| 1. This is a 45km workout that should take just under two hours. It follows mostly quiet back roads, taking in the scenic Lee Valley, the small town of Dripsey, some lovely cork farmlands and brings you into the historic village of Blarney before returning to Cork city. It features seven small but heart pumping climbs and one, at Dripsey, while short, is fairly steep. From the Shandon Bridge climb up the Sunday's Well Road and down again. Continue on to the R618 and follow this along the river all the way to Dripsey. On Station Road in Dripsey, where the R618 hangs a left, turn right at the pub. Keep to the right and follow the road to Dromgownagh up the steep hill for about a half a km. On the first decent the road will fork, take the small road to the left towards South Berring and go up that hill. Follow this road until you hit the main road again at Blairs Inn. Turn right onto the R579 and follow this until the left turn in Coolflugh onto the R617. Follow this road and make your way up the hill and down again into Blarney. Continue through Blarney onto the N20 with its wide shoulders, and head back into the city through Blackpool. |