10 best cycling routes

Davemcfar

Just back from the French countryside where I cycled some of the smoothest, quietest, and most beautiful roads I have ever seen, and it got me thinking.

Using 100km as an approximate distance, what are the 10 best routes in Ireland.

Raam

All my cycles start from my house so the first and last 20km are usually rubbish

Running Bing

Went on my first ever "cycle" today and went up by Johnny foxes and then on up past Glencree.


Only the tip of the iceberg but it really was stunning and I imagine it would have to be up there?

Bikerbhoy

[

Jaysus fairly lumpy route you took for your first ever cycle, fair play to ya !!!!

hunkymonkey

In no particular order

1. Kenmare, Lauragh, Healy Pass, Adrigole, Glengariff, Kenmare approx 80k
2. Kenmare, Molls Gap, Ballaghbeama, teabreak in climbers inn Glencar, Ballaghoisin, Waterville, Sneem, Molls Gap, Kenmare Approx 100k
3. Killarney, Molls Gap, Black Valley, Gap of Dungloe, Killarney Approx 60k
4. Camp, Stradbally, Connor Pass, Dingle, Slea Head, Ballyferriter, Dingle, Lispole, Inch, Pass that takes ya back over to Camp, its about 6k past Inch, and 4k before Fybagh but can't ever remeber going thro a place called Fybagh. Climb is class from both sides, really pinchy bit coming from Camp over.
5. Ballyvaughan, Corkscrew hill, Lisdoonvarna and following coastline down. (I've done this about four times and its always lashing rain nut I know how beautiful it is because Ive driven it on a fine day!)
6. Maam cross, Leenaun, Louisburgh, Westport, Srah, Cong for tea, Then back to Maam Cross (loads of ways to do this and add in/take away bits)
7. Killalla, Ballycastle, Crossmolina, Cloondaff, Newport, Castlebar, Knockmore, Ballina, Killala (I found the roads all around Mayo to turn my bike into a boneshaker, my wrists, arms and hands never felt anything like it (apart from Tipperary town to Charleville). Scenery more than makes up for it though
8. Dungloe, Maghery, Clooney, Ardara, Glengesh pass, Meenaneary, Glencolmcille, Carrick, Killybegs, Ardara, Glenties, N56 to Dungloe
9. Inisowen 100 clockwise & anticlockwise looks different both ways but Mamore gap is(n't) nice either way, I find the straight way up tougher than the hairpin side but opinion varies
10. Tour of the Glens in Antrim is a quality spin, just followed a couple of lads so not too sure of route but takes in a good few of the 9 glens of Antrim. Usually on the first sunday of May, although I haven't done it in a couple of years
11. Kilbride (Wicklow), Sally gap, Lauragh, Shay Elliot, Lauragh, Wicklow gap, around by lakes, Balyknockn, Lacken and Kilbride

I like routes that have the sea near them in Ireland. Too many quality routes inland to mention. Favourite ones from above are the routes around Kerry, so much choice with the two peninsulas there, Iveragh and Beara.

Running Bing

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

[

Jaysus fairly lumpy route you took for your first ever cycle, fair play to ya !!!!

The bike I was on had suspension so the bumpy roads were'nt that bad.

I was looking absolutely fredtastic on my old Raleigh y-frame mountain bike complete with knobbly tires.:P

I imagine it would be a lot more enjoyable on a proper bike but I actually loved every minute of it. Really enjoyable day and a great route.

ROK ON

Hi> Biggest problem with the question is that it is different for everyone.
I have cycles that I do that I love when the conditions are right, but in high wind and rain, I curse myself for being out.

Then after a hard week in work or minding the infants, then a 50km easy cycle can seem like the best cycle in the world.

However, I will try to give you a flavour of what I have enjoyed.

Sally Gap via Lugalla - just beautiful (but tough tough tough).

Glencree Valley on a cold crisp winters day or a hot summers day is hard to beat (as is Pineforest Road - Johnnie Foxes).

Laragh to Slieve Maan is very picturesque.

Straffan - Kill - Eadestown - Ballymore Eustace.

Killarney - Gap of Dunloe - Black Valley - Glencar Valley - Ballaghasheen - Waterville - Derrynane.

Kenmare - Borlin Valley - Ballylickey - Glengariff - Adrigole - Healey Pass - Lauragh - Allihies

Lahinch - Cliffs of Moher - Doolin - Fanore - Ballyvaughan

Slieve Blooms in Laois/Offaly

Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary.

Hope that this gives you a flavour.

It is all personal and depends on circumstance. Buy a few OS maps and just plan a trip. You'll be pleasantly surprised, we live in a beautiful country.

ROK ON

Running Bing wrote: »

I imagine it would be a lot more enjoyable on a proper bike but I actually loved every minute of it. Really enjoyable day and a great route.

Thats the key - today was just a good day to be out on the bike. Not a drop of wind in Wicklow.

Running Bing

ROK ON wrote: »

Thats the key - today was just a good day to be out on the bike. Not a drop of wind in Wicklow.

Yeah I imagine doing some of those climbs during the depths of winter could be pretty character building.:D

bbosco

ROK ON wrote: »

Straffan - Kill - Eadestown - Ballymore Eustace.

