The Inside Track – Gaelforce Dublin 2018 – 49k Route

You may be forgiven for thinking that Dublin is flat…The hills in Gaelforce Dublin are less forgiving. One thing about Killary Gaelforce, you can be sure anything they put their name against, will really test you.

Gaelforce Dublin is no different. A race that put you through your paces with particular emphasis on the cycling stages. You will meet almost every cycling terrain imaginable.

In our previous blog, we broke down the 1st route(29k), now it’s the 49k’s turn.

The race starts in Tallaght Stadium with roughly a 1k run to the first bike transition

Stage 2: Bike: 16.5k
It’s off up towards Bohernabreena reservoir in the Dublin mountains for a 16.5k cycle. Over the space of the first 4k on the bike, you will encounter an ascent of about 250m with an ascent of over 11% before you reach the private road which if the weather keeps up, it will be quiet heavy. Be prepared to dismount as this may get too boggy to cycle through. After this you will be led up roughly another 100m ascent. The next 8k or so is a good mix of descents and fast roads.

After you reach the bike transition, it’s a short run uphill to the reservoir and into the kayak which is double the length of the 29k route of at 1.5km kayak. Fun fun. The legs will enjoy a welcomed rest here. You will follow a clockwise route and come back from whence you came.

The kayaks are duel i.e. sit two people comfortably, it’s double.

Next up is the 13k run stage. You will run along the west side of the reservoir before you come to an uneven patch which leads you roughly 2k up the mountain, then it’s back down again to your bike transition. You climb about 150m in total on this stretch.

It’s back on the bike as you head up to about 300ms in total height. Once you hit Military Road, there is a steep descent till you come to the R113 junction where you take aleft and onto the Stadium.

Quick bike transition and then a short run back to Tallaght Stadium for medals, the best of John West and more besides.

Tip: Keep an eye on the weather this week. Some of the off roads cycling stretches may suffer if there is wet or snowy weather.