The Vee - Waterford

DinaElla

Folks,

Travelling down to Waterford at the weekend and was looking at doing a training run from Lismore across The VEE into Clogheen and back over to Lismore again. Its about a 60k route but never cycled The Vee before - I'm fairly new to cycling so any advice on how tough it is? Any parts that need to take care with?

I'm up to about 80k at weekends now and have cycled the Slieve Blooms a few times (The Cut and Wolftrap) but not sure how that rates in comparison

Cheers for any advice

LeoD

The Vee isn't any harder than the Cut or the Wolftrap. Did the Vee for the first time a few weeks back from Clogheen and it's a long (9km?) gentle climb of around 4-5% from what I remember. Flattens out for the last km.

damoz

Its grand. From Clogheen side the road is good and the gradient pretty even - no problem if your going 80k spins.

From Lismore its rough - very rough in places. Not too bad when climbing, but its a horrible descent until you hit the nice blacktop about 4km from Lismore.

I am doing it tonight on way home from work - going to go via Mt Mellery to Cappoquin - will let you know if that road is any better.

DinaElla

Cheers for that, I'm poor enough at climbing which is why I'm trying to find routes with more climbs (in hope it will improve me) but descending I really struggle with if the roads are poor - confidence thing I think as I see people flying down and passing me out on what I would consider bad roads ...

damoz

Right. So last night i went from the top of the Vee to Lismore via Cappoquin. The road is much better and is pretty good the whole way. A few potholes but as long as your eyes are on the road its fine. The Cappoquin to Lismore stretch is on the N72 and is fast and smooth. A much better route than the Vee to Lismore direct (about 10k longer)

DinaElla

Thanks for that info - I'll give it a go and take it handy on the way down. I might try the Cappaquin route.