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-   -   Ireland (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/ireland-19135)

Freek 5 Oct 2003 15:42

Ireland
 
Hello,

Next spring, I want to make a trip through Ireland, with my KTM-adventure.

I'm looking for bad roads and good music.

Any tips ?

Freek (NL)


electric_monk 5 Oct 2003 19:40

Hey freek

Glad to hear you're coming to our wonderful isle. You will not regret it. If you give me a better idea what you are looking for in terms of riding I will give you as much assistance as you need. If the timing is right you might even get a free tour guide. E-mail me at reillste@hotmail.com.


------------------

Freek 5 Oct 2003 22:32

Thanx for the quick reply.

I'm looking for small roads, or (even better) gravel or dirtroads through a beautifull, rough, scenery.

And ending the day with a good beer and good Irish music.
I like to camp and a bit off rain, doesn't scare me.

I think I have one week at the end of may.

CU,

Freek

Danette 13 Oct 2003 20:01

Hey Freek!! Having just come from Ireland about one month ago I would have to say that ALL roads in Ireland would qualify for you!!

Just kidding but the roads are rough.

The Ordance Survey maps at any bookstore worked for us.

Some of the nicer smaller roads were in and around County Kerry ( Dingle etc)

Danette

iswoolley 30 Oct 2003 21:40

Freek

Ireland is an excellent place for riding; good scenery, friendly people, and cheap (compared to UK). I've been there for several rallyes, mostly in the west and north west of the country. For places I would recommend Malin Head, Co. Donegal in the far north west, The Burren, Co. Claire in the west (some excellent moonscape trails), and the Connemara mountains, Co. Galway (just plain beautiful). I haven't been, but the Ring of Kerry in Co. Kerry is touted as being pretty damn good as well.

The maps we used were the Discovery series published by the Ordnance Survey. I think the scale was about 1:25'000, and they show all the tracks and gravel roads. In general in Ireland a landowner has to erect a barrier or post a notice to stop the public using a track. I've riden along cliff-top trails, in sand dunes on the beach, through beautiful forests, and the ubiquitous peat bogs. All legally.

I haven't camped over there, so I can only guess that if you do a web search you'll come up with some places. For example,

http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk...nvylebeach.htm

Have a great time, and post back here when you get back.

Iain

Freek 30 Oct 2003 23:08

Hello,

That's good news; legal gravel roads.

I'm looking forward to it.

I'll try to find the maps over here.

Does anyone have GPS routes/tracks waypoints ?

Freek (NL)

Paul Narramore 6 Nov 2003 03:45

Like Freek, I also would like to take my bike to both Northern and Southern Ireland however as I have a Pan European, I don't want gravel or too many pot holes. I was thinking of a week in May, starting off by visiting my son in the RAF near Belfast, then riding south. Any advice would be welcomed, thanks.

PanEuropean 11 Nov 2003 11:39

Hi Paul:

I also ride a ST1100, I spent some time touring Ireland about two years ago. It is a very nice country, but not exactly the perfect country for a bike the size of a Pan. Primary highways are OK, but as soon as you get off the primary highways, you find a lot of "hot tar and pea gravel" treatments on the secondary roads. The road workers put extra big scoops of loose pea gravel on the sharp corners, just to keep life interesting for the moto riders.

Also, many of the secondary roads are very narrow, with vegetation that extends right up to the side of the pavement, and sometimes beyond. I picked up a lot of scratches on my nearside mirror fairing from riding country roads. Also, it is always possible to find that the "sort-of-paved" secondary road turns into a farm lane without much notice.

But, having said all that, I would not discourage you from going there with the ST1100 - just be pretty careful about getting off the beaten path until you learn what the local norms are for roadways. FWIW, I think the roads in Poland are better than the roads in Ireland - at least the Poles lay down pavement on their roads.

Ralph 13 Nov 2003 08:41

Hi Freek

I also live in Ireland (up North) and can tell you there's plenty to see in this area but not so many dirt roads you can ride on.

It is best to try counties Donegal, Galway and Cork for good off road stuff. We ride in these areas often and hold rallies through out the year. I can send you the track logs and waypoints of some of my rides.
I mainly store this stuff in GPS Utility but I have some routes stored in Mapsource - which is best for you?


Ralph


mcdarbyfeast 13 Nov 2003 14:05

Are there any roads/byeways like the 'Ridgeway' that can be ridden on a bike, in Ireland. Most of our family live in Co Tipperary so I would particularly interested in that area.


[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 13 November 2003).]

Freek 13 Nov 2003 22:04

Hello,

I have mapsource and oziexplorer.

I should be gratefull when you could sent it te me.

Tanx,

Freek


Ralph 14 Nov 2003 07:42

Hi lads,

firstly McDarby, when you mention the Ridgeway, the short answer is, in Northern Ireland, no there is nothing like it. Our traffic laws are different here and we don't have BOATS and RUPPs etc. We have the Ulster Way, but its for walkers only as most of it is over private farmland.

In the south there are various other similar walking ways like The East Clare Way and you will find that you can ride on these without a problem. Weather this is because the law is different or no one's bothered by it I'm not too sure but we have never been challanged. One thing the South has a lot of are Green Roads. These would be similar to the Ridgeway and are scattered everywhere. If you see a sign saying 'Green Road' take it, it will be a good trail and legal. Also there are many little tracks leading out into the bog and you can explore these til your hearts content. Just remember that all of this belongs to somebody, so if you do meet someone, be polite and pass the time of day and they will usually tell you just to 'tear on'.

