10th - 17th July 2010: Dublin to Giants Causeway to Kerry

GearoidP

We're planning an 8-day cycle trip from Dublin up to the Giant's Causeway and down to the Village of Causeway in north Kerry in July 2010. About 120km per day but with "optional extras" for people who want more - as well as options to take trains and buses for people who'd prefer less:

Will be updating our plans on www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Causeway
Here's the outline plan, though:
July 10th (Sat.) 120 km: Dublin to Newry
July 11th (Sun.) 130 km: Newry to Carrickfergus (near Belfast)
July 12th (Mon.) 120 km: Carrickfergus to the Giant's Causeway
July 13th (Tue.) 100 km: Giant's Causeway to Dungannon
July 14th (Wed.) 110 km: Dungannon to Virginia, County Cavan
July 15th (Thu.) 100 km: Virgina to Tullamore
July 16th (Fri.) 120 km: Tullamore to Limerick
July 17th (Sat.) 100 km: Limerick to Causeway, County Kerry.

Staying in Youth Hostels and B&B's. Will be a lot like our 2009 tour from Dublin to Malin to Mizen www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/M2M

Let me know if you're interested in joining in at any stage! A short version for anyone who can't get the time off could be starting with us in Dublin on Sat 10th and on Wednesday 14th getting the bus back to Dublin from Monaghan.

thebouldwhacker

Hey GearoidP, you caught the bug didnt you! If my memory serves me right you (re)started cycling last year with a ride like this. Fair play and best of luck!
(first island-island-long-cycle thread of 2010 too!)

el tel

Sounds like an briilaint trip. Your crazyguyonabike site is freakin' class. I'll be reading that in full over lunch. If it were possible I wouldn't mind joining a Northern leg or two of the trip.

GearoidP

el tel wrote: »

Sounds like an briilaint trip. Your crazyguyonabike site is freakin' class. I'll be reading that in full over lunch. If it were possible I wouldn't mind joining a Northern leg or two of the trip.

Yip that Crazyguyonabike site is pretty darn good. My favourite journal is a couple cycling around the world on their honeymoon http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/bikingbarkleys

Regarding our (humble by comparison) Dublin to Giants Causeway to Kerry trip in July - the more the merrier. If you can only make it for the weekend, you could get the train back from Belfast on the Sunday night.
Like last year's trip the "organisation" will be lean..... once we get a feel for numbers we'll book a few hostels and might organise a couple of light training trips around Dublin.

blahblah06

dublin - newry. im tired even reading that

el tel

GearoidP wrote: »

Yip that Crazyguyonabike site is pretty darn good. My favourite journal is a couple cycling around the world on their honeymoon http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/bikingbarkleys

What I had meant to say above was that your entries on the crazyguyonabike site are freakin' class.

Couldn't dedicate time to this but will be checking your crazyguyonabike page regularly. Just on the topic of crazyguyonabike website I saw this earlier on:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/travel/2010/0116/1224262434350.html

Who's Stan?

Sat, Jan 16, 2010

ANNA CUNNIFFE and her husband, Diarmuid, set off on a honeymoon with a difference, cycling eastwards from Ukraine towards Mongolia, through countries that had, for them, been just a black hole on the map. First of all, though, they had to build their bikes

‘WHO’S STAN?” I asked when my husband, Diarmuid, first asked if I fancied cycling the Stans. I know now. Six months ago we packed our panniers and set off on our travels. Battling head down, against icy winds, to the top of a 4,000m pass in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan – lungs rasping, sweat pumping – has become a frequent event in my new life. With nothing around us but a fiercely wild and barren landscape, the going can get tough. Cycling side by side, we urge each other on, eager for the almighty reward that lies ahead: a Snickers at the top.

The idea for the trip came to us in 2008 as we were preparing for our wedding. We had an opportunity to take a career break, and we decided it was the perfect opportunity for an extended honeymoon. We were both keen to travel slowly, getting to know people and cultures along the way. Travelling by bicycle made sense.

We knew our commuter bikes wouldn’t be up to the challenge, so we bought two sturdy steel frames and built our dream bicycles bit by bit. After many months of labour in our backyard Diarmuid delivered two healthy baby bikes into the world, weighing in at 15kg each.

We wanted to visit some less-explored countries. Cycling east from the edge of Europe seemed like a good plan, to take in Ukraine, Russia and Mongolia, among others. We were interested in the former Soviet Union, particularly the countries of Central Asia, which to us were simply a black hole on the map. Diarmuid had been diligently studying Russian for two years before we left, and he was eager to put his skills to use. They proved an invaluable asset, allowing us to interact meaningfully with people we met along the way.

We kicked off with a few sunny weeks of pedalling the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and the Black Sea coast of Russia before arriving in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, where our summer in the Stans began.

We cycled south to Samarkand and were instantly in love with this mystical Silk Road city of majestic turquoise domes and deep-blue mosaics, our senses endlessly aroused by its exotic bazaar, which sold golden apricots, sticky dates, red-hot chillies and sulphur- yellow spices.

