Saturday July 16th:
Arrived at Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna in bright sunshine though
showers soon came in, one aheavy downpour. It looked ominous for sunday's
first stage of the 32 County cycle. As everybody arrived we forgot about
the weather and relaxed in the hotel leisure centre. The craic was mighty
over dinner and everybody in good spirits. A quick briefing and introduction
to our fellow cyclists followed and all was set for a 9.0am start.
Sunday July 17th:
Pulled back the curtains at 7.00 am expecting it to be raining but to
my surprise it's not. Cloudy and dull but dry, maybe the forcast is
not going to be right. Breakfast was at 8.00am so the bag was packed
and bikes organised before hand. After a feed of bacon and eggs we were
at last ready to hit the road. 19 riders and a support crew of 7 rolled
out of the Shannon Oaks about 9.15. On through Eyecourt and banagher
to cloghan where we had a short stop, no rain yet and the wind on our
back, not what we expected. Stopped in Athlone for lunch ahead of schedule.
As we headed off the mist was getting a little more persistent. Just
doing 25 to 30 K and a short stop made the journey pass by very quickly.
The final 25 K was the most difficult as we turned into a head wind
but was made easier as the group stayed together and all arrived in
Strokestown relieved that day 1 was over. Galoway, Offaly, Westmeath
and Longford done, only 28 to go.
Fantastic organisation by our support crew all day and a great group
of cyclists. Looks good for the rest of the week.
 Day
2 - Monday July 18th:
What a day we had today, wild, wet, windy, wintery and later warm. Started
off the day in rain and straight into a head wind that gusted quite
heavily for most of the day. The first 40 K were very difficult the
wind and rain made it very cold so we were all very glad to reach the
first of our stops at Ballaghadereen. Tea, coffee and snacks helped
to warm us along with a quick change of jackets. A couple of splits
appeared in the group but the gap was not very wide. From Ballaghadereen
we set off for Ballymoate and the lunch stop into the headwind with
no respite. The group split into 3 along this section but again there
was not much of a gap.
Lunch in Ballymoate was soup sandwiches tea, coffee, chocolate cake
and banoffi pie which was very much appreciated.
At this point we were hoping the rain would ease off and the wind abate,
no such luck, yet anyway. We struggled on as we made our way into County
Sligo and Sligo for the final stop of the day. Some leftover sangwiches
and jelly beans would give us the energy needed for the final push to
Bundoran.
The final stretch was a lively affair with a couple of hills splitting
the group into 3 once again. The rain had eased now and we turned out
of the headwind for the final 10K or so to Bundoran.
The Grand Central Hotel was a welcome sight as was the hot shower, dinner
and a couple of drinks before retiring.
An early start for day 3 as we've 160K to get through. Looking forward
to a dry day with a tail wind blowing us eastwards across the countyr.
Today's counties, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim. Another 4 done.
Day 3 Bundoran to Portadown:
After an early 8.15am start we headed eastwards to Portadown. No headwind
today as the wind continued from the west and northwest made for easier
progress along the Donegal roads to our first stop at Kesh. The group
split up soon after starting but the 40 K passed by fairly quickly while
we enjoyed the views of the lakes as we passed by.
All together as we made our way to Omagh and on the road to the visitor
centre at Creggan. We were expecting a long hard climb up to the lunch
stop but to our surprise and delight the gradient was pretty easy. Another
great lunch was very much appreciated and we headed on slighty behind
schedule. We enjoyed a long descent from Creggan as we headed to Portadown.
Our afternoon stop was at the village of Croagh about 135 Kilometres
into the days spin. Tired bodies now as we headed on for the final 30K
to our hotel in Portadown. Heavy traffic made the going slow and we
didn't reach the Seagoe till just after 6pm feeling tired afterthe days
169K .A short rest and a very enjoyable dinner before retiring for the
night.
Today we rolled through counties, Donegal, Derry, Fermanagh
and Tyrone. 12 down 24 to go.
Day 4, Portadown to Navan:
A lie on this morning as we were not starting till 9.00am. Breakfast
at 7.30 so plenty of time to get organised before our 155K spin to Navan.
The day was dry and the wind favourable most of the time. However if
we didn't have the expected climbs yesterday today more than made up
for it.
The first 40 K to Tandragee and the first stop of the day was relatively
flat. From here we were into rolling hills, some of them quite long,
all the way to the lunch stop at Crossmaglen. The group had split on
this section though no one was far behind.
After our lunch of soup sandwiches desert and tea, coffee we headed
for our next destination - Kingscourt in Co. Cavan. It was a fast spin
along the descent from Crossmaglen and onto the flat till we hit the
COL de KINGSCOURT about 2 K outside the town. A very steep climb up
and through the main street to our final stop of the day.
