Conclusion

I've had some time to reflect/recover from my trip now and feel as though I need to draw
some conclusions.
 

Well, Im definitely glad I went.
 

Perhaps the biggest surprise was that there were no big surprises. I didnt over anticipate
problems. Everything substantial that I packed possibly needing I did end up
needing and I didnt make any disasterous omissions. There were no breakdowns I
couldnt fix myself and I never had to walk the bike. No leg was beyond me, no
hill defeated me. People were pretty much as expected and I didnt find myself
being mugged by the side of the road (Dad!!) or robbed blind in my tent (Dad -
again!). Maybe age has finally afforded me some sound judgement?

 

 

Im glad I wasn't too anal about arrangements or equipment. I purposely didnt want to look like a Tour de France wannabe. Whats with all that clobber? 2000 miles across the Pyrenees and Alps at 40 mph, fair enough, but an overweight middle age man pooteling along a cycle path with his 6
year old kid on a Sunday afternoon bedecked in lycra complete with shades,
hydropack, energy bars, satnav - I think not. When did riding a bike become
so...camp? Nor did I want to look like Windy Miller collecting his
shopping.

 

 

I suppose one point where I could have done with more
technology was regarding being able to update my blog as I progressed. If I'd
had an iPhone or lap/palmtop or some such I could have taken advantage of WiFi
rather than rely on now few and far between internet cafes.

 

 

And what of the future?

 

 

Cycling isnt really my thing you know. This was a bit of a
one-off. I really like indoor (as in on a machine ) rowing. I have this idea, the
'Million Metre Month' which .., well, its kinda obvious what it entails. Might
do it in October when tennis becomes less feasible. Long term, and a
template for another cycling holiday, was an idea I had to be a slave to the
distance cycled, rather than the route. Just cycle, say, 500 miles (that would
fit into a 3 week annual leave) and regardless of where you end up, get off the
bike and make your way home. Perhaps, thinking it through, simply abandon the
bike there and then and find some alternative way home.

 

 

Just an idea.

Weds 12th Aug : Swansea - Luton

Click here to see the whole trip in chronological order

Ferry got in at 8am and it was just a short ride into the city centre to get on the train. I travelled first class. On the train I bought a burger from the buffet bar. £3.40 - bargain! After Irish food prices this seemed so cheap.

Another short ride from Paddington to St. Pancras and on to the train to Luton.




(I'd have just read a newspaper)

Just the final ride up the hill to Caddington and home.
I was half hoping someone would be around to see me arrive home but alas not.

Great to be home.

Final distance = 671 miles.







(Look at the state of that door - got to do something about that).

Tues 10th Aug : Courtmacsherry - Ringaskiddy

Had a very mellow day today - to start with.

Had coffee and cake with the ladies (relatives & friends), then a guided tour of my aunt's caravan (sorry, mustnt call it that - its a 'mobile home'). Then tea and cake with cousin Colm at the Golden Pheasant. Returned to cousin Brona's house where there was much talk of everyone's plans for the day but not a lot actually happening. Had planned to slip away when they all moved off on their relative schedules but by 3.30 they were all still talking about it so I had to get up and declare it was time for me to leave.

It was a lovely day for a cycle. Just outside Timoleague though, disaster struck. A puncture.


Puncture number one. Not bad after 630 miles, but I was already a bit late. Luckily, at the last minute, I had decided not to leave all my gear with the relatives to pass on to my dad to take home, so I did have all my repair gubbins. Being sneaky I decided to both fix the puncture and, whilst the glue was setting, replace the inner tube with the spare I had been lugging round all trip. Just as well really cos the puncture repair didnt hold.

As I was pumping the tyre back up, the pump snapped. I think Boris was trying to tell me something! As chance would have it, cousin Karen was just passing and she offered to fetch a replacement pump, but after some stern words with Boris I managed to get the air in (not really sure how - there was a lot of shouting and swearing, which seemed to work).

So, 45 minutes later I was underway again. Did lots of calculations in my head re. how fast I needed to go to make the ferry check-in on time. Near Carrigaline the road just went up and up and up, which, of course, considerably slowed me down. I started to get rather anxious. I reckon there was about 6 miles of up. Oddly, considering I started and finished at sea level, there didnt seem to be a corresponding amount of downhill? There was an amazing view at one point, probably the best all trip, but unfortunately, I didnt have the time to stop. Maybe another day.