One other thing you notice about the North is that it is much more fenced off. Even in the remotest parts of the hills and peat bog you will come across barbed wire fences. In the South it's left much more open.

Don't get me wrong, the North's very beautiful, there is plenty to do and see, good places to eat and drink - camp sites etc. It's just you could do it all equally well on a Goldwing. (I promise the Pan owner will have no problems - and if you come in May don't miss the North West 200)

I'm not familiar with Tipperary. If you look in this months TBM magazine there is a write up on the tipperary rally. I didn't go to this one but I know the guys who organised it. I could see if they still have the list of checkpoints. It would give you a good idea of places to go.

Finally, Freek, I will try to get the tracklogs emailed out to you early next week. Also if you like I will post some photo-copies of maps that I have used showing some good tracks, they might be more useful than the logs when your over here.



[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited 14 November 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited 14 November 2003).]

mcdarbyfeast 14 Nov 2003 14:01

Many thanks Ralph.

I've been trying to find info on this but couldn't find anything on the web.

Are these roads marked on maps as well as signposted. Also is there an organisation such as the 'Trail Riders Fellowship' and are there any trail riding clubs.

Ralph 16 Nov 2003 02:18

Hi,

Green Roads are shown on the maps just as minor roads and are not especially marked.

Unfortunately there is no TRF over here, there are some small clubs but no websites for information. I find trail riding is kind of a minority sport over here and the guys involved know each other well and communicate without clubs if you know what I mean.
However the couple of local clubs that there are do put on some good weekends and a lot of English visitors come over, but I think the invites always go out to the same people. Getting to hear about them is the hard part thats all.

If I could work out how to post photo's I would send some of Donegal last month.
How do I do this anyone know?



Ralph 16 Nov 2003 23:41

Hope this works

http://img.groundspeak.com/user/23201_300.jpg

http://img.groundspeak.com/user/23201_400.jpg

http://img.groundspeak.com/user/23201_200.jpg


[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited 16 November 2003).]

mcdarbyfeast 17 Nov 2003 04:00

Ralph, great pic's.

I had intended to use an XR400, but the roads look good enough for my AT. What do you think?

Bob

Ralph 17 Nov 2003 06:15

Oh you'll have no bother on the XR - but what model is the AT, I don't reconise it?

You will see I ride an XTZ660 and it goes everywhere - over the bogs and all - but soetimes I get stuck, so don't venture too far alone.

I think if you have a good tyre on you will get almost any bike through most stuff.



mcdarbyfeast 17 Nov 2003 14:16

AT = Africa Twin. Bob.

electric_monk 18 Nov 2003 00:36

hey folks, it looks to me as if we have the makings of a HU meeting...!!

harryl 18 Nov 2003 02:09

A HU meeting in countryside like that is a great idea http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Ralph 18 Nov 2003 05:40

Yeah - getting to meet a few fellow travellers for a beer would be good.

Bob - I should have guessed what AT was. You know, I think if you where coming over with the intention of seeing as much as possible then you'd be more comfortable on the big Africa twin. It's the one I'd take.

Thanks Freek for the info on the photos -

I'm going down to The Burren in Co. Clare next month to ride some trails, I'll take some more photos so you can see what it's like there.

If anyone wants any tourist information about this area just say and I'll see what I can get for you when I'm there.

electric_monk 18 Nov 2003 06:02

Hey Ralph

If you can stand a bit of company, let me know when you are going. I'm in dublin and have very little work on between now and christmas and could do with a couple of days exploring.



iswoolley 18 Nov 2003 14:28

I can back up Ralph's info. I've riden both an XT600 and an Africa Twin in the Emerald Isle, and the trails are entirely suitable for that size of bike. As you can see from the photos from Co. Clare, the trails are varied.

http://iain.woolley.net/Photos/Clare...o. Clare, 2001

http://iain.woolley.net/Photos/Clare...o. Clare, 2001

Bob, fit some semi-knobblie tyres (TKC80 maybe?) to the AT, buy some Discovery maps, and go exploring.

Iain

Blotto 19 Nov 2003 01:17

I agree with most of the above, don't miss the North West 200 then take the ferry from Magilligan Point and explore the Malin Head area of Donegal. Roads range from gravel to mud but still no problem on a bigger bike (AT or even GS).

mcdarbyfeast 19 Nov 2003 02:26

Thanks guys, sounds and looks fantastic. Planning to go around Easter time, so all we need is some good weather and some cash for the 'Black stuff' !! Bob

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 18 November 2003).]

Ralph 20 Nov 2003 07:15

Electric monk - I'm just back in work tonight and picked up your note. There's no problem as far as I'm concerned but I would need to check with the guy who's organising it to see if there's still a place available. I'll send him an email and get back to you direct.
The plan is the 12th and 13th Dec staying at the Hylands Burren Hotel in Ballyvaughan - costs 99 euro B&B + one evening meal.

* Lads - those photos look like Clare Nav Rally 2001 if I'm not mistaken ???

Ralph


iswoolley 21 Nov 2003 00:45

Ralph

Indeed it is. I did the RoD in 2000 on the XT, Clare in 2001 also on the XT, and Clare last year on an Africa Twin. Top events, organised by great people, and if it wasn't for the evenings out in Lissdoonvana, it'd be perfect!

<center>http://iain.woolley.net/Photos/RoD20... alt="RoD 2000
Rally of Discovery 2000</center>

Iain

[This message has been edited by iswoolley (edited 20 November 2003).]

Freek 19 Mar 2004 19:58

Ralph send me a lot off map-copies with routes.

Tanx Ralph !!

Freek (NL)


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