We meet in the car park at the rear of Centra on Main Street, Castlemarytr. After introductions and briefing, we depart the car park, turning right onto the main street and continuing the short distance to the traffic lights. We turn left here onto the R632 for Garryvoe and Shanagarry and continue through Ladysbridge. We stop briefly at Garryvoe Beach to take in the view and sea air, looking across the bay to our destination of Ballycotton.
Leaving Garryvoe, we continue on to Shanagarry and the junction with the R629. Turning left here, we take the R629 section for Ballycotton. Approximately 5km on, we arrive in the village at a lovely Artisan café, “The Trawl Door”, where we can avail of a well earned tea or coffee and scone. Suitably refreshed, we can continue on into the village and the harbour where we can take in the view from a different perspective, looking back across the Bay to Garryvoe Beach. Leaving here, we cycle back through the village and return to Shanagarry, staying on the R629 and turning left at the junction and heading in the direction of Ballymaloe. We will continue through Ballymaloe grounds with an option for another cuppa here should the group decide. Leaving Ballymaloe, we turn right onto the L3818. A short distance on (1.5km), we go left on to Loughane Hill and follow the road to Ladysbridge, where we rejoin the R632 returning to Castlemartyr.
Known bathroom facilities available on this route are at the Centra in Castlemaytr, Garryvoe beach, Ballycotton pier and at Ballymaloe Café.
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I enjoy cycling as a recreational sport and as a family activity. Cycling is a low impact way to stay fit and experience the open air that's suitable for everyone. I am involved in a local Cycling Club, hold a Coaching qualification and coach our Youth members.
A great Bike Ride today on a popular route. Great weather as usual and we headed off for our first stop at Garryvoe Beach, where the guy at the coffee wagon gave us free coffees!!!! Such a nice gesture. we all didnt avail of the offer but one or two were in need of a coffee fix. After the coffee and a photo with a great coffee slogan, we headed for Ballycotton, stopping as we do for a group photo and our usual interaction with people we meet. I think that we are such a happy group that people just seem to be drawn towards and feel comfortable with us. Our usual coffee stop in Ballycotton was closed permanently, the alternative wasn't as enticing, so we detoured to the KIlkenny shop and cafe in Shanagarry on our return leg. We were not disappointed with, food, coffee and service. It has the makings of a regular stop. Suitably refreshed, we continued on our return leg via the grounds of Ballymaloe House, where we stopped for another photo op and drew a lovely couple from Malayasia into our orbit. Both living and working here, enjoy cycling, are going to look up Community Bike Rides and will hopefully join us in the future! We continued our bike ride and arrived safely back at our initilal startpoint in Castlemartyr with everyone looking forward to our next one. A great day out!!
