Strange being back on main roads. Morning Ireland on Radio 1 did a great job in warning everyone where were during the week so road rage was down compared to last year and the only beeps we got were friendly ones. We had a bit of a confab as to which route we were taking but as we heard there was a great Leisure centre in the Breaffy Arms, we went the direct route. The leisure centre was a fantastic break with steam rooms and Jacuzzis. They even had a TV in the sauna- now there�s posh. We came across our forth wedding in the week that night, after sampling some of Castlebar�s lovely pubs. I think it was a late night- I do remember the smell of new Ron seal on the floors as I went to bed.
You know, this must be what its like to be a rock star on the road- every day a new town and a new hotel �bet they don�t get called at 7 in the morning and have to wear ridiculous lycra (or do they?). This was a short cycling day so I ventured out on the Bike with Billy. After a while I could handle turning left but not right- God knows how we got to Tubbercurry for a bag of chips. The bike was acting up and instead of 18 gears it had 3 with a mind of their own. Kevin and myself had a quick inspection of the one � stop shop that was nearing completion in the town, as we made life hell im sure for the staff in the Centra caf� just outside the town. A few of us wandered into Sligo town and I eventually met up with my cousin Grainne, and a pint in Hargadens. Pleasant warm evening as we drank with the next wedding group outside
What are you doing here Hugh? - I thought the car with the bike roof rack was familiar. Hugh Kelly was there with his client putting in an application for a hotel. We may have delayed it going in as we held up all the traffic as the Gardai escorted us through the town- be bah all the way. There was a great tailwind as we sped past Velux Leitrim City coastline and on into Bundoran for a 99. The lunch stop was somewhere near the Barnsmore gap, quite along way as there was literally no pubs on the road till Biddy�s on the gap- great sandwiches and soup and a bit of history thrown in too.
The Barnsmore gap was not as bad as expected (maybe it was something to do with 6 days cycling) Mick exceeded the speed limit getting up to 54mph- anyway we stop in Stanroar and Ballybofey- the local looney commenting on the way beer bellies show up in cycling jerseys. The local welder had fixed Billy�s bike and the guards were making sure everything was in order. A few miles on we get the best downhill in Ireland- those check your breaks signs as an invitation to cyclists- it was too short really, as we made way on the red carpet fro the next two weddings. After Dinner a few of us walked into town � well we didn�t know how far it was and met up with Suin near the town square- anything to get away from that Mickey Joe Harte song that they were playing in the hotel.
Ah at last- the end is in sight- we must have been fit by then as it was a short spin, except for the last grade 1 hill up to the head. �You�re a week late!� shouted a local as I cycled past referring to the Ras bike race that was on the same route the previous week. We even stopped at the spot in Burt where Pat has his accident. For some reason he didn�t want to linger there. There was a small altercation with an oncoming car, Mick ploughing into it as he came through Carndonagh. The driver was more shook, as he literally didn�t realise what had happened. The local guard put things right and suggested that he would have to sponsor us! Jean and the ladies who do lunch had a great spread ready for us when we got there. No Devon coach bus but plenty of tourists. Even Cindy had a go on the tandem with the immortal phrase �I couldn�t get my leg- over � as she got off the bike. Several of the tandems had mechanical failure (is Billy jinxed or what) but they all made it up in the end. All in all a fantastic week, great weather, good company- will we do it again? - Well watch this space for details of next year�s challenge, which sees us going from the South Pole to the North Pole.