Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Cycling and Boarding => Topic started by: Andrew on May 15, 2012

Title: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Andrew on May 15, 2012
Hey, first of all hi! New to this forum :) Anyway, I'm looking to go for a cycle! I'd love to go somewhere outdoors-y... like the Mournes or something. I'm in the middle of treatment for torn cartilage in my knee so nothing too extreme, but I'm still fairly capable! So yeah, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Oisín on May 15, 2012
Hello and welcome!

Where abouts are you from Andrew? Or where do you cycle?
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Andrew on May 15, 2012
Thanks, I live in Belfast, but I've a car so I don't mind travelling a bit. I'm in Donegal a fair bit too but preferably East coast!
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Oisín on May 15, 2012
I'm probably not the best of help with routes around there, never really about bar in the shops now and again.

Twentyclicks will be the one to seek advice from. :)
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 15, 2012
Welcome to the forum Andrew!
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: LandyLiam on May 15, 2012
Welcome Andrew, so what sort of cycle are you loooking for?

easy flat stuff - lagan towpath (or comber greenway)
or
some hills on a mtn bike but nothing extreme - tollymore forest (or donard forest)
or
serious distance & hills on a road bike - look no further than this http://www.etapemourne.com/



Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: t18con on May 15, 2012
Don't know much about the cycling thing myself, but there were a lot of bikes about in Rostrevor forest park  (kilbroney)the day i went there.
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: Andrew on May 16, 2012
Thanks for all the feedback, yeah I'm kinda hoping for some gentle hills on my mountain bike. Haven't been in Tollymore for years so I might give that a go!
Title: Re: New to this, any route ideas?
Post by: mregan on May 25, 2012
Welcome Andrew here is a couple of great links. 

Belfast area for a mountain bike you have a great loop around shaws bridge, lady dixon, giants ring and the towpath.  Mix it up or do it in sections. 

Divis Mountain has a new small trail for bikes it has a nice tarmac climb if you want to get the fitness up and is all closed to traffic so your not looking over you're shoulder. 

Cavehill is a lot steeper maybe not for a beginner though.

www.trailbadger.com for MTB stuff
www.cycleni.com for roads