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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.
@tjagain - if the weather is good, the Beara Peninsula is much quieter than the Ring of Kerry and many say it's nicer. Not sure what it's like on a bike though 'cos we drove it
Ring of kerry is a nice, if busy, spot. When you are heading to the ferry there is a good greenway from Dungarvan to Waterford.
Ring of Kerry has a nice, ahem, ring to it... 👍
Where does the Rosslare ferry then take you?
Did you ever resolve your question of what lock to get for traveling?
Yes. I took a decent padlock and a 1m cable. 700g.
Weeksey. A map is beyond what this old duffer can manage
Elshalimo don't say that. I had made a decision
Andy ta for that. Good to know
Matt fishguard i think in south Wales
fishguard i think in south Wales
Due to one of those weird naming conventions it's actually in West Wales and not South Wales 🙂
You'll have a great time either way
Have fun!!
If you cycle the ring of Kerry road route it helps if you can go clockwise, all the coaches go anti-clockwise .
There’s also a ring of Kerry cycle route which is a far nicer ride than the normal road route
https://www.discoverireland.ie/kerry/the-ring-of-kerry-cycle-route
Doolin for the traditional music scene, if you're still that far north and west, Co Clare.
The flying boat museum at Foynes is worth a visit.
Second vote for the Dungarvan - Waterford green route, have used it and there's a nice pub half way along. I've family down there and we've toured in much the same way you used to, heading there from here in NE Scotland, tandem & trailer. Straight into a headwind!? Yeah, I can still remember doing the stage from Athlone down to Dungarvan in one day, that was a toughie.
Following this thread and loving it, looks incredible. I'm in Wigan, if passing at any point and I can help at all then just send me a message.
Craig. I will be passing through leigh. Beware
Bugger bollox. Bearing on the trailer had seized. I've freed it off an oiled it but its going to bug me until I replace it. Rumbley bearings make me shudder
I cycled round the ring of Kerry about 25 years ago. Seem to remember the villages we camped the in being lovely and quiet in the evenings when the tourist buses left.
As well as going clockwise (depends on which general direction you're heading) I seem to remember that the busses came in waves. Late start so that they had already stopped at intermediate destination for lunch, then take a late lunch and finish riding late afternoon avoided the worst of the herd.
As you head East from the ring I recommend getting the ferry from Schull to Cape Clear island (you can camp there) and then ferry on to Baltimore. Saves coming inland, quieter roads and the ferry pedals a few miles for you.
Enjoy!
I’ve freed it off an oiled it but its going to bug me until I replace it. Rumbley bearings make me shudder
Want me to try and order in some parts? If you let me know the make/model of trailer or hub I can take a look.
You know TJ,
Did you ever consider sponsorship? A gofundme / justgiving page for a related charity? I rather suspect that there might be a few folk willing to bung you a few quid even if it's just to stand you a coffee.
Molgrips. Ta mate its a stock cartridge bearing so i hope to get one before
Cougar. Nope. Im firmly against doing fun things for charity
Ta slowol
50 miles into a headwind + rain ≠ fun
YMMV though. 😉
TJ I am in North Cork but could maybe meet you in the city when you pass if you need any help/tools for the bearing or are you needing it fixed sooner?
Its easily replaced. Just need the bearing. Its acommon size. Ill give you a shout if i need a hand. Ta
Today i have mainly been going thru the Cork and Kerry mountains
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I think i might do Beara rather than the ring of kerry. Having a pint and a burger in Kenmare and pondering. 1100 ft climb .
Kenmare is a lovely place.
We tried to get into a B&B there years ago but it was full. The owner Mary, called round 3 or 4 other B&Bs until she found us somewhere to stay - they were all run by women called Mary !
they were all run by women called Mary !
Years ago our phone rang, bloke says (in a proper southern Irish accent) ‘now Jim, how ya doing’?
Seeing as that’s my name I said I was fine thanks & he says, ‘ is Mary in’? I said there was no Mary I the house, cue 5 minutes of me trying to convince him my wife was called Liz & him thinking I was taking the Moichael & that Mary was my Mrs!
Sorry, nowt to do with the thread but it just reminded me.
Ring of Kerry is really nice, ultra smooth roads and only 2 lumpy bits (it's the easiest 170km I've ever done, and that was on an il pompino with an 8 speed alfine). Has a lot of tourists at times so coaches are common (but ring road generally wide.
Ring of Beara has a lot of steep but not high, rolling hills, pita. Then the one long climb. Road isn't as good and narrower, less coaches though.
