Dublin - Waterford via Mount Leinster

-K2-

I'm planning on cycling to Waterford in a few weeks and thought, Mt Leinster on the way for a diversion, sure why not.

I've a few routes in mind, does anyone have opinions or suggestions?

Route 1: Straight down the N81 to Bunclody, detour up to the top and then New Ross - Waterford

Route 2: Quieter (?) roads through Wicklow but longer.

A second question is: is there a better way from New Ross to Waterford than the N25?

Finally, if the gate at the bottom of the RTE mast service road is closed can you just lift the bike over it and head upwards, like Kippure?

Thanks.

Morrisseeee

Route 1 FTW

if the gate at the bottom of the RTE mast service road is closed can you just lift the bike over it and head upwards

No need to lift bike over gate, you can walk straight through at the side................enjoy

Quigs Snr

Route one all the way. You New Ross directly there isn't really a better way to Waterford, you can veer off to the left and go along the old main road along the river about a mile or two after New Ross, until a few miles before Waterford, alternatively you could find your way to Inistoige or Listerlin possibly via Graigenamanagh from the top of Mount Leinster and head into Waterford that way, I know the routes but could not easily explain them !

aquanaut

You could go new ross to ballyhack and then across to waterford on the Ferry - not very direct though

mcgratheoin

Done this route a few times with a couple of variations. Straight down the N81 through Tullow is the way to go - I've done a few variations between there and New Ross (via Bunclody/Borris etc..) and Mt. Leinster would be a nice diversion - even if you just follow the road without the full climb.

In general it's a nice spin - until Mt. Leinster it's on average slightly downhill from Brittas - you gain a fair bit of height coming out of Tallaght and you have the benefit of not having to give it back all at once. When you're leaving New Ross, go left under the old railway bridge to follow the old New Ross - Waterford Road along by the river - much nicer than breathing truck fumes on the N25 - you can stay off the N25 until nearly the Rhu Glenn pub, although you do pay for it with some short sharp shocks.

coastwatch

I'd prefer route 2, it's more scenic and less traffic after you leave the N11.

michael196

route 1:

A suggestion: Where the N 81 joins the N 80 at kilmurry , consider getting accross to the r724 at that junction and aviod heading down that part of the N80. road is very Narrow along there untill probably that place called craan later down. two artics meeting along there and u are in the ditch.

consider going to myshall and up the corrabutt to m leinster.


alos new ross to waterford will be fine , there is a hard shoulder for most of the route, fine wide road,

a trek from newross or wexford to bally hack is a long trek but the slide into waterford is fine.

a fine suggestion from quigs also:

you could find your way to Inistoige or Listerlin possibly via Graigenamanagh from the top of Mount Leinster and head into Waterford that way, I know the routes but could not easily explain them !

and if you are feeling fit there is a grand hill out of inistiogue. stop in the cafe in the square for home made cake, then belt up the 10% gradient like a 21 year old !!!

inistigoue is beautiful ,

smacl

I've done something similar to your route 2 a few times, twice going to Ramsgrange on the Wexford side of Waterford, the other time finishing at Tomduff on the side of Mount Leinster. I go Enniskerry - Kilmac - Laragh - Rathdrum, just because I like that run. I also tend to go Tinahely - Shillelagh rather than Carnew, as it breaks things up a bit to go through a village every now and again.

Depends whether you're after faster bigger roads or smaller country roads, I prefer the latter if I'm not pushed for time. Either way, enjoy your spin back down Mt Leinster / Nine Stones / Tom Duff etc... and watch out for the two sets of cattle grids near the top.

-K2-

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!

Morrisseeee

Let us know how you get on, especially on 'that' climb