|
|
EXAMPLE OF CYCLE ROUTE DOCUMENT
All our cycling routes have been chosen, surveyed and described by a cyclist.
The descriptions mention not only the junctions where the route takes a turn, but also give an indication of the length and gradient of upcoming slopes.
Words printed bold refer to directional signs and other signs that are useful to identify where the route makes a turn.
Every paragraph is preceded by the distance in kilometres (km) covered since the start. These distances are as accurate as possible (when re-measured, we never found deviations of more than 0.2 km from the previous survey). However the distances are not meant to exactly identify points where the route turns off. Signs and other landmarks mentioned in the text are sufficient to recognize where the route changes direction. The distances inform cyclists what percentage of the route they have covered at each point, and they give an indication of whether the next turn is far or near.
Background information about places of interest is given in italics.
Detailed maps with the routes drawn in are supplied as well (not shown on this website), enabling the cyclists to deviate from the described route if they so wish, or to find the route back if they inadvertently left it.
As an example, below is the first half of the description for the route “To the Market Town Macroom”.
|
Route to Macroom (45/40 km)
Macroom is the principal market town in the area. The route to Macroom follows the Lee valley downstream, whereas the way back goes for a large part over a very quiet and scenic road along the Toon River upstream. There is an optional walk in The Gearagh nature reserve. Three times the route climbs to rewarding viewpoints: first shortly after the start; a steeper slope waits immediately at departure from Macroom; and the highest hill comes at the end when the route crosses from the Toon valley back to the Lee valley. The last challenge can be avoided by turning off before the hill rises, which also shortens the route by 5 km.
| 0.0km |
Turn right from Creedon’s Hotel, onto the main road to Macroom. |
| 1.6 |
The route goes into the first narrow side road outside the village on the right, marked with road number L74391. The Lee River flows a short distance to the right. Possibly you can hear it and see glimpses of it through the bushes. Soon though the road begins to move away from the river with a succession of inclines, alternated by flat stretches and minor declines |
| 3.8 |
The tiny road joins a slightly wider road. A cycling route is signposted to the left and straight ahead. The route to Macroom goes straight on, in the direction of the Cork City cycling route. The road keeps climbing bit by bit. The route goes straight on past a few small side roads. |
| 5.0 |
The highest point is reached. In clear weather there is a great view back over Lough Allua to the west, while forward the waters of The Gearagh nature reserve can be seen. Downhill from here it goes, straight on past side roads. At the end of a steep drop the little road ends on a main road. From here on the route to Macroom is virtually flat. |
| 7.5 |
The route goes right, onto the main road which immediately bends to the left, and leads over the Lee River. At the other end of the bridge the route turns left, into the side road where the Kilmichael G.A.A. Club and the cycling route to Cork City are signposted. For several hundred metres the road follows the Lee River closely, and then bends away to the right. The route keeps following this road, past a few side roads. A short distance after the G.A.A. Club is signposted to the left, there is a side road on the right and opposite it a parking area between the trees on the left |
| 11.8 |
The car park marks an entrance to The Gearagh. A walk of approximately 1 hour can be made through this nature reserve. |
| |
Originally a swamp forest, The Gearagh was partly submerged when a hydroelectric dam was built further downstream on the Lee River. Information about the history of this area and its flora and fauna is available in Creedon’s Hotel. The submerged area is at the far end of the walking track that begins here. The main path follows a raised causeway, so you will keep your feet dry. If the “deep water – no swimming” warning signs are tempting to try a swim, then keep in mind that submerged trees in both shallow and seemingly deep water form a hidden danger. |
| 13.6 |
At the top of a short incline, a side road joins from the right. The route follows the road to the left. |
| |
|
|
| 13.9 |
Another small side road on the right, the route follows the bend of the main road to the left. |
| 14.4 |
A sign for the cycling route to Cork City points into the side road to the right, but the route to Macroom goes straight on. |
| 15.6 |
Over a bridge over the Lee River which leaves the Gearagh lake here. Then the road rises a short way and ends with a T-junction on a wider road. The route turns right onto that road. |
| 17.2 |
In the outskirts of Macroom town, the road ends with a T-junction on the main road N22. The route goes left onto that main road. (You could choose to cross the road here and use the footpath on the “wrong side” of the road. Please adapt to pedestrian speed and give way to pedestrians.) |
| 17.7 |
After joining the N22, the route turns into the first side road to the right, towards Coachford. Over the Sullane River, and immediately at the other end of the bridge left into the smaller road where the Bealick Mill is signposted. Barely more than 100 metres further again left, into another smaller road, over a bridge over a smaller river |
| 18.2 |
The water mill museum is on the right. The route continues past the water mill. This road leads round the town centre of Macroom |
| 19.8 |
The road ends at a T-junction shortly after it has finally entered the built up area. The route goes left at the T-junction. After a couple of hundred meters this road comes to a T-junction with the main street through the town. Again left, onto the bridge over the Sullane River. As you cross the bridge, you see remains of the famous Macroom Castle to the right in front of you. |
| 22.2 |
After the bridge, the road rises to the central town square. |
| |
Where the square opens up, the entrance to the Castle grounds is on the right. The town hall stands in the middle of the square. All around are a variety of shops, including bakeries, pubs and cafes. In the main street beyond the square are on the left a supermarket and the post office. The stretch of shops ends at the side road left where the bus station is. In that side road is another shopping area, with supermarkets and the cattle mart. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
