Hello! We've briefly moved to Belfast for a few weeks and I have my roab bike and hardtail with me.
I'll have a few windows to head out for a couple of hours and would ideally rode from the door rather than use the car. We're fairly central in the city - just next to Ormeau Park.
Does anyone have any suggestions for routes I should check out? I've explored out by Comber/Whiterock/Killinchy a bit but that's the extent of my knowledge so any suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks!
If you've a hardtail, I used to live in a similar area and spin along the river out to Mary Peters for a few laps. There's also a few bits and pieces along the river path, but you may be better off with a guide to find those.
Road-wise, either South towards Ballynahinch or out onto the Ards peninsula, down to the ferry and back up through Downpatrick were my usual routes. There's a very very healthy scene in Belfast, so you should be able to find a road group/chain gang to ride with without too much issue. Generally, there were groups out most of the time at a variety of hours. There always used to be people out doing TT practice in the Titanic quarter round to the back of the airport as well.
THanks for the heads up for the Mary Peters trail but I think I might struggle to do Ards -> Downpatrick and back in a couple of hours 🙂
have you had a look at
https://gravelmap.com/
the area around Cave Hill is popular for off road stuff, and the path to Bangor along the coast can be extended by heading up to Conlig and Helen's Tower.
I'm no roadie but I see a fair few out towards Greyabbey and the Ards peninsula.
Enjoy norn iron 👍
MaryPeters or Cavehill are good spots for MTB, eg, http://www.mountainbikeni.com/barnett-demesne-trails-jumps-park/
If you fancy travelling further I’d highly recommend Castlewellan & Rostrevor.
Ards peninsula, out towards Tyrella Beach, are good shouts for the road bike.
I’m beside Ormeau park too so feel free to give me a shout if you want a bit more detail.
Hmm. Trusted komoot to find me a route today and found myself getting a bit lost in Newtonards and on a really terrible road up Whinney Hill (crap surface, 11 million cars). @donncha I'll drop you a PM later in the week for some more specific advice, thanks.
THink I'll try my arm on the hardtail next and see what Mary Peters is like. Might be a decent spot for the kids as well.
Mary Peters is good, Helen's Tower down the coast a bit in Bangor is good too. Anywhere else you'll need the car to travel.
There are some trails on Cave hill too, but I've not done them and not sure they are hardtail friendly.
Road - yes, pretty much anywhere apart from the main roads.
@stevious Craigantlet hills are really busy with traffic, was great during lockdown but not anymore.
Around Helen's Tower is popular, can be accessed from the south via Comber Greenway from Belfast or from the North via the coastal path along the old coach road from Helen's Bay, or do a loop out along the coast and back along the Greenway via Helen's Tower.
cheers,
Keith