Ballyemon Road

Cushendall is the start line for this one, and it’s a road you might miss if you’re not careful. Just opposite the Eurospar and the old Glens Hotel you’ll see a road rise up with a sign for the Glenballyemon Scenic Route. That’s the road you’re after.

And it’s an energy sapper. It’s never drastic in its gradient at any single point, but the whole thing is just steep enough that you’re never able to get comfortable. You have to keep a rhythm, you have to stay focused, and you have to keep churning those legs. The road snakes from right to left over and over for the first couple of miles, and if inspiration is required you can sneak a glance at the stunning Lurig mountain looming large up ahead.

Then before you know it, Lurig’s not in front of you anymore. It’s beside you. And still the climb goes on. Just one long conveyor belt of steady incline. Suddenly, the mountain’s gone. You’ve passed it by, and guess what... the road hasn’t stopped rising!

Take time if you can, though, to appreciate the scenery around you on all angles. The landscape really opens up the further you move inland. Just a few more corners to weave around and finally the road levels out and you’ve done it!

From the sea to the top of the glen in just over four miles. Turn around and drink it in.

And if cycling it on its own isn't enough for you, this climb is the centrepiece of the bike leg in the popular GOAT triathlon, held every September in Cushendall.