We take a wide variety of routes throughout the year. They vary both in length and pace but are always aimed at maximising enjoyment for our members. You don’t need much to be able to participate but there is a short list of items which we recommend you don’t leave home without. Here is a guide to what you need as well as a sample of where we go and what we do.
What’s it like on a spin?
See for yourself below:
What do I need on a training ride…?
- Hard shell helmet (essential…!)
- Rain cape or jacket
- Two spare tubes
- Pump
- Tyre irons
- Water bottle
- Some food, banana, chocolate bar or energy bars etc…
- €5 or €10 for the coffee stop or lunch break
- A quick recap of the club group cycle etiquette: http://www.overthehillcc.com/group-cycle-etiquette/
- Familiarity with the Cycling Ireland Guidelines for Cycling on the Road: ci ride leader – guide to cycling on the road
- A road racing bike, preferably with 700 x 25 tyres, drop bars and in a good state of repair
- Front and rear lights are recommended for low light and winter conditions riding
- ICE (In Case of Emergency) Contact information either on a Safety Bracelet or Phone
OTHCC Cycling Levels ” A level for everybody”
| Level | Av Speed (km/hr) | Distance (km) | Details | Coffee Stop | Start Time (am) |
| L3 | 20-23 | 25-50 | Suitable for beginners that have no experience riding in groups. Accompanied at all times by two experienced cyclists. | Yes | 9 |
| L2 | 23-26 | 60-100 | For cyclists that need more of a challenge. Have experience riding in groups. Excellent training for Sportives. Accompanied at all times by a minimum of one experienced cyclist. | Optional | 8.15 |
| L1 | 26-30+ | 70-120+ | For the stronger cyclists with good level of fitness and experience. Be prepared for a bit of pain. This level should be target for most cyclists. Accompanied at all times by an experienced cyclist. | Optional | 8 |
Over The Hill Selecting your group
| Ref | Applicable Level | Guideline |
| 1 | L1,2,3 | Individual members will determine their own levels |
| 2 | L1,2,3 | New members will be allowed maximum 3 spins before required to joining CI and Club |
| 3 | L3 | A rota will be in place to ensure two “Leads” accompany all L3 spins. |
| 4 | L1,2,3 | Spins will be cancelled/rescheduled if there are no experienced cyclists identified to manage. |
| 5 | L3 | Will run on Wed and Sunday only |
| 6 | L1,2 | Captains will circulate route using FB, Email and Text minimum 24hrs in advance of the cycle. |
| 7 | L3 | L3 Leads will circulate route using FB, Email and Text minimum 24hrs in advance of the cycle. |
| 8 | L1,2,3 | Members planning on attending the cycles must respond to confirm. |
| 9 | L3 | A menu of L3 routes will be available on FB and Website. |
| 10 | L3 | It is the responsibility of the leads to check the”L3 Lead Rota” and if they are not available they must arrange to swap with another L3 Lead. |
| 11 | L1,2,3 | Minimum requirements is a racing bike |
| 12 | L1,2,3 | Minimum age is 18years. |
Sample Training Routes
Various options exist for training spins, the majority of which begin and end in Watergrasshill. The list below links to a number of those that have been ridden and mapped over the club lifetime
| Legend | |
| WGH | Watergrasshill |
| Level 3 routes | ||||
| Route # | Start | Direction | Distance | Climbing |
| Route 1 | WGH | Hazelwood – Brooklodge – New Line – WGH | 29km | 304m |
| Route 2 | WGH | Rathcormac – Dispensary Lane – Fermoy – WGH | 39km | 408m |
| Route 3 | WGH | Bridesbridge – Castlelyons – Rathcormac – Glenville – WGH | 36km | 291m |
| Route 4 | WGH | Glenville – Whites Cross – Glanmire – WGH | 34.5km | 374m |
| Route 5 | WGH | Bridesbridge – Castlelyons – Fermoy – Duntaheen Rd. – WGH | 44.2km | 527m |
| Route 6 | WGH | Bridgeland E. – Midleton – Glanmire – WGH | 60.4km | 528m |
General training routes
| Ride # | Start | End | Locality | Distance (km) | Gain (m) | Route | Rating | Notes |
| TR-001 | WGH | WGH | Lee River Valley | 116 | 524 | WGH – Dunkettle -Cork – Dripsey – Coachford – Macroom – Lissarda – Cork – Dunkettle – WGH | Medium | Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Residential Area, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour,Rural Area, Smooth Terrain, Urban Area |
| TR-002 | WGH | WGH | East Cork – West Waterford | 148 | 736 | WGH – Dunkettle – Youghal – Dungarvan – Cappoquin – Fermoy – WGH | Difficult | Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-003 | WGH | WGH | East Cork | 113 | 615 | WGH – Dunkettle – Youghal – Tallow – Fermoy – WGH | Difficult | Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-004 | WGH | WGH | Glenville Loop | 61 | 386 | WGH – Fermoy – Ballyhooly – Castletownroche – Killavullen – Beenaskeha – Glenville – WGH | Medium | Average Terrain, Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area |
