Touring advice: Cavan, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath

slowcyclist

Hi all. I took up cycling in 2009, starting with a circuit of Ireland, covering all the coastal counties. Since then I have completed a number of sportives and charity cycles that have helped me visit some counties that I'd not cycled in previously. However I still have a number of counties I have not visited, all in the upper half of the country.

Myself and a friend are planning a two day trip to complete the list, and I'm looking for advice on what to see or what to avoid in the counties below. Our preference would be to stay off N roads, and take in areas of particular scenic beauty or interesting/challenging rides/climbs. I have entered the "Lap The Lough" sportive in August that will tick the box for Armagh and Tyrone, but I've still go the following counties to visit:

Cavan
Longford
Monaghan
Offaly
Roscommon
Westmeath

Distances of 150/200km per day are anticipated. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

G rock

Any particular start off point for monaghan/cavan?

When i get to a computer this week sometime I might be able to give a few suggestions (on phone at the minute)

slowcyclist

G rock wrote: »

Any particular start off point for monaghan/cavan?

Thanks G rock - we don't have a specific start point identified - we'll be getting a lift from Dublin, (and hopefully also getting a lift home when finished) so we have a fair amount of flexibility.

calistro

This might interest you: https://www.facebook.com/5CountyCycleChallenge

It only tips into a small portion of Co. Monaghan but would tick Cavan, Longford, Monaghan,Westmeath off your list.

The main climb is called Loughanlea and there are great views from it.

slowcyclist

calistro wrote: »

This might interest you: https://www.facebook.com/5CountyCycleChallenge

Thanks calistro, there is plenty of interesting info on the link, much appreciated.

silver campaign

If your doing Longford Cavan and Roscommon the same day, I'd recommend a lap of Lough gowna in North Longford. From either granard or balinalee, head towards mullinalaghta and pass through gowna village(Co Cavan) aughnacliffe and Dring. Nice rolling hills and lake views.

From aughnacliffe, head towards cairn hill, you'll notice the large mast on top. After that climb, head into drumlish and take the road for mohill. I know you didnt mention leitrim, but it's a nice road along Lough rinn. In mohill, turn for Dromod, then Rooskey, cross the Shannon into Co. Rosommon. Take the road towards strokestown with more lake views of Kilglass lakes.

I reckon, these would be the most scenic ways to see Longford and the Cavan Leitrim roscommon border region.

slowcyclist

silver campaign wrote: »

.... I'd recommend ....

Thanks silver campaign - I'm not averse to including Leitrim in a tour, it didn't make the list above because I had visited it before on my circuit of Ireland (it has a small coastline). Your recommendations are invaluable, and we'll definitely include them in our final route.:)

nilhg

I know it probably doesn't fit in well with the other counties in your list but if you're going to Offaly you should try to include the Slieve Blooms, something like Killbeggan-Tullamore-Clonaslee-The Cut-Wolftrap-Kinnity-Kilcormac and back would be a decent spin and get Westmeath and Offaly off your list.

Planet X

Hopefully doing this route from Wednesday,

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/245381513/

marketty

The Midlands Meander 200 audax route from a couple months ago is a nice spin starting in Westmeath and covering Meath, Cavan, Longford and if you made a small extension you could hit Offaly too.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2300277?privacy_code=IER6hD0pDK6MMvoX

Starts and finishes in the lovely little village of Multyfarnham. No big climbs but rolly enough to keep things interesting!

slowcyclist

Thanks nilhg, planet x and marketty - will take all suggestions on board.