Belfast to Portstewart - Suggested route?

spdmrphy

Headin up to Portstewart in a couple of weeks for a stag. A few of the lads had bandied about the idea of cycling up from Belfast as part of the maracycle training. Just wondering what route options there are.

Was thinking Antrim coast road - wee bit longer, but spectacular scenery. Has anyone info on the more inland route? Obviously, I'd like to avoid heavily trafficked roads where possible.

Spud.

TinyExplosions

Here you go

spdmrphy

Em.... thanks?

But seriously, I'm aware of google maps. Not keen on cycling through Ballymena-hey on a Saturday morning though. What I was hoping was that someone would have done the route before and provide a bit more info than a red line between two points!

TinyExplosions

spdmrphy wrote: »

Em.... thanks?

But seriously, I'm aware of google maps. Not keen on cycling through Ballymena-hey on a Saturday morning though. What I was hoping was that someone would have done the route before and provide a bit more info than a red line between two points!

You're welcome?

If you're aware of google maps, then you'll know that it's commonly used to plot out routes, such as one I've taken in the past to get from Belfast to Portstewart, and that I recreated just for you, as you asked.

What more info do you need? They're roads, they're by and large not too busy, and Ballymena is fine to go through?

granda

if it was me i'd take the coast road just for the scenery alone

spdmrphy

TinyExplosions wrote: »

You're welcome?

If you're aware of google maps, then you'll know that it's commonly used to plot out routes, such as one I've taken in the past to get from Belfast to Portstewart, and that I recreated just for you, as you asked.

What more info do you need? They're roads, they're by and large not too busy, and Ballymena is fine to go through?

Because I'm not just looking for the shortest distance between two points. Useful info / advice such as: It it worth going out via Antrim and along the lough for a bit, to Magherafelt and on up from there? WOuld you just take the coast road the whole way instead? Half decent cafe's along the way. That sort of thing.

G rock

was up round that part of country the other week (in car unfortunately), coast road in antrim is class, came across a few cycle tourers on the road.

make it to cushendun/dall, then onto ballycastle, bushmills, portrush, then portstewart, would be a nice section. few climbs too.

road between giant's causeway and portrush is narrow and can be busy but should be fine

granda

i'm originally from round that way, if you take the coast road you will go through loads of little villages with plenty of places to stop.
your route would be belfast-whiteabbey-carrickfergus- whitehead- larne-coast road to portstewart or if you want to make it a bit easier get the train from belfast to larne and start your ride there.
if you start in larne there wont be much difference in the mileage along the coast as going overland from belfast
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/new#

spdmrphy

Yeah, I was half thinking about getting the train to Larne actually. I think that might be the plan. Cheers for the replies lads!