Tell us about your cycle today part III

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'd love to know what the story behind rivermeade was; it's what looks like a council estate plonked out in the middle of nowhere. had wondered (pure supposition) if it maybe started as a settled traveller site, i can't think of any other reason for where it's located.

Not today but Wednesday ...

Took the 9.00 train to Thurles to meet with a good (and very fit) friend who brought me on a tour initially heading west to Newport for lunch. Took in a few climbs on the way but nothing compared to what awaited on the way to Silvermines. Fortunately he warned me to drop into the small ring before we turned off a nice country road onto a forest lane that started at 16% and hit 20% a few times. It was only 1.5km long but at the rate I was moving, it seemed to take forever to reach Knockanroe car park at the top. The descent to Silvermines was a bit like coming down Kilmashogue - too steep to enjoy and forearm cramps from being on the brakes so much. The 40km back to Thurles was lumpy enough too but thankfully there was a tailwind to ease the pain. After a tour of Thurles trying to find an open pub, I caught the return train and was back in Dublin by 6.00.

https://strava.app.link/zTPU4iiwWhb

I gallivanted around the border of the Pale yesterday, 300km with 2,500m, 23kph avg. in under 17 hours actual time.

I left south Dublin at 06:30 and headed for Tallaght, there's a church whose bell tower was one of the defensive forts. Out through Rathcoole and Kilteel on quiet back roads to the most southerly point of the route at Ballymore Eustace. By then the early cloud had burnt off and it promised to be a very hot day

Across to Naas and onto busier R-roads through Clane and Kilcock. I will always detest the 4km between Sallins and Clane, it's narrow with no hard shoulder and cars tend to build up behind you, chomping at the bit to overtake.

Second breakfast in Summerhill with a local friendly cat sharing the sausage from my breakfast roll!

Up to Trim and then the most westerly point at Athboy. After Kells it was very hot and my speed dropped. I stopped in Castletown for an ice-cream and some shade. The hills kicked in after Castletown - I still have no love for Drumlins you're either doing 10kph up the steep side or 30kph+ down the descent before the next small hill, impossible to find a rhythm. The scenery was beautiful, golden corn fields with the Mourne Mountains in the distance. Another ice-cream in Tallanstown and then to the most northerly point at Castle Roche eight hours after leaving Ballymore Eustace.

A nice descent into Dundalk and then the long slog down the busy R132 to Drogheda. The best bit was finding the milk vending machine at Wholey Cow!

If there's a better way to get back to Drogheda, I'm all ears.

Out of Drogheda and over Snowtown to Naul with my shadow lengthening in the evening sun. A quick run into Dublin with the sun setting behind me and along the coast Road to Dalkey Castle, the most easterly point. Back home via Carrickmines and a part of the Pale ditch in Sandyford. I have tired legs and stupidity sun tan but it was a great day out on the bike.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/26oRVCYsXhb

Went out yesterday evening after work. Lovely evening for a cycle and an ice cream.

And a bloody wasp that took offense at the invasion of air space. Thankfully the sting didn't get too far through the material and covid laziness induced fat.

If I can, I'll run it as a calendar event next year. It would also be available as a Permanent. I'd like to keep it at 300km, a 400km route would be cruel!