Dublin to Carlow cycle route - > Not N81

the5thace

Hello,

I'm looking to find a nice route to get from South Dublin to Carlow by bike.
So far I have done the N81 route a couple of times and have to say that it is possibly one of the least pleasant cycles that I have endured.

I don't mind adding extra 10-20k to the distance if a more pleasant route exists.

Any suggestions?

Kind Regards

smacl

Route I take when going in that direction is Rathfarnham - Sallygap or Roundwood - Laragh - Rathdrum - Aughrim - Tinahely - Shillelagh - Bunclody - Mt Leinster. If I was going to Carlow, I'd probably go that route to Aughrim - Hacketstown - Killerrig - Carlow, or Shillelagh - Tullow - Carlow, or maybe even Shellegh - Clonegal - Ardattin - Rathtoe - Carlow. You could take the N80 from Bunclody but it's a pretty hateful road too.

ford2600

the5thace wrote: »

Hello,

I'm looking to find a nice route to get from South Dublin to Carlow by bike.
So far I have done the N81 route a couple of times and have to say that it is possibly one of the least pleasant cycles that I have endured.

I don't mind adding extra 10-20k to the distance if a more pleasant route exists.

Any suggestions?

Kind Regards

OP you took that route because your a cyclist thinking like a motorist.

In general to pick a nice cycling road, go where most cars don't i.e. uphill into the mountains and move the river crossing points. Have a look at what @smacl suggested and why that is nicer to cycle

To get from where I live to where I'm from I have to get from one side of the Knockmealdowns to the other and cross the Suir, Balckwater, Lee and Owenbouy river systems. There is a vast number of ways of doing that 100km trip.

All the nice ones involve taking one of 5 routes across mountains and crossing rivers on quite bridges. After 9 years doing this route I recently took one of the 2 common driving routes, it was horrible

irishrover99

smacl wrote: »

Route I take when going in that direction is Rathfarnham - Sallygap or Roundwood - Laragh - Rathdrum - Aughrim - Tinahely - Shillelagh - Bunclody - Mt Leinster. If I was going to Carlow, I'd probably go that route to Aughrim - Hacketstown - Killerrig - Carlow, or Shillelagh - Tullow - Carlow, or maybe even Shellegh - Clonegal - Ardattin - Rathtoe - Carlow. You could take the N80 from Bunclody but it's a pretty hateful road too.

planning on using this route next month with kippure, shay elliot and slieve mann but returning the n81 as it would be over 6000m of elevation if i returned through laragh.

how well is it sign posted,bunclody,carnew,aughrim ect ect.

smacl

irishrover99 wrote: »

how well is it sign posted,bunclody,carnew,aughrim ect ect.

Not bad, though I've still managed to get lost a few times exploring the back roads around there. On new routes I tend to check out junctions on Google streets the night before, but even then have had to dig out the phone for maps and ask for directions on some of the l-roads. You can also hit some surprising climbs, so keep a little bit in reserve. You can skip Rathdrum, and go Greenane - Macreddin - Aughrim, but there's some ramps. Same for Aughrim - Rednagh Rd for a 'shortcut' into Tinahely, and sure if you're up that way you might as well sneak up to the Dying Cow for a swift pint Glorious countryside if you take your time at it.

irishrover99

smacl wrote: »

Not bad, though I've still managed to get lost a few times exploring the back roads around there. On new routes I tend to check out junctions on Google streets the night before, but even then have had to dig out the phone for maps and ask for directions on some of the l-roads. You can also hit some surprising climbs, so keep a little bit in reserve. You can skip Rathdrum, and go Greenane - Macreddin - Aughrim, but there's some ramps. Same for Aughrim - Rednagh Rd for a 'shortcut' into Tinahely, and sure if you're up that way you might as well sneak up to the Dying Cow for a swift pint Glorious countryside if you take your time at it.

Thanks for the info. Just recently went up Greenane for the first time and really enjoyed it although the descents and in terrible condition with gravel and pot holes but i will consider it. Not really looking for a shortcut as i'm trying to get my first 300km done so a quick pint might come in handy as it does give you strength

smacl

Best of luck with it, still haven't done a 300k myself yet and health issues mean I won't likely get a crack at it until early autumn at best. That said, my first 300k will be an exercise in hill avoidance :pac:

nilhg

If the OP doesn't fancy the mountains then something like this might suit, mostly quiet roads, and nice countryside.

There's a short bit on the N81 only because the alternative is possibly the worst surfaced road in East Kildare/West Wicklow.


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8723572

the5thace

nilhg wrote: »

If the OP doesn't fancy the mountains then something like this might suit, mostly quiet roads, and nice countryside.

There's a short bit on the N81 only because the alternative is possibly the worst surfaced road in East Kildare/West Wicklow.


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8723572

I was thinking about something like that myself. The N81 isn't too bad once past the first climb. I think I'll be taking the route going around the east side of the Liffey and then back onto N81.

the5thace

smacl wrote: »

Route I take when going in that direction is Rathfarnham - Sallygap or Roundwood - Laragh - Rathdrum - Aughrim - Tinahely - Shillelagh - Bunclody - Mt Leinster. If I was going to Carlow, I'd probably go that route to Aughrim - Hacketstown - Killerrig - Carlow, or Shillelagh - Tullow - Carlow, or maybe even Shellegh - Clonegal - Ardattin - Rathtoe - Carlow. You could take the N80 from Bunclody but it's a pretty hateful road too.

Sounds like a great spin. Bit too much of a detour for me seeing as I'm starting in Dublin 6 but maybe I'll try it next time.

iwillhtfu

If you're just looking to get there

Head out through tallaght/citywest onto the N7

Through Naas/kilcullen. Head towards Narraghmore

Turn for Kilkea and eventually you come out on the Athy Rd about 5km outside of town.

The route is quite boring but probably the most direct. I use it from time to time on my commute. It's probably around 80-85km from templeogue. If it's a southeasterly blowing it can be tough going.

As others have said up over the mountains would be the more scenic route. You could head towards castledermot then either turn and head for tullow or come in the old N9.