Im pretty much cmmitted to beara now.
I hope you get good weather 'cos it's beautiful.
Ring of Kerry is really nice, ultra smooth roads and only 2 lumpy bits
I think I know her too.
Today i have mainly been going thru the Cork and Kerry mountains
Did you meet Captain Farrel?
Aye. Counting money he was
Fabulous day riding round the Beara peninsula. Sunny and warm. For those without maps thats me at the end of one of the fiddly bits in the bottom left corner. Watch the wind direction change to easterly now!
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^ love those colours
such beautiful looking roads
The light is amazing. Its like west coast Scotland in technicolor
Leffeboy. The go up and down a lot 🙄🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️👍
I must be too old. I just went and told someone to turn their music down. Loud gangster rap somehow didnt fit on the campsite🤣🙄
Was it traditional Irish gangster rap?
It's a shame you never got the weather when you were further up the West Coast at first as it really is beautiful. As you are seeing, Ireland is not too shabby in the sun. When heading for the ferry there are some cracking beaches/coast past Youghal at Whiting Bay/Ardmore. Just south of Cork around Kinsale/crosshaven is nice coast too. No idea about the cycle-ability though. You have to have a Bulmers (magners in the uk) and ice when the sun's out.
It is andy but at least i got a bit of the coast in good weather.
Throughly enjoyed today
Were they playing some Rubber bandits
No
No mention of a horse outside
Hahaha Rubberbandits was the first thing I thought of too!
That looks lovely, certainly earning the views though!
On kit.
Any other tourers i have met are carrying much more. Remember the trailer is smaller that two big rear panniers. 4 panniers and a rack bag seems the norm even if travelling as a couple. Pair on lastnights campsite have 40 kgs between them . I feel quite fast and light in comparison.
Today i start heading east. Want to bet the wind changes direction?
Set to be a westerly for the next few days. It'll blow you back to Rosslare. I'd take the coast road if you have time, it's very nice.
Can someone do a speed test with a trailer vs the same kit in panniers? It'd be interesting. I've not ridden with a low style cargo trailer but I've noticed a fair bit of extra drag from panniers.
What I’ve noticed with a trailer compared to panniers,is they are a lot easier to handle in side winds
I found a chandler and engineering shop that had the right bearings for the trailer. Never thought i would get them here. Really good engineering shop as well. Dead chuffed
Can someone do a speed test with a trailer vs the same kit in panniers? It’d be interesting. I’ve not ridden with a low style cargo trailer but I’ve noticed a fair bit of extra drag from panniers.
Sounds like the sort of thing Alee Denham at CyclingAbout would be interested in!
https://youtube.com/c/Cyclingabout
Molgrips. my guess would be flat and still conditions nothing in it. Hilly trailer slower. Windy trailer quicker.
It the improved handling over panniers that makes it work for me tho that and ease of packing
I found a chandler and engineering shop that had the right bearings for the trailer. Never thought i would get them here
And I always thought chandlers were something to do with candles lol
Manhandling your bike is a bit of a PITA with a trailer, I'd imagine. I've used a kiddie trailer which is of course a lot bigger, but stuff like gates and even barriers on cycle paths are a real ball-ache with trailers. And even stuff like parking up at cafes/shops. Swings and roundabouts ofc.
Manhandling an 18kg single wheeler is probably vastly different to a twin wheeler with 36kg* of moving weight and a massive frontal area though. It does make life more difficult in other ways though, something that collapses rinko style for trains would be handy.
*or whatever her heavy arse was.
Manhandling an 18kg single wheeler is probably vastly different to a twin wheeler with 36kg* of moving weight and a massive frontal area though.
Yes of course but the point is it makes it harder in some circumstances, like lifting up steps and stuff. Yes, not easy with panniers but you can reach for the down tube for a short distances with panniers to get over a footbridge or whatever, but it's a PITA with a trailer. Even a high kerb can be a problem with a trailer, or it was for me even when empty.
TBH my main concern would be the weight of the trailer itself, a lot more than a rack. But of course it's a lot more reliable and as above easier to actually ride with. So yeah, like most of this stuff it all works you just have to choose what you fancy.
Yes its harder to manhandle in some ways but easier in others.
Toays ride. Glooming this morning with low cloud but this afternoon once i started heading west lovely. More fab scenery
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Fantastic stuff, never been out that way, will add it to the list
Its up there with the most beautiful places i have been and the cycling is good considering its all road