On your bike: Top 5 Munster cycle routes day 2

Today is the perfect day to take advantage of the quiet roads and pedal your way along some of Munster’s best cycling routes, says Dan MacCarthy

If you’re not caught up in a parade today, why not dust down that bicycle in the shed and explore some of our amazing countryside. There is generally a lot less traffic on the roads on public holidays so today is perfect for a leisurely ramble on back roads or a more challenging route across the mountains if such is your forte.

With the explosion of interest in cycling in the last few years, there has been a corresponding rise in knowledgeable riders easily able to discuss the latest derailleur or who can point out the benefits of disc brakes over hydraulic brakes. The interest surely stems from the inspired thinking behind the bike-to-work scheme. In 2014 there were 92,000 cars sold in the country. Impressive. There were 95,000 bikes sold. More impressive.