ABOUT THE TOUR DE BEARA

 The Tour de Beara is a mass participation leisure sportive, run by a local not-for-profit Community group. Taking place on the second Saturday of September annually, the Tour de Beara is the blue riband event in the cycling calendar.

Following the old Cork Rebel Tour Route thousands of participants take part in the event annually with 160k, 120k and 90k routes to choose from. All funds raised from the event will go directly to local charities and associations along the Beara peninsula.

Sponsors

                                                                    

2023 Tour de Beara Beneficiaries

Charities

Irish Community Rapid Response
Irish Guide Dogs
Caha Centre
Ark House
Cancer Connect
Irish Red Cross
Castletownbere Day Care Centre
Martin Lacey Fund
Oisín O’Connor Fund
Keith Hegarty Fund

Clubs & Organisations

Bantry Basketball Club
Bantry Rugby Football Club
Glengarriff Golf Club
Glengarriff Golf Club Juvenile
Bantry Rowing Club
Caha Og GAA
Beara Bord na nOg GAA
Glengarriff GAA
Castletownbere Underage GAA
Lehanemore Development Assc
Garnish GAA
Glengarriff Hall
Tousist Gaa
Glengarriff Tourist Dev Assc.
Adrigole GAA
Bantry Bay Rovers
Bantry Golf Club
Glengarriff Field Committee
Urhan GAA
Adrigole Youth Club

National Schools

Derrycreha National School
Glengarriff National School
Trafrask National School
Adrigole National School
Castletownbere National School
Bere Island National School
Cahermore National School
Urhan National School
Eyeries National School
Bonane National School
Lauragh National School
Tousist National School

THE ROUTES

The “Beara 160k” is regarded as one of the “Most Challenging Sportives” on the Irish cycling calendar. With over 2,600 metres of climbing this will challenge the most hardened of cyclists!

The route starts out from Glengarriff with a climb over the Caha Pass, through a series of beautiful hand hewn rock tunnels across the border into the Kingdom of Kerry.

Following an easy descent to Kenmare, riders turn left onto the R571 in the direction of the Beara Peninsula along the shoreline of the Kenmare Bay. Riders continue into Lauragh before climbing the Healy Pass for the first time, crossing back over into the Rebel County of Cork. The descent from the Healy Pass requires care and attention with many sharp and hairpin corners to negotiate. A welcome food/refreshment stop awaits riders at the bottom of the first Healy pass descent.

The route continues on the R572 through the fishing port of Castletownbere and on to the village of Allihies, before climbing the significant rocky mountain pass between Allihies and Urhan known locally as “Reentrisk” or translated meaning “The Cods Head”.

The second foodstop on this challenging route is laid out in Eyeries, where riders prepare for the final leg of their journey back to HQ in Glengarriff. Continuing along the R571 through the village of Ardgroom and rolling into Lauragh, riders are guided to take a right turn onto the R574 to climb the Healy Pass for the second time, armed with the full knowledge of what lays ahead. The Healy Pass descent again needs care and attention before turning left at the bottom and back onto the R572 rolling back into Glengarriff.

Start Time:

The official start time for all routes is 8:00, cyclists may join the group start at 8 or leave anytime between 7:30 and 9:00.
Cyclist are asked not to start outside the 7:30 – 9:00 window as they will not have event support, event insurance cover, food stops, medical or mechanical support

All 3 routes will start at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff. P75 AO72

The “Beara 120km” is a brand new route to challenge all cyclists whilst also showcasing the scenic Atlantic
landscape of Beara. Ideal for those looking for more of a challenge than the 90k but not up to the full 160k.

The route kicks off in the beautiful village of Glengarriff and heads west along the coast road with an early climb to Adrigole. The route there joins with the 90k and 160k routes.

Continuing along the Ring Of Beara, through the picturesque, coastal Castletownbere, onto the R572
mountain route.

Next up is a scenic journey overlooking the sea and Allihies beach before a steep descent to
Ardgroom through gritty rocker and winding terrain along the R572, with an oceanic view of the sea. Main foodstop will be in Eyeries.
The Healy Pass descent will require care and attention before turning left at the bottom and back
onto the R572 rolling back into Glengarriff to relax and celebrate with your fellow participants

Start Time:

The official start time for all routes is 8:00, cyclists may join the group start at 8 or leave anytime between 7:30 and 9:00.
Cyclist are asked not to start outside the 7:30 – 9:00 window as they will not have event support, event insurance cover, food stops, medical or mechanical support

All 3 routes will start at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff. P75 AO72

The Tour De Beara 90k provides cyclists with a shorter route but still with number of challenging climbs including the Healy Pass.

The route departs Glengarriff along the R572 through Adrigole to the fishing port of Castletownbere and then on to the village of Eyeries

The foodstop on this route is the same as for the 160k and 120k in Eyeries, where riders prepare for the final leg of their journey back to Glengarriff.

Continuing along the R571 through the village of Ardgroom and rolling into Lauragh, riders are guided to take a right turn onto the R574 to climb the famous Healy Pass.

On passing back over the border at the summit of the Healy Pass, riders descend back into the Rebel County of Cork and are treated to a 4 km descent of sharp hairpin bends with wonderful little stone walls and bridges hidden beneath. The Healy Pass descent needs care and attention before making your final journey from Adrigole to Glengarriff.

Start Time:

The official start time for all routes is 8:00, cyclists may join the group start at 8 or leave anytime between 7:30 and 9:00.
Cyclist are asked not to start outside the 7:30 – 9:00 window as they will not have event support, event insurance cover, food stops, medical or mechanical support

All 3 routes will start at the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff. P75 AO72

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