Dublin - Dungarvan

Raam

I'll be cycling this route soon. Once I get past Wicklow, are there any particularly nice spots close to my intended route which are worth passing through?

Right now I am taking the N81 as far as Baltinglass and then hitting the local roads shortly after that. In other words, this...

I don't really know those areas so I just picked what looked like quiet and somewhat direct roads. After the N81 I'd like to avoid busy roads where possible. It's a long route so I'd prefer to avoid any stiff climbs.

Ignore the funky bit closer to Dungarvan. Google Maps gets a bit wonky at times.

Thanks for your help.

TheBlaaMan

Raam wrote: »

I'll be cycling this route soon. Once I get past Wicklow, are there any particularly nice spots close to my intended route which are worth passing through?

Right now I am taking the N81 as far as Baltinglass and then hitting the local roads shortly after that. In other words, this...

I don't really know those areas so I just picked what looked like quiet and somewhat direct roads. After the N81 I'd like to avoid busy roads where possible. It's a long route so I'd prefer to avoid any stiff climbs.

Ignore the funky bit closer to Dungarvan. Google Maps gets a bit wonky at times.

Thanks for your help.

TBH, there are loads of options. Dublin - Waterford is a really flat route along the old N9, (only about 1000m gain over the 160km) but as you're coming thru Wicklow, maybe stay on the N81 as far as Bunclody and come over Mount Leinster/Nine Stones to Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Carrick-on-Suir to Dungarvan.

Anyway, if you are not sticking to the N9 into Waterford and then the N25 into Dungarvan (ie, the 'main roads') you are in for a bit of climbing. How much, well, that's up to you. With the above the likelihood is about 2200m of climbing for the 200km-odd route, so not too bad, but no really stiff climbs, weather permitting (ie Mount Leinster can be a toughie).

ROK ON

Raam.

I have done a bit of cycling around Bagnalstown. Co. Carlow is a surprisingly beautiful place to cycle - i say surprising in that very few people speak about it.

Also, make sure that your route takes in Inistoige and Woodstock. I did a route there a few years back with Capt Havoc. Inistoige to Mullinavat is a great cycle. Lots of short steep bits. Constantly undulating - you will love it.

The Midleton 200 Audax approaches Dungarvan by coming in the coast road via Stradbally. It is a great route with fantastic views.

When in Dungarvan be sure to have a bottle or two of Dungarvan Brewery Helvik Gold - probably the best beer in this country.

Enjoy

Raam

Thanks chaps.

BTW, Mt Leinster would not be excluded from the stiff climb category!

Surveyor11

Raam wrote: »

Thanks chaps.

BTW, Mt Leinster would not be excluded from the stiff climb category!

+1 for inistigue lovely part of the country

A nice route from Waterford to dungarvan would be to head for tramore and follow the coast road through annestown - nice and hilly with some lovely coastal scenery. The copper coast sportive follows this route, so comeragh cycling club should have info on their website

Raam

Surveyor11 wrote: »

A nice route from Waterford to dungarvan would be to head for tramore and follow the coast road through annestown - nice and hilly with some lovely coastal scenery. The copper coast sportive follows this route, so comeragh cycling club should have info on their website

I cycled that before, it's certainly nice. It takes me a bit out of my way though. Taking the last few posts on board I now have something like this. It will be over 220km door to door so I think I shall give Tramore a miss for that.

TheBlaaMan

Raam wrote: »

I cycled that before, it's certainly nice. It takes me a bit out of my way though. Taking the last few posts on board I now have something like this. It will be over 220km door to door so I think I shall give Tramore a miss for that.

Looking good........I'd check with others more local than me, but I recall the roads between Myshall and Borris beng fairly narrow in places and some may be boreen-type.

Also, there are stiff enough climbs on the route you have opted for between Graiguenamanage and Inistoige and again between Inistoige and Mullinavat ('Woodstock Hill'....), and finally, out of Portlaw (check out Chapel Hill) so to avoid this - and give you a better route into west Waterford - maybe consider staying on the R473 from Graiguenamanagh into Thomastown (still a bit of a climb) on to Carrick-on-Suir and Lemybrien - its easy to get over onto the coast road after Lemybrien.

Any way you choose, there is great scenery if the weather is good, and a tough day in the saddle if its not... .

Raam

Thanks, BlaaMan. Do you mean the R703 into Thomastown? I can't see the R473 leading into it.

TheBlaaMan

Raam wrote: »

Thanks, BlaaMan. Do you mean the R703 into Thomastown? I can't see the R473 leading into it.

Yes, sorry R703 it should be. Its a bit draggy, but lacks the bite of the route over the side of Brandon Hill from my recollection.

ford2600

From thomastown go through Kilmaganny and then Carrick. Take Dungarvan road r676 and turn left sfter hairpin onto r677. After Kilmactomas cross N25 and take R677 then turning onto coastal road r675 into Dungarvan.
Also if having bottle of stout, off the shelf with a small glass

Raam wrote: »

Thanks, BlaaMan. Do you mean the R703 into Thomastown? I can't see the R473 leading into it.

smacl

From Dublin to Bunclody, I tend to go Kilmacanough - Laragh - Rathdrum - Balinclash - Aughrim - Tinahely - Shilelagh, mainly because I find the N81 pretty tedious. Slower, but not that lumpy outside of Kilmac. You can pick up your route from Bunclody via Kiltealy and Ballymurphy or as an option take the Kilbrannish run over Mt Leinster - 9 stones - Ballymurphy.

Raam

Seeing as the weather may not be great, I think I shall take the most direct route which I can. It comes in at 195km, so it will be a long day as it is without looking for sideshows. Thanks for all the posts.

TheBlaaMan

Raam wrote: »

Seeing as the weather may not be great, I think I shall take the most direct route which I can. It comes in at 195km, so it will be a long day as it is without looking for sideshows. Thanks for all the posts.

TBH, straight down the old N9 is fine, if a bit boring, and from Waterford pick up the N25 to Dungarvan (dont try to cycle over the new by-pass bridge on a bike.....apparently someone was arrested trying to do so recently). The N25 is wide and safe to cycle, if prone to being windy.

Raam

I'm on the mobile so I've no link to my route, but its N81 to Baltinglass and then R roads for the rest with but a few L.

TheBlaaMan

You'll be fine, but if you are stuck for local assistance, PM me for a number