The Hilly 125
A sportive that has passed me by a few times but has always been on the radar. The weather finally gave us a bit of respite just in time for the event and it made the day much more enjoyable.
Start/Finish Location
Dromara Village Football Club (location) Sat. Nav. Co-ordinates – N 54.37118788, W 06.01813563
Rathfriland Road, Dromara, BT25 2EB
Dromara Village Football Club (location) Sat. Nav. Co-ordinates – N 54.37118788, W 06.01813563
Rathfriland Road, Dromara, BT25 2EB
Route information
Hilly 125 – The original and some say the best. This event is for strong cyclists and visits all major climbs. The first half of the route takes in the Cornmill, Dree Hill & Windy Gap. After the food stop the route follows a scenic loop up to the dizzy heights of Spelga Dam, returning via Leitrim and the Legananny Dolmen. This event remains a real challenge in every sense of the word, and really lives up to the name of the event.
Hilly 125 – The original and some say the best. This event is for strong cyclists and visits all major climbs. The first half of the route takes in the Cornmill, Dree Hill & Windy Gap. After the food stop the route follows a scenic loop up to the dizzy heights of Spelga Dam, returning via Leitrim and the Legananny Dolmen. This event remains a real challenge in every sense of the word, and really lives up to the name of the event.
Link to the route on Strava
http://www.strava.com/routes/2944121
The event itself
What can I say about the event. For a mere £15 we were greeted at sign on with a goody bag, coffee and biscuits, mechanical support for any last minute bike problems that needed fix. Half way through after numerous lung busting climbs there was a chance to sit down and discuss the battles on the road that were won and lost. The amount of food and refreshments laid on was impressive and I particularly liked the kinder treats.The second half of the route took in a number of back roads that I had never been on. Some nice traffic free rambling through the country side was awesome before pealing off to take on the climb at Spelga followed by a fast and furious downhill race with Simon to Bryansford at 45mph.
Sonia and Bunter were going along impressively and were still full of energy towards the end, climbing strongly up the last few inclines before the fast and furious drop back into Dromara.
We were greeted with yet more food and coffee at the finish and a nice cold pint of Guinness was enjoyable.
As value for money goes this event probably tops the list when you think they still managed to push 1/3 of the entry fee to a charity.
Thanks to all who took some photos of us on the day nice memories!
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| Setting off |
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| Nice backdrop |
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| On the way to Spela |
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| Trying Hard |
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| Full Gas up Dree Hill |
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| Davy tip toes through the field mess |
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| Sonia chasing Bunter |
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| Cresting the windy gap with Sonia |
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| Gavin hoping that he would catch me falling off! |
