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

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016 - 00:00

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.

With the opening up of the Great Western Greenway in Co Mayo, sections of the Dublin to Galway route, Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir, others in counties Westmeath, Roscommon and Dublin, not to mention the soon-to-be, phenomenal Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen Greenway in Co Kerry there are some magnificent off-road cycles in the country. They are especially suitable for families. However, let’s not forget on-road cycling. You don’t have to compete with juggernauts or long lines of traffic to have a great day’s cycling. There are an estimated 12,000km of roads in Munster alone so get out there and get pedalling.

‘Cycling Munster – Great Road Routes’ by Dan MacCarthy is published by The Collins Press, price €14.99. It is available in all good bookshops and online from www.collinspress.ie.