Great read Steve 
Can't believe youse got a free drink out of thon boyo up in Donegal
Can't believe youse got a free drink out of thon boyo up in Donegal
Emerald Isle by Ural
- Thread starter Tarka
- Start date
I thought I`d keep Tuned In happy and post a bit more tonight rather than wait for tomorrow, as planned.
........................................................................................................
Part the eighth…..Sunday 23rd November 2008.
Buncrana-Letterkenny-North West Coast-Donegal-Kesh-Armagh-back to Aidan`s house.
We set off at a ‘Bejeezusly early’ time (quote,The Civil One) without breakfast to maximize on daylight intending to eat after an hour or so.
The first bit along the N13 took us parallel with the River Swilly to Letterkenny then we took a nice route along the R255 beside the Derryveagh Mountains and Muckish Mountain until the coast at Falcarragh.
A little bit further on from this point you crest a rise and the scenery is breathtaking…so too is the wind which threatens to lift you from the ground.
In the photo below we are looking Eastwards across the peat bogs and over Tory Sound towards a distant Horn Head.
Aidan`s GS had been at a 45 degree angle and he was almost hanging off the right side of his seat simply riding in a straight line,such was the wind strength.
After the crest you drop down right to the coast and on to Bloody Foreland which I wanted to visit .
It was difficult to stand upright,difficult to hold the camera steady,and Aidan`s bike almost got blown over when he had parked and got off it.
In this photo he is standing in a strange posture because he is struggling to stay upright.
At one point the sun broke through the clouds in a most dramatic fashion.
I`ll make no apologies for taking and posting a few photos of this phenomenon.
One of the treats you get from Winter riding..........
All of this coastline right around was simply amazing…beautiful,rugged,and any other superlative you may care to use.
I hope that cottage has got bloody good double glazing.....
I think it was Dunglow before we had breakfast,due to many eating places being closed in this ‘out of season’ time,and we actually ate in a hotel which kindly let us use their dining room and created a very nice cooked breakfast for us.
Again…Tuned In approved of course….. ‘laxly vegetarian’.
There was a comedy moment for me when Aidan had asked an old boy ( who appeared to be waiting for the pub to open ) where we could get breakfast…..the old boy stood quiet, chewed his pipe,then uttered ‘Oh…..`tis a baaad morning` for a fella to be lookin` for breakfast….’
Sorry,but I couldn`t help chuckling as I imagined a set from the Fast Show or similar….
Duly fed and watered we rode the Glengesh Pass which reminded us both of the Llanberis Pass in Wales,but without all the rocks.
From here we headed for Killybegs then Donegal.
Skaya went onto reserve along here…and I knew that her reserve lasts no more than about 4 miles.
So about 4 miles later Aidan and I were using Skaya`s ten litre Jerrycan and funnel to refuel her in a layby…in a hailstorm….with wind so strong that the fuel was being blown OUT of the funnel!!
Told you we were hardcore.
If you look in the background of the Killybegs/Donegal Bay photo you can see the lines of the hailstorm.
If you consult your map,you`ll see where I was when I took this photo of a giant`s hand.
Talking of hardcore,in Killybegs harbour we chatted to some trawlermen who were from Cork and had been out in the Atlantic Ocean at 5am that morning.
The weather was so extreme that they took refuge in Killybegs Harbour and were busy tidying their nets which they`d hurriedly wound aboard earlier.
The nets ran for over a quarter of a mile!
Ever onwards we rode……next destination Donegal centre.
This was where we met ‘Blade’ (Bob) aboard his red R1100GS.
Bob was a really nice guy…I`ve never met or even chatted with him,yet in the week before my trip he had offered an overnight stop at his home if I was ever in his locality,along with contact numbers in case of any problems.
This shows not just the true biker spirit but also shows the root core community spirit of UKGSer and long may it last.
Bob had effectively made an 80 mile November bike ride in order to buy a total stranger a caramel slice and a mug of coffee…top fella.
Bob said he was pleased to have a reason to get out on the bike and elected to ride back with us….and was even happy to ride behind me and Skaya,despite us probably spoiling his fun on the twisties (although he later seemed amused at how many times I got close to lifting the sidecar wheel….).
Aidan led us on a cracking ‘Boreens Run’, along all kinds of wet and slimy lanes, from Donegal through Kesh and on to Armagh where Bob made his own way home.
It was a shortish,but very dark, combined sidelight/high beam ride from here back to Aidan`s home for the night,where Mandylicious met us with a Mandydelicious fabulously fortifying help yerself tatties/vegetables/Tuned In ‘lax vegetarianist’ chunky ham pieces and gravy tea.
