I am sorry if this has been asked before but I am heading to Ireland on Thursday for 10 days and am wondering a couple of things…Anyone been before or live there and know how safe it is to cycle by yourself out of the cities? I will be alone and renting a car and am starting in Dublin and plan on driving most of the south and am wondering if I should even bring my bike at all or just say to hell with it and just stick to running and possibly swimming. Obviously there is beautiful countryside to see and cycle but would this be foolish to do solo? I do have an important race 10 days after my return so that’s why I’m asking…I have a good mind just to leave my bike at home and do my best with some decent running and swimming.
hi
cycling is “ok” in ireland. i live in dublin which is quite congested, but it’s all a question of perspective (i cycled mainly in germany/switzerland - many quiet, smooth roads there). where are you living?
roads are pretty rough and very tiny. and the drivers, hmmmm… i presume you are a female (and magic even so) and you therefore ask about cycling alone!? not to worry i would believe, very safe apart from the drivers, but i ain’t female either, so cannot judge.
also, be prepared for rain (it rains every bloody single day basically) and of course some strong winds. temps are coolish (14-20C) right now and it will not get better.
as for swimming: 15 degrees celsius will be the warmest sea temperatures to expect. pools are a rare thing, though there are a couple at least in dublin, mostly pretty dirty. dunno about the lakes, might be a little warmer.
i know this doesn’t sound too good, but as said before, it’s all a question of perspective and yes, the south-western coastline is beautiful! i find the inland pretty average. stick to dingle peninsula and beara pensinsula. just as beautiful as ring of kerry, but less travelled.
i wouldn’t care about the swimming, but still bring the bike. just head out early before the tourists hit the road.
as for running: don’t expect trails. best running is actually in dublin. on the countryside you will have to stick mostly to roads. again, early morning probably the best to go running. should you be staying in killarney, then the national park is perfect for running, many trails there.
if you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Hi Uli - Thanks for the response, yes, I am a woman travelling alone so am a bit wary. I will be staying in Dublin for the first 2 days or so, really have no plan, just winging it so to speak.
The training sounds a bit…ummm…rough. Not sure what to do now. Maybe I should just leave my bike and make it a run focus trip? I will go to Killarney for sure so that will be good, I am a bit scared of the drivers on the tiny roads and you have confirmed my thoughts. Where do you swim in Dublin?
Thanks again for this advice…bad timing for this trip but it was the only time I could take holidays.
I am from Wicklow (county south of Dublin). Its not great to cycle there or in Ireland in general, it used to be popular but too many cars now, typically no bike lanes, everyone in a hurry. I don’t see too many tourists on bikes any more.
If you like trail running the wicklow mountains are incredible, miles and miles of trails (look up Sally Gap, Sugarloaf). It can be pretty wet and damp up in the mountains. In Dublin itself the Phoenix park is a popular spot for running.
The best options for swimming are probably the ocean, it is pretty cold though and the water can get pretty rough and dangerous. Most beaches that i am aware of don’t have lifeguards.
I believe triathlon in Ireland is becoming popular, u could try to take in a race while there. Check out http://www.triathlonireland.com
yes, the roads are busy here and yes, the thousands of suvs exceed the road width. but again, early mornings on the countryside should be alright.
yes, wicklow mountains are very nice, good running and cycling there (if it wouldn’t be for the rough roads). while you stay in dublin i reckon to cycle up there (sally gap!) and run in phoenix park or along sandymount beach/irishtown park, depending on where you stay.
also, expect slow travelling. it might look close on the map, but with the tiny roads it can take a long time to get anywhere. driving on the left is fun though.
Thanks very much for this great information as well. I don’t know how the athletes in Ireland do it with all the challenges! I will most certainly hit the run spots you have suggested and maybe the best option is to bring the bike and try to race once while there.
Sounds like I might just have to resign myself to beer drinking as sport while there instead of trying to train!
Hi Uli - Checked out that link for the triathlon - WOW…beautiful and challenging. I am from Toronto so for sure don’t get anything like that. I really appreciate your tips and will check out the pool you have suggested. Thanks again for all your help.
hmm, toronto, how’s cycling there? from what i guess it can not be much better than here, so you should be fine cycling in ireland!
i think about relocating to toronto for a while (i might have the option on my current job) - on google-maps it looks pretty flat and i love mountains/hills.
and a bit rough during winter, but nice summers… my goal is to live on the cayman islands during winter and in toronto during summer (both possible work destinations). if i only can convince my boss…
so if you would mind sharing some info about toronto, i’d be pleased!
I have to second the Ring of Kerry recommendation, but it is really a touring destination. Might not be what you’re used to for hammering/training. But don’t miis it.
