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Holiday snaps
Had a lovely break in Ireland - here's a very brief report
We took the Seacat ferry from Liverpool to Dublin (not for the weak of stomach if, like us, you have force 6 to 7 gales both ways) and then a train to Galway (bikes go in the guard's van for a small fee). We then cycled down the west coast, took the Killimer-Tarbert ferry over the Shannon, went along the Dingle peninsula and spent the last few days around Killarney, from whence we took a train back to Dublin. See e.g. here for maps.
Stacey was on the GoBike and I rode my Birdy. In the end we didn't fold the bikes once, but the extra versatility of having folders could have come in handy if we'd broken down badly or something. No mechanical problems at all, barring one puncture (rear wheel on the Birdy). I'd modified the Gobike with a saddlebag support at the back, a hastily-fitted bar bag support at the front, and cobbled-together mudguards - as the manufacturer's own items weren't quite ready in time for the tour. The Birdy was pretty much as it has been for a few years, though I tidied up the rear pannier support a little. The bar-end mirrors as mentioned in VV Issue 13 were still on the bike, and were excellent...
We stayed in B&Bs;, partly because they're easier to find than campsites, and partly to keep the luggage load down (and for the big breakfasts of course!). The roads were quite empty for most of the tour, even some of the fairly major routes. And the little side roads were pretty much traffic-free. Just watch out for the loose dogs (just ignore them, they'll stop chasing when you're off their territory).
Weather was pretty good - only one day did it rain all day, otherwise we mostly had just occasional showers, and we usually just sat them out under a tree or in a teashop/pub.
The really spectacular scenery starts around the Dingle and Kerry peninsulas:
Most of the way up the Connor Pass, Ireland's highest road, on the Dingle peninsula. Unfortunately we rode this on Easter Sunday, and the very narrow road was rather choked with traffic. Good views, though...
We stayed an extra day at Dingle and rode around the end of the peninsula without luggage: lovely weather and great scenery. I think this pic shows the Blasket Islands in the background.
Some real picture-postcard prettiness in the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney.
All for now. Better get on with tackling that email in-box...
Posted on 20 April 2004
Your comments ...| From: Andy harrington ([email protected]) on 20 April 2004 |
Nice pics Peter.
Its a while since I have been to Ireland. Is the Gap of Dunloe still untarred ? |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 20 April 2004 |
| It's untarred for the top bit - the tarmac degenerates just after the lake you see in the photo. Above that it gets a bit gravelly in places but no real problem on a bike. It's marked as 'unsuitable for motor vehicles' but a few cars were going up it anyway. Surface is pretty good all the way to the top on the other (south) side. |
| From: Crispin ([email protected]) on 21 April 2004 |
How did you get to the start of the Gap of Dunloe?
When I did it several years ago, we started with a boat trip from Killarney. All well and good until the chap in charge ordered us all out, and made us stand in the river and pull the boat up through some narrows.
I threw my shoes back into the boat and a sock jumped overboard. Hey Ho !
Crispin |
| From: Seamus (etc) on 21 April 2004 |
So how did the GoBike go compared to the Birdy?
It's a nice looking bike. |
| From: Arch (s@etc) on 21 April 2004 |
| It's a bummer when your clothes desert you on boats. I lost a pair of knickers off a narrowboat washing line once... |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 21 April 2004 |
Crispin: we did it twice :-) First (in rain + headwind) by road from Killarney (main road has a sort of cycle track bit on each side) and second time (mostly sunny :-) by the road from Kenmare via Moll's Gap. We did have a cuppa at the cafe where the boat pulls in.
Seamus: Gobike was fine - Stacey found it comfy and it handled well at speed. Think the suspension was set for a heavier rider, so she didn't get the full benefit, but it is adjustable (at the back at least). Range of 8 derailleur gears is lowish as standard and was fine for all but the steepest hills. Disk brakes worked well.
Might do a follow-up review in the mag when I've used it myself for a bit. |
| From: james mangan (manganjames'hotmail.com) on 26 April 2004 |
| hey man thats so weird i actually saw you guys cycling through killarney where im from , you dont see many fold up bikes down that way! |
| From: Kor van Hulten The Netherland ([email protected]) on 28 April 2004 |
Dear Peter,
Nice to have met you and your girl friend Stacey near on "The Burren Trail " near Kilkee in Ireland during your trip. We cycled North and have also crossed the Gap of Dunloe. But in "some what other" weather condiotion, I woould say. A wind blew us almost from thatb little road. Anyway A nice meeting.
I have to transfer greeting of my friend Peter van de Veer, a very famous designer of not only bicycles. He did appreciate the story of our unexpected meeting.
Unexpected things use to be nice, don't they?
Kor,
MD and Editor of FietsSport Magazine,NTFU,
Holland
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| From: moon ([email protected]) on 07 September 2004 |
| Wow!good scenery and bikes! Gobike! Unfortunately we(s.Korea) don't have Gobike dealer yet. |
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