Tour of West Cork 2017

After the culinary excesses and limited kms of last weekends Clon Bike Fest, this weekend saw the return of the rather more rigorous Tour of West Cork. There are two routes, 100 km and 150 km, but as I did the 150 km route last year, there really was no alternative than to enter again this year, particularly as it looked like the weather was going to be good.

The start was to be at 8.00 am from the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty. Of course, as I only live 10 or so km from the start point, I decided that I may as well cycle in and out, just to add a few more kms to the day. The wheels of choice for today were the Genesis CdA "adventure bike", as I'll be using it for the upcoming Kerry debacle (more of which later...)

I arrived in time for my complimentary cup of porridge (2 breakfasts before 8.00 am is pretty good going), and then it was time for the off. We cycled along the main road through Clon and round the estuary, before heading out for the first hills of the day on the way to Red Strand. The groups began to stretch out as the fog rolled in and the rolling hills began.

Don't forget your wrist band on the day or you'll miss out on the delicious & much needed food stops!

By the time we reached the first food stop in Unionhall, I was already feeling the pace a bit! Riding with lots of people always makes you up your effort a bit, so I was slightly apprehensive as I set off again. The sun had burnt off the fog by now though, and it was looking like sunshine all the way from now on.

The horrible climb up from Lough Hyne towards Baltimore was every bit as evil as I remembered from last year's event. I've done it five times, (including twice in one day, which was totally stupid), and this was my 3rd best time, so some improvement, but I won't be hurrying back!

The sun was out in Baltimore for a grand feed and a cup of tea at the sailing club. Just under halfway (if you forget about the getting back home!), so I pressed on. Just one more slog into the (mercifully gentle) breeze, and the wind would be pretty much behind us all the way home. I was on my own, with no other riders in sight from Baltimore round to the west and then almost all the way back into Skibbereen, so it was a relief to be caught by a rider from Skibb and we chatted about bikes and local rides as we coasted downhill to the lunch stop, and some more welcome refreshments.

With only (!) about 45 kms remaining, it was soon time to saddle up and head up the road to Drinagh, before going cross-country back to Clon. The slight uphill drag out of skib soon put paid to my attempt to blag a tow from a couple of other riders - dropped after only one turn on the front! Ah well, I prefer cycling on my own anyway, and certainly couldn't cope with joining up with the next 10 bike group which went past me. With all the shouting that cars were in sight, and warning of potholes and folk braking, and others flinging discarded gel wrappers into the ditch, I didn't try too hard to keep up, and was glad when peace descended again! Not sure I'm cut out for all the protocols of riding with a club! Wasn't impressed with the blatant littering though - ok gel wrappers are sticky but that's no reason to be jettisoning them into hedges on a ride - take it home, mate!

The last 8 km or so were thankfully mostly a gentle downhill run into Clon, so the climbing was over for the day! I finally reached the finish about 3pm, and was into the bar for a delicious recovery beer shortly afterwards - marvellous altogether!

A welcome sight after 150 km! Top day out though!

All in all, this was a very well organised and well attended event - A big thanks to all the organisers and volunteers on the day, & I hope the event raised lots of money for West Cork Rapid Response.

Here's the 150 km route from the day:

Recovery starts here!