Cycling South Dublin & Wicklow

From the doorstep of Dublin city, there is easy access to a cycling haven of deep glens, forested mountains and wild scenery, including the Wicklow Mountains.
This guidebook journeys through some of the country's best-known tourist attractions, such as Glendalough, and reveals lesser-known points of interest like the Shay Elliott memorial to the first Irish rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.
The graded routes suit all abilities, and are illustrated with colour maps, photos and gradient graphs, with information on the many natural landmarks and historical sites en route. The historic Military Road is central to many of the cycles. Constructed in the aftermath of the 1798 Rebellion, it runs from Rathfarnham in south Dublin to Aughavannagh in south-west Wicklow, with a side arm from Enniskerry to Glencree, and from the Sally Gap to Roundwood. Try your hand as a Tour de France competitor, revisiting the 1998 stage, which raced through the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, finishing in the Phoenix Park.
Surprising insights and useful tips are shared throughout, allowing cyclists to enjoy the wonders and challenges of south Dublin and Wicklow.

Ian O'Riordan has been a sports reporter with The Irish Times for 20 years. He was born in Dublin, ran for Ireland as a junior, and spent four years on a running scholarship in America. He has run several marathons, including Athens, New York and Honolulu. He first took to road cycling in 2006 and has since ridden several major road routes throughout Europe, including the famous Alpine stages from Geneva to Nice. He lives in Glencullen, on the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains border.