Mourne mountains

maxamillius

Anyone ever do a cycle in the mourne mountains? I’m looking for a 70-100km route,

Cheers

Euppy

Unfortunately not as many roads through the mournes as a cyclist could hope for.


I'd do something like this. The spelga climb is steep. Slieve Croob is a good one too although it is not technically part of the mournes.


4 climbs in total with plenty of rolling roads inbetween.



https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.0997412,-6.2055354/54.1915833,-6.1044844/54.1777783,-6.0505252/54.2182474,-5.9983402/54.2814736,-5.9232998/54.3427605,-6.0232067/54.3067123,-6.0647398/54.2509333,-6.1521121/54.1689158,-6.144763/54.1074453,-6.1890616/@54.229983,-6.0828529,11.75z/data=!4m17!4m16!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-5.970653!2d54.3229832!3s0x486118574aa2d93b:0x1f4d3f8f8e0fada9!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e1

Euppy

The coast road around the mournes from rostrevor to Newcastle is lovely and great views but can be busy with traffic.


Whatever you do I highly recommend going to the top of spelga dam (from hilltown direction)

maxamillius

Thanks for the suggestions guys

Tony04

I cant say I've ever been up that part of the world. Butwas having a look at strava segments up around there when I was bored during lockdown, to plan for future rides and there doesnt seem to be much in terms of road riding, but theres seems to be alot of nice looking off road climbs, so might be nice to try on a gravel or xc bike.

Mercian Pro

https://www.strava.com/activities/1693444962/

This was a nice route a few of us did in 2018 after driving to Kilbroney Park near Rostrevor. It's 121k but you could cut quite a bit off that by starting in Hilltown.

It's an area I was hatching a plan to cycle in before the lockdown. It's criminal I've not done much if any cycling up there seeing as it's relatively close me (Drogheda) and I've never been up to Silent Valley Mountain Park. If I recall I had a rough 45-50 km loop from there around by Spelga and over to Newcastle and down the coast rd and back to the Park.

Haven't looked into in any more detail since, but looking at what Mercian Pro posted should give me a few more ideas if I get around to heading up.

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

https://www.strava.com/activities/1693444962/

This was a nice route a few of us did in 2018 after driving to Kilbroney Park near Rostrevor. It's 121k but you could cut quite a bit off that by starting in Hilltown.

Looks like a few of us did something similar in May 2014. The weather was miserable I recall.

https://www.strava.com/activities/142741264

maxamillius

Did this route yesterday, was around 96k, to be honest it’s not somewhere I’d bother with again, the roads were very busy, nice to have ticked it off but wouldn’t be in a rush back, the spelga dam was nice along with Newcastle!

Mercian Pro

There are so many popular locations that are a nightmare for cycling on a fine weekend but quite, remote and beautiful mid-week. I've normally been up there on a club Tuesday spin and have really been impressed with the roads and scenery.

magicbastarder

posted with the caveat that i haven't actually watched it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpDyQdpvybM

Trekker09

I did the Trailtrekker 100km hike there in 2009 (hence boards name). Wouldn't mind exploring on the bike either.

a148pro

magicbastarder wrote: »

posted with the caveat that i haven't actually watched it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpDyQdpvybM

I tried to watch it previously as it's an area that interests me but find her unbearable and had to turn off after a few minutes when they stopped for the bowling thing.

I'm being intolerant here but it's not the first time I've had to abandon her, or her mate's videos. Main uptake - there is apparently a group of people who make their living posting mostly inane videos about every conceivable aspect of cycling, mainly featuring long camera monologues about nothing. "So I thought I'd make a video about how to put on my cycling socks", which video would invariably then just be their face. Presumably funded by ads, product placement and a desperate need for more copy / likes / views.

It's a shame cos some of them are clearly very accomplished cyclists and I fecking love watching escapist cycling porn. But can't handle the style, feigned emotions and lack of substance over image.

Anyone know any good cycling v log thingies?

The other thing that strikes me watching these is how much more people from other countries are travelling

Trekker09

a148pro wrote: »

I tried to watch it previously as it's an area that interests me but find her unbearable and had to turn off after a few minutes when they stopped for the bowling thing.

I'm being intolerant here but it's not the first time I've had to abandon her, or her mate's videos. Main uptake - there is apparently a group of people who make their living posting mostly inane videos about every conceivable aspect of cycling, mainly featuring long camera monologues about nothing. "So I thought I'd make a video about how to put on my cycling socks", which video would invariably then just be their face. Presumably funded by ads, product placement and a desperate need for more copy / likes / views.

It's a shame cos some of them are clearly very accomplished cyclists and I fecking love watching escapist cycling porn. But can't handle the style, feigned emotions and lack of substance over image.

Anyone know any good cycling v log thingies?

The other thing that strikes me watching these is how much more people from other countries are travelling

Bicycle Camping page on FB used to be good. Not so much now but every now and again you get a really interesting poster that inspires!