Plus wine of course.
TO BE CONTINUED YET AGAIN
........................................................................................................
Part the eighth…..Sunday 23rd November 2008.
Buncrana-Letterkenny-North West Coast-Donegal-Kesh-Armagh-back to Aidan`s house.
We set off at a ‘Bejeezusly early’ time (quote,The Civil One) without breakfast to maximize on daylight intending to eat after an hour or so.
The first bit along the N13 took us parallel with the River Swilly to Letterkenny then we took a nice route along the R255 beside the Derryveagh Mountains and Muckish Mountain until the coast at Falcarragh.
A little bit further on from this point you crest a rise and the scenery is breathtaking…so too is the wind which threatens to lift you from the ground.
In the photo below we are looking Eastwards across the peat bogs and over Tory Sound towards a distant Horn Head.
Aidan`s GS had been at a 45 degree angle and he was almost hanging off the right side of his seat simply riding in a straight line,such was the wind strength.
After the crest you drop down right to the coast and on to Bloody Foreland which I wanted to visit .
It was difficult to stand upright,difficult to hold the camera steady,and Aidan`s bike almost got blown over when he had parked and got off it.
In this photo he is standing in a strange posture because he is struggling to stay upright.
At one point the sun broke through the clouds in a most dramatic fashion.
I`ll make no apologies for taking and posting a few photos of this phenomenon.
One of the treats you get from Winter riding..........
All of this coastline right around was simply amazing…beautiful,rugged,and any other superlative you may care to use.
I hope that cottage has got bloody good double glazing.....
I think it was Dunglow before we had breakfast,due to many eating places being closed in this ‘out of season’ time,and we actually ate in a hotel which kindly let us use their dining room and created a very nice cooked breakfast for us.
Again…Tuned In approved of course….. ‘laxly vegetarian’.
There was a comedy moment for me when Aidan had asked an old boy ( who appeared to be waiting for the pub to open ) where we could get breakfast…..the old boy stood quiet, chewed his pipe,then uttered ‘Oh…..`tis a baaad morning` for a fella to be lookin` for breakfast….’
Sorry,but I couldn`t help chuckling as I imagined a set from the Fast Show or similar….
Duly fed and watered we rode the Glengesh Pass which reminded us both of the Llanberis Pass in Wales,but without all the rocks.
From here we headed for Killybegs then Donegal.
Skaya went onto reserve along here…and I knew that her reserve lasts no more than about 4 miles.
So about 4 miles later Aidan and I were using Skaya`s ten litre Jerrycan and funnel to refuel her in a layby…in a hailstorm….with wind so strong that the fuel was being blown OUT of the funnel!!
Told you we were hardcore.
If you look in the background of the Killybegs/Donegal Bay photo you can see the lines of the hailstorm.
If you consult your map,you`ll see where I was when I took this photo of a giant`s hand.
Talking of hardcore,in Killybegs harbour we chatted to some trawlermen who were from Cork and had been out in the Atlantic Ocean at 5am that morning.
The weather was so extreme that they took refuge in Killybegs Harbour and were busy tidying their nets which they`d hurriedly wound aboard earlier.
The nets ran for over a quarter of a mile!
Ever onwards we rode……next destination Donegal centre.
This was where we met ‘Blade’ (Bob) aboard his red R1100GS.
Bob was a really nice guy…I`ve never met or even chatted with him,yet in the week before my trip he had offered an overnight stop at his home if I was ever in his locality,along with contact numbers in case of any problems.
This shows not just the true biker spirit but also shows the root core community spirit of UKGSer and long may it last.
Bob had effectively made an 80 mile November bike ride in order to buy a total stranger a caramel slice and a mug of coffee…top fella.
Bob said he was pleased to have a reason to get out on the bike and elected to ride back with us….and was even happy to ride behind me and Skaya,despite us probably spoiling his fun on the twisties (although he later seemed amused at how many times I got close to lifting the sidecar wheel….).
Aidan led us on a cracking ‘Boreens Run’, along all kinds of wet and slimy lanes, from Donegal through Kesh and on to Armagh where Bob made his own way home.
It was a shortish,but very dark, combined sidelight/high beam ride from here back to Aidan`s home for the night,where Mandylicious met us with a Mandydelicious fabulously fortifying help yerself tatties/vegetables/Tuned In ‘lax vegetarianist’ chunky ham pieces and gravy tea.
Plus wine of course.
TO BE CONTINUED YET AGAIN
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Not fair!
