Route Description

Route 66

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 The Portadown to Carlingford route is geared towards ‘experienced’ cyclists who are used to pounding out 60-80 mile routes on a regular basis.  The route provides those cyclist with a serious lung busting 66 mile challenge.

Winding through drumlin hills of Armagh alongside the route of the Belfast to Dublin railway line, this 33 mile route heads south from Portadown through Scarva, Poyntzpass, into Newry City and onwards to Carlingford.

The event will start at Portadown Health Centre (Tavanagh Ave, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3BU), cyclists will be escorted from the Health Centre onto the main Tavanagh Road where the serious cycling business starts.

– After 5 miles of the Sportive cyclists will pass through the village of Tandragee, the home of Tayto Castle.

– 3 miles further down the road and the Sportive passes by the beautiful County Armagh village of Scarva, toilet facilities are available at this point.

– The next 12 miles of the route see the Sportive go through the villages of Jerretspass and Pointzpass before entering Newry City.

– Cyclist will be directed through Newry and onto the final leg of the of the route to Carlingford

– The route follows the Newry river and Carlingford Lough were cyclist can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula with Slieve Foy as a -spectacular backdrop

– At the end of the Portadown to Carlingford route is the Carlingford refuel stop where toilet facilities will be available to all cyclists and this is the half way point where you will be served Refreshments before starting back along on the return leg of the route to Portadown Health Centre.

Route 44

The Newry Canal Tow Path has been chosen to suit those ‘leisure’ cyclists who wish to participate in the event. It provides the perfect environment, away from road traffic, for a fun and leisurely cycle along the banks of the Bann and Cusher rivers.

Winding through drumlin hills of Armagh alongside the route of the Belfast to Dublin railway line, this 22 mile route utilises the towpath of the disused Newry Canal that heads south from Portadown through Scarva and Poyntzpass and into Newry City.

The event will start at Portadown Health Centre (Tavanagh Ave, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3BU) and cyclists will be escorted the short distance from the Health Centre to the start of the towpath.

– After one mile the towpath meets the ‘Point of Whitecoat’, which marks the meeting point of the River Bann and the River Cusher.

– A further 1 mile along the route and you will arrive at ‘Moneypenny’s Lock’ and Museum, which highlights the magnificent flora and fauna that brings the Canal and towpath to life. Then pass ‘Knock Bridge’ and continue along to the next landmark of ‘Terryhoogan Lock’.

– Approximately one mile further along, you will enter the village of Scarva, at this point public toilet facilitates are available.

Halfway between Scarva and Poyntzpass is the ‘Acton Interpretive Centre’.

– Just after the 10 mile point you will find Poyntzpass where a water station and public toilet facilities are available.

– The next landmark is ‘Gambles Bridge’, also known as the ‘Crack Bridge’ due partly to the crack in its wall and partly because it is a meeting place to share a ‘bit of craic’.

– After approximately 15 miles, you will enter the small settlement of Jerrettspass, followed by Steenson’s Bridge, a picturesque stone bridge incorporating three arches.

– At the end of the Newry Canal Towpath is ‘Win Business Centre’ (Canal Quay, Newry, BT35 6PH) where toilet facilities will be available to all cyclists and this is the half way point where you will be served Tea/Coffee and Refreshments before starting back along the towpath on the return leg of the route to Portadown Health Centre.