Route from Dublin to Dundalk

sleepyholland

I have to go there on Saturday so decided to use it as a training spin and get a lift back.

The most direct route is the 'old road' through Balbriggan, Drogheda, Dunleer.
Any point deviating from this?

Route planner advises the A2, but it thinks I am a car.

granda

that route is your best bet or upto slane on the n2(i think it is) into drogheda and then dunleer-dundalk

petethedrummer

The R132 is the easiest route to follow. Its a fairly dull flat cycle and the road, while not potholed, is quite coarse in stretches and the vibrations can get annoying.

This route is shorter but may be harder to follow.

You could also take the N2 to Ardee and then Dundalk. But its quite a busy road. The R132 is pretty quiet now with the new motorway.

manwithaplan

That's probably your best bet but there are some nice back roads you could take (if the trip isn't long enough already). For instance:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4027016

Some nice routes up through South Armagh too...

manwithaplan

Ignore the reference to South Armagh - I somehow managed to read that you were cycling to Belfast!

In that case, I would go the route I posted as your cycle isn't too long. You have a reasonable chance of not getting lost.

trad

Just bear in mind that Tullyesker north of Drogheda isn't exactly flat.

sleepyholland

Cheers for all the advice.

manwithaplan: It was probably my 'A2' that made you think of Belfast.

I look forward to Tullyesker and those other fantastically named palces like Termonfeckin - though hopefully I don't end up there.

I'll probably take peterthedrummer's R132 route as I'm less likely to get lost that way. I vaguely remember that way form busing it up and down to college a few years ago.

Thanks for athe help.
I'll let you know how I get on. Now to check the wind and weather!

petethedrummer

sleepyholland wrote: »

I'll probably take peterthedrummer's R132 route as I'm less likely to get lost that way. I vaguely remember that way form busing it up and down to college a few years ago.

You just need to look for signs for Santry, Swords (but bypass it), Ballbriggan, Julianstown, Drogheda, Dunleer, Castlebellingham (pronounced CastleBelinjum, Castlebeljinam or just Belgium) and Dundalk. Tullyesker is a bit of a drag but its nothing to worry about and the wind is usually on your tail heading north.

If you have time, there is the Cycle Shop on Clanbrassil street which has the cheapest prices I've seen in the country but not much selection in store. He has some nice Felts cheaper than Eurocycles do them. And there is Tommy the Bike's on Earl St. which has a bit more of a range to peruse upstairs.