Keep posting yer rascal! Don't go to bed! I want to know how it finishes.
Great so far Steve. I'm getting all mellow and missing Ireland so much, it's 4 years since I last went, and the pix and words are making me realise how much I love the place.
Keep posting yer rascal! Don't go to bed! I want to know how it finishes.
Great so far Steve. I'm getting all mellow and missing Ireland so much, it's 4 years since I last went, and the pix and words are making me realise how much I love the place.
Steve, the oul fella was in Dunglow and we had the brekkie in the Highland Hotel in Glenties.
Big Jets
Registered user
Smashin chaps was over In Donegal last year on the bike brought it all back cheers.If thats Civil he looks the specky wee fud a thought he was 
I really should be in bed by now,seeing as I`m up at 5am for work tomorrow,but duty calls and here`s some more of my report.....
.................................................................................................................................
Firstly,I forgot to post this photo in the previous instalment.
The green highlighter shows the route Aidan and I took.
Not bad going for two days in the back end of November,I reckon......
......................................................................................................................................
Part the ninth….Monday 24th November 2008.
Mad dash morning-slow starter motor-cross country to the Wicklow Gap-Roundwood.
I awoke from a very comfortable sleep at silly o`clock and crept downstairs to avoid waking anyone.
I made myself comfy with a coffee and read a bit of my book until a whirlwind of chaotic panicking ensued as Mandylicious and Aidan attempted to get to work on time after an alarm clock setting faux pas.
(I`m never one to drop someone in it,am I ???? ).
I bade farewell to Mandy as she screeched off in a cloud of tyre smoke and then loaded Skaya while imploring Aidan to get going for his work.
Here`s Skaya in her sleeping quarters at Aidan`s.
It was fun reversing her into place.
Aidan kindly elected to see me off first…and probably soon regretted that decision when Skaya decided to not start.
She turned over slower and slower….then there was the smell of petrol from a near to flooding engine…so Aidan offered his jump leads from his car.
After reversing his car into position…and finding the jump leads weren`t in the boot.. and going into the house to gain access to the garage…it was only natural that Skaya would start up ok!
We bade our farewells…Aidan heading off to work and me heading to a fantastic nine Euro full Irish breakfast at Cootehill.
Veggie brekky ?
A very lax approach to one.
Tuned In would have thoroughly approved.
A most enjoyable breakky it was too....this photo shows the contact details of the cafe.
Highly recommended.
A lot of today`s ride was fairly featureless,apart from a nice castle at Trim (I think) and another hot cococolate fudge cake and cream at Enfield.
Here`s the castle.
There were some lovely houses in the County Kildare area...I actually doubled back to photograph this one.
It was worth riding the featureless section to reach the fabulous scenery and roads to be found East of Newbridge.
The section from Kilcullen onwards was a real joy…especially from Hollywood through the Wicklow Gap to Glendalough.
I kept stopping simply to take it all in…and for a few photos of course.
Wicklow Gap was simply breathtaking.
Every bend in the road made me stop for a fresh photo.
It is a simply stunning area and I don`t think anyone will mind a few indulgent photos of it all.
On reflection,this area made my day
Wicklow Gap...........simply stunning.
From Glendalough it had been suggested to ride to and stay in Laragh but it seemed just a little bit quiet and I decided to press on a bit further.
The day was running late…daylight was fading.
Finally I found a room for the night in The Coach House pub at Roundwood,which despite sounding like the perfect setting for a sci fi abduction movie or B movie slasher film turned out to be a quiet and friendly little village.
The evening was seen out in grand style.
A few more of these and I slept a deep and peaceful sleep.
........................................................................................................
FINAL PART COMING UP VERY SOON.
.................................................................................................................................
Firstly,I forgot to post this photo in the previous instalment.
The green highlighter shows the route Aidan and I took.
Not bad going for two days in the back end of November,I reckon......
......................................................................................................................................
Part the ninth….Monday 24th November 2008.
Mad dash morning-slow starter motor-cross country to the Wicklow Gap-Roundwood.
I awoke from a very comfortable sleep at silly o`clock and crept downstairs to avoid waking anyone.
I made myself comfy with a coffee and read a bit of my book until a whirlwind of chaotic panicking ensued as Mandylicious and Aidan attempted to get to work on time after an alarm clock setting faux pas.
(I`m never one to drop someone in it,am I ????
).I bade farewell to Mandy as she screeched off in a cloud of tyre smoke and then loaded Skaya while imploring Aidan to get going for his work.
Here`s Skaya in her sleeping quarters at Aidan`s.
