Irish Gravel Routes (Check out my Gravel Tips)

Thanks - I'm new to using GPS to guide me - can I download those to an app that will tell me where to turn?

Only problem with doing it solo is there seems to be no towns or food options in that area, would be nice to have grub made for you on a 100k

Anyone going tomorrow enjoy it, hopefully this is the first of many North and South

Prob best to bring your passport also :pac:

rollingscone wrote: »

What are the gradients like on the Lakelander?

I'm on a pretty limited 38x36 lowest gear for gravel

Max I have seen on average is 4% - so maybe 6% at times.

-- edit

There is a ~0.3km segment with 8%.

Great weather in dublin for a gravel ride, or any ride for that matter, looking forward to seeing how lads got on

They were expecting 500 which would be a great turn out

a148pro wrote: »

Thanks - I'm new to using GPS to guide me - can I download those to an app that will tell me where to turn?

I've used OSMAnd on Android. Getting the track in is IMHO more of a faff than it should be, but with a set of Bluetooth earbuds it works pretty well. Komoot is supposed to be decent as well, but I've yet to use it so can't say yay or nay

Maybe I could finally get the ****ing future shock recall on my diverge done!

Have been meaning to post some inspiration on this thread to resurrect it, will hopefully get round to it soon. Inspiration might be putting it a bit too far, more ideas

On a whim (and on the back of a number of beers) I filled in an application for that event.

I don't have a club or a Cycling Ireland membership. It asks for both, I put none. Anyone know if they are a requirement?

Headed to Tipp town then around the glen of Aherlow, will probably just do the start of their route followed by a bit of a Dan McCarthy route I found on the internet, both are road routes

Its partly a reccie for the Glen as a family holiday destination so I might just amble up and down it and spin into some forest parks

This is the problem with gravel in Ireland - unless its your own back yard its hard to justify just going to explore, and actual routes to download and follow are thin on the ground. Unless people have made more progress here?

I've started using Komoot which is great, it can pick out quiet routes for you and will read you directions as you cycle, but I don't think it "knows" any Irish off road. I've also managed to figure out how to download a GPX file into it so ultimately will be able to do more routes if I can find them (the Big Dog one should now be doable)

Yes looking forward to it now. Not sure which bike to take will decide in morning, might be in the mood for speed.

I think what's needed is someone, by which I mean a tourist agency or Coillte, or a community co-operative group, to put in a marked route. Then market it.

Wicklow, Slieve Blooms, Tipp, Knockmealdowns, Comeraghs amongst probably countless others spring to mind as good candidates.

The greenways didn't exist until people made them happen, and then they became very popular, the "done things" among cyclists and families alike.

If you went to stakeholders (as I understand it representative groups, including cyclists, successfully went to Coillte about changing the Dublin Mountain Parks) and explained how gravel was the largest growing cycling market, ticks the mental health / work burn out / urban escape / safe traffic free family route type markets, could be done with relatively low cost and could potentially lead to Greenway type success, albeit realistically on a smaller scale, surely there'd be some movement.

This is the year of the staycation, and it may be a couple of years of staycations. The government are also looking to throw money at things and put people in work. Basic routes could be cobbled together relatively quickly on, admittedly unattractive, Coillte forest roads, small additions could link up otherwise dead ends, more attractive single track / forest trail type stuff could be put it.

It doesn't take a whole amount beyond someone taking the initiative.

I presume from DF's posts above that Coillte didn't do anything previously, but might be prevailed upon.

Otherwise it'll be left to a handful of enthusiasts with the time to put a few routes online and for a handful of people to make those connections.

El Vino wrote: »

I haven't done much in the Galtees but the hills at the other side of the Valley that run from Bansha to Gallbally have plenty of Gravel and a circuit is easily possible.

Ok, so for anyone for future reference, this is exactly right, as was Tony4's suggestion, there are extensive trails on the hills between Tipp town and the Glen of Aherlow, I rode on sight from a little track West of Bansha woods that led to the Woods car park, from there there were trails back to the middle road that leads to Christ the King viewing point, it looks like very similar trails continue over in the direction of Gallbally. It looks like it would be very easy to do a 30k loop here. The trails showed up on the Komoot map, albeit the App didn't seem to know they were cycleable.

Also they are nice trails - not standard Coillte monoculture fire road crap, a lot more broadleafs and native trees, wild raspberries and blueberries at points. The surface is different to standard fire road, hard rocks / grit mixed with brown forest trails, some you have to hike a very small bit but could probably do with good bike skills, also there are a number of trails running parallel to each other so a bit of exploring would identify the best surface. Very nice views over a patchwork of green fields around Tipp one side and over the Glen of Aherlow and to the Galtees on the other.

Refreshments at Aherlow House, Tipp town, Bansha and a tiny cafe in the front room of a woman's house in Gallbally.

It looks like there are at least some trails up the side of the Galtees, not sure if they are rideable or on private land, probably the latter. But if you could link up a 30k route on the Tipp side with something in the Galtees proper you would have a respectable gravel route. Or Ballyhoura as suggested.