I guess adrenaline or something kicked in cos I maintained a very healthy pace. I even managed to take a call from Paul whilst ascending a hill in 1st gear (so very steep). No time to stop, it was mobile in one hand, handlebar in the other.

After numerous pauses to check directions, and gambling on ignoring the signposts and going the way I thought best, I made it to the check-in with minutes to spare. It was a great feeling.

The ship, the 'Julia', was great - like a mini cruise ship; and new.
They even gave me a cabin upgrade.

Distance = 38.0 miles, Time = 3hrs 8mins, Av. speed = 12.1mph, Total = 663 miles

Sun 8th - Mon 9th Aug : Courtmacsherry

Didnt do anything on Sunday - just recovered from night before.

On Monday went to see cousin Colm's house out in the styx near Seven Heads. Fantastic place, and an incredible view across the bay to the Old Head of Kinsale.

We went for a dip at Dunworley (Colm swam, it was too cold for me) which looked as picturesque as ever.

Sat 7th Aug : Tralee - Courtmacsherry

Had a productive day in Tralee yesterday. Found the bus station, and a really cheap/good internet cafe that stayed open 'till 10pm. Made numerous enquiries about ferries and trains and buses as well as updating this blog. Carried on furiously making arrangements today aiming to get them all done by 12 so I could check out of the hotel and move on.

Got a phone call on my mobile from my cousin, which was odd because I was sure my phone could only field texts abroad. Turns out he and lots of other cousins are in Courtmacsherry for a 21st birthday. Perfect.

All sorted. Got the bus to Cork and then another to Clonakilty. Not the bus I had booked, but an even better one. Have to say I really enjoyed seeing the world go by from the comfort of the bus. And it was very comfy. The scenery was great and it finally stopped raining. Actually, would have made a great bike ride!

Got off the bus in the middle of the high street. My bike was in the locker on the roadside so wasnt as straight forward as it sounds. Got covered in oil.

The bike ride from Clonakilty to Courtmacsherry though was sheer bliss.

THIS is how I'd pictured the cycling venture in my head.

Cycled into Courtmacsherry, where Id spent every childhood Summer with my cousins, at about 6pm. As a child, for weeks before my holidays, I used to imagine the drive from Timoleague along the coast road into the village.

I tried to guess who the first person I knew would be. Played the same game now. However, I managed to get all the way through the village to the hotel at the far end without passing anyone I knew by name.



Checked in to the hotel and was pleased to have room 4. This was the room I stayed in with my parents as a child oh...30 years earlier. It looked exactly the same!
Ahh, the somewhat 'Fawlty' Courtmacsherry Hotel, run by the Adams family.


Washed my oily jeans and headed to the Anchor bar to meet cousins Colm & Feena. From there we went on to the 21st birthday party.

To be honest, it was all a bit too much for me. I was already tired & emotional (as in literally - not euphemistically - that came later) having reached journeys end. I was then swamped by relatives and family friends from yesteryear (who all looked like they hadnt aged a day) as well as being introduced to a whole new generation of relatives. People asked me where I had visited but all I could recall was that I was in Tralee earlier today and got the bus to Clonakilty. Didnt sound very impressive. I should, I suppose, have prepared and remembered where the heck I'd been.

After the party we went to the Anchor to see this mad singer. He was like the Muppets 'Animal' in a bad mood on speed. Then on to the hotel.

Fri 6th Aug : Kilrush - Tralee

Yet another rainy day.

I was quite reluctant to leave the comfort of Buggles Bar B&B. The room had the comfiest bed and pillows. Landlady Carmel waved me off and into the wall of water I ventured.

Took the ferry out of Clare and into Kerry. And apart from that I dont recall anything of interest about this cycle. It was just same as, same as. Maybe I should fast forward to my holiday in Courtmacsherry, miss out Killarney, Bantry and Baltimore and take the bus as the guys at Buggles had explained was so easy? They can take push bikes no problem.

I wasnt sure I was really going to experience anything new in these places, except perhaps the stay on Cape Clear (off Baltimore) which I had been looking forward to. I had this romantic idea of tracking down the 'Larry O'Rourke', my favourite fishing boat when I was a kid, which had been sold to someone there. But hey, that was 25~30 yrs ago. Hardly likely to still be there. Plenty of time to ponder when cycling alone.