It was fun reversing her into place.
Aidan kindly elected to see me off first…and probably soon regretted that decision when Skaya decided to not start.
She turned over slower and slower….then there was the smell of petrol from a near to flooding engine…so Aidan offered his jump leads from his car.
After reversing his car into position…and finding the jump leads weren`t in the boot.. and going into the house to gain access to the garage…it was only natural that Skaya would start up ok!
We bade our farewells…Aidan heading off to work and me heading to a fantastic nine Euro full Irish breakfast at Cootehill.
Veggie brekky ?
A very lax approach to one.
Tuned In would have thoroughly approved.
A most enjoyable breakky it was too....this photo shows the contact details of the cafe.
Highly recommended.
A lot of today`s ride was fairly featureless,apart from a nice castle at Trim (I think) and another hot cococolate fudge cake and cream at Enfield.
Here`s the castle.
There were some lovely houses in the County Kildare area...I actually doubled back to photograph this one.
It was worth riding the featureless section to reach the fabulous scenery and roads to be found East of Newbridge.
The section from Kilcullen onwards was a real joy…especially from Hollywood through the Wicklow Gap to Glendalough.
I kept stopping simply to take it all in…and for a few photos of course.
Wicklow Gap was simply breathtaking.
Every bend in the road made me stop for a fresh photo.
It is a simply stunning area and I don`t think anyone will mind a few indulgent photos of it all.
On reflection,this area made my day
Wicklow Gap...........simply stunning.
From Glendalough it had been suggested to ride to and stay in Laragh but it seemed just a little bit quiet and I decided to press on a bit further.
The day was running late…daylight was fading.
Finally I found a room for the night in The Coach House pub at Roundwood,which despite sounding like the perfect setting for a sci fi abduction movie or B movie slasher film turned out to be a quiet and friendly little village.
The evening was seen out in grand style.
A few more of these and I slept a deep and peaceful sleep.
........................................................................................................
FINAL PART COMING UP VERY SOON.
STUBBS
undead
great ride report cant wait to go one day soon myself
Sod going to bed and sleeping because of work in the morning....I`ve got a Ride Report to finish !
Here we go then.......
........................................................................................................
Part the tenth....and part the last....…Tuesday 25th November 2008
After sleeping the sleep of the dead,I awoke at a very indulgent 8am and had a refreshing shower,packed my gear onto Skaya and then had a nice Continental style breakfast in The Coach House.
9.30am saw me negotiating several road barriers and a busy policeman due to some filmwork going in in Roundwood.
Gawd....maybe it was an alien abduction/slasher film ....
It had been my choice and also Aidan`s recommendation to spend the night before my return ferry South of Dublin and this paid off as I enjoyed a relaxed and scenic ride along the R755 towards Kilmacanogue and then joined the easy flowing N11/M11 into Dun Laoghaire which was fully sign posted all the way to the ferry terminal.
A word of caution to anyone doing a similar trip to mine........I gave myself plenty of time to catch the ferry.
At a relaxed Ural cruise it took me 50 minutes to reach the terminal from Roundwood.
However,there are several awkward and busy traffic light junctions between the main road/motorway and the ferry terminal....and you could spend half an hour or more on the last mile or two,so don`t cut it fine when coming home.
The HSS was bang on time...the crossing was smooth as silk.
In this photo you can see the power of the HSS water jet propulsion developed by the gas turbine engines.
Bye bye Ireland.
See you again soon.
On disembarking at Holyhead I was prepared for a mind numbingly dull and boring trip along the A55 home.
However,there was a treat in store when distant Snowdonia hove into view.....
That view got better and better as I approached the Menai Straits and Bangor............
After this it was simply A55 and Chester High Road ...arriving home at 15.40.
1400 km from Friday morning to Tuesday afternoon.
On a 37hp 650cc sidecar combo with a realistic maximum speed of 55mph.
Ireland....a beautiful country full of very nice people.
Many thanks to Aidan1150,Mandylicious,The Civil One and Blade.
And thanks to all who take the time to read this.....hoping you enjoyed it.
Here we go then.......
........................................................................................................
Part the tenth....and part the last....…Tuesday 25th November 2008
After sleeping the sleep of the dead,I awoke at a very indulgent 8am and had a refreshing shower,packed my gear onto Skaya and then had a nice Continental style breakfast in The Coach House.
9.30am saw me negotiating several road barriers and a busy policeman due to some filmwork going in in Roundwood.
Gawd....maybe it was an alien abduction/slasher film ....
