THE SLIEVE MARTIN SLAUGHTER November 10th 2007
Description: The idea of the “Slieve Martin Slaughter” has been around for a few years now but it was only on Saturday, after being spurred on by the “Set Yourself a Challenge” page on Trail Badger (www.trailbadger.com), we decided to round the troops and give it a go. Basically it involves four ascents from sea level to the cairn at Slieve Martin (485 meters above sea level) in Rostrevor by four different routes, on a bike, descending by a different route each time.
Arriving at the Foresters Hut I was surprised to see so many bikes and bikers ready for the challenge. There were the usual NTSR faces, some Wheelers, some from Dundalk, some from Antrim and some lunatic on a Postman’s bike weighing at least 35 pounds (more on him later)!! With twenty one starters the day was set to be an eventful one ……
The first loop took us up the Sally’s Park climb and round by Fallow and despite a puncture or three and a few other stops we all got around safe and sound. The first climb took its toll and some departed company whilst others talked about jumping ship. Back up Fiddlers Green, up to Cloghmor Stone and onto Slieve Martin Cairn via the Glen for our second ascent. The descent down Fern Gully was next and we all waited on the Post Bike to hopefully have a laugh at its rider’s misfortunes on the descent. No such luck as he rode down the hill with impeccable grace, his rear end hanging over the back mudguard the whole time, the look of fear on his face was as if he was being chased by a dog delivering his letters!! Cracks were beginning to appear though ……
Arriving back to the Foresters Hut it was time to refuel before the final two climbs and after losing a few others and gaining a few pounds we set off for the dreaded switchbacks. Up the road climb to the top car park where we met some downhill bikers bringing their bikes out for a drive up the hill. Some pleasantries were exchanged and fifteen painful minutes later we were out of the forest with the switch backs behind us and only one more ascent to go. The crack in the Post Bike’s frame was getting worse and we were starting to question whether it would last the distance. The Post may have to be delivered on foot on Monday morning…….
Back down more singletrack and we readied ourselves for the final slog to the Cairn via Fallow and the Tunnel. Upon reaching the top for the last time mutiny was threatened as some dissenters wanted to go straight home instead of the planned route over Ballynagelty and off the End of the World. A few words of puersuation and we all set off over Ballynagelty and down the old road to fiddlers drop and back to the Foresters Hut.
Twenty one started, seven finished, 2400 meters of climbing, 46km and seven hours of the best laughs on a mountain bike in a long time. Henry, Gerry, Rick, Enda, Alan, Mark and Rowan – the first ever cyclists to complete the Slieve Martin Slaughter.
NB – The Post Bike survived but has now been decommissioned and is being sent to the National Cycle Museum. As for it’s rider he is off to look for some cream ……….
UPDATE - THE POST BIKE WEIGHED 46 POUNDS!!!!!!!!
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