Places to "cycle to" and check-out on a bike in Meath/Kildare

wirecotton

This might seem like a bizarre questions but hear me out ☺️.

I recently picked up a bike and have started to build up the mileage. I'm based in Dublin and adore the Royal Canal.

Recently I've been using it as a means to cycle and head in the direction of Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip etc. From that point I veer of and checkout places that I might have recalled passing by randomly in a car before.

For example Ravensdale, Carton House, Grangewilliam Cemetery, Connolly's Folly, Dollys Grove and different side-roads and country lanes. Essentially I'm just randomly cycling to places and see what I stumble across.

I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations on nice places to see out that way? I don't mean jumping into private property I generally just mean landmarks and that kind of thing?

rolling boh

If you want to try a couple of hills then around the Tara area is ok Bective etc in that area .

Seth Brundle

It will largely depend on what kind of distances are you thinking of doing on a spin and what kind of bike you are on (road/mountain/hybrid/etc.).

Anyhow, in terms of places, you've loads of cemeteries around the place - two others near Maynooth are Taghadoe (with a round tower) and Laraghbryan (I think those three cemeteries are related). You've also a nice church ruin and cemetery at Rodanstown (NE of Kilcock). Close to Rodanstown, you have Rodanstown Motte.

Another motte is beside the cemetery at Cloncurry (where Teresa Brayton is buried).

You've also several period houses that you can cycle to including Castletown, Lodge Park @ Straffan (with its steam museum & cafe).

There is also a cemetery & round tower at Oughterard near Ardclough where Arthur Guinness is buried. Nearby is where Daniel O'Connell shot John D'Esterre who died from his wound.

Depending on what exactly youre hoping to see, look at Google maps & the old 25" OSI maps of the area for features of interest.

If I knew more of what kind of experience you're after, I can recommend specific things to see.

wirecotton

Thank you very much both I really appreciate the pointers and guidance here, thanks a mill

rolling boh

The point about your bike and distance is very relevant to your question really .

wirecotton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123978221#Comment_123978221

Sorry I meant to answer that in my thank you post. I initially thought I was going to go with a gravel bike but ended up choosing a hybrid in the end.

rolling boh

Seth Brundle gave a good answer but the distance you are happy to cycle would be a big factor, I only mentioned Tara really as its not that far from the other places you mentioned in your post . If you are up to going long trips then the map would be worth looking up .

Seth Brundle

ok, you're on a hybrid.
So what kind of distance are you thinking of in total on a spin and roughly where are you starting off from? I can plot a few half decent routes for you then (and you can take it from there).

OscarMIlde

Technically in Dublin but Lucan Demesne is nice, you might be able to get up to St Catherine's park but not sure as I normally walk not cycle. You can access Lucan Demesne by bike from the fire station in Leixlip. You could go to Castletown house and see the Wonderful Barn if you are in Leixlip also.

Seth Brundle

Personally, I'd find Lucan Demesne / St. Catherine's Park to be too much of a PITA to cycle with pedestrians of all sorts around there.

rolling boh

Think St Catherine 's park is better for walking than cycling.

wirecotton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123980878#Comment_123980878

thanks a mill for the tips and pointers here. Last weekend as a test-run if you like after getting the bike I done a little over 50k that included Coolmine as a starting point to Kilcock (via canal) but a few stop off' along the Maynooth backroads. I would be happy to push that distance out further in the lead-up to Christmas as I will have some time off.

My first few cycles 30k and the 50k last weekend were just getting a feel for the bike in general as I haven't cycled in years. Fitness isn't an issue but I was surprised to find myself getting a sore a** after a few hours lol

Seth Brundle

The following route starts at Pakenham Bridge @ Barberstown and takes in Dolly's Grove, Rodanstown/Dolanstown Chrurch Ruins, Rodanstown Motte, into Kilcock and from there along the canal back to Barberstown.

Garmin Connect

Are you open to taking the train to Maynooth or Kilcock and doing the 50km from there?

Seth Brundle

This takes in two round towers - Taghadoe & Oughterard (in the same cemetery as Arthur Guinness's grave). It also has a spur to the Straffan Steam Museum & cafe (Baristabike | Straffan | Facebook).

Garmin Connect

wirecotton

Gentleman Seth thank you very much for these recommendations and going out of your way here for tips and pointers, I will certainly add these to my planner and hit the routes over late Nov and into Dec. It's quite refreshing to get out onto those country lanes with the fresh air in your face 🚲️ thanks again

Seth Brundle

To be honest, almost any non-urban road can be nice to cycle along. Many rural lanes can reveal unexpected delights.
When plotting a route, I tend to consider total distance, terrain (flat/hilly) and weather* and where I might stop for a coffee. Most of my spins are just to get out into the countryside rather than with specific things to see. Around this time of year, I find myself pulling over just to look at a collection of mushrooms. It can be hard to explain without sounding a bit mad!

Have a look at Google maps and think roughly where will you head towards today.
I've an ongoing task underway where I want to travel every non-urban public road within a 20 or 30km radius of home (Leixlip) - I use www.statshunters.com to collate everything from my Strava rides which acts as my reference…

* bear in mind that you'd generally like the wind on your back when considering a route - sounds obvious but can be easily missed and you'll curse yourself when out and pushing into a headwind.

wirecotton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123983092#Comment_123983092

100% agree and in particular for me its the wildlife esp/scenic spots I enjoy seeing and coming across. Are you on a hybrid yourself or a gravel/road bike. Another spot I ended up driving past some time ago was that private estate Ravensdale. I never knew it was there before but my goodness what a beautiful period property and grounds.