Anyone do this route?

dare2be

I am thinking of doing this route (approx 110k) on Saturday. Just wondering has anyone on here done it before? The plan of attack is the following

Newry-Warrenpoint-Rostrevor-Kilkeel-Newcastle-Castlewellan-Banbridge and back to Newry. Nice scenic route in my opinion and if the weather holds up should be an enjoyable trek.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions or feedback on the route would be welcomed before i set off.

Thanks

superrdave

dare2be wrote: »

I am thinking of doing this route (approx 110k) on Saturday. Just wondering has anyone on here done it before? The plan of attack is the following

Newry-Warrenpoint-Rostrevor-Kilkeel-Newcastle-Castlewellan-Banbridge and back to Newry. Nice scenic route in my opinion and if the weather holds up should be an enjoyable trek.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions or feedback on the route would be welcomed before i set off.

Thanks

The Newry to Kilkeel road is nice enough but quite busy. In fact, the whole route is quite busy, with the exception of Castlewellan to Banbridge. This route is by and large the same but avoids the nastiest roads. The route up by the Spelga Dam is quite nice, IMO and not too tough a climb (although it is quite steep). I would recommend this route over the one you have planned. I've never cycled any of the roads (with the exception of Banbridge - Castlewellan) but I am quite familiar with the area and have driven there a fair bit.

superrdave

One other thing.... I should warn you that the road between Poyntzpass and Newry has a notorious accident blackspot, right where it swings under the railway line. That road, and the road from Newry up to Hilltown and the short stretch from Glasdrumman to Newcastle will probably be the busiest bits. But for scenery, the roads from Hilltown over the Mournes and from Castlewellan to Banbridge are certainly the best.

However, you might be able to avoid the section between Poynts Pass and Newry if you cycle along the old canal towpath. It should be signposted as part of the National Cycle Network. Number 9, I think. Or maybe number 93. Not sure. Anyway, probably a much better bet + it is flat or downhill most of the way which is an ideal way to finish the cycle.

Jip

superrdave wrote: »

One other thing.... I should warn you that the road between Poyntzpass and Newry has a notorious accident blackspot, right where it swings under the railway line.

Isn't that where a group of Portuguese were killed a few months ago ? It's a bad spot alright, regular 'offs' there. It catches people out easily enough and you'll often find people coming towards you half on your side of the road.

dare2be

Thanks. I know that road all too well and i always use the towpath into Newry. Regularly go to Portadown and back along it. Anyway thanks for the advice, hope to get away early in the morning to miss some of the traffic.