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Anybody here done the Wild Atlantic Way? I'm off on Thursday to ride to Pembroke, ferry to Rosslare then ride to Belfast, ferry to Liverpool then ride home to Cambs. Just under 2k of your post Brexit UK miles and probs a bit over 4 weeks.
It's ganna be a proper old fashioned tour with mix of camping and accommodation (weather dependant) deciding where a day or two in advance. I've a high level plan based on 70 miles per day (my usual) but will flex as needed. 70 may not seem much but the climbing, oh the climbing... 🫤
Any war stories or tall tales of derring do?
Its a long way! I rode the Beara peninsular which is one tiny part of it in the south west. It was beautiful but a nasty climb
Edit - beware the irish sustrans - their marked cycle routes seem to go all round the houses to find as many hills as they can
the Wild Atlantic Way
have you a copy of this?
https://www.cicerone.co.uk/the-wild-atlantic-way-and-western-ireland
looks hilly!
from Donegal back to Belfast for the ferry, I guess you're thinking of taking in the North Antrim ('Causeway Coast') coastal route, from Coleraine via Ballycastle, Cushendun etc to Larne?
@tjagain. Hilly it is. Every day is at least 1km of ascent.
@tractionman. I have that book, ta. I bought it along with the Routa de la Plata and Route des Grandes Alpes guides a couple of years ago intending to do all three that year - then promptly had a Pulmonary Embolism which cancelled (most) plans. I picked off the other two last year and this is the last installment. I'll not make the mistake of buying guides again... And yes to the Causeway Coast route to Belfast. Have you done it?
And yes to the Causeway Coast route to Belfast. Have you done it?
not much on a bike, I live over here so I know it pretty well, some bits are a tad too busy with traffic for my liking for riding, especially between Bushmills and Ballycastle, a really scenic part but for me the hills and traffic are off-putting.
what I have done is popped over on the Rathlin ferry with the bike, and tootled around there, plus some of the off-road stuff on the north coast like Glenariff.
I'd definitely recommend taking the Rathlin ferry from Ballycastle if you have time (there's now a ferry too from Ballycastle to Islay and Kintyre!)-- https://www.rathlin-ferry.com/
from Ballycastle to Larne, the Torr Head route is popular with roadies ( https://www.irelandhighlights.com/sight/torr-head-scenic-route/) plenty of big climbs and views across to Scotland.
after Torr Head the road hugs the shoreline, can still be quite busy but well used by cyclists.
cheers,
Keith
- Came up through Spain then ferry to Rosslare and up west coast to ballycastle for ferry to Campbelltown a couple of years ago.
- Expensive and hotel price were a joke.
- Lots of close passes, all the Irish have done is signage.
- Went years ago now the viewpoints pay to enter, once into Northern Ireland it improves.
lots of close passes, all the Irish have done is signage.
I found the drivers to be very different to both mainland europe and the UK. Not aggressive and usually giving room to cyclists but just rubbish distracted drivers. Two near head on collisions between cars when overtaking me due to absurd overtakes without thought as well as careless close passes but I rode in primary and on the whole I had few issues.
I enjoyed cycling in Ireland
Got back from a 2 week bike touring camping trip to Ireland last Tuesday.
Kendal to Holyhead, ferry to Dublin across to Galway - ferry to Arran Islands then up the coast to Achill Island, and the along to Sligo. Then back down the middle to Shannon Valley and then over to Rosslare. Ferry to Fishguard and then rode back to Kendal.
I was going to continue from Sligo up the coast , but forecast was for more days of drizzle so turned south for better weather.
I did a 7 days end to end Malin Head to Mizen Point a coupe of year back so this was more relaxed tour. About 70 miles per day is what I did mostly on this trip. Got riding a long way in one day out of my system on the first day by riding the 200 miles to Holyhead for the ferry.
I think Wild Atlantic Way and the related EV1 are best done as loops like in the Cicerone guide, rather then trying to rid all of it It is good and fun to make your own route depending on the weather and where you want to stop, rather that following exactly the wild Atlantic way or EV1.
The Irish seem relaxed about camping in parks and at locks on the canals. For 6 euros you can buy a smart card that lets you in to the toilet blocks at the locks and pays for showers.
Deli counters at petrol stations are great for hot food snacks.
Most campsites have an undercover kitchen are for hikers and cyclists. You always get a welcome at a campsite as a cyclist.
Only campsite I regretted staying at was the IOAC campsite at Rosslare, very noisy with large groups ignoring 'quiet after 11' and directly next to main road with heavy traffic all night.
Small towns and villages are the best part of crossing Ireland by bike.
I recommend crossing Galway bay via Inishmore. Best campsite of the trip with a great kitchen was https://www.aranislands.ie/inis-mor-inishmore-island/inis-mor-island-accommodation/aran-camping-glamping and visiting Alchill Island (bridge to get there) and staying here (sheltered campsite ) Achill Seal Caves Caravan & Camping Park - Achill Tourism
Booking in advance is a good one, we were half way up at the start of the marching season in NI. A lot of NI residents go south for holidays just incase any trouble starts. Other half refuses to wild camp, some really good campings but found other had turned into campervan only sites.
How did/do people get on wild camping? Obviously over here, it can vary from easy peasy/no problem (mountain areas) to get orf my laaand (SE England). I'm planning on mixing camping and accommodation depending on weather. Second full day of rain and I'm in digs for the night to dry out.
How did/do people get on wild camping?
it's a relatively underpopulated country in rural parts, stop and talk to folk, ask if it's ok to camp in a field etc, away from the touristy areas -- otherwise there's lots of unimproved pasture out west, just get a little bit higher and follow a bog road or boreen. Some of the national parks in Ireland allow wild camping, eg Glenveagh.
This sounds like a great adventure.
I started to do it years ago on the motorbike (south to north). I ended up getting a bit bored of the samey scenery and gave up at the halfway point. I reckon it would be loads better on a bicycle. The locals were great... one chap even offered me the use of a house he owned on the route... "You'll find the keys under the doormat; should be some food in the fridge" 🙂
How did/do people get on wild camping?
I didn't even try. Land is so closed off with no access / no trespassing signs. I found it hard to even get off the road for a break sometimes. Im too used to having the right to access the land I guess
The weight takes a bit of getting used to again. My last few tours have been credit card jobbies carrying about 3kg on Audax style bikes. This one is back to Ortliebs and a pukka tourer. Patience is the watchword... At least it's lighter than camping touring on the tandem 😬
We are in SW Kerry, just off WAW for the foreseeable future. Weather has improved (!!!!!), lots of cyclists about and it's fierce busy with tourists, coaches and campervans this year.
Hope you have a good tour!
We are in SW Kerry, just off WAW for the foreseeable future. Weather has improved (!!!!!), lots of cyclists about and it's fierce busy with tourists, coaches and campervans this year.
Hope you have a good tour!
I'll come and see ya. Be round in a bit 👍
re
How did/do people get on wild camping?
Hard to find anywhere that is suitable (not bogy, flat, not overgrown) for camping that is not a farmer's field in the countryside.
So in small towns best to camp in public parks, etc.
Weeeeellllll, I'm back. 28 continuous days at an average of just over 70 miles per day had me complete at a bit over 2k miles. It is very hilly to Dingle and then again for the last 5 or 6 days. I camped for 10 nights the rest spent in hotels/B&B's/apartments/hostels or whatever. Zero nights wild camping.
I rode from Cambs to Pembroke then clockwise round from Rosslare to Belfast. Ferry to Liverpool then rode back to Cambs.
1 puncture and no other mechanical or physical dramas. Quite enjoyed it but boy did the climbing lose its lustre after a few days...