Jockser, Sugarcube and myself went over to Achill Island this weekend to recce a rideout route for the UKGSer event at the end of July.
Jockser had arranged B&B in Newport, Co. Mayo which is about 20 miles from Achill so we arranged to meet there. After I met up with Sugarcube in Augher, Co. Tyrone at 8am Saturday morning we stopped at Clancys in Glenfarne which is halfway between Enniskillen and Sligo for the breakfast. €8.50 for a pretty good brekkie and we were away again.
We had a good quick run over to Newport on some great twisty roads, but after meeting up with Jockser and on the way to Achill the rain started with a vengence. Low cloud, blustery winds and heavy rain made it a tedious day out.
Jockser didn't seem too bothered though.....
The clouds were pretty low.
At 5pm we decided that we'd had enough and returned to Newport and the B&B. The forecast for Sunday was more promising so we headed out for a meal and a few drinks.
As promised Sunday morning was bright and dry so we headed off back to Achill again. Before reaching the island we turned off towards Corraun on the coast road which offers some fine views of Clare and Achillbeg Islands.
Jockser and Sugarcube seemed more interested in playing offroad though. According to them, they were looking for interesting tracks for visiting Tossers to ride.
I'm not into the offroad stuff myself, but despite my better judgement I followed the other two up a mountain track at Bunanloo which heads up onto the 524m high Corraun Hill.
After about 1km up the track I decided that I had reached my limit and turned to come back down. The other two carried on for another 600m or so before turning as the track was very wet and slippery and was getting much more steep.
Although I did not particularily enjoy the experience, the view was worth the effort.
Sugarcube and Jockser coming back down the track.
Ah, the joy of being back on tarmac.
Caution, objects in the mirror may appear smaller than they really are.
Next we headed on out to the Island itself and set off round the south coast towards Cloughmore and on to Dooega.
We spotted a road up to the transmitters atop Menawn mountain and took a wee run up. The views of the island from the summit are breathtaking.
It is tarmac right to the top, but there are also some rocky tracks leading further up the mountain. Sugarcube did pretty well before dropping his bike when the stones were too wet and slippy to continue.
On the way back down the bike got bogged down in the soft peat.
But at least he picked a scenic spot to do it.
The road back down from the top of Menawn.
After 4 or 5 hours on Achill it came time time to head for home. Sugarcube and I split from Jockser in Castlebar stopping only at Benbulben near Sligo for a smoke.
A great weekend out with two of the finest Tossers. Thanks lads.
For those of you coming over to the weekend on Achill, I hope this post has given you a wee idea of what to expect.
Jockser had arranged B&B in Newport, Co. Mayo which is about 20 miles from Achill so we arranged to meet there. After I met up with Sugarcube in Augher, Co. Tyrone at 8am Saturday morning we stopped at Clancys in Glenfarne which is halfway between Enniskillen and Sligo for the breakfast. €8.50 for a pretty good brekkie and we were away again.
We had a good quick run over to Newport on some great twisty roads, but after meeting up with Jockser and on the way to Achill the rain started with a vengence. Low cloud, blustery winds and heavy rain made it a tedious day out.
Jockser didn't seem too bothered though.....
The clouds were pretty low.
At 5pm we decided that we'd had enough and returned to Newport and the B&B. The forecast for Sunday was more promising so we headed out for a meal and a few drinks.
As promised Sunday morning was bright and dry so we headed off back to Achill again. Before reaching the island we turned off towards Corraun on the coast road which offers some fine views of Clare and Achillbeg Islands.
Jockser and Sugarcube seemed more interested in playing offroad though. According to them, they were looking for interesting tracks for visiting Tossers to ride.
I'm not into the offroad stuff myself, but despite my better judgement I followed the other two up a mountain track at Bunanloo which heads up onto the 524m high Corraun Hill.
After about 1km up the track I decided that I had reached my limit and turned to come back down. The other two carried on for another 600m or so before turning as the track was very wet and slippery and was getting much more steep.
Although I did not particularily enjoy the experience, the view was worth the effort.
Sugarcube and Jockser coming back down the track.
Ah, the joy of being back on tarmac.
Caution, objects in the mirror may appear smaller than they really are.
Next we headed on out to the Island itself and set off round the south coast towards Cloughmore and on to Dooega.
We spotted a road up to the transmitters atop Menawn mountain and took a wee run up. The views of the island from the summit are breathtaking.
It is tarmac right to the top, but there are also some rocky tracks leading further up the mountain. Sugarcube did pretty well before dropping his bike when the stones were too wet and slippy to continue.
On the way back down the bike got bogged down in the soft peat.
But at least he picked a scenic spot to do it.
The road back down from the top of Menawn.
After 4 or 5 hours on Achill it came time time to head for home. Sugarcube and I split from Jockser in Castlebar stopping only at Benbulben near Sligo for a smoke.
A great weekend out with two of the finest Tossers. Thanks lads.
For those of you coming over to the weekend on Achill, I hope this post has given you a wee idea of what to expect.