It had been my choice and also Aidan`s recommendation to spend the night before my return ferry South of Dublin and this paid off as I enjoyed a relaxed and scenic ride along the R755 towards Kilmacanogue and then joined the easy flowing N11/M11 into Dun Laoghaire which was fully sign posted all the way to the ferry terminal.
A word of caution to anyone doing a similar trip to mine........I gave myself plenty of time to catch the ferry.
At a relaxed Ural cruise it took me 50 minutes to reach the terminal from Roundwood.
However,there are several awkward and busy traffic light junctions between the main road/motorway and the ferry terminal....and you could spend half an hour or more on the last mile or two,so don`t cut it fine when coming home.
The HSS was bang on time...the crossing was smooth as silk.
In this photo you can see the power of the HSS water jet propulsion developed by the gas turbine engines.
Bye bye Ireland.
See you again soon.
On disembarking at Holyhead I was prepared for a mind numbingly dull and boring trip along the A55 home.
However,there was a treat in store when distant Snowdonia hove into view.....
That view got better and better as I approached the Menai Straits and Bangor............
After this it was simply A55 and Chester High Road ...arriving home at 15.40.
1400 km from Friday morning to Tuesday afternoon.
On a 37hp 650cc sidecar combo with a realistic maximum speed of 55mph.
Ireland....a beautiful country full of very nice people.
Many thanks to Aidan1150,Mandylicious,The Civil One and Blade.
And thanks to all who take the time to read this.....hoping you enjoyed it.
Good report there fella. You are very welcome to return again at any time Steve.
Nice one Steve... was that meat I saw there on your brecky plate
Tarka
Reeley reeley reeley (as we say in Dublin) enjoyed these reports and the pictures.
I am an expat Irishman long since exiled to London. (In fact I was at primary school with Jockser of this parish, a partner in crime of Aidan1150 if I understand correctly!).
But 'home' is near Dun Laoghaire where you took the HSS. As a student in the mid-70's I used to ride an old BSA 500 up through the Wicklow mountains and to Glendalough, and your photos brought memories flooding back.
It is probably more than 20 years since I rode a bike in my home country (even though I have ridden through 21 countries this year alone).
So your report has embarrassed me/motivated me to want to make a bike trip to Ireland, and shun Ryanair's £1 each way tickets - damn the expense.
Thanks for this. I'll just make sure I bring a rain-suit...I have enduring memories of biking to uni or work and being completely wet through by the time I got there (only 10 miles).
Simon
Reeley reeley reeley (as we say in Dublin) enjoyed these reports and the pictures.
I am an expat Irishman long since exiled to London. (In fact I was at primary school with Jockser of this parish, a partner in crime of Aidan1150 if I understand correctly!).
But 'home' is near Dun Laoghaire where you took the HSS. As a student in the mid-70's I used to ride an old BSA 500 up through the Wicklow mountains and to Glendalough, and your photos brought memories flooding back.
It is probably more than 20 years since I rode a bike in my home country (even though I have ridden through 21 countries this year alone).
So your report has embarrassed me/motivated me to want to make a bike trip to Ireland, and shun Ryanair's £1 each way tickets - damn the expense.
Thanks for this. I'll just make sure I bring a rain-suit...I have enduring memories of biking to uni or work and being completely wet through by the time I got there (only 10 miles).
Simon
Thanks for posting a great report - it's always interesting to read about places we in Ireland know well and to see them through others' eyes, gives us a new perspective. Hope you come back again soon
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Because this was such a shite write-up i put a link to it in the discovering Ireland section.... it'll at least show others how not to do it
Edit: i've just looked at my post again and it reads like i'm being serious..... It's a great write-up that's why i've linked to it
Edit: i've just looked at my post again and it reads like i'm being serious..... It's a great write-up that's why i've linked to it
brilliant.
looks like you'd fun!
looks like you'd fun!
Terrific Report,Tarka.I'm really looking forward to the Kesh weekend next year.
Great Report Steve. One that will entice more to come over here
.anyhow.... WTF took ya so long to get here?
(apart from the chosen mode of transport i mean...
)
wish there'd be more notice / time
- Wicklow is my backyard - would've loved to 'escort' you over the Wicklow gap and shown you the coast road from there to the ferry.you've only scratched the surface ya know. i could've shown you a lot more...technical sections.
oh, and now (like Proper Irish Guinness) you'll have a taste for it....
so, you'll just have to come back for more.
til the next time -
Brilliant write up Steve
Just one question, is the Outfit clean yet ???
Just one question, is the Outfit clean yet ???
Great report. You must've really impressed Civil to get free beer out o him
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