donnacha Clifford · Comments: 0

This climb is the middle triplet when cycling between Castlemaine and Tralee, it is more difficult that the Curraghmore climb along the main N70 road, both being far less difficult than the towering Short Mountain climb, with it's masts being visible for miles around on either side of the Sliabh Mish mountains. Begin in the village crossroads of Ballyfinnane, made famous by the Shanty Bar and the upside down man in a barrel adjacent to it. It is almost as if he saw something frightful many moons ago and ducked for cover, he is still [...]

At the beginning of the Glounsharoon Climb
Climbs

Crag Caves/Glounsharoon

Posted: April 25, 2018 · By: Dave Elton · Comments: 0

As a Tralee based cyclist there is a mindset to think of Castleisland and flat in the same sentence. After all the N21 is one of the flattest roads leaving the Kerry capital to Castleisland and that particular road is very popular with time trialist and beginner alike. It's after you take a closer look at Castleisland, that you realise the majority of the 7 or 8 roads leaving the town, at some point accommodate some very respectable climbs. To name but a few The Maum, Scartaglin, Cordal, Brosna and Crag Caves or as the locals like to call it [...]

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