Long Cycle Home

View towards Ballymakeera

I have been getting out and about a bit of late, mostly short hill runs over Bweeng mountain ( perhaps a bit of a misnomer as it is only 414mtrs) and trying to keep fit for the Gap Triathlon which was due to take place last weekend. Yet again the Killarney walking club lived up to their growing reputation and cancelled another event, so being left high and dry and not a little disappointed I decided to do a cycle route that I have had my eye on for some time. I cycled back to Banteer (7miles) and caught the train to Killarney. From here I went on the main Cork road until Ballyvourney. This was the least pleasurable part of the cycle as the road is very busy and it is always a little nerving having cars and lorries whizzing past sometimes very close. Anyway this stretch of road involves a good climb of over 230mtrs before the descent into the village. Here a sharp left turn leaves the hustle and bustle of the busy road behind and you immediately enter a lovely leafy lane and start the long climb up towards Mullaghanish. This is a very noticeable mountain, marked as it is by the very impressive communications mast on its summit.

Mullaghanish and its mast

Soon the leafy surrounds are left behind and you enter more open ground. As you rise ever higher the rugged expanse of ground that sweeps from the summit to the forested and rough ground above Ballymakeery makes a very pleasant sight. Though the climb is relentless it is never too steep and you are able to enjoy the atmosphere. The day was lovely and fine, warm with little breeze and I was enjoying it immensely. The pass between Carrigrathduff and Knockullane is at 400mtrs and so after another 230mtr climb I stopped here briefly for a drink and a bite( literally) of a chocolate bar. Next came the reward of the long and swift descent on a mostly good road to Caherdowney and onto the Millstreet to Macroom road. Straight across this and another long climb to St Johns Well ( a little detour up a cul de sac adding a couple of K and 50 mtrs of a climb). This time the road was quite rough and I was glad when the 180mtrs of climbing was over. Down swiftly to the Kerrymans Table and another 140mtrs followed to the pass at Mushera. Again swiftly down and on to the village of Rylaneand on to the Kanturk Cork road. Here a left turn means another 170mtr pull over the bog and down again to Nad. From there home means another couple of short climbs and it was much to my rear ends relief when I arrived home just over four hours after I started from Killarney. All in all 95 kilometers and 1100mtrs of climbing made it (for me at least) a great day on the bike.

Wild cycling

I went for a 77K cycle with James Moore near Killarney this morning. When I woke at 07.45 I could hear the wind howling outside. It was very tempting to just turn over and forget the whole idea as the idea of cycling in a strong wind is one of the most unappealing things for me. Still I groaned and grumbled my way to the kitchen and dolefully ate my breakfast. We were heading back to Killarney on the train and the plan was to cycle around Caragh Lake via Killorglin. This is almost fifty miles long but it is the route that the Gap Triathalon will take in a couple of weeks time and as neither of us had done it we decided to give it a go. We exited from the station at 10.25 and were greeted by sheeting rain and strong winds. Still we were there now so there was nothing for it but to continue.
As expected we were into the wind for the first 15 miles but against all odds we found that we were actually enjoying ourselves. The act of cycling itself was not particularly fun but it nonetheless was good to be out and about and the exercise itself was its own reward. Avoiding the fallen debris and the occassional flood kept the mind focused. Soon enough we arrived in Killorglin and much to our great relief we turned towards Caragh Lake and now instead of being straight into the wind it was now merely quartering from the right. The circuit of the lake is indeed lovely and on a fine day will give a lovely outing in the future. Finally we turned for Killarney and the wind was now behind. Despite being tired we were on a tight schedule if we were to catch the returning train, so we put our heads down and our arses up and pedalled hard. We arrived back with a little time to spare and were very grateful to get into fresh clothes. Coffee and grub saw us fully revived and enthusing about our morning. A lesson perhaps not to be too put off by poor weather, just get out and do it.

Kerry Walk

I went for a walk with Killarney walking club yesterday. It was nice to be back on the Reeks again after my visit to the Alps. They are very beautiful but in a different way. Only eight of us set off on a 12K jaunt with 1200mtrs of ascent. The weather played ball but yet again I had to leave them behind as time constraints meant I needed to be in work for seven pm. One of these days I might even be able to socialise afterwards.