Mizen to Malin in August - Advice or fancy doing a stage?

essdee

Hi,

Along with two friends, I'm planning to cycle from Mizen to Malin in early August mainly for the challenge and partly to support Tipperary branches of Parkinsons Association and Wheelchair Association. One of us has cycled from Mizen to Malin (different route) 2 or 3 times before - always with a large group and he is a bit concerned about being able to make it with only three of us.

The route we're doing is posted below and any advice you have on the route or about doing the cycle in small group would be appreciated.

Also, if you fancy doing a stage (or more) with us, you're welcome to join us. I imagine we'll be trying to average 25 kph throughout.


Day 1: (Tuesday, 6 August 2013) Mizen Head to Mallow (via Ballydehob, Dunmanway and Macroom) 144 km approx

Day 2: (Wednesday, 7 August 2013) Mallow to Birr (via Mitchelstown, Tipperary and Nenagh) 157 km approx

Day 3 (Thursday, 8 August 2013) Birr to Sligo (via Athlone, Roscommon and Boyle) 160 km approx

Day 4 (Friday, 9 August 2013) Sligo to Letterkenny (via Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Donegal) 113 km approx

Day 5 (Saturday, 10 August 2013) Letterkenny to Malin Head (via Buncrana) 81 km approx

essdee

Hi again,

Following on from my previous post, we are now trying to fine-tune the details of our trip. I'd be grateful if anyone could suggest a cycle-friendly,(shortest!) route from Birr to Roscommon town, avoiding the Athlone bypass. I am finding it hard to reconcile suggestions on google maps with my own Michelin road map.

Thanks.

Bikerbhoy

essdee wrote: »

Hi again,

Following on from my previous post, we are now trying to fine-tune the details of our trip. I'd be grateful if anyone could suggest a cycle-friendly,(shortest!) route from Birr to Roscommon town, avoiding the Athlone bypass. I am finding it hard to reconcile suggestions on google maps with my own Michelin road map.

Thanks.

Hi there howabout Birr to Enniskillen and final Enniskillen to Malin these stages we did last year pretty good roads

Ryath

Birr to Cloghan, Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe to Roscommon is a straight run and only 3k longer according to google maps. Much nicer country roads don't like cycling that Birr to Athlone road very busy N road with very few hard shoulders. You'll still have to take it as far as Cloghan but after that it's a straight run to Ballinasloe. You can actually avoid that out of Birr aswell but I'd use it as its more straight forward and only for 15k anyway

hypersonic

Ryath wrote: »

Birr to Cloghan, Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe to Roscommon is a straight run and only 3k longer according to google maps. Much nicer country roads don't like cycling that Birr to Athlone road very busy N road with very few hard shoulders. You'll still have to take it as far as Cloghan but after that it's a straight run to Ballinasloe. You can actually avoid that out of Birr aswell but I'd use it as its more straight forward and only for 15k anyway

+1 on the route above, nice and flat and the roads from memory have (had) a good surface and feel safe as there's little traffic and not many blind bends.
also shannon bridge has some nice river side parks so it would be a nice stopping point if the weather is nice.

essdee

hypersonic wrote: »

+1 on the route above, nice and flat and the roads from memory have (had) a good surface and feel safe as there's little traffic and not many blind bends.
also shannon bridge has some nice river side parks so it would be a nice stopping point if the weather is nice.

Thanks for that Hypersonic and Ryath. That route seems straightforward. Can I just confirm that you're recommending the R357 from Cloghan through Ballinasloe into Athleague and then the N63 into Roscommon?


Google Maps then seems to be suggesting the following for Roscommon to Sligo. Any comments on it would also be appreciated.

Take the N61 towards Tulsk. About halfway between Four Mile House and Tulsk take a right turn (onto an unnamed road) towards Elphin but before Elphin turn left for Ballyroddy, continuing along this unnamed road until it intersects with the R361 and head towards Boyle. Take Green St. out of Boyle and follow this road until it intersects with the N4 (a bit before Ballinafad) and then take the N4 into Sligo.

Ryath

essdee wrote: »

Thanks for that Hypersonic and Ryath. That route seems straightforward. Can I just confirm that you're recommending the R357 from Cloghan through Ballinasloe into Athleague and then the N63 into Roscommon?

Yea the R357 most of is a very good surface. Was on the Athleague to Ballinasloe section today and do Shannonbridge to Cloghan a good bit. Another reason to avoid the N52 out of Cloghan the road is in sh!t in parts.

inc21

essdee wrote: »

Hi,

Along with two friends, I'm planning to cycle from Mizen to Malin in early August mainly for the challenge and partly to support Tipperary branches of Parkinsons Association and Wheelchair Association. One of us has cycled from Mizen to Malin (different route) 2 or 3 times before - always with a large group and he is a bit concerned about being able to make it with only three of us.

The route we're doing is posted below and any advice you have on the route or about doing the cycle in small group would be appreciated.

Also, if you fancy doing a stage (or more) with us, you're welcome to join us. I imagine we'll be trying to average 25 kph throughout.


Day 1: (Tuesday, 6 August 2013) Mizen Head to Mallow (via Ballydehob, Dunmanway and Macroom) 144 km approx

Day 2: (Wednesday, 7 August 2013) Mallow to Birr (via Mitchelstown, Tipperary and Nenagh) 157 km approx

Day 3 (Thursday, 8 August 2013) Birr to Sligo (via Athlone, Roscommon and Boyle) 160 km approx

Day 4 (Friday, 9 August 2013) Sligo to Letterkenny (via Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Donegal) 113 km approx

Day 5 (Saturday, 10 August 2013) Letterkenny to Malin Head (via Buncrana) 81 km approx

Where and what time are you guys taking off from Mallow?

I might tag along if I could for the stage 2. Working Tuesday and Thursday so it would suit perfect if I could make the train back from Roscrea.

essdee

inc21 wrote: »

Where and what time are you guys taking off from Mallow?

I might tag along if I could for the stage 2. Working Tuesday and Thursday so it would suit perfect if I could make the train back from Roscrea.

Hi Inc21. We're staying in the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow. Planning to leave at 8 a.m. in the morning from the hotel. The planned route is as follows:
Mallow, Farahy, Kildorrery, Mitchelstown, Galbally, Kilross, Tipperary (ETA 11 a.m. and brief stop), Donohill, Hollyford, Milestone, Inch, Dolla, Nenagh (ETA 2 p.m. and stop for up to 30 mins - possibly meeting some people from supported charities), Ardcrony, Borrisokane, Ballingarry, Riverstown, Birr.

You're welcome to join us. Will PM you my mobile number.