Ben Bulben Cycle Loop

fillup

Hi

I'm going to be in Sligo later in August and i'm toying with the idea of taking the rothar with me for a change from the Nth County Dublin, Wicklow Mountains scenery

Has any one done this loop:
http://cycleireland.ie/benbulben-cycle-loop/

If so, is it worth the spin or does anyone else have some ideas for a nice morning spin starting it Sligo town. I'd be looking at the 80 to 100k distance with a bit of climbing chucked in for the craic

Thanks in advance

P

darkvalley

Ye that would be a decent enough spin, but do add in the horseshoe (clockwise) for a bit of extra climbing. Good scenery and quiet roads.

mistermatthew

fillup wrote: »

Hi

I'm going to be in Sligo later in August and i'm toying with the idea of taking the rothar with me for a change from the Nth County Dublin, Wicklow Mountains scenery

Has any one done this loop:
http://cycleireland.ie/benbulben-cycle-loop/

If so, is it worth the spin or does anyone else have some ideas for a nice morning spin starting it Sligo town. I'd be looking at the 80 to 100k distance with a bit of climbing chucked in for the craic

Thanks in advance

P

Yeah is a good spin, add in the horse shoe, which is along this route and is after 22km, you pass the turn off and its signposted. Its around 500feet of climbing and a loop. Along the loop is a turn up to a tv mast which is paved and a massive climb of around 10% for 3.5km, brings you to the highest point in sligo, at 2000ft. Is a tough climb though. You could do it if you want.

Otherwise that's a nice route on pretty quiet roads. just a couple of km on the n15

fillup

cheers lads - the loop sounds like a runner but i'm sure about the TV Mast climb - i guess if the weathers decent i could throw it in too

Mistermatthew- u say the turn off is after 22k - is that going counterclockwise on the loop?

darkvalley

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/479621892

This is the horseshoe. The entry and exit to it are about 100m apart. Not very difficult but views are great.

iwillhtfu

I was up there recently mountain goat stuff. I hope you like hills, you'll hate them by the time you're finished

fillup

Cheers iwillhtfu
It ain't a decent spin without a few climbs thrown in, it makes the views all the sweeter

mistermatthew

fillup wrote: »

cheers lads - the loop sounds like a runner but i'm sure about the TV Mast climb - i guess if the weathers decent i could throw it in too

Mistermatthew- u say the turn off is after 22k - is that going counterclockwise on the loop?

Yeah clockwise, are some nice views on it. You cant miss the tv mast turn off too. It's a tough climb, probably one of the hardest in ireland.

fillup

mistermatthew wrote: »

It's a tough climb, probably one of the hardest in ireland.

Now that sounds like a challenge - I'll be down there the weekend of the Fleadh though so I don't know if i'll have the climbing legs with me!!!