Well this was a day of two halves if ever there was one and it had absolutely everything.
Up at 07.00h to get organised and down for breakfast at 07.45h to plan my day.
Today´s route was very hilly again but more frequently up and down so the climbs will be shorter I thought 🤔
The sun was out 🌞 it was chilly but a glorious morning. I decided to jump off before the scheduled 09.00h start time because there was a steep climb almost immediately the route started. I´m one of the slowest climbers and I didn´t fancy watching the others disappear in front of me that early in the day.
My plan was to get to the second climb at around 16km before the fast group caught me 🤞
As I neared the top of the first climb I looked back and took this photo, the scenery was absolutely stunning.
The descent was amazing, great road surface and wonderful visibility. I was in heaven and let Grace fly for the first time on this trip. Although my rear end was still suffering I felt strong in the legs and put the hammer down 🚴♂️
It wasn´t long before I arrived at the start of the next climb.
As I was grinding up a 12% incline I suddenly remembered where I should be. The youngest of my 3 grandsons "Mini Peter" is 1 today and I´m the only one not there to celebrate with the family. It reminded me of the sacrifices everyone makes. It´s not just us cyclists but the wives, partners & family members all have to sacrifice something to make this happen. Welling up now as I write this 🥹
You can do your bit (if you haven´t done it yet) by donating a little to the cause. No amount is too small or too large 💵
Here is a photo of the wee man enjoying his new Beach Buggy
Happy 1st Birthday mini Peter, wish I was there, lots of love from Grandad 💚💚
And then all of a sudden I´m at the top and still no one passed me 🤷♂️
Another descent to die for as I headed for the first stop in Aughrim. The van passed me just before I got there and the fast group arrived 2 minutes later. I just refilled my drinks bottles and headed off again as there was more climbing to do before lunch in Enniscorthy.
I was starting to feel it now so decided to stop for a quick coffee & rest in Carnew about 28km short of lunch. I got some jealous looks as the others passed me sitting on a sunshine terrace with my double espresso 😂
Once I climbed out of Carnew it was plain sailing to Enniscorthy so the hammer went down again and I soon caught the others up 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
The Tour de France actually used Enniscorthy in 1998 to start a stage 😮 Enniscorthy has since been designated a "Tour de France cycling city" and is the only urban area outside of mainland Europe to achieve that status.
Pictured here are the main organisers of The Road 2 Seville at the commemorative statue.
From left to right we have Alan, John, Claire, Steven & Michael. Gaubi is missing because he had already left in the fast group. Thank you for everything guys, what an amazing job you´ve all done. Chapeau ! 🎩
After a quick black pudding sausage roll that was secured in Carnew I set off on the last leg. There was no afternoon stop today because only 45km to go to Rosslare and only one climb left, this will be a doddle I thought.
I was wrong 😥 I seen a flash but it didn´t register until I heard the roar of thunder 🌩️
It absolutely chucked it down, it came out of nowhere and as it was unexpected I wasn´t wearing the correct gear. I got drenched very quickly. I had to take off my cycling glasses to see anything. I was freezing 🥶😰
I thought about stopping to see if it passed but there was no shelter apart from trees and hiding under trees in a thunderstorm isn´t best advised 🙄
I decided to keep moving knowing that I would heat up when the climb arrived. It´s not often I look forward to a climb when cycling 🚵
Eventually the sky changed colour, the sun reappeared but it continued raining for a bit. When the rain did eventually stop I dried off pretty quickly and was once again able to enjoy the scenery. After cycling through Ireland it´s easy to see why they call it the Emerald Isle 💚
Just before arriving in Rosslare I passed this beautiful cottage.
I arrived at the hotel around 17.15h before my two roommates and was very glad to be able to shower and go for a walk.
Most of my cycling clothes were now filthy with the bad weather these last 2 days and I was wondering if maybe the Ferry had a laundry facility 🤔 Then I saw something that I´ve never seen before, an outdoor laundry in a petrol station.
I immediately went back to the hotel and beat the rush. I´m on the boat now writing this and have a clean compliment of gear safely packed away for Spain 😊
Distance covered 127.3 Km
Climbing 1,499 M
Moving time 06h 45m 38s
Summary:
Everything from the best to the worst in cycling today but a great feeling of achievement after completing the Irish leg.
Difficulty rating 8/10
🙏have yo donated yet? 💚
Comments