| TR-005 | WGH | WGH | Bride River Valley | 71 | 341 | WGH – Corrin – East Aghern – Conna – Tallow – Fermoy – WGH | Medium | Easy Difficulty, Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-006 | WGH | WGH | Loop to Kinsale | 101 | 697 | WGH – Glanmire – Cork – Bandon Road – Inishannon – Kinsale – Riverstick – Cork – Glanmire – WGH | Difficult | Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-007 | WGH | WGH | Loop to Ballyhooley | 48 | 483 | WGH – Rathcormac – Cappagh Cross – Ballyhooley – Cappagh Cross – Rathcormac – WGH | Difficult | Average Terrain, Hard Difficulty, Hilly Contour, Long Climb Contour, Road Surface, Rural Area, Very Steep Contour |
| TR-008 | WGH | WGH | East Cork – West Waterford – South Tipp – North Cork | 178 | 1111 | Hilly 3 county spin, Cork – Waterford – Tipperary- Cork | Difficult | Average Terrain, Hard Difficulty, Hilly Contour, Low Traffic Area, Mountains Surroundings, River Surroundings, Road Surface, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings |
| TR-009 | WGH | WGH | East Cork – West Waterford | 146 | 1193 | WGH – Corrin – Conna – Tallow – Lismore – The Vee – Clogheen – Newcastle – Mt. Melleray – Lismore – Tallow – Fermoy – Rathcormac – WGH | Difficult | Hard Difficulty, Hilly Contour, Long Climb Contour, Mountains Surroundings, River Surroundings, Road Surface, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-010 | WGH | WGH | Loop to Bandon / Kinsale | 140 | 1002 | WGH – Glanmire – Cork – FiveMile – Halfway – Crossbarry – Bandon – Oldchapel – Courtmacsherry – Old Head – Kinsale – Belgooly – Riverstick – Cork – Glanmire – WGH | Difficult | Hard Difficulty, High Traffic Area, Hilly Contour, Low Traffic Area, Medium Climb Contour, Oceans, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings, Smooth Terrain, Urban Area |
| TR-011 | WGH | WGH | Loop to Midleton | 60 | 354 | WGH – Glanmire – Dunkettle – Midleton – Lisgould – Dr. Barry’s Bridge – WGH | Easy | Easy Difficulty, Flat Contour, High Traffic Area, Medium Climb Contour, Residential Area, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-012 | WGH | WGH | Loop to Passage – Cobh | 60 | 311 | WGH – Glanmire – Cork – Rochestown – Passage West – Cobh – Carrigtohill – Glounthane – Glanmire – WGH | Easy | Easy Difficulty, High Traffic Area, Low Traffic Area, Oceans, Residential Area, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain, Urban Area |
| TR-013 | WGH | WGH | 15K Hill Time Trial | 15 | 116 | WGH – Glanmire M8 on-ramp (15K Time Trial) | Easy | Medium Climb Contour, Medium Difficulty, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Very Smooth Terrain |
| TR-014 | Little Island | Little Island | Little Island Flat Time Trial (6.6K) | 6.6 | 29 | Little Island | Easy | Flat Contour, Road Surface, Smooth Terrain, Very Easy Difficulty |
| TR-015 | WGH | WGH | Ballyvourney | 153 | 540 | WGH – Glanmire – Cork – Bllincollig Bypass – Lissarda – Macroom – Ballyvourney – Macroom – Lissarda – Ballincollig Bypass – Cork – Glanmire – WGH | Difficult | Flat Contour, Hard Difficulty, High Traffic Area, Low Traffic Area, Medium Climb Contour, River Surroundings, Road Surface, Rural Area, Smooth Terrain, Urban Area |
| TR-016 | Dungarvan | Dungarvan | Sean Kelly Comeragh Challenge | 158 | 1473 | Dungarvan – Lemybrien – Carrick-on-Suir – Seskin – Kilsheelan – Clonmel – Ballymacarbry – Harney’s Cross – Mahon Falls – Kilrossanty – The Mama – Dungarvan | Very Difficult | Hard Difficulty, Hilly Contour, Long Climb Contour, Mountains Surroundings, River Surroundings, Road Surface, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings, Smooth Terrain |
| TR-017 | Bantry | Bantry | Beara Peninsula | 117 | 1040 | Bantry – Ballylickey – Glengarrif – Adrigole – Healy Pass – Lauragh – Tragalee – Kenmare – Caha Pass – Glengarrif – Ballylickey – Bantry | Difficult | Beach Surroundings, Hard Difficulty, Hilly Contour, Lake Surroundings, Long Climb Contour, Low Traffic Area, Mountains Surroundings, Oceans, Residential Area, Road Surface, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings, Smooth Terrain, Steep Contour |
| TR-018 | Allemand | Allemand | La Marmotte | 187 | 5600 | Torture | Long Climb Contour, Mountains Surroundings, Road Surface, Rough Terrain, Very Hard Difficulty, Very Rough Terrain | |
| TR-019 | Baltimore | Baltimore | West Cork 200 | 200 | 1598 | Baltimore – Skibereen – Ballydehob – Schull – Crookhaven – Durrus – Kilcrohane – Bantry – Ballylickey – Farnanes – Drimoleague – Drinagh – Leap – Skibereen – Baltimore | Difficult | Average Terrain, Beach Surroundings, Hard Difficulty, Lake Surroundings, Long Climb Contour, Medium Climb Contour, Mountains Surroundings, Oceans, Rolling Climb Contour, Rural Area, Scenic Surroundings,Smooth Terrain |