Went with 10 others from the club - North Down, for our annual jaunt to the Tour of Mayo, one of the lesser known cycling tours. Our group and the regulars from Phoenix made up about half the field that did the full course. Its one of the best tours on the callendar with a good mix of quiet flat roads then some testing hills through spectacular scenery before finishing on flat roads home - not the best publicised run, but maybe thats what makes it so different. 4 stops along the way and endless supplies of sandwiches and tea. Mrs Doyle would have been proud.

 It starts in Ballyhaunis in the East of Mayo, runs 64k to Westport and then the climbs start through the mountains south of Croagh Patrick. The Sheefrey climb is long but steady, the descent a bit hairy on a single track road with gravel down the middle and unfenced sheep roaming about. But the scenery after the descent is amazing, surrounded by mountains, leading down to Doo Lough Pass. Never saw a car on this stretch. On south to Leenaun at the head of a fjord for another rest in perfect surroundings. Then on through the Partry Mountains to descend to the shores of Lough Mask, skirted Cong and then into a stiff headwind to the final sandwich stop in Ballinrobe, before the final 25 mile headwind home.

 We were all tired at the end having set out at 9:15 and finishing near 6:00pm and just shy of an 18mph average. After a welcome shower it was down to the pub for more sandwiches, a pint and the free ballot - 3 winners from our lot, including Myles, proud recipient of Ian’s tyre which had split on the first leg. Nobody tell him!!

 As usual an exceptionally well planned and provisioned route, kept to the quietest of Mayo and Galway roads, taking us to places we would never have seen by car. Well done to the organisers from Ballyhaunis. We’ll be back.

Click Here for the photos

Category: Touring » Tour of Mayo |

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