After overheating while crossing the Kyzyl Kum desert in 50-degree heat, the ancient city of Bukhara was a welcome oasis. This city of minarets and madrasas was once considered so holy that light was said to ascend from the city to the heavens. We spent a few glorious days refreshing and refuelling under the shade of fig and lemon trees in the courtyard of one of its famed BBs.

Cycling between towns, we felt like celebrities, as people ran down streets after us to take photographs and offer help. Cars stopped abruptly in the middle of roads and slices of juicy watermelon were handed out. Locals approached us in cafes and invited us into their homes, where they fed, watered and put us up for the night. Even Uzbekistan’s notorious policemen were amazingly helpful and considerate, offering us pink ice creams to help cool down on one particular scorcher.

We crossed into Tajikistan on a swelteringly hot day and met Buchar, a nut-brown man who waved us into his shop and invited us to stay for a week. We settled for one night. As we wobbled off on our bikes, bellies full of plov , or pilaf, the next day, he whispered in our ears: “One day you’ll come back, my friends. I’ll be looking out for you.” Overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, we fought back tears.

The Pamir Highway, from Khorog, in Tajikistan, to Osh, 750km away in Kyrgyzstan, was next on our itinerary. Many have dubbed a journey along this silent high-altitude route, which is dotted with remote villages, the last great road trip. We were rewarded for making it to the top of mountain passes not only with a Snickers but also with the sight of stunning emerald-green lakes and memorable encounters with the wonderfully hospitable and colourful Pamiri people.

After a few weeks of mountain living we descended to Osh, exhausted, filthy and gaunt. Elated that we had made it, we drank Moldovan wine with other cycle tourers we had met and danced on the street in celebration.

From Osh we headed for the lake district of Kyrgyzstan, exploring the mystical Lake Song Kol, where we spent a night in a yurt, drank fermented mare’s milk – an acquired taste – and helped dogs round up sheep.

We pedalled on to the shores of the impressive Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-biggest mountain lake, and set up camp. Along the way we enjoyed more Kyrgyz hospitality, a few roasting-hot banyas to soothe our weary limbs and the most delicious tartly sweet blackcurrant jam.

Once we’d had our fill we ventured back to Russia, this time bound for the Altai Republic. Rich autumnal colours of gold, orange and purple browns filled our every view like a tapestry. We were mesmerised.

Our route along Chuysky Trakt was one of the most enjoyable legs we had. After feasting on fish from the mighty Katun river, an appearance on the evening news and a night of vodka with a truck driver named Victor, we crossed the border into Mongolia to find that winter had arrived.

Its landscape was like nothing we had seen. The sense of vastness, of nothingness, of emptiness is unique. I was thrown off my bicycle several times by the wind, and we spent whole days pushing and cursing our bikes up sandy passes. When the wind dies down, however, the silence that surrounds you is overwhelming. During these rare moments we stood together, in awe and wonder of where we found ourselves.

Stumbling along an icy track in plummeting temperatures and zero visibility one evening, we were guided to the safety of a ger, as yurts are known here, by a lone horseman. Stranded by a snowstorm, we spent a few memorable days in the tent with a nomadic family, drinking salty tea and swapping bike rides for horse rides.

The Land of No Fences is remote and magical. Nestled in our ger one evening we watched a beautiful sunset, alone on a vast grassy plain, surrounded only by gentle mountains. We left Mongolia with yak-wool socks and memories that will remain with us forever.

After six months and more than 5,000km we have come to realise that this trip is far more than a physical journey. Already we have learned so much. Our faith in humankind has reached new levels: the hospitality we have received, the friends we have made and the joy we have experienced have taught us some valuable lessons for life.

The journey of our relationship as husband and wife is also developing. There have been moments when we have been scared, times we have been lonely and, frequently, days when we have been exhausted. Yet being together in this adventure has made the dark moments slightly brighter. Collapsed on the road, doubled over in pain with a bout of sudden intestinal illness one day, I roared laughing. Diarmuid, doing his best to distract me from my parasitic horror, danced a ridiculous dance while singing I Will Survive .

We have come to realise that to have such an opportunity and to experience so much so early on in our marriage is truly a gift.
Putting together a trip

If you’d prefer someone else to do all the organising, various agencies will plan a full trip for you. Biketoursdirect. com lists tours in a number of European countries.

If the Silk Road cities of Uzbekizstan take your fancy, Afsona Travel (samarkand-bukhara-travel.com) has tours to suit any itinerary.

Selena Travel (selenatravel.com) is a Mongolia-based tour firm with a variety of packages.

