Ta chaps
I am getting freaked out by folk that keep talking to me. This is no country for an introvert 🙄😀
I am getting freaked out by folk that keep talking to me
Everybody walking past you
"Howyeh!"
Arrrgh. Weather is pish so I think its time for a change of plan. Going down down the west coast seems proper daft so I shall head inland and follow the Shannon south. Seems like a better plan
It’s lovely in Edinburgh 😉😁
No doubt it will be shit in a week’s time, once the school holidays start ☹️
Thanks!
Seems like a better plan
Do or do not. There is no better.
😘
Now you know why it's called the Emerald Isle !!!
I used to go every summer to visit family and it was rarely sunny (Co. Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford area)
Oh well. Made it 45 miles south east. I think a good call given the weather not to go thru Mayo and tbe west coast tho its disappointing to miss out but not into a headwind. Bad enough today anyway and it effing pissed it down this morning. Fortunately the hedgerows did give so shelter from the wind but today was tough especially as I have ended up only 50 miles from where I was 3 days ago due to changing my mind on route. Done two sides of a triangle.
Camped up for the night. Its a bit windy
Sat in my tent eating chocolate and listeningto it flap in the wind.
Typical view today
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I think an orchid in which case it is twice the size of the scots ones
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Another day more headwind and rain. Camped up near Athlone. Nice campsite but once again no grub in the pub. Couple of pints tho and i feel squiffy. Watching Gaelic football on telly in pub
Royal canal with orchids
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Hope you enjoyed the Armagh v Galway football match!
Sat in my tent eating chocolate and listening to it flap in the wind.
I had no idea chocolate flapped.
This really is a voyage of discovery.
In my life lots of things flap🙄🙃
You seem a bit fatigued could you not cheat a bit and jump on a train to get to some more interesting bits?
Where headed next? Sticking with the Shannon? If heading away from it there's a nice old rail track bike trail to mullingar (my home town)from athlone, can get on to canal trail towards Dublin from there.
Looks ace, hope the locals aren't talking too much to you 😁
I am still heading for my pals near bantry roughly following the shannon to limerick tomorrow. I might get him to drive up and get me if tomorrows no better. Im not to tired but 4 days riding into headwind has slowed me. I thought it would take 2 weeks to get to county cork
Nice one, no harm in giving yourself a break, you've covered a lot of miles and probably already seen more of Ireland than I have!
What's plan after seeing your mates? Not sure if I missed it, Ride back? Or ferry to France?
After Bantry ride to the ferry to wales and ride across wales and e gland to a north sea ferry to the Netherlands is the plan.
ferry to wales
Fishguard?
I think thats the one.
Well you're in luck, the weather is set to be drier in a few days, at least here.
Just looking at routes for you now.
Im not going to be there for a week or two
@tjagain - when you get to Fishguard, if the weather is good spend a few days in the area and enjoy it. You don't know when you'll be down that way again.
This should help:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-week-in-fishguard-pembrokeshire/
Ta
Another day of headwinds and rain and same forecast for the next few days. Bugger this I'm bailing. My pal is going to pick me up tomorrow for the last 120 miles to his house. 56 miles into a headwind again today.
Azores high will develop for next weekend, but maybe too late for you.
Second breakfast
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Athlone castle.
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Yet another wee lane
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Serious chuch. Whats with the domes?
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Caher. Ill be riding then hundreds of miles from home apart from anything else and i have to go to wales to scatter a few bolts under moleys car😈😎🤣
Serious chuch. Whats with the domes?
They are a standard feature of churches outside the Norman/British Gothic tradition. See also St Paul's, it has a dome, it was based on Italian classical designs.
Right. I was thinking russian or greek orthodox
Actually, make the dome much bigger and put columns around it, that's basically the same design as St Paul's. Those London churches were all designed at the same time, early c18th (obvs) which is when people were going on tours and admiring classical architecture, which is why they all look like that and not like traditional churches.
Tagging @SaxonRider
Every days a school day
Quick sit rep. Apart from being fed up with headwinds its actually going well. Bike is still really comfy. Bit of a creak from the eccentric bb which needs to be dealt with . It started after a really wet day so I think strip and grease will be fine. Nothing else has needed to be touched. Chain still has a bit of putoline left and has not needed adjustment.
Rest of the kit is all fine. I've used everything ( bar spares and repairs) and forgotten nothing. Loving my custom trekkertent. Happy to have chosen the trailer for its lack of parachute effect in these headwinds
Legs feeling good tho I was tired today. I think a bit short on calories and water didnt help but the water from Athlone was disgusting. 55 miles into a headwind tho. 600 ish miles in total. Even climbing hills has not been too bad tho you certainly notice the weight. My trousers are now slack on the waist and tight on the thighs 😎
Head. Feeling good. I still feel a bit like I'm just going thru the motions and i have struggled with decisions ( Julie and I became very good at making the right call between us) and i have made a couple of fortuatly unimportant duff calls but overall i feel positve and have enjoyed much of the trip so far
Arse. I feel like its had a good kicking. Just a bit bruised
More to follow after a few days R&R at my pals
Loving this thread 👍🏼👍🏼
What are you using to lube re-wax the chain? Reason I ask is I’ve started waxing the chain but wondered what to do on long distance trips?
I haven't taken anything. I find it lasts a few weeks touring. Hoping to redo it at molgrips
Glad someone is enjoying me flogging thru wind and rain 🤣🙄
😁🤪
Coffee on in the rain
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Glad someone is enjoying me flogging thru wind and rain 🤣🙄
🤣😉
The next stage starts today. I have been chilling at my pals house for a few days but its time to move again.
I missed out on the Atlantic coast on my way south because of the rain so i am going to ride the ring of Kerry then head across Ireland to Rosslaire for a ferry to wales. 10 days ish before I get the ferry.
Weather is looking better and all feels good.
Bon voyage TJ 👍
Enjoying this thread TJ, hope you get some better weather.
Did you ever resolve your question of what lock to get for traveling?
TJ, you know what i'd like, a bit of a map/route thing so we can see where you are, where you're going a bit more visually.