Then the clincher came.
In a rare moment of non-rain, on a level, perfectly straight, clear road this *%!!er passed REALLY close to me. Centimetres. Luckily I didnt swerve a pothole or wobble at that moment and was as far left as the road allowed. Had I been more 'in' the road, so-to-speak, would that have forced him to pull out and around me; or would he have just ploughed straight into me? Was my cautious and considerate riding my saviour or near downfall? Despite being decked in luminous yellow and having eye catching twirly things on the back of my bike, I think he didnt see me at all (why else pass so perilously close - for both of us). I guess all the twirlies in the world wont help if the idiot doesnt look.

So in Tralee I abandoned thoughts of camping and booked into a hotel.


Some pictures of me to break the sombre tone of this entry:





Distance about 39 miles so total now 612 miles.

Thrs 5th Aug : Doolin - Kilrush

Another drizzly day started with a very steep ascent to the top of the Cliffs of Moher where I finally found a cashpoint. I had been living off 10 euro since 2 days hence because, other than the Moher cashpoint (which is inside the visitor centre which a- is the mother of all cycles to get to and b - closes at night) there wasnt a cashpoint within 15 miles of what must be Co. Clare's biggest tourist draw...and...nobody does cashback, anywhere, ever, never, nowhere. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

Message to County Clare - tourists need access to cash and decent roads to get to you. Duhh!

Rest of the cycle was uneventful but pleasant enough. Saw these crazy guys on my decent from Moher.

In Kilrush I tried to book into the really big pub guesthouse but it was full; thats a first (when does a guesthouse become a hotel - surely lots of rooms in an old coaching house would count as a hotel?). I wonder what so many visitors were doing in Kilrush on a rainy Thursday. So, reluctantly, I booked into Buggles which looked really grim. The landlady took an age to see if there was a room available. Talk about curt. Felt frog-marched to my room. And yet again, it was a terrific room despite the squalid exterior. Decent view too - of the town hall.

Had a meal in the nice pub and then chips on my way back to the room. Greedy hey? Ventured down into Buggles bar at 11.15pm where they were playing proper Irish music. Not some Disneyfied version. It was fantastic. Only a handful of us there. Got talking to Pat and Derick and to Carmel, the landlady. She was dead nice as it turns out. They were telling me some real horror stories about the violence experienced at school, but they didnt think it was much of a big deal.

Distance = 38.4 miles

Time = 3hrs 59mins

Av. speed = 9.6mph

Total = 573 miles

Weds 4th Aug : Day in Doolin

Started the day by going to the pier to see about getting a boat to the cliffs.

I watched boats come and go and then, at 9.35, walked over to the booking office (about 10 metres away) to book onto the 9.45 trip.

"Oh, that went 5 mins ago".
"Huh. At 9.30? The sign says 9.45. Im 10 minutes early" I said.

"Ah, well" she explained " we only have one sticker that says 9.30 and we used that for the other trip". Makes perfect sense now.


There are 4 booking offices on the pier. One claims to have the biggest boat (there are only 2 boats and they are identical). Another that the trip costs 10 euros. Turns out this is for a child one way. What, is that for youngsters planning to emigrate to the cliff, or who plan to swim back? And they all claim fares cheaper than the rest. Again, they all charge exactly the same. Simples.




I also spent a few hours repairing the gears to my bike. I think leaning it against the wall must have knocked them somehow out of kilter. The cable from the handlebar was also very frayed so I cleaned that up a bit.

After my trip I went into the village.

The bar had the ultimate in leisure drinking. No need to waste time standing at the bar waiting to be served.

In the UK bar staff frown when I ask for ice in my pint (its just so much nicer ice cold). They dont in Ireland; and in some places they have draft lager chilled to -5 (I guess the alcohol stops it freezing?) and serve it in glasses chilled in a special cabinet at -10. So there!

In the evening I returned to O'Connors where Mickey Mouse...sorry, a man who looked like the aged manifestation of a leprechaun crossed with Shane MacGowan was performing some sing-a-long tunes, accompanied, of course, by fiddly diddly music. (My dad says it should be 'diddly' diddly music cos there are only 2 notes, but its played on fiddles so I think it should be fiddly diddly).

Tues 3rd Aug : Loughrea - Lisdoonvara

Yesterday was near perfect cycling conditions, today, terrible.

