I'm heading over to Ireland for a few days touring in August, flying to Belfast International airport with my bike.
I'm heading up to the Donegal/Derry area, and was wondering if anybody has any experience of routes out of Belfast, and especially the airport. My OS maps should be here any day, but I'd value insights from the group if anybody has done this route. I notice there are a few cycle paths/routes out of Belfast, and was wondering if these are worth trying. I'll be on a road tourer rather than an MTB.
Originally posted by Tom Jackson I'm heading over to Ireland for a few days touring in August, flying to Belfast International airport with my bike.
I'm heading up to the Donegal/Derry area, and was wondering if anybody has any experience of routes out of Belfast, and especially the airport. My OS maps should be here any day, but I'd value insights from the group if anybody has done this route. I notice there are a few cycle paths/routes out of Belfast, and was wondering if these are worth trying. I'll be on a road tourer rather than an MTB.
Many thanks, tom.
I am afaraid I can't help but ask the question in the C+ Touring forum, theres a guy there who lives in Northern Ireland and is always keen to promote the area.
MSeries <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Tom Jackson said:
I'm heading over to Ireland for a few days touring in August, flying to Belfast International airport with my bike. I'm heading up to the Donegal/Derry area, and was wondering if anybody has any experience of routes out of Belfast, and especially the airport. My OS maps should be here any day, but I'd value insights from the group if anybody has done this route. I notice there are a few cycle paths/routes out of Belfast, and was wondering if these are worth trying. I'll be on a road tourer rather than an MTB. Many thanks, tom.
I am afaraid I can't help but ask the question in the C+ Touring forum, theres a guy there who lives in Northern Ireland and is always keen to promote the area.
I got a bus from International to Derry a couple of months ago; the route is superb, but try to get nearer to Lough Neagh if you can. There is a very nice range of hills to the NW of the Lough which drops down to the Foyle, very reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Also went into Co Donegal, very scenic and quiet roads. Enjoy ;-)
"Tom Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I'm heading over to Ireland for a few days touring in August, flying to Belfast International airport with my bike.
I'm heading up to the Donegal/Derry area, and was wondering if anybody has any experience of routes out of Belfast, and especially the airport. My OS maps should be here any day, but I'd value insights from the group if anybody has done this route. I notice there are a few cycle paths/routes out of Belfast, and was wondering if these are worth trying. I'll be on a road tourer rather than an MTB.
If you're heading to Derry/Donegal there's no need to go into Belfast at all. The airport's about 12 miles north-west of the city so you're already on your way. If you do head into town the only cycle path I've used is the one heading north-east along Belfast Lough. It's OK as far as Whiteabbey - up to here it runs alongside the motorway - after that it is basically a footpath alongside a perfectly useable A road. If heading straight from the airport a route north of Lough Neagh and directly to Derry would take you over the Sperrins. I've not cycled this way but it's beautiful countryside. If you've more time to kill the Antrim coast road beckons. About 25 miles from the airport and then you'd be on this quite spectacular road all the way to Portstewart, then Coleraine then Derry. Whichever way you go I hope you enjoy it.
