landsurfer wrote:One of my favourite rides is along the coast of the southern edge of Belfast Lough and down the eastern edge of the Ards Peninsula.
Starting at Hollywood there is a tarmac path around the coast all the way to Bangor.
From Bangor there is a quiet urban route along the coast to Groomsport and a flat coast road, or cycle way, to Donaghadee and Ballywalter.
Some rolling small hills along the first section and stunning views at all parts.
About 25 miles and some of the best coast line in Ulster.
Love that ride. Also getting to know the roads east of Lough Neagh is cool. The roads run down to the Lough with great views especially from the top near Stonyfood. Sure there are plenty of more stunning vistas in Ireland I'm sure, but I'm very familiar with that part of Northern Ireland and can't wait to get back there to cycle. County Down is just brilliant. I live in West Sussex so am used to hilly cycling, and County Down is just magnificent for rolling hills. In fact it has a bit of everything. And the cyclists you meet on the roads are so friendly. Can't recommend Northern Ireland enough as a place to cycle.