No matter how I planned it, I had to cycle over the hills. The route I chose, the Loughrea hotelier assured me, had no steep climbs. My a*se!

Signposting was practically non existant and the national road - the N67 - was diabolical. Ive never known a main road in such dire condition. Testiment to the wonders of 'goop' and the sturdiness of my bike that I didnt get a puncture. I was constantly riding into a headwind (my fault I suppose for chosing a SW'ly route across Ireland) and it was raining throughout. It got very dark towards the end.

Ok, moaning over (the opportunity to vent later was the only thing that kept me going on the stoopid poxy N67...grrr). Managed to take some scenic pics along the way.

Roadside flora was particularly nice.

Later, in Co. Cork, there were some amazingly colourful hedgerows awash with red fushias, wild pink roses, the purples as here and these really delicate orange flowers that only seem to grow wild out of roadside stone walls.

I didnt take any photos of them because I knew I already had loads at home. Unfortunately, I forgot that some time ago I got rid of all my flower pics because I thought it was a bit too girlie. Ive searched the internet to find images of these orange flowers or their name but have failed on both counts.

Lisdoonvara is famous as Ireland's singles capital. In September they have a month long festival of singles events. 24/7 'Blind Date'. Can you imagine! But I didnt stay in Lisdoonvara. I camped at Doolin, which is where the boats go to the Aran Islands and to the Cliffs of Moher. I was expecting just a field with the odd tent in it, but I got a sort of Disney version of 'Arh shure, harny harny Paddyland-on-sea'. It was very cheesy, very commercial.

I counted 52 postings. A driver stopped me (everyone seems to think you are a local and know where stuff is if you are on a bike - despite the onboard tent that might suggest otherwise) and asked where O'Connors was.

"Just follow the sign" I helpfully replied.


Went to O'Connors in the evening and got talking to a very chatty American called Tim who was travelling with his wife. Chat chat chat. His poor wife didnt see much of him that night.

Distance = 50.9 miles
Time cycling = 5hrs 32mins
Av. speed = 9.1 mph
Total = 535 miles

Mon 2nd Aug : Athlone - Loughrea

Despite the rain, today was a near perfect cycle.

I set off quite early and took my time. Because it was a bank holiday, the roads were all but deserted. This allowed me to take in the scenery and to stop and take some pics, which I hadnt always felt comfortable doing on busier days.

Something Ive noticed whilst spending many an hour alone cycling is how very impressive Irish new builds are. The image below is typical. Unfortunately, so too is the second image.

I passed so many houses that were clearly finished to the minimum to ensure they were weather proof - presumably because the recession has meant funds have run out. I never saw anyone, let alone any builders, on such sites.



Directly opposite the new build was this very traditional looking pub. Id like to drink there - Id say it was mad!

And some things in Ireland never change. So, how far is it to Kinvarra?


When I got to Loughrea it was a huge disappointment. Rode through the town 3 times in disbelief. Surely this isnt it? .

Reluctantly checked in to the least grotty looking hotel. As before though, it was great on the inside. Seemed this is where everyone was today.

My room was lovely, but the view left something to be desired. I was the only inhabitant but they still gave me this view? Well, 'what do you expect to see from a Torquay bedroom window; marauding wildebeest, the hanging gardens of Babylon..'


Distance = about 40 miles.
Total = 484 miles

Sun 1st Aug : Day in Athlone

Rode into Athlone to take a look around.










(If you look closely you can see Boris in one of these pics)

The castle was a bit sad. It had cafes, information centres and all the usual 'make the most of the heritage site' stuff but it was all abandoned. Ivy was growing throughout the inside of a still fully equipped tea shop. It was bank holiday Sunday but there was practically no-one there.

Had hoped to hook up with my cousin Feena today. She was due back at her home near Athlone today having just stayed at my sister's house. Couldnt get hold of her.

Still have the naff tune of 'Sandra Dee' in my head, from 'Grease'. Ive had it since cycling in to Tandragee several days ago. I guess its those lyrics, (and the fact the rhythm coincides with my breathing and cycling speed) "Look at me Im Sandra Dee, lousy with virginity, wont go to bed 'till Im legally wed, not I, not Tandra Gee".

