Cycling through/in Belfast

[Manx Cat]

Hi folks,

Now at the booking stage of my cycle tour of Northern Ireland for this summer.

I am staying in Belfast at Vagabonds hostel so any comments greatly received. Gonna go and 'do' the Titanic berth museum, which is why Im stopping in Belfast for a day.

What is it like cycling in Belfast? Are there lanes out of main traffic? Can I cycle on teh pavement without getting re-patronised home? I am not city savvy at all and usually avoid cities whenever I can, but the ferry docks there and it is a good opportunity to see the Titanic museum in its opening year too (booking tickets tonight for this).

Vagabonds is about 5 miles from teh ferry, so a bit of a trip for me in an unknown town (sadly folk I speak to are not very positive about the town, so I am hoping they are wrong). Not going in July as I have been advised to miss July due to Orange March, but dunno if that is right or not.

Cheers in advance.

Mary (aka ManxCat)

[johnb]

Mary, there is a Sustrans cyclepath from the docks which follows the river Lagan right out to Lisburn, you can leave it very close to the hostel. You won't have any trouble getting around the city centre on a bike.

Some people would like to see the Orange parades, some wouldn't. Personal choice I suppose.



http://www.cycleni.com/77/lagan-and-lough-cycle-way/


http://www.sustrans.org.uk/map?key=Nort ... 510,423837

[Manx Cat]

John, thank you. PERFECT and just what us rural lasses need. The route takes us pretty much to our digs, back to QUeen Island and a bit further up besides when we continue our ride after our museum fix day.

WOnderful.. Really looking forward to visiting Ireland, it has a great feel to it planning this tour.

Mary

[johnb]

Mary if you have time try to squeeze in a visit to the Ulster Museum which is located at the Botanic gardens, which is very close to your hostel



http://www.nmni.com/um