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Mark, Tim and Pat outside the Ouvane pub in Ballylickey, West Cork |
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Spins 2006
Click here for a list of spins we took during 2006 so far.
Borlin Valley
Pat and Mark plan to complete the Ring of Kerry cycle on July 1st so this trip combined a training run for those guys, with a tour for the mere mortals. We were a bit doubtful of the weather so we relied on the predictions on AccuWeather.com; the forecast was bang on. The day was blustery and a bit cool for June but we had a great run; the roads were quiet as it's still early in the tourist season here, and a lot of the back roads have been resurfaced inthe last few years which made it a very enjoyable day out.
We started in Bally vourney, about 9 miles west of Macroom, and headed up the hill to the Coom, to the highest pub in Ireland. (There is some dispute about this, Johnny Foxes in Wicklow also claims to be the highest). That was a tough stretch, and after we had topped out we had to pedal downhill into the wind to the main Kilgarvan road, so there ws no payoff for the climb. We had a premature food break here to lighten the load and then had an easy run into Kilgarvan, home to the Plain People of Ireland, who have their dinner during the day. (There was nobody about, it must have been dinner time).
From Kilgarvan we took the road past the Motor Museum, well worth a vist if you're in the area. The road climbed from here, through some of the best scenery in County Cork, along the Borlin Valley. We had the road to ourselves except for a few sheep, and all the way along the views were incredible. The valleys looked almost alpine and the mountains kept some of the wind out of our faces. We had another brief food stop near the top of this climb, and then sailed down to Coomhola, scooting through a rollercoaster of bends down to the valley floor. This was exhilirating; if you're ever in the Cork area and are in any way interested in cycling this road is a must.
Once we had gathered our wits at the bottom of the hill we felt the need for more refeshment and went into the Ouvane pub near Ballylickey; we sat at an outside table near the river, and had a nice chat with an English couple who were keen triathletes. The food was pricey but nice enough, and the waitress was helpful and friendly. However we had to pay in advance which is a bit unusual in these parts and frankly wasn't appreciated. We assumed this was a house rule and not just because we were Lycra clad looders. Still, there is plenty of choice in this area and we won't be back.
BALLYLICKEY TO BALLYVOUNEY
From there we were climbing back up; we headed for Kealkill, and then turned left for the Pass of Keimaneagh. Legend has it that a deer jumped this pass when being chased by hunters; it seems a bit of a stretch but it's a good story. This was a nice gradual climb, not too taxing but got the hearts thumping. We had a brief stop at the top and then had a great freewheel down to Ballingeary; the roads in this area have been resurfaced and are a pleasure to cycle on. The main thing to watch out for here is the sped at which locals drive, we watched a few coaches pass by at irresponsible speeds. Presumably it's worse in the summer.
In Ballingeary there were a few Gaelscoile students moping around, and we didn't delay, heading left again for Reananerree. This was a tough, drawn out slog, and the traffic was a bit heavier as commuters were staring to head home. Still, the views were great and the wind was no longer in our faces. (As true cyclists we never, ever give the wind credit; it's either against you or isn't there).
We turned left after the Post Office at Reenaree and shot down a short steep hill, then pedalled serenely into Ballyvourney. We got the full force of the West wind again for the last few hundred metres and were glad we had had some shelter from it earlier. We headed into the Mills in Ballyvourney for a well-deserved dinner, and then home, tired but.....happy.
DETAILED ITINERARY
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Time |
Distance |
Instruction |
Road |
For |
Dir |
|
10:30 |
0.0 |
Depart Ballyvourney, IR |
Local road(s) |
11.7 mi |
W |
|
11:28 |
11.7 |
Arrive nr. Kilgarvan - Stop 1 |
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|
11:38 |
11.7 |
Depart nr. Kilgarvan - Stop 1 |
R569 [N62] |
2.6 mi |
SW |
|
11:51 |
14.3 |
Arrive Kilgarvan, IR - Stop 2 |
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|
12:06 |
14.3 |
Depart Kilgarvan, IR - Stop 2 |
Local road(s) |
6.8 mi |
S |
|
12:40 |
21.0 |
Arrive nr. Kilgarvan - Stop 3 |
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|
12:55 |
21.0 |
Depart nr. Kilgarvan - Stop 3 |
Local road(s) |
8.9 mi |
NW |
|
13:39 |
29.9 |
Arrive Coomhola Bridge - Stop 4 |
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|
15:09 |
29.9 |
Depart Coomhola Bridge - Stop 4 |
Local road(s) |
0.7 mi |
SE |
|
15:13 |
30.7 |
Turn right onto |
N71 [T65] |
1.8 mi |
S |
|
15:22 |
32.5 |
At Ballylickey - Stop 5, go onto |
R584 [T64] |
3.1 mi |
E |
|
15:38 |
35.6 |
Arrive Kealkill - Stop 6 |
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|
15:48 |
35.6 |
Depart Kealkill - Stop 6 |
R584 [T64] |
10.9 mi |
NE |
|
16:42 |
46.4 |
Arrive Ballingeary - Stop 7 |
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|
16:47 |
46.4 |
Depart Ballingeary - Stop 7 |
Local road(s) |
4.6 mi |
N |
|
17:10 |
51.0 |
At Reananerree - Stop 8, stay on |
Local road(s) |
4.3 mi |
E |
|
17:32 |
55.3 |
Turn left onto |
N22 |
1.4 mi |
W |
|
17:39 |
56.7 |
Arrive Ballyvourney, IR |