nbjtours

Dublin

53 miles

1161 ft climbed

All good things come to an end I write this entry as we wait in the camper to board the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead this evening having completed todays riding and dropped Nick off at the airport and deposited Chris and his wife Karen at their campervan hire centre.

The morning dawned strangely sunny and everyone was up super early to take advantage of the pleasant weather. The campsite was playing host to Dublin’s dog agility group so there were a serious number of hounds about. Fortunately after one barking session just before ten they were pretty quiet so we were all fresh for the ride.

We left the site at 7.45. The days riding was the flattest of the tour so far but had three small hills. The first riding was on smaller roads surrounded by hedgerows and was not dissimilar to a flat ride out to Headcorn.

One notable feature we came across was running up Flagstaff Hill in Curragh Camp military base and on to the famous Irish race course at The Curragh where the sheep were grazing freely on the wide open grasslands.

After a coffee and croissant stop which was enlivened by a special guest appearance from some jam doughnuts (as ever courtesy of Lidl’s) we left for the last leg of the tour.

From here I had planned the route to go along the Royal Canal into Dublin to avoid the traffic in the suburbs. It was a good decision and we enjoyed the easy car free flat ride which reminded us of many of the French rides we have made.

As usual there was bit of wildlife along the towpath but unusually we were subject to a couple of attacks, the first a very aggressive Swan who decided that he was less than keen on letting us passed and hissed and went for us as we went.

Shortly afterwards a Heron decided to dive bomb Chris and was less than a foot above him as he rode underneath. We haven’t got a photo of this moment sadly but have another Heron below

As we came into Dublin the clouds grew and so as not to miss out, as we rode through Phoenix Park , a short shower duly ensured that it rained on us every day of the tour

So we could enjoy a bit of Dublin the route then took us both sides of the Liffey before returning to the Guinness brewery. Whilst busy, the cycle lanes assisted our progress and we arrived at our destination before half twelve in what was probably the quickest leg of the tour as it had been so flat.

The queue for the Guinness visit was too long so we met up with the camper and shared the fizz with Nigel and Monica on another successful tour.

Well there it is, the Circuit of Ireland completed. Originally planned in 2019 and booked in 2020 we have completed it in 2022

Ireland is a spectacular country that deserves its moniker as the Emerald Isle in both colour and jewel. With one exception everyone has been great. We have seen and climbed some great hills & passes and paid our view tax to enjoy the sights on offer. I would recommend a visit, perhaps not on a bike but if you pack your raincoat and pick your days you will not be disappointed.

Our highlights were obviously the West coast but as I write this, the Gap of Dunloe, Mizen Head and the fjords in Connemara were the stand outs.

We met up with our old friend Mike and enjoyed the hospitality of Paul and Ginny on the way.

All of us have had a great time. Chris so much so, his wife, Karen, has flown over and they have two more weeks to go and explore what we have missed and revisit the best bits.

Nigel and Monica’s support to let us do this is amazing , and the camper has not let us down at all. It has been a noticeable attraction wherever we have been and Nigel can be rightly proud of his rebuild.

All Chris, Nick and myself have done is to eat, sleep and cycle ( although Nick had the cheek to beat Nigel at cards too ) whereas Nigel has been indefatigable in his cooking, driving, tent erection and positive support whatever the problem or weather.

Subject to the current world situation we hope to be back on the road in September of next year when a warmer country will be our objective. Until then, in the words of the old man we met high in the hills of Donegal. Aie.