This is my favourite route on a crisp, clear winter's day or a hot summer's one when you don't want any hills, just want to fly along in rolling countryside. There are so many little laneways around there I'm always finding little variations too, never the same route twice.

lucky-colm

Raam wrote: »

All my cycles start from my house so the first and last 20km are usually rubbish

so do mine but they are only half a mile long to the pub spend a few hours knocking 'em back and then of home again.

so as you can see i only enjoy the middle part aswell

Davemcfar

Some great routes there thanks,

Ok, next question: Anyone got any routes along with their best times for them?

I feel like breaking some records

hunkymonkey

Very rarely have speedo on the bike, hence my lack of knowledge re distances which I'm always getting trouble for with my mates as I do out the routes for trips.
Ah well, sneaky training!

petethedrummer

The surface on the road up to the Spelga Damn in Co. Down is really nice, on the route that the Dromara 125 sportive took.

crashoveroid

Any spin down near Kinsale is always a winner as long as it involves stopping for lots of lovely Java

ednwireland

110km of fairly empty roads views of the sea, errigal and only 800m of climbing

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/donegal/504124984437861806

tunney

Davemcfar wrote: »

Just back from the French countryside where I cycled some of the smoothest, quietest, and most beautiful roads I have ever seen, and it got me thinking.

Using 100km as an approximate distance, what are the 10 best routes in Ireland.

100km?? to the shops and back?

Waterfall1975

Heuston to Centre & back.
always a challenge!
no lol :rolleyes:

Quigs Snr

Waterford - Passage East - Crooke - Woodstown - Dunmore East - Tramore - Copper Coast Road via Annestown - Bonmahon - Turn inland to Mahon Bridge - Mahon Falls - Carrick Road - Scroutys Hill - Portlaw - Waterford

Basically this starts off in City, quickly turning into countryside, spectacular views over the Suir Estuary on the way into Passage East followed by rolling hills along the coastline the whole way to Tramore, passing Woodstown beach and the seaside fishing village of Dunmore (my route goes through Dunmore past the beachs and the fishing harbour onto the back hilly route past Ballymacaw beach on the way to Tramore) - coming into Tramore you have a great view of the sandhills and back strand for many miles, then after Tramore you are on the famous copper coast road to Bunmahon, spectacular cliffs, coves, beaches, roads which drop into and around the coves (at Kilmurrin).

After Bunmahon it goes inland towards Mahon Bridge for about 10-15k. Fairly flat well surfaced roads and then you are up and over Mahon falls (no description required for those who have done the Kelly Tour), then continue on towards Carrick and turn right over another long steady climb up the back of Scroutys hill which goes through thick woodland before begining a long descent to the town of Portlaw with a view of about 5km of the river suir all along your left side on the way down. From Portlaw you can either go straight into Waterford, or as I do go up Church Hill, left turn and take the rolling "High Road" as we call it locally back to the Suir Valley Railway station and home.

Its near enough 100k, maybe slightly more. You start in city, then ride along a river, then sandy coast roads, followed by cliff top coast roads passing through fishing ports and tourist resorts, before heading up one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the country and rounding it out by a ride through woodlands and riverviews again before a lumpy backroad home to finish your legs off. Hard to beat this county for bike routes. I think the Sean Kelly is missing out by not involving the Coast road at least... I suggested this one for our club sportive but there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm due to the difficulty for beginers of some sections of it.

hunkymonkey

good call edwnireland, completely forgot about that route even though i've done it twice in last two weeks! The saturday before last, bank holiday weekend, the weather was shocking but last saturday was great, and was an hour quicker :-) My mother was from Falcarragh so get to go up a bit. Is there any hidden tough climbs around the area that you'd recommend?

Vélo

I love around by Ballyvaughan. I'm actually heading there next weekend for a week. I'll be bringing my road bike and my mtb bike. I'm not sure if it'll be any good for mountain biking but I'll give it a go.

Civilian_Target

Fanad Head in Donegal is amazing in decent weather... I never no a good route, usually something this:

Letterkenny -> Ramelton -> Milford -> Kerrykeel -> Over the top of the head -> Rathmullan -> Ramelton -> Letterkenny

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3098721

I guess if you're feeling enthusiastic you can go up to Portsalon too

Esroh

Going to put in a plug for the West.
Ballinrobe-Carnacon-Ballintubber-Killwalla-Srah-Tourmakeady-Finny-Kilmilkin-Maam-Cornamona-Clonbur-Ballinrobe.
100km its has a bit of everything with great scenery and rolling roads with 3 short sharp climbs included.
With a few tweaks here and there can be a few extra miles+climbs added or a few taken away.

ednwireland

hunkymonkey wrote: »

good call edwnireland, completely forgot about that route even though i've done it twice in last two weeks! The saturday before last, bank holiday weekend, the weather was shocking but last saturday was great, and was an hour quicker :-) My mother was from Falcarragh so get to go up a bit. Is there any hidden tough climbs around the area that you'd recommend?

glengesh !!!!!!!



might try that tomorrow (first spin today on new focus cayo)

if you ever want to meet give me a shout (if you want a fat slow guy slowing you down)

inishowen gap of mamore



theres 2 climbs that spring to mind