Clonakilty Weekend

DaithiMC

I am spending this coming weekend in Clonakilty with family and seeking suggestions for cycle routes to the West of there, up to 100-120km (loops preferably). Any suggestions welcome please - not too hilly, just had a relatively hilly weekend so I would look forward to something less arduous for the Bank Holiday! Thanks in advance.

hesker

Clon - Skibb - Ballydehob - Turn Right for Bantry - At T-junction turn right for Drimoleague - Dunmanway - Clon

Reckon it's about 120km or a little more

outfox

The main roads to the west of Clon for a 100-120 km route are straightforward, but it would be a shame to cycle them when there are stunning coastal routes to the south. Unfortunately there is no continuous coastal route as such, so you'll end up swtiching from bothareen to bothareen. Best done with a map. Its well worth it though, although hilly.
If you want to avoid maps, you could take the N71 from Clon to Lissavard. About 1 km after Liss, take a left on the R598 which brings you back to the N71 near Rosscarbery. After the causeway in Ross, take a left on the R597 to Glandore. After Glandore, take a left over the long narrow bridge which brings you to Union Hall. From there, a network of bothareens will (hopefully!) connect you up to the R596 near Castletownshend. Last time I did it, I think this network was pretty straightforward. The R596 will take you to Skibb. You could head back to Clon on the N71 from there. Although I recommend heading out to Baltimore on the R595 (dead end, so you have to cycle back again to Skibb). When heading back the N71 to Clon, I recommend detouring through Rosscarbery village for a coffee, which lies just above the N71.
Total distance would probably be around 90-100 km including Baltimore.
Bad news: its west Cork, so there are hills everywhere. Nothing major on the route above though.
Hope you have a great weekend.

REBELSAFC

For a more scenic route Follow the Wild Atlantic Way (google the map for Cork/Kerry). It's very well signposted and you could add a bit of the Mizen Peninsula if you're feeling energetic.

Hopefully you'll get the weather to enjoy it.

(the route suggested by outfox is very nice.the R596 loop is my favorite road)

DaithiMC

Thanks all for the suggestions, I will be bringing the Garmin so hopefully I can create a nice route from the suggestions. I will be there with the family so I may be able to go further out than loop around and meet up with them - I may get to Mizen if I am lucky!

REBELSAFC

DaithiMC wrote: »

Thanks all for the suggestions, I will be bringing the Garmin so hopefully I can create a nice route from the suggestions. I will be there with the family so I may be able to go further out than loop around and meet up with them - I may get to Mizen if I am lucky!

If that's the case then I would suggest cycling to Baltimore as suggested by outfox, meet the family there and get the short 20min ferry to Sherkin Island and enjoy some time on the island...lovely beaches,scenery and a few nice family friendly pubs for refreshments.It is a lovely place for a family cycle too if they are the right age for a short spin.

All weather dependant of course!!!

REBELSAFC

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=90625349

Have a look at my post here

DaithiMC

outfox wrote: »

The main roads to the west of Clon for a 100-120 km route are straightforward, but it would be a shame to cycle them when there are stunning coastal routes to the south. Unfortunately there is no continuous coastal route as such, so you'll end up swtiching from bothareen to bothareen. Best done with a map. Its well worth it though, although hilly.
If you want to avoid maps, you could take the N71 from Clon to Lissavard. About 1 km after Liss, take a left on the R598 which brings you back to the N71 near Rosscarbery. After the causeway in Ross, take a left on the R597 to Glandore. After Glandore, take a left over the long narrow bridge which brings you to Union Hall. From there, a network of bothareens will (hopefully!) connect you up to the R596 near Castletownshend. Last time I did it, I think this network was pretty straightforward. The R596 will take you to Skibb. You could head back to Clon on the N71 from there. Although I recommend heading out to Baltimore on the R595 (dead end, so you have to cycle back again to Skibb). When heading back the N71 to Clon, I recommend detouring through Rosscarbery village for a coffee, which lies just above the N71.
Total distance would probably be around 90-100 km including Baltimore.
Bad news: its west Cork, so there are hills everywhere. Nothing major on the route above though.
Hope you have a great weekend.

I did mostly this, a lovely route - the surface of the roads was iffy in some places but to be expected given the location. I got as far as Baltimore and went back along the N71, which was a nice rolling spin with the prevailing wind and the lovely surface helping me along. Saturday was a lovely day so that added a lot to the pleasure, that disappeared on Sunday so we took to the car and headed out to Mizen Head via the market in Schull for breakfast. A very nice weekend. Thanks again for the suggestions.