Kilkenny 115 Cycling Challenge Maroon Route

The Maroon Route will depart from the Dicksboro GAA Clubhouse (Sat Co-ords………..) on the Tullaroan Road in Kilkenny City and head west to Tullaroan. This early part of the route is undulating at first but as it nears Tullaroan riders will commence a climb to ……. Metres. Turning right in Tullaroan village participants continue to Woodsgift to join the R 693. Continuing on this road and the R435 you reach Johnston where you will join the old Dublin/Cork road, now the R639. Through Cullahill and onto Durrow where you will turn right onto the N77 and head for Ballyragget. From Ballyragget the route leaves the National Road again to encounter the second climb of the day before the Refreshment Station at Castlecomer. At Castlecomer the riders will join the N78 and head east form approximately 5 Kms before turning right to head for the most difficult climb of the Challenge at The Ridge ( …. Metres). This climb has been categorised as Category 1 in number of road races. After The Ridge the route takes on a more leisurely phase as the riders will descend through Old Leighlin to join the old Carlow/Kilkenny road. They will then return to Kilkenny via Paulstown, Clara and the Ring Road to Palmerstown.