Also there are plenty of lovely lanes with grass down the middle leading across the Glen to the Galtees so it would be a lovely route. The first half of the Grass Routes GF spin is stencilled onto the road and it is as good a days cycling as I've done recently - an absolute credit to the lads who put it together. I'd say less than 20 cars passed us over 90k, great way to see an area I've long wanted to visit.

a148pro wrote: »

If you went to stakeholders (as I understand it representative groups, including cyclists, successfully went to Coillte about changing the Dublin Mountain Parks) and explained how gravel was the largest growing cycling market, ticks the mental health / work burn out / urban escape / safe traffic free family route type markets, could be done with relatively low cost and could potentially lead to Greenway type success, albeit realistically on a smaller scale, surely there'd be some movement.

This is the year of the staycation, and it may be a couple of years of staycations. The government are also looking to throw money at things and put people in work. Basic routes could be cobbled together relatively quickly on, admittedly unattractive, Coillte forest roads, small additions could link up otherwise dead ends, more attractive single track / forest trail type stuff could be put it.

Well in Wicklow, their going the opposite way. They're using the increase in walkers to push further on the banning of cyclists from some of the gravel sections of the Wicklow Way. Technically cycling already banned in non designated forests, but extra signs, signs suggesting of CCTV to identify people etc.

a148pro wrote: »

Looks like this was cancelled due to Covid, but they seem to be thinking about running it in Autumn

Either way it looks gorgeous

https://grassroutesgranfondo.ie/

https://www.eventyas.com/IE/Tipperary/124710732263006/Grass-Routes-Gran-Fondo

Not strictly gravel, or gravel at all, they say you can do it on 23s, but kind of a gravelly spirit

Someone above mentioned the gravel potential of the Galtees, headed down there tomorrow, anyone any tips?

That looks pretty cool. Am I reading it right that it's just primarily bothereens and that a road bike on 25's would cut it?

Is there any news on it going ahead or a possible date?

Yes it is marketed to be doable on 23s, I'd say around 28s might be the sweet spot though

I think the last update on the website was suggesting they were looking at an autumn date. It's booked out though, albeit I'm sure the new date won't work for some of the previous entries so you might get a place. Very cycleable on the hoof too mind.

I mean if they marketed an alternative wicklow way on a bike you would get people doing it for sure

From Djouce woods, there's a little road, and then into Ballinastoe and either straight up the hill, or loop around for a more gradual climb, which will bring you to Luggala/ below the Malone Monument. From there, there's mainly fire road (now with the cycling banned because walkers signs) - you can stick fire road and rejoin the WW (couple of stiles). Pretty much from the Lough Dan road section, it's minor deviations off the path on Scarr/ Paddock Hill down some single track and roads to avoid steps/ boardwalks to Glendalough. I understand after Glendalough, and certainly after Glenmalure, it's even more doable.

I'll be taking the cycling banned signs the same as MTB/ Horse Riders take them in the likes of Djouce Woods, but you'd want to be through the sections near Roundwood and Glendalough early at the moment just because of the numbers of walkers would limit the "fun". They've had to open new parking at Luggala and Glendalough because of the parking mayhem. So I can see there is a potential conflict issue, but the solution is warning signs to both cyclists and pedestrians rather than the solution of just banning bikes.

Me and my buddies up in Ballinastoe

Macy0161 wrote: »

I'll be taking the cycling banned signs the same as MTB/ Horse Riders take them in the likes of Djouce Woods, but you'd want to be through the sections near Roundwood and Glendalough early at the moment just because of the numbers of walkers would limit the "fun". They've had to open new parking at Luggala and Glendalough because of the parking mayhem. So I can see there is a potential conflict issue, but the solution is warning signs to both cyclists and pedestrians rather than the solution of just banning bikes.

Cycling isn't banned in Djouce woods, one person took it upon themselves to put some signs up a couple of months back.

Macy0161 wrote: »

I thought it was technically banned from all Coillte woods except the ones with trail centres? Definitely official signs on some of them (including the most local to me).

Coillte are working with mountain bike clubs to assign permits for some areas. Permits have been granted for Slade, Leadmines in Dublin and a couple of other places I'm aware of. Mountain bikers were involved in the the discussions around felling in Djouce with an aim to preserve the more established trails. The gates that were put in there are to keep horses out.

For that matter more mtb and better paved rural road surfaces for climbing on the road bike aswell

https://www.strava.com/routes/2832943276634905724

I tried out a nice route yesterday.. lots of track, gravel, boreens, cow paths and back roads

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Excellent - did you see much traffic.

I have 32 inch tyres - do you these would work on that route?

Very little traffic, apart from the last 3-4km into kilcock (which looking at the map now, I could have avoided)

The two canals are pretty predictable in terms of surface, the section when you leave the grand canal before Robertstown is a cow path (need to climb a couple of gates) and is quite muddy but I managed on 37c.. apart from that it is all solid trail, gravel etc.. and 32c should be fine.

Had planned to cut through Donadea also, but the rear gates are locked at the moment.

Just got a gravel bike need to find some routes now. Anywhere up around dundalk that anyone knows? I'm sure there are trails around ravensdale. Just need to find them.

Thanks Fighting Tao. I think I know that bit alright.