Slieve Bloom Way

This is another way marked trail I wanted to ride for a while now. This trail is known for the best views in the country. Although not suppose to be very bike friendly, I decided to give it a go  anyway.

Robert was the only person brave enough to try and ride it with me.

We set of almost as planned with only half an hour delay, we where on the bikes leaving the car park at 08:30. All was well, bit overcast and cold but generally good biking weather. I decided to run the bike in 115 mm mode to try how it feels.

There was a bit of a confusion at the start of a trail as to which way should we go, but between the map and Strava we where back on track in no time.



First climb was bit challenging but I couldn't believe how well the bike felt climbing in shorter suspension mode.

(I didn't think that a simple adjustment like that would make the bike feel so different, there was no need to lock the shock at all, and the power transfer from the crank to back wheel was awesome, especially that the back wheel was tracking rough enough trail.)

When we got to the top we got the first glimpse of the views.
Truly amazing. It's one of these views, that no camera can show you what it's really like.

Then it was time to start to Ridge of Capard. That was a bit challenging, with railway sleepers almost all the way to the top, it was a good time to practice manuals and bunny hops. The climb was well worth the effort, the views we where getting from the ridge where second to none.

When we reached the top, we where expecting a great downhill section, but it was a steep grassy descent, trail almost non existing. It got a bit better when we reached the forest. After that more fire road climbs and descents. Before we reached Monicknew, we had to push the bikes up a fairly steep climb.

Then some road climbing and a lovely descent to Kinnity. We stopped for lunch in Kinnity Castle, where lovely lady from the reception, kindly allowed us to bring the bikes all the way into the bar. After food, and much needed pint of black stuff we set off again. Sun was out and we met few people on the trails. Trails after the Kinnity are narrow, steep and very often have a barrier and stairs, so it's not an easy ride, but the manual skills practiced earlier, came fairly handy again. 

Climb from Cadamstown to Magherabane is a killer bureen trail, and is not for the faint hearted. After that my phone died, so no more pictures and Strava. But not much lost there really, after that it was mainly old farmers fields, fire roads, country tarmac roads, and thousand and one gates!  

Last descent and we where back in the car park. 

It was a long trip. Some outstanding views, some trails not suitable for biking but a good day on the bike all the same. Some challenging climbs, tricky descents and a good bit of fire roads. I can't wait until the trails around Kinnity are fully developed, looks like a place with lots of potential.