The final 30K to Navan was going to be fast, hang on or be dropped.
After about 10K the speed was up and we came upon a slight rise, no
slackening in the speed so splits began to appear in the group. A group
of about 10 broke away followed by a group 4. The speed in the first
group was relentless as a couple of riders had to ease off. These were
picked up by the next group for the final few kilometres into Navan
and the Ardboyne hotel. We arrived at the hotel once again at 6.00pm
so only time for a short rest and shower before dinner at 8.
The best day so far but quite hard. We passed through another 6 counties
today, Armagh, Antrim, Down, Monaghan, Louth and Cavan on the 155kilometres
of the days stage. Only a short stage tomorrow 130K, Navan to Carlow
and the forecast is good.
Day 5 - Navan to Carlow
We left Navan at 9.20 expecting a dry day only for the rain to start
just after we left. Navan to Clonee is a familiar road so it was supposed
to be an easy leg. Rain and cold made it a difficult cycle that nessessitated
a change of gear when we reached Clonee. After a quick change a warming
cup of coffee and even more jelly beans we headed on to Blessington.
It proved difficult to keep the group together as met a few hills along
the way. A few groups ended up making their way up the embankment through
Brittas and on to Blessington and lunch. Soup sandwiches desert and
tea/coffee made the earlier hardship fade into oblivion. Blessington
to Baltinglass is a downhill run so we looked forward to a bit of workout.
Rain had stopped and as a few took up the challenge to see how quickly
they could get to Baltinglass the group split into 3. This was probobly
the easiest stage of cycle so far with lots of downhill. Baltinglass
appeared very quickly and after a brief stop we set off for Carlow.
Only 30 K to go and the group stayed together for a fast run into the
Talbot hotel. A swim, sauna, steam and jacuzzi took some of the built
up pain away before our long spin on friday.
Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Laoise today. 23 done 9 to go.
day 6 - Carlow to Mitchelstown
An 8.00am start to day with 172 K ahead was called for this our longest
stage of the week. The sun was out early and we hoped it would stay
dry and bright for the day as we knew the route ahead had some climbs.
The first 20k was ok but then climbs came one after the other. Graiguenamanagh
was the first stop of the day and after the steep descent we reckoned
we were going to climb back up out of Graiguenamanagh. As we made our
way along the ascent we stopped at a viewing point to look down over
the Barrow and take a few photos.
The group split now as the climbs
were tackled, descend and on to the next one. After a long fast descent
we arrived in Mullinavat, the designated stop for lunch. A welcome rest
and soup, sandwiches etc. to more than replace the burnt off calories
on the way. 80 K done another 90 Kto go. The sun was out now as we enjoyed
views of the river Barrow and the Comeragh mountains and pedalled on
to Clonmel. At clonmel we made our final water stop before heading for
Mitchelstown.
At 50 K long this was the longest of todays legs. Yet another climb
out of Clonmel split the group once again as we settled into small groups
and set our own pace. At this stage even the rolling hills took a huge
effort from everyone to keep moving. The kilometres were slow to pass
by and the sharp hard surface of recently chipped roads made it very
difficult. At last we came upon a sign, Mitchelstown 10 K and the energy
levels rose somewhat.
It was great to see the Firgrove hotel
even it was up a slight hill. A hot shower, rest and dinner to revive
weary bodies before the final stage.
Today we passed through Counties Carlow, wexford, kilkenny, Waterford
and Tipperary. 28 done only 4 left.
Day 7 - Mitchelstown to Killimer
At only 104K this was to be the shortest of the seven stages of the
Bothar 32 County Cycle Challenge. No need for an early start so it was
after 9 am when we left Mitchelstown and headed for Bruree and the first
stop. 40 k but with a couple of climbs to get over and the descent to
Bruree. On to Rathkeale and lunch, it was getting easier now as we could
feel the end was near. More calories, we've put on weight this week
not lost it.
After lunch it was non-stop to the
the ferry at Tarbert. With luck the ferry was almost ready to go just
as we arrived. Relief at rolling on to the ferry for the crossing to
Killimer on the other side of the Shannon Estuary followed by a 1k ride
up to Killimer for Champagne and a couple of pints before the bus ride
to Limerick for the last stop over. Cork, Kerry, Limerick and finally
Clare. 32 Counties in 7 days.
Our thanks to the Bothar team who
organised the event and looked after us with great care. The waterstops,
lunch stops and overnights were all great
Thanks to our 4 motorcycle riders and our
broom wagon driver, they were fantastic. Congratulations and well done
to all the cyclists, a hard weeks cycling, a total of 972 kilometres,
41 hours and 33 minutes cycling time at an average speed of 23.3KPH.
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