All the internet places were closed - grr. Returned to the campsite and did some washing. Cycled to neighbouring village to stock up on bread & cheese. By the evening my jeans were still wet so I wore them to the pub to help get them dry. Wasnt very comfortable - lol. Spoke to Ross and his mate who had his arm round me the whole time we were speaking. They tried to convince me to go into town with them but with a big cycle the next day I declined. They were also on a serious sharking mission...

Sat 31st Jul : Cavan - Athlone

I dont remember much about this cycle, except that it was pretty much 80km along one main road. This made it fairy stress free in terms of navigating and safety-wise, because the road had a wide margin that I could cycle in. I set off early and took my time, catching some sites along the way.

Was somewhat desolute when, 32 miles into the ride (51km), a roadsign said 42km to go - where did the extra 13km come from? Im sure they just make the distances up sometimes.

Eventually found the campsite after what seemed like a never ending road. It was heaving. It was summer bank holiday. The owner seemed very impressed that I was cycling and camping. "See you are travelling light" he remarked. I wasnt sure if he was taking the mick cos it hadnt felt very light over the 51 miles it took to get there.

When I saw the other campers, I realised he was serious. Some had arrived with numerous tents for the extended family, huge bbqs, speedboats, canoes..you name it. Truckloads of gear - literally.

Despite the crowds I found myself a lovely spot by the stream.

Unfortunately, there were no shops around. The local pub, packed with campers, didnt do food either. After a drink there I walked into town. It was the longest 5km ever.

Feeling rather pleased with myself having done a double leg (missing out a stay in Longford) and getting myself into a very busy campsite for 2 bank holiday nights for just 18 euro, I decided to treat myself. I had a proper sit down meal IN A RESTAURANT. It was the 'Olive Tree' and I have to say I could not fault it in any respect. Fast service, free water, no fuss, no hard sell, excellent food, the finest view in town (overlooking the river). Terrific.

With full tummy I didnt much feel like drinking. Athlone reminded me a little of York. Loads of hen dos going on. Got a taxi back to the campsite where the 'Dog & Duck' was jumping. Stayed there till the wee hours.

Distance = 51 miles

Other = 10 miles

Time = 4hrs 54mins

Av. Speed = 10.4 mph

Total dist. = 444 miles

Fri 30th Jul : Monaghan - Cavan

How can I sum up today?

RAIN. Rain rain rain.
I had planned to make up for the unscheduled extra rest day I had in Monaghan yesterday by cycling all the way to Longford today. But, by the time I got to Cavan I was really wet and fed-up, and Cavan looked really interesting. Ok, there were loads of pubs and takeaways so I was hooked.


I took National Bike Route 91 : The Ulster Canal from Monaghan to Belturbot via Clones (famous for being where Barry MacGuigan is from - apparently).

Of course, I was the only one on the bike route which was interesting in that it took me through housing estates, forest, farmland (turning into a muddy track at 1 point - thank goodness for knobbly tyres), over hills and along main roads.

In Cavan an old man stopped me in the street for a chat about my bike ride. He had seen me a few times, he claimed. At one point a young guy joined in, and, despite 2 repeats, I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what he asked me. Not even a single word. He was smiling though so..err..cant be all bad.

Bought an excellent map of Ireland that showed campsites. I would use this to plan my stops in future. Had my now customary couple of arrival drinks and then went for a nap in my hotel. It was a good thing that I did have this afternoon snooze because when I returned to the pub in the evening it was all taped off and there was a police/ Garda guard. Oh, and blood all over the pavement outside. Some travellers had decided to use the pub as a battleground to settle a few old scores. Nice.

Seemed to have mislaid my cycling data but guess it was about 32miles so total now = 383 miles

Thrs 29th Jul : Day in Monaghan

The fiddly diddly music wasn't. Wasn't fiddly diddly. Wasnt good.

Did a lot of internet stuff today - uploading pics, writing posts etc. Also looked at accommodation and possibility of either sailing down the Shannon or following its path.

Had brainwave to go swimming because it would be good all round exercise (keep me ticking over) and figured there may be a sauna or steamroom attached, to ease my aching joints. However, I had to buy and wear this awful skull cap before being allowed into the pool. I dunno if they gave me a childs one but there was no way I was going into the pool with that thing on my head so I slunk off. That was 10 euro well spent!

Weds 28th July : Tandragee - Monaghan

Today's was a pleasant cycle, although it really took its toll on me. I think because sleeping in my tent isnt very comfortable and I dont get much of it.

