Leinster Mount - Bunclody

had a go at this climb a few months back. i''d seen this graph profile, and on paper, it looks comparable to some medium length Tour climbs. it didn''t disappoint. up to the car park is quite comfortable, but once you hit the private road to the mast, its a different story, running straight into an impossibly steep section. like GD, i couldn''t believe how much it took out of my arms, wrestling with the bike to keep it moving forward. had to get off(several times). i''m not a club cyclist but passable for triathlons and the like. to get the the top of this with a regular group set you need to be properly fit! also, much tougher than anything i''ve encountered in kerry. will have another crack this year. hopefully in one go.

My personal climb rating:

Having walked up this a few times, I knew it would be tough on the bike - and it was. Like KGs story, I recently climbed in Europe (Mt Ventoux) and this is much steeper than any part of that. It takes some stamina to get to the top without stopping, altough zig-zagging helped to cheat a little. Its only 20 mins from the car-park (6-6.5kph avg.) but feels alot longer and, strangely, it was my upper arms that felt it most, being out of the saddle so much. You need dry roads for grip and to stop a couple of times on the descent to allow the wheel rims to cool - you cant afford to build up any speed so youre on the brakes alot. The views from the top are well worth any hardship on the way up.

My personal climb rating:

This is a very interesting climb. The initial run out from Bunclody is deceptively steep but no problem for any decent climber. It actually becomes slightly easier towards the top of the open road. However that is where the fun stops! The "road" leading up to the mast was closed but you can lift your bike over the gate and off you go...slowly. I have climbed some of the toughest climbs in Europe and this easily ranks up there. It is horribly steep nearly all the way and I would suggest that the gradient above does not reflect this. Oh and dont try to climb it with a 12-25 on the back - a compact or a 12-27 will be needed. Pick a sunny day too as your back tyre will spin on a wet road and make sure your brakes are spot on - hanging onto the brakes full and still travelling at brakeneck speed on the decent is not advised! This is a killer-make no mistake about it.

The first 11k of this climb is testing enough but very do-able, the last 2k however is inhuman! Average speed throughout hovered between 5-6.5kph. Cycled in the Alps recently and its much worse than anything i experienced there. Its a severe test of grit, endurance and fitness not to stop before you reach the summit. The Mount Leinster Challenge route does not encompass the 2k section at the end...its definitely worth giving it a shot though (if only once)

Climbed this mountain on a miserable irish sunday afternoon in the lashings of rain. Firstly had gearing issues with the bike so all momentum was lost clicking down until i was out of bullets. The rear wheel began to spin ( i have learned not to use the home trainer on outdoor wheels). At the top visibility was down to about 10 metres.i felt like crying but yet looking back i have a sense of satisfaction. on a sunny day this climb is awesome. the area is used locally by handgliders as thermals exist and the view is amazing. The climb is split into two..the corrabutt gap and the nine stones. the corrabutt gap has been used numerous times in the ras and is fearsome