Slieve Bloom trails

Wailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118910709#Comment_118910709

Space jam is an awful trail imo. I love technical and tough challenging trails. But that trail is just boring with rocks piled everywhere with no rhyme or reason. The black over on the laois side is like night and day compared to it. They could have done so much better with that long route all the way down to the start. Probably not a popular opinion and I noticed some people getting hammered for saying similar on the Facebook page.

xxyyzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118927946#Comment_118927946

Yeah I got slaughtered for saying it, I had to take the post down. To each their own I guess, if some people like it then fair enough but I'm not a fan. I have ridden tons of rocky natural trails that are great craic but space jam feels like they built a formula one track and covered it in speedbumps.

xxyyzz

I did jailbreak for the first time today. It's a superbly crafted trail. I'll have to give it a few more runs before I start to figure it out, there's so much going on. I really enjoyed it.

Biopace

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118934241#Comment_118934241

Agreed, it really is hard work (especially on a hardtail), the last few sections down to the trailhead are especially bruising.

philten

Have to agree with you, space jam is not my favourite trail over there, its gets old fairly quickly, Jailbreak way more exciting!

FB peeps didn't seem to like that opinion 😬

Wailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118954722#Comment_118954722

Yes, God help you for having an opinion and getting butchered for it 🙄

Can't complain about the rest of the trails up there though. Lovely area for an easy long day out. Not really a fan of the loose gravel they've used for surfacing. Can be quiet sketchy on fast berms!

xxyyzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118956177#Comment_118956177

Yeah, I really like twist and shout but it is very loose in the berms if you go off the main line. I'm actually amazed how few natural trails are in the area. There are about 2 or 3 above the road on the Kinnitty side and a few more below the lime kiln but there is so much potential.

philten

Yes it can be sketchy alright with the loose gravel, it has loosened up considerably over the months. I am doing the biking blitz (baunreagh) on sat and have some xc tyres (ikons and ardent race) to put on and the lack of grip is making me nervous, never mind the 45km course!

Should be good craic its a great loop over to kinnity side and back.

prunudo

So, finally got down to try out the Offaly and Laois trails. Didn't know what to expect, maybe something like Ballinastoe or Ticknock. I should probably start by saying I'm on a 160mm enduro bike so maybe if I had an ebike or short travel bike it would change my feelings.

The quality and construction is top notch but over all I was a bit underwhelmed, far too pedally for my liking, keep the climbing for the fire roads imo. Did the big red loop in Kinnity and the Jailbreak loop in Laois. Stairway to heaven climb keeps you honest on the Laois side but overly it felt like it flowed better, in Kinnity everytime I was starting to get flow the trail would end or there was a climb in the singletrack.

As above, wtf is Space Jam about, flat rock gardens for the sake of it. Jailbreak is a fantastic trail though and would like it repeat it a few times next time I go down.

Wailin

Agree 100% on the Laois side just flowing better. Plus that black trail Jailbreak, is savage! Kinnitty trails have their moments but definitely too pedally.

xxyyzz

I just find it all becomes too similar after a while, roller, berm, rock garden repeat. There are very little natural features used to make it more interesting. When I'm trail building I start by looking for some natural interesting features and build the trail around them. I do get that the trail builders are restricted by Coillte guidelines and it's quite boggy up there but really I'm only tempted to ride there in the winter to get the miles in and not be riding in slop. I'd take natural trails any day over it.

I really miss bikepark Ireland in that part of the country.

prunudo

I think next time I go down, I'd park in Baunreagh and do the trails on that side a couple of times or maybe mix it up with some of the upper Kinnity trails. Don't see the need to start from the castle and be subjected to space jam again.

Joe1919

My suggestion for Baunreagh if you like a view is after climbing 'Stairway to Heaven' turn left (follow Red arrow) onto the road and turn right up the road (R440) to the top of mountain road and a little beyond at Wolftrap. Lovely views of Offaly and beyond from top. Turn back to return to start of 'Crystal Maze' (red) at top of mountain to return to blue track at 'Thunder'. Much nicer than taking the forestry track.

Joe1919

Top Dog

Hey folks. So I'm hoping I might get a chance to visit the Slieve Blooms over the Christmas break, and I was wondering what loop people would advise? Probably only be passing through, so 3-4hr in which to have a spin. Having read all the posts on this thread I thought the Laois side was a no-brainer, but then checking the Coillte site it says it's only a 9km loop which could be done in a bit over an hour. Offaly side shows 2 loops which when combined make 22km and maybe 2hrs riding, a bit better I guess. I've also checked segments on Strava and can't find jailbreak - is it a signposted official trail?

Opinions welcome.

Wailin

I don't think coilte have updated the info on the website since the trails first opened, so the new loops are not included. Having done both, I prefer Laois. You'll get in around 28k if you do the complete loops available. That's my strava from the full loop I did last year. It's a very enjoyable loop, taking in all the blues, reds and one black. The only downside is no cafe near the carpark for a sambo afterwards, unlike the kinnity trailhead.

Top Dog

That's brilliant. 28km is definitely better. Cheers for that.

mr spuckler

@Wailin, I presume that's all signposted? I'm looking to head that direction on Wednesday and was planning on Kinnity due to the longer loop but if the Laois side is of similar length but has better trails I might head that direction instead.

Also is the Baunreagh car park more remote than Kinnity? I'm likely to have a decent pile of stuff on/in the car so would like some passive security if possible!

Wailin

Yes all the trails are signposted but the loops are not as far as I remember. I knew the trails to an extent so was able to do the loops myself to take in everything. You'll have to do the stairway to heaven climb twice.

As far as security goes, Kimnitty would be much safer as its busier and next to the castle. Baunreagh is quiet isolated and not as busy from my experience.

prunudo

Signposting and online maps is something Coillte need to work on. Its one thing if you're familiar with the forests to begin with but I find it can be quite confusing on a first visit to them. Especially if way pointers are missing from junctions or not even mentioned on the billboard maps.

You won't get lost as such, but you may cover more ground than you need too