Ballintoy Corkscrew

The picturesque village of Ballintoy, normally bustling with Game of Thrones enthusiasts after its harbour featured in the hugely popular series, is the warm up before you reach this tight little climb. The calm before the storm.

Follow the main road, and the incline steadily starts to ramp up just as you pass the local playpark on your left. The first couple of corners should feel gentle enough, but once you pedal past the turn off for Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge it starts to get interesting.

You’ll be feeling the burn by this stage, but if you survive the steepest kick, the road eventually plateaus as you roll past Glenstaughey Road on your right. But it’s not over! There’s one final, nasty ascent to bring you around the corner and up to the finish line at Portaneevy viewpoint, where you’ll be rewarded with the best view of Rathlin Island anywhere on the north coast. And if it’s a clear day, you might even be lucky enough to see Scotland smiling at you on the horizon.