Dublin to Belfast

Vorophobe

Christ my login still works for this site...

Right well I'm leaving in 15 minutes in an attempt to bike 170km+ to Belfast city, and then 30km east onto Bangor (girlfriend's town)

Got my passport, roadmaps, and a newly serviced bike - I'm hoping to do the whole thing in one go - even if it means me riding at night!

I'll let you guys know how I get on... wish me luck...

uberwolf

once raced the distance. 3hrs 40 minutes. Let me know if you beat the time

good luck

Morgan

Wow, you've left it pretty late. Hope you get there before it starts raining.

cerebus

uberwolf wrote:

once raced the distance. 3hrs 40 minutes. Let me know if you beat the time

good luck

If the OP's 170km distance estimate is right (and assuming my math is also correct) that works out to be an average speed somewhere around 46km/hr - nice!

jetsonx

works out to be an average speed somewhere around 46km/hr - nice!

not nice if you hit an Irish pothole at that speed !


OP, how was your trip ?

Tiriel

Co-Operation North used to organise an annual event.. Dublin to Belfast cycle on the Sat. and back on the Sun. Belfast gang cycled down to Dublin on the Sun and back on the MOn.. or something like that.. was a great event. Pity it's not on anymore!

uberwolf

cerebus wrote:

If the OP's 170km distance estimate is right (and assuming my math is also correct) that works out to be an average speed somewhere around 46km/hr - nice!

I believe it was closer to 160, we'd a Garda escort and Mark Scanlon won that particular race. Which explains the winning time.

Vorophobe

Just posting to say I made it - although I didn't break any time trails - I think the significance lies in the fact that it took one of the most determined efforts I've ever had to make in order to finish it - especially as I didn't have the luxury of stopping on the way (and things did get a bit frantic when I ran out of water between Newry and Lisburn).

Anyway, some pictures - one of me by the first major roadsign near Belfast city centre, and the other of my trusty bike.




When I eventually heal from this weekend of madness - I'll definately be doing more of these in the future... this was my first experience with long-distance cycling - and I can say with certainty - I'm a convert!

Morgan

How long did it take you in the end? Those are some pretty hefty tyres for a long road ride.

Vorophobe

Haha yeah, the bike is incredibly heavy - 12kg or around that! I left at 4:30pm on Friday, arrived 8:15am in belfast the next day - I rode through the night - will say that crossing the border at 3am in the morning was quite spooky! Not a soul in sight...

So all up, it took me around 14hours at a leisurely pace. Wonderful!

Morgan

14 hours...non stop...at night...in the North!

That's one of the maddest things I've heard in a while. Fair play to you .

el tel

Morgan wrote:

14 hours...non stop...at night...in the North! .

I'd say biking in the North is no more dangerous that the South!

But that's some cycle Vorophobe, you are a brave soul doing that trek at night, period. That would give me the heebiejeebies! Hope your girl appreciated the effort.

PS - your picture, with the King's Hall in the background, was taken right below my friend's apartment window!

Civilian_Target

Sounds cool - what route did you take, the old N1?

Vorophobe

Yeah I took the old N1 Road, the R132, and the A1 in the north - which were fine! Well maintained and well signposted all the way - and had no trouble with traffic at all. Was lucky that there was absolutely no bad weather to speak of either.

Alkers

Go alone? To be honest that is not the right bike for such adventures!

uberwolf

el tel wrote:

I'd say biking in the North is no more dangerous that the South!

in some of stage races up there we were escorted by armed (semi-automatic weapons) by police and army.