The Dingle Penninsula is a must see as well. Make sure you hit Connor Pass.
While you’re there, hike from Cloghan (near me’ ole homestead) to the top of Brandon Mountain.
A neat place to run is in Killarney Nat’l Park. If you see the Red Deer, don’t approach them. Uh, so I hear.
I really thank you for your advice (everyone) because now I am thinking that I may take my bike and do a race each weekend that I am there (I am there 2 weekends)…maybe a good way to safely ride and see the country while driving from race to race. The first weekend there are 2 races, one called the Carlingford Triathlon (not sure where it is) and one called the Pulse Triathlon in Blessington…and then the following weekend there is one in Ballyronan which I gather is near Belfast so that may work out well. Have you ever done any racing there?
Or…as I said, I may just say stuff it and get drunk for a week ;)…
MagicGirl - I just wanted to thank you (and everyone who responded) for this post as I am headed to Ireland in a few weeks and was wondering about cycling as well.
Hi EDS - When are you there? I am there from the 9th to the 20th. After checking out the Triathlon Ireland website, seems like there is a pretty good tri scene and as I mentioned, I may just do a couple of races and that way can be safe while cycling and get myself into race shape for my event as well. I just don’t know the geography very well so am not sure if it’s a bit ambitious but I’ll do some more research. And, everyone, thanks again, great info!
I was in County Cork earlier this year and was pleasantly surprised with cycling there. Granted, the roads are tiny and somewhat rough, but drivers seemed more courteous than in the U.S. and seemed to expect to share the roads – since many areas have no sidewalk, every runner, cyclist, mom with a stroller, etc. is in the road. Once I got over my initial hesitation (and my confusion at riding on the left) I had a great time.
I really thank you for your advice (everyone) because now I am thinking that I may take my bike and do a race each weekend that I am there (I am there 2 weekends)…maybe a good way to safely ride and see the country while driving from race to race. The first weekend there are 2 races, one called the Carlingford Triathlon (not sure where it is) and one called the Pulse Triathlon in Blessington…and then the following weekend there is one in Ballyronan which I gather is near Belfast so that may work out well. Have you ever done any racing there?
Or…as I said, I may just say stuff it and get drunk for a week ;)…
i reckon blessington as this is close to Dublin. carlington is further up north, close to the NI-border.
again, i would stick to dublin and the south west and not waste your 10 days mostly in the car.
I was in County Cork earlier this year and was pleasantly surprised with cycling there. Granted, the roads are tiny and somewhat rough, but drivers seemed more courteous than in the U.S. and seemed to expect to share the roads – since many areas have no sidewalk, every runner, cyclist, mom with a stroller, etc. is in the road. Once I got over my initial hesitation (and my confusion at riding on the left) I had a great time.
that’s exactly what i meant: all a question of perspective. bring your bike!
I think you will still be able to get an entry to Carlingford ok, but the others will be full/entry closed at this stage. Most races here fill up well in advance, Carlingford is a new race this year hence the chance of places. It’s about 60-80minutes drive north of Dublin and quite close to Belfast. Scenic part of the country and a good club organising it so it should be good.
Cycling near Dublin, southside (of the River Liffey) you could do worse than drive out of Dublin and cycle in Wicklow. There are some nice hills, actually check out http://www.wicklow200.ie/2007/route2007.shtml for a 200km and 100km route.
If you are staying northside you could head out past the airport and hit villages such as Oldtown/Ballyboughal/Naul/Garristown - you’d be able to pick a route easily enough from a map. Roads are quiet enough apart from rush hour though sometimes rough.
As people have said, Kerry has lots of scenic routes. If you are heading to Belfast then the coastline of Antrim (heading towards the Giants Causeway) had some lovely routes also.
Thanks for the response, yes, I am a woman travelling alone so am a bit wary.
Hi MagicGirl. My wife and I are presently on a year long bike tour heading towards the Middle East. Seven years ago, my wife, single at the time, toured Ireland on her own for 6 weeks. There is no need to be worried biking alone. She also did a bike tour across America, on her own as a single woman.
My wife says she has never felt in danger while touring by herself. She camps every night and finds people go out of their way to “protect” her because they think she is vulnerable, but she has never had a problem. The thing people forget is that when bike touring, you avoid large cities so are out in small towns and on less travelled roads.
We are together now and will soon be heading across Turkey and Iran and we have never felt threatened. I think she prefers to be in this area of the world with a man but our biggest danger remains getting hit by a car, and cars don’t know the difference between a man and a woman.
You may want to get a lift out of Dublin though, but once you are out of the city limits, you will have no problem. Make sure you bring some rain gear and enjoy.
