The first time

manwithaplan

Went out for a spin in Wicklow yesterday morning. The sun shone and all was right with the world. Despite my occasional solo charge up Howth Hill, I'm not really into cycling for numbers, super fitness or feats of endurance. The weight loss, the mini-achievements and the technical jiggery-pokery are nice but for me it's really about getting out into the countryside and having a good nose about.

Yesterday I was on four separate bits of road I hadn't been on before. With the sun shining on the mountains and no idea what was around the next bend, my inner adventurous child was very happy with himself.

The back road from Enniskerry to Laragh was lovely and quiet, even if the climbs were tough. The road from the Wicklow Gap through Valleymount to Blessington is stunning. There are no limits to my lack of preparation so I was totally surpised to come around the corner and see the lakes below me. I hadn't done the Sally Gap from the Manor Kilbride side before - the wooded approach was lovely and the final steep bit thankfully short. I went from Glencree back to Enniskerry past Crone Woods and the gates of the Powerscourt Waterfall. This was a nice descent where the potholes were at least mainly on the other side of the road.

The problem now is that I will be surprised no more in the Wicklow Mountains as I have now done pretty much all of the high roads. How long does it take to get to the Cooleys!

chakattack

The Cooleys are stunning and less than an hour away in the car.

I don't really know the route but the climb up to the mast is a tough one with great views at the top.

The descents aren't super fast as the roads are in bad condition with potholes, loose shale, gravel and sheep.

Dr_Colossus

Was out for a cycle around Wicklow yesterday also, beautiful day at last. Went up through the Wicklow Gap on the way home and saw a dead sheep on the side of the road, looks like it was only hit that day.
There's a lovely bit of road actually between Arklow and Rathdrum, first time on this road and it's gradually uphill but has a nice smooth surface. Wicklow really is a great place for cycling, it has it all.

mike12

Have been doing something similar myself except around NCD lots of side roads to explore and different routes to end up back at the same place, would love to head to wicklow but the small hill around Naul are killing me at the moment.
Mike

nitrogen

manwithaplan wrote: »

... but for me it's really about getting out into the countryside and having a good nose about.

Yesterday I was on four separate bits of road I hadn't been on before. With the sun shining on the mountains and no idea what was around the next bend, my inner adventurous child was very happy with himself.

And this is why I'm sick to death of living in London. Looking forward to getting home at some stage.

SubLuminal

And this is why i'm dreading moving home to London in a few months