Sat 16/07/10
Left our hotel at 10am to arrive at the visitor centre in Mizen Head (see photo). There were 6 cyclists including our guide Donal O'Donovan. He is an experienced mountain guide and is excellent at reading maps. He puts a lot of effort into making the event enjoyable and pleasing everybody. Donal selected the coast road into Bantry. This had luxurious scenes of yachts in the harbours along with well kept gardens displaying beautiful fauna and flowers. Many wealthy retired people set up home in this part of the country for its beautiful scenery and stress free living.
There were some hills as we skirted Mount Gabriel through Goleen but the cycle was mainly flat along the coast road.
After lunch in Bantry we cycled to Ballylickey and into the mountains. The rain started as light drizzle but as we cycled past Gougane Barra Forest Park it was coming down in torrents. The route which Donal had mapped out into Kilgarvan was mainly unknown to most locals because in our 50 kilometre cycle we met about 5 cars. There was a ruggedness about this scenery even in this unpleasant weather which was inspiring and beautiful.
On the downhills I braked going into the corners and cycled coming out of them - similar to driving a car- so I arrived about twenty minutes at the Bed & Breakfast where we were staying. Our landlord and Lady were so concerned about our mission and well being that it made one feel important. We received a most warm welcome. After a warm shower and new clothes I looked out the window and saw the rest of the group arriving. We had an excellent meal that night of Bacon and Cabbage prepared by the lady of the house and we then were driven over to Jackie Healy Rae's pub (the famous Irish politician). It was a great night and we has more than enough alcohol to drink.
The accommodation did not have the finesse of the four star hotel but the cleanliness, welcome and friendliness of the house masters made up for the lack of capital investment that could be enjoyed in more luxurious surroundings. I would give our Saturday night accommodation a rating of 8/10
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
The primary motivation in undertaking this cycle from Mizen to Malin is to renew the cells within the body, get the blood flow working more efficiently and generally through cycling (exercise and having fun) improve the sharpness of the body and the mind.
Friday July 15th
Travelled down to Skibereen where a taxi and van were waiting to collect us. The methods available for making the journey down to Cork and onto Skibereen from the Dublin area were the train and then the Bus, however I convinced my wife to drive down which allowed me to get a days work in. On route I called to two customers in Cork and Clonakilty and sold some bicycle spares.
Friday night we stayed in the Barley Cove hotel which is three miles distance from Mizen head. We had a nice apartment and the food was good. I would rate this accommodation 6 out of 10, the failure being lack of Irish warm heartedness.
Friday July 15th
Travelled down to Skibereen where a taxi and van were waiting to collect us. The methods available for making the journey down to Cork and onto Skibereen from the Dublin area were the train and then the Bus, however I convinced my wife to drive down which allowed me to get a days work in. On route I called to two customers in Cork and Clonakilty and sold some bicycle spares.
Friday night we stayed in the Barley Cove hotel which is three miles distance from Mizen head. We had a nice apartment and the food was good. I would rate this accommodation 6 out of 10, the failure being lack of Irish warm heartedness.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Mizen to Malin
Hi
My name is John Cahill. I own a company called Cahill Cycles in Naas. County Kildare. Ireland. I sell and repair new and secondhand bikes from my warehouse at Fishery Lane, Naas.
On Friday July 16th I am commencing my cycle from Mizen head the most southerly point of Ireland to Malin Head the most northerly point.
I have two reasons for doing this cycle. Firstly I wish to help a group of people who run a school for autistic children. These children need education on a one-to-one basis in the formative years of their lives and the school relies on private funding to achieve this. Secondly I wish to show that cycling provides me with greater health and happiness.
When I return from my marathon cycling trip I hope to encourage anybody who is interested to join me on Saturday Mornings from my warehouse or Sunday Mornings from Tesco in Naas in bicycling around Kildare and surrounding counties. I promise that it will change your life for the better.
I started cycling in October 2009 at the age of 56 years and could barely cycle up the main street of Naas. Now I have conquered it and could do the same for you.
My name is John Cahill. I own a company called Cahill Cycles in Naas. County Kildare. Ireland. I sell and repair new and secondhand bikes from my warehouse at Fishery Lane, Naas.
On Friday July 16th I am commencing my cycle from Mizen head the most southerly point of Ireland to Malin Head the most northerly point.
I have two reasons for doing this cycle. Firstly I wish to help a group of people who run a school for autistic children. These children need education on a one-to-one basis in the formative years of their lives and the school relies on private funding to achieve this. Secondly I wish to show that cycling provides me with greater health and happiness.
When I return from my marathon cycling trip I hope to encourage anybody who is interested to join me on Saturday Mornings from my warehouse or Sunday Mornings from Tesco in Naas in bicycling around Kildare and surrounding counties. I promise that it will change your life for the better.
I started cycling in October 2009 at the age of 56 years and could barely cycle up the main street of Naas. Now I have conquered it and could do the same for you.
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