Last week we brought you a popular training spin from the north where Angus Fyffe detailed this monstrous journey but this week we're headed west.
My favourite training spin; Sean O’Malley, A1, Western Lakes
“My favourite training spin is from Ballinrobe, Neale, Cong, Clonbur, Corr no Móna, Maam, Leenaun, Aasleagh, Westport, Partry and Ballinrobe.
“This is a great endurance spin I love to do in winter, or any time of the year.
“It takes just over 4 hours and is about 120 kilometres in total.
“The route has a bit of everything; you could leave Ballinrobe at 10am with the sun shining but once you get past Cong and Ashford Castle you could get any season!
“There are a nice few climbs, no big ones but a lot of heavy roads and drags all the way, made worse by the wind which seems to always be in your face.
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This picture, taken by O'Malley, is from last winter. He said you could get any number of seasons in one day up these parts!
“Once you get over Maam hill it’s very exposed, no walls, no trees and no shelter, only sheep in the middle of the road.
“Pass Maam village after about 60 kilometres and you’ve a choice to turn right for Lough Nafooney climb where the Rás went over and Maumtrasna (it’s good for the views but not the legs!)
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“Once in Leenaun we turn right for Westport or left for ‘The Field’. There are a lot of places for coffee but we usually just keep the head down.
“This road is very up and down and always seem to be lashing with rain.
“Once in Westport we have bout 100k done and always seem to face into a block head wind for the last 20k.
“Everyone seems to have no legs at this stage…hardly surprising.
“Then once inside the finial 10 kilometres at Partry the wheel suckers come alive and spark things up and we always have a sprint to the top of the racecourse hill in Ballinrobe.
“By the finish it’s like a scene from the end of a classic race with bodies everywhere!”
Looks okay to us!
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