Cycling the whole coast of Ireland - anyone done this?

[BikesBab]

irl

@BikesBab if you're a reader you might enjoy McCarthy's Bar, a tale of a man drifting semi aimlessly around the west of Ireland with a similar "rule" to your own. An entertaining and uplifting read to pass the time and whet the appetite as you plan

Oh I LOVE that book! definitely a laugh-out-loud read. I got to the section where he recounts a bad flight and a worse ferry journey while i was on a packed train and was crying with laughter.

 

[Blue Hills]

Brooks saddles are the only saddles I find comfortable for more than a few miles.

see above tryed - rider seems to have "changed" mid-ride.

 

[oldwheels]

Round Ireland in low gear by Eric Newby.
This was started in 1985 and a lot in winter along with his formidable wife Wanda. They were hardy.
Published by Picador.

 

[tyred]

Round Ireland in low gear by Eric Newby.
This was started in 1985 and a lot in winter along with his formidable wife Wanda. They were hardy.
Published by Picador.

A great book.

 

[Chris S]

Google has been at it again

It's the second time that this has happened to me in as many weeks. I got this after looking at the OLMO thread:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/olmo.243032/#post-6587394

 

[classic33]

Google has been at it again

View attachment 619706

Wait while the adverts for the Wild Atlantic Way touring company appear.

 

[BikesBab]

Been a bit busy with my other commitments lately, but have just managed to complete my virtual trip round Ireland, mapping it via ridewithgps. It's NOT meant to be the finished route - I've not looked up good cycle routes yet or corrected to avoid taking routes right up and down mountains (though I do like a good hill climb) or anything like that, but it seems to be 2,209 miles, or 3555 km (HobbesOnTour, you were almost spot-on! ), if you did what I do and basically follow every road that hugs the coast without actually going down any roads that you have to come back up later, if you see what i mean. So at an average of 50 miles a day that's 44 days' cycling. Reckon if I take 2 months off work (which is possible.....) I can do it easily with some rest/swim/hangover/bike repair days thrown in and getting to Dublin and back. As previously mentioned, this is NOT intended to be a road race but an experience with time to swim, watch nature and chat to people....

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38115422?privacy_code=OR6zb0293qYoDHVJ

K

 

[BikesBab]

Been a bit busy with my other commitments lately, but have just managed to complete my virtual trip round Ireland, mapping it via ridewithgps. It's NOT meant to be the finished route - I've not looked up good cycle routes yet or corrected to avoid taking routes right up and down mountains (though I do like a good hill climb) or anything like that, but it seems to be 2,209 miles, or 3555 km (HobbesOnTour, you were almost spot-on! ), if you did what I do and basically follow every road that hugs the coast without actually going down any roads that you have to come back up later, if you see what i mean. So at an average of 50 miles a day that's 44 days' cycling. Reckon if I take 2 months off work (which is possible.....) I can do it easily with some rest/swim/hangover/bike repair days thrown in and getting to Dublin and back. As previously mentioned, this is NOT intended to be a road race but an experience with time to swim, watch nature and chat to people....

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38115422?privacy_code=OR6zb0293qYoDHVJ

K

MM, I speak too soon - I think when I was in the south and still getting used to the software I managed to miss a few chunks off! So just tweaking it a bit, but you get the general idea and I don;t think it'll add many miles on.

 

[avsd]

Two loops in Donegal may be worth investigating - Horn Head near Dunfanaghy -savage climbs and tricky descents but fabulous views/cliffs and Atlantic Drive near Carrigart - lumpy but great coastal views. Also in that area is the Ards Friary near Creeslough and Glenveigh National Park.

 

[tyred]

Two loops in Donegal may be worth investigating - Horn Head near Dunfanaghy -savage climbs and tricky descents but fabulous views/cliffs and Atlantic Drive near Carrigart - lumpy but great coastal views. Also in that area is the Ards Friary near Creeslough and Glenveigh National Park.

Definitely a great area and rides I've done many times. Combine it with Fanad head as well now that there's a bride to link it all together.

At the other end of Donegal, the Teelin/Carrick/Glencolumbkille area is well worth a visit. Lumpy but quiet single-track coastal roads.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Many years ago I did Mizen to Malin via Dublin, about 420 miles iirc. The roads were a lot quieter then. Wonderful experience, met lot’s of lovely people. I’m sure you’ll have a great adventure. If I could offer one word of advice it would be to keep a daily diary of your adventure and discipline yourself to write in it every day. I didn’t bother and now many years later the memories have all sort of blended together.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Many years ago I did Mizen to Malin via Dublin, about 420 miles iirc. The roads were a lot quieter then. Wonderful experience, met lot’s of lovely people. I’m sure you’ll have a great adventure. If I could offer one word of advice it would be to keep a daily diary of your adventure and discipline yourself to write in it every day. I didn’t bother and now many years later the memories have all sort of blended together.

I'd second that advice.
Consider also Strava or RWGPS for recording the ride and any photos, especially (but not necessarily) if you use your phone for photos. A great daily record that literally is organised within minutes.
And there's always the Travelogue section here on CC too!

 

[Illaveago]

No!
Giants Causeway looks a bit bumpy to me !

 

[tyred]

No!
Giants Causeway looks a bit bumpy to me !

You need one of those triple sprung Brooks saddles to smooth out the bumps

 

[BikesBab]

No!
Giants Causeway looks a bit bumpy to me !

Ooh, have I inadvertently mapped myself over the Causeway? Desperate to see it but yes, not the ideal riding surface. :-/