Anna and Diarmuid Cunniffe are currently in Siberia. Their blog, at crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ridingeast, includes a section on assembling their bikes

© 2010 The Irish Times

ten speed racer

GearoidP wrote: »

We're planning an 8-day cycle trip from Dublin up to the Giant's Causeway and down to the Village of Causeway in north Kerry in July 2010. About 120km per day but with "optional extras" for people who want more - as well as options to take trains and buses for people who'd prefer less:

Will be updating our plans on www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Causeway
Here's the outline plan, though:
July 10th (Sat.) 120 km: Dublin to Newry
July 11th (Sun.) 130 km: Newry to Carrickfergus (near Belfast)
July 12th (Mon.) 120 km: Carrickfergus to the Giant's Causeway
July 13th (Tue.) 100 km: Giant's Causeway to Dungannon
July 14th (Wed.) 110 km: Dungannon to Virginia, County Cavan
July 15th (Thu.) 100 km: Virgina to Tullamore
July 16th (Fri.) 120 km: Tullamore to Limerick
July 17th (Sat.) 100 km: Limerick to Causeway, County Kerry.

Staying in Youth Hostels and B&B's. Will be a lot like our 2009 tour from Dublin to Malin to Mizen www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/M2M

Let me know if you're interested in joining in at any stage! A short version for anyone who can't get the time off could be starting with us in Dublin on Sat 10th and on Wednesday 14th getting the bus back to Dublin from Monaghan.

Sounds like a nice trip. I assume you're aware of the significance of the dates you're in the north? Depending on your exact route, there could be road closures.

blorg

ten speed racer wrote: »

Sounds like a nice trip. I assume you're aware of the significance of the dates you're in the north? Depending on your exact route, there could be road closures.

I think he's on top of that

GearoidP

blorg wrote: »

I think he's on top of that

Yip, last year's Malin to Mizen trip brought is into Orange Ulster on the 12th of July and we lived to tell the tale....
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=100964&v=9w

ten speed racer

blorg wrote: »

I think he's on top of that

Sorry, I hadn't looked at his earlier trip.

Just to be clear, it looks like the parade he seen previously was only a feeder parade, not a main 12th parade. A major parade would cause a lot more disruption. Also, for this year's trip, he'll be in east and north Antrim on the 12th, which would be different to being west of the Bann. I'm sure things would be fine, but I still think there could be some places that might be best avoided.

GearoidP

ten speed racer wrote: »

Sorry, I hadn't looked at his earlier trip.

Just to be clear, it looks like the parade he seen previously was only a feeder parade, not a main 12th parade. A major parade would cause a lot more disruption. Also, for this year's trip, he'll be in east and north Antrim on the 12th, which would be different to being west of the Bann. I'm sure things would be fine, but I still think there could be some places that might be best avoided.

When we were planning last year's trip passing through the North on the 12th we came across a lot of hysteria (ok.... maybe slightly too strong a word....) about what a meltdown zone the place supposedly is on the 12th. The reality when we got there is we were hard pressed to find a parade. When we did stumble across one in Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone the Orangemen were really friendly to us. I was taken aback when we I said we were from Kerry that one guy joked that Tyrone were going to beat us in the All Ireland this year. Wasn't expecting a Gaelic Football reference from a marching Orangeman! Anyway, later that night it was wall-to-wall TV coverage of some loutish behaviour (by tiny elements on both sides) after a parade in Belfast. I guess one of the things I like about cycle touring is that you get to see the people and countryside for yourself.

Having said that, thx for the advice and closer to the day I'll keep an eye out for any massive parades planned along our proposed route. We won't be in Belfast on the night of the 12th of July.

By the way if anyone knows of any good hostels / reasonable B&B's in any of our proposed overnight stops (Newry, Carrickfergus, Giant's Causeway, Dungannon, Virginia, Tullamore, Limerick) can you let me know?

blisteredbutt

I took part in last year's cycle and would not miss this year's one for anything. It was a really fantastic 9 day tour where everyone was free to do their own thing if they wanted to and the friendship and encouragement amongst the members of four nationalities who took part was just fantastic.

If a similar tour had been booked with a cycle tour company it would have been out of reach of the ordinary "Joe/Jane Soap" cyclist but this one was a real "recession buster". We travelled light and stayed in hostels each night. I think that the dearest hostel cost around 18 euro with an average of 15 euro. We stopped each day for lunch, which usually consisted of a salad or meat roll and a bottle of milk or mineral water: cost 5 or 6 euro. Later in the day we would club together and buy the ingredients for a meal which would be cooked by members of the group when we would reach our hostel. Those who lacked culinary skills did the washing up! The ingredients for the meal together with milk, tea, cornflakes for the breakfast etc. cost no more than another couple of euro each. We still had the odd treat of course like the great meal in the Indian restaurant in Carrick-on-Shannon and the open air meal outside the restaurant in Kinvara!

I would safely say that we easily managed on well under 30 euro a day. Where else would you get a really affordable cycle tour in these recessionary times? The tour catered for all age groups (15 to 66 years old!) and the majority were just leisure cyclists. The holiday was great. The cycling was great. The exercise was great. The friendship and company were great and the scenery was fantastic.

If you want to enjoy a fantastic 8 day cycling tour in 2010 without breaking the bank, contact Gearoid through this Board or through the guestbook on his website at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Causeway
To view his journal and photos from last years cycle see http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/M2M

GearoidP

We're booking accommodation at the moment for this trip so if you're thinking of joining at any stage and would like to be included in the accomodation booking - let me know. We're booking mainly hostel-type accommodation, 20 - 30 euros per night.