Routes around Sligo

clog

I'm up in Sligo Town next week and am looking advice for a few routes while I am up there, wouldn't be familiar with the area at all .

Anything from 60-120km wouldn't mind a few hills as well.

marvin80

clog wrote: »

I'm up in Sligo Town next week and am looking advice for a few routes while I am up there, wouldn't be familiar with the area at all .

Anything from 60-120km wouldn't mind a few hills as well.

The An Post Tour of Sligo have some nice routes:

http://www.tourofsligo.ie/the-routes/

A cycle over by Truskmore and Mullaghmore would be quite nice as well - something like below (mind yourself on the N15, quite busy):

https://www.strava.com/activities/125268416

Henry's Bar and Restaurant just before Grange (on the way from Sligo) does lovely food if you wanted a little stop on the way home!

Daroxtar

Here's a route I drew up a while ago but still haven't gotten round to doing. 130km 1500m climbing, all the Ox mountain passes in one go. The views from Ladies Brea and Lough Talt are stunning. Of course you don't have to do it all
https://www.strava.com/routes/2032139

This is the An Post 100km route from this year, reallly nice spin. Hilly but nothing that would make you walk. Just loads of small rolling hills
https://www.strava.com/routes/2032018

Truskmore is a great cycle too but it is a seriously tough climb. Worth it though.

darkvalley

From the innisfree wheelers website http://www.innisfreewheelers.com/SpinRoutes.html

Bambaata

Daroxtar wrote: »

This is the An Post 100km route from this year, reallly nice spin. Hilly but nothing that would make you walk. Just loads of small rolling hills
https://www.strava.com/routes/2032018

Truskmore is a great cycle too but it is a seriously tough climb. Worth it though.

Am up in Leitrim myself tonight / tomorrow and was only thinking of trying to find a new route so thanks for the links. Will do that 100k tomorrow. All loaded on 800 and ready to go!

coach22

About to head out for a spin now myself in that area once the rain clears up. Was planning on doing mullaghore and the horseshoe. Whats the road to Truskmore like? Have never even noticed the turn of for it when I've done the horseshoe

fillup

coach22 wrote: »

About to head out for a spin now myself in that area once the rain clears up. Was planning on doing mullaghore and the horseshoe. Whats the road to Truskmore like? Have never even noticed the turn of for it when I've done the horseshoe

I went up that road last year on me Todd on a misty hoor of a day.
I abandoned pretty near the top because I wasn't sure of the route and didn't know how much.was left. I couldn't see more that a few meters in front of me.
The road was pretty poor and I was afraid of coming a cropper on the descent and because I was on my own With patchy phone cover i didn't fancy lying there waiting on rescue services to find me

There's also cattle grids on that road / I fell off on the first one. the front wheel just went out from under me. Not nice

I would like to attempt it again but not on my own and with better visibility.

Daroxtar

I went up Truskmore last month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/320711676

I'd say it's 2x Kilmashogue in terms of length and gradient or 4 x the top part of Kippure. Surface is similar to Kippure. You won't be going up that quick so you needn't worry about the ascent but the descent is hairy. Really hairy. It had just rained so the road was greasy.
I got caught out on the first cattle grid on the way up but that was my own stupidity for pushing hard on the pedals while crossing wet metal. IIRC there were 4 grids, I got over the rest of them ok. The climb levels off to 5% or less for the last 500m, it feels flat compared to the previous 3.5km.
On the way down you realise that there are a couple of corners that could lead to death if you go over the crash barrier so probably best not do that. Oh, there's a herd of sheep on the road too.
Having said that, the views are incredible and the sense of achievement is well worth it so I would definitely recommend it if the weather is any way decent.

coach22

Did the horseshoe today as part of my route and I know where the road for Truskmore is now. Was a bit put off by the locked gate and the sign saying Private. I'll give it a try the next time now I no its okay to go up. Cheers

mistermatthew

I do truskmore semi regularly. It is a tough climb.
The surface, I think, is fine for cycling up. You are going slow and there are no major problems. There are 4 cattle grids, which are fine in the dry, just don't power over them out of the saddle. If damp, roll over them in the saddle.

With a hill like this you are not doing it for the descent. The descent is too dangerous to ride full blast. You just have to go carefully, control your speed and use some sense.

Its a great climb, with a wonderful view if its clear. But it is not an enjoyable descent. It is a climb only, and the descent is simply getting to the bottom going slowly.

coach22 wrote: »

About to head out for a spin now myself in that area once the rain clears up. Was planning on doing mullaghore and the horseshoe. Whats the road to Truskmore like? Have never even noticed the turn of for it when I've done the horseshoe

clog

Thanks for the tips, went out this morning for a little spin as I had a few beers last night. Went out on the N16 and turned round the back of Glencar to Drumcliff then back.

Was thinking of trying the Horseshoe tomorrow. Quick question could I get to it by the another route except the N15 as I didn't like that road today at all and that was at 10am on a Sunday.

I would be going from beside Sligo IT.