Irish back roads, a cyclists paradise.
Out on the bike this morning for a 2 hour spin I had plenty of think time. There is no better place to do your thinking. Your heart is pumping and you are fresh and alert with no distractions other than the road ahead and the surrounding scenery.
Marlefield lake at 10am this morning
As I rode along I became aware of how little traffic I was encountering. Having come across a report online last night that mentioned traffic volumes being a major factor in peoples concerns about cycling I began to take note of how much traffic was actually on the roads.
Within 1k of my home I can get into a network of deserted back roads, and this is usually where I find myself anytime I go out on the bike alone. Occasionally I have to cross a main road or spend a few hundred meters on a main road in order to get to the next junction but in general I like to train on the Irish back roads.
For one 10k section today I met two cars and one JCB. This is not an uncommon amount for any back road in Ireland.
Not a car in sight
Nowadays everyone, especially motorists are in such a hurry that they will often forego the shorter ‘as the crow flies’ cross country route in order to make time at faster speeds on main roads and by-passes. This is great for cyclists.
Occasionally you might encounter a motorist flying along but you will hear them long before you see them and can keep well in. The majority of motorists on the back roads tend to be people who live in the area and with the more relaxed pace of life tend to drive a bit more slowly . When you think of a farmer who spends most of his time at 20kph on a tractor, 40kph in a car really feels like they are moving.
Some might criticise the surface of the back roads. In my experience the lower volume of traffic actually makes for less potholes and uneven surfaces. Sometimes near farm entrances where machinery is coming and going regularly the road can show the effects but in general the roads are pretty good.
No potholes here
Going off out on a bike is supposed to be an escape from the rat race. Cycling along a hard shoulder of a main road with hundreds of cars, vans and trucks whizzing by is hardly and escape. In a large group it does make sense to stick to wider roads but when cycling alone or with just a small group of friends the back roads are the place to be.
There are other advantages to back road cycling too. A big one is the shelter from the wind that the narrow roads with close proximity to hedges and ditches has to offer.
Ireland has tens of thousands of kilometres of quiet back roads that are all absolutely perfect for cycling. The key is to get out there and use them.
Barry
6 COMMENTS
John
Have to agree with you Barry – just love getting off the main roads and onto the back roads, much nicer experience!
Barry
Absolutely John, and we are lucky enough to have plenty of back roads to choose from here in Ireland
freefreefallin
I’m planning to visit Ireland in March 2015 and I’m hoping to tour parts of the country on bicycle. Will the weather be too cold and wet at that time of year? Any recommendations for most scenic routes or helpful resources for planning my trip?
Barry
March should be fine, although it will probably be raining for part of your trip. Kenmare is a good base to tour Kerry from and Clifden offers some spectacular routes around Connemara. You can check out the Cycling Hotels section above for routes designed around hotels in those and many other parts of Ireland
Chris Drew
Hi Barry,
I am doing the route below in June with a group of other cyclists and wondering which bike to take. Is the road surface on this route OK for my Colnago C60 with 25mm tubeless tyres or should I opt for my Seven Axiom with 30mm tyres? Would prefer to take my C60 if you think that would be OK. Our back roads here in Sussex are full of potholes and I manage OK with the C60. Would be grateful of any other tips.
Kind regards,
Chris Drew
9th – Day 1 – Mizen Head to Killarney – 74 miles
10th – Day 2 – Killarney to Ennistymon – 80 miles
11th – Day 3 – Ennistymon to Leenaun – 85 miles
12th – Day 4 – Leenaun to Sligo – 80 miles
13th -Day 5 – Sligo to Letterkenny – 80 miles
14th – Day 6 – Letterkenny to Coleraine – 87 miles
15th – Day 7– Coleraine to Antrim – 55 miles
Chris Drew
Hi Barry,
I am doing the route below in June with a group of other cyclists and wondering which bike to take. Is the road surface on this route OK for my Colnago C60 with 25mm tubeless tyres or should I opt for my Seven Axiom with 30mm tyres? Would prefer to take my C60 if you think that would be OK. Our back roads here in Sussex are full of potholes and I manage OK with the C60. Would be grateful of any other tips.
Kind regards,
Chris Drew
9th – Day 1 – Mizen Head to Killarney – 74 miles
10th – Day 2 – Killarney to Ennistymon – 80 miles
11th – Day 3 – Ennistymon to Leenaun – 85 miles
12th – Day 4 – Leenaun to Sligo – 80 miles
13th -Day 5 – Sligo to Letterkenny – 80 miles
14th – Day 6 – Letterkenny to Coleraine – 87 miles
15th – Day 7– Coleraine to Antrim – 55 miles