Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: chris on January 12, 2010

Title: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: chris on January 12, 2010
In response to MG1's post I think we should look into a trip like this. I've been wanting to do something along these lines for a whileso we may aswell get the ball rolling! who would be interested? Obvisouly not until the weather is bit better.
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: MG1 on January 12, 2010
I'm in ;D
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: RedLeader on January 12, 2010
I have a bike but it's a really shit Halfords special. I wouldn't trust it to get me to the shops..
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 12, 2010
Which coast to coast? Wainwrights? Or in Ireland like Dundalk to Galway Bay? Or Coleraine to Cork?

Don't have a bike so wont be able to join in  :(  
Out of curiosity do you know what sort of mileage you would be looking to cover day to day?
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: MG1 on January 12, 2010
Bundoran to Newcastle was whatb i was thinking it works ou 110 miles all in. But i'm easy, it might be easier to get to the start point going from donegal
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: chris on January 12, 2010
Which coast to coast? Wainwrights? Or in Ireland like Dundalk to Galway Bay? Or Coleraine to Cork?

Don't have a bike so wont be able to join in  :( 
Out of curiosity do you know what sort of mileage you would be looking to cover day to day?

Lol I dont even know what I'm having for dinner tonight! Its totally just in the planning stage, pre planning stage if theres such a thing!
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 12, 2010
LOL, just saw the post on the aspirations for 2010  :D

Dependant on the distances you're trying to cover daily, and what time of the year its going to be I might be interested.

You should have a look at the cycle networks page on cycleNI, or whatever the sister site to walkNI is, as it will give you all the cycle networks that cross NI and these would make for fairly easy travel without having to check your map every junction. They should also be fairly cycle friendly and take in some half decent scenery
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: Belfastman1958 on January 12, 2010
I'm already in the planning stages of just such a journey this summer. I plan to take about 3-4 days to do the Antrim Coast Road following the coastline wherever I can.

I'm not gonna be doing it for speed, but rather I want to take my time and explore the wee areas that you can't get the car down to. Hope to take loads of pics too.

A coupla other trips being thought about are the Ards Peninsula and also around Lough Neagh. (I've got a mate who is a member of a cycling club and has done Lough Neagh a coupla times. He says it is 110 miles right around and he can do it in a full day.)

Again....these are not being done to see how fast they can be done but rather to take in the sights and go exploring with my camera.

I'd be interested in hearing any plans that you guys are making.

Alan.

p.s. I remember reading in the old S.W.A.T (Survival Weapons And Techniques) magazines years ago about a guy who had equipped his bicycle with all his survival gear. Everything was strapped onto the bike somewhere which saved him having to carry a lot of it on his back.
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 12, 2010
I'd say panniers would be the way forward, cycling with a bag on your back all day ain't gonna be fun!
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: chris on January 12, 2010
its def a pannier job allright, no way you could cycle that with a pack!
Title: Re: Coast to coast cycle
Post by: DryBag on January 13, 2010
Will this ride be on or off road?

110 miles on the road could be done in a day without too much dificulty, but of course this is NI-Wild, so we'd be wanting to camp at least one night.

If you're doing it on mountain bikes off road I wouldn't be aiming for more than 50 miles in a day, so it'd be best done over three days with two nights camping. 

If it was in May or June I'd be up for it as preparation for my ride in July.

Why'm I even talking about this?  I'll not even be allowed to ride a bike by May if my surgery goes ahead next month.