The flora by the side of the road was really beautiful. I wish I had stopped more often, throughout Ireland, to take more pics of it, but that wasnt always very practical.

I crossed the border without announcement - the only indication being that everywhere suddenly got further away, as the signage switched from miles to kilometres.

I had booked into a smart hotel in Monaghan but on arriving in the town, which is in a hollow, I discovered that it was several miles up the other side (not what the receptionist had said at all). I couldnt be bothered, so drifted into town. I had only just started when I came across the guesthouse I had been trying to contact. So I stayed there - and very nice it was too, despite the grotty exterior. This became quite the thing in Ireland - grotty on the outside/great inside, great on the outside/fawlty towers on the inside.

After having a bath (luxury!) and a wander round town I went for a Chinese buffet. It was a bit weird cos you had to order your dishes blind, as it were, from a menu, and there was no knowing how big each dish would be. They also came out in no particular order. I never got to my favourite dish, the curry, cos I was stuffed and had to beg 'No more, please, dont bring me any more food!' - which isnt something I often find myself asking.

In the evening the bar opposite was doing a drinks deal - all drinks 3euro. Oh dear!

Decided to stay an extra night in Monaghan and see the fiddly diddly music due the next day.

Distance = 28.6 miles
Time = 3hrs 39mins
Av. speed = 9.2mph
Other mileage = 6.8
Total to date = 351 miles

Tues 27th July : Tayto Castle

Today's mission was to get into Tayto Castle!

I went for the grovelling approach. It worked. They let me in ... and very exciting it was too.

First I had a chat about a photo I have of myself, cousin Colm and cousin Brian tucking into 3 bags of Taytos. Im about 7 in the photo, so its from about 1975. On the 3 bags you can see the price of the packet - 4d. Since decimalisation was in 1971, were we eating crisps 4 years old?

Then I met Pat.

At one point my enthusiasm was met with scorn when I asked something technical. "See this byy..a.dgge. Says tour guide, not scientist!"

Was given a lot of freebies, and also bought some trinkets. Went to supermarket and bought all the Tayto products available (one of). Parcelled them all up and sent to Paul for his birthday. Dont eat all at once!

Mon 26th July : Belfast - Tandragee

New Country! Never been to Northern Ireland before.

All the news was about Alex Higgins who was being buried in the city today.

Getting out of the city proved harder than I had anticipated. I hadnt really bothered planning a route because I know how haphazard navigating out of dock areas can be. No matter how many times I looked at the map, the road numbers just didnt correspond, and they kept changing too. The trick, I found, was to ask for the name of the road. Once I'd asked for the Crumlin Road I was away.

Immediately striking was how desolate a lot of Belfast was (well, the bits I saw anyways). So many burned out buildings, loyalist flags and proclamations, graffiti. All quite intimidating.

The Crumlin Road climbed steeply out of the city, up into the clouds. This was a bit of a problem because I had nowhere to fix my rear lights when fully laden as I was, and it was very dark and wet up in the hills. Luckily, there was footpath all the way so I just rode on the pavement, ringing my bell to warn folk out the way.

I headed for Lough Neagh (which was where The Prince of Boredom was spending his entire biking holiday). It was pretty enough but so still and isolated it gave me the willies a bit. Maybe I was just in that frame of mind. Cycled through amazing swarms of flies. They were like the swirling smudge of black depicting swarms of bees you see in cartoons, or pilchards wooshing and turning as one. Didnt swallow any though.

After 35 miles I came to a shop that was open. Had the obligatory can of coke (now a morning ritual) and, because in Ireland, a packet of Tayto crisps. My fav.

A man called Steven chatted to me outside the shop. He rang my bell for a quite extraordinary amount of time for an adult (and thats not a euphemism) and fondled my saddle extensively (again, not...). After another 10 miles I found the campsite.

Because of my early start it was only lunchtime by the time I set up my tent, so I went into town. Tandragee, it turns out, is famous for one thing...

I tried to get in but they were booked up until September. I went for a drink instead. All the bars here seem to mascarade as betting shops. It wasnt very friendly. Stocked up on soda bread and slices of processed cheese for eating in my tent.

Dist = 47.2 miles

Time cycling = 5hrs 6mins

Aver speed = 9.2mph

Total = 316 miles