Day 2 and Beyond: Glengarriff to Malin Head
Dear readers, I had every intention of posting daily updates on my progress cycling across the island of Ireland. I have multiple (albeit lame) excuses for my failure to do so. First, there were the challenging long days in the saddle in difficult weather conditions. Then there was the fact that I was having too much fun, and I was too tired at the end of each day to open my laptop before conking out.
Having been home for a month now, I thought I would at least post some photos so you can get an idea of what the trip was like. Suffice it to say, we had real Irish weather, which meant lots of rain and wind and conditions that could change on a dime from wet and miserable to dry and gorgeous.
My photo gallery below begins on Day 2, as we head about 60 miles north from Glengarriff to Tralee in County Kerry.
That’s Glengarriff Harbour in the distance. We’re still in County Cork.
Two hours later, now in County Kerry.
I cycled past countless photogenic cows and sheep.
We had a bit of a climb before lunch to reach the top of the Gap of Dunloe, a well-known hiking route.
We’re now on Day 3, a cold 70 miles from Tralee to Spanish Point, featuring rain and sheep.
An attractive fixer-upper just south of Spanish Point, famous for being the site where two ships of the Spanish Armada wrecked off the coast in 1588. Hundreds of dead sailors washed ashore; those who didn’t drown were executed.
Was a bit too chilly for a swim.
Day 4, 70 miles north to Galway. Very strong wind from the west, threatening to push us into oncoming traffic.
Passed this sign as we climbed up to the Cliffs of Moher. I regret not stopping for a cup of Ireland’s best coffee.
The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
The body of water in the distance is the North Atlantic.
Day 5 had us do nearly 70 miles due east into a brutal wind and near-constant rain. It would have been a gorgeous ride through Connemara, from Galway to the town of Clifden, except we couldn’t see much.
Along a gravel path through a bog for a number of miles.
Day 6 took us north from Clifden to Westport. Beautiful vistas but low visibility with the hanging clouds.
This is the part of Ireland my daughter-in-law’s family is from. I need to make another visit so I can see it properly!
My comrades finishing a mile-plus climb of 7% to reach the brew van at mile 45.
Descending nice and easy in the mist and fog.
Weather cleared up a bit for Day 7, which had us head northeast 70 miles through fields and over rolling hills, from Westport to Sligo.
Good weather for Day 8 as well, as we rode east from Sligo to Portnoo, 76 miles away (and 4,600 feet of climbing, but at this point, who’s counting?).
Approaching our destination of Portnoo, on the North Atlantic.
These two were hanging out in the side yard of our night’s lodging, a comfortable 1970s ranch house surrounded by fields.
Day 9, 78 miles and 4,900 feet of climbing to go.
We’re heading through that gap.
Larry enjoying yet another climb.
The tower marks Mizen Head, our final destination. One last climb to the top.
We made it!
And that’s a wrap! Next up, from the English Channel to the Mediterranean, September 2027. Two weeks, 870 miles, 62,400 feet of climbing.