Nice documentary on the River Barrow, well worth a look at.
What a beautiful little County we have!
From Athy to St Mullins is a unique cycle route. It is completely off road and along the Barrow towpath. The Barrow is Ireland’s second longest river and completely under utilised. The section from Borris to St Mullins is probably the finest river scenery in Ireland. Get that bike out!
The pro racing bike industry has a lot to answer for!
It seems no one can go out on a bike these days unless they are like a mobile billboard. Cycle clothing takes the biscuit.
The price of this stuff is outrageous!!
All the claims made about the gear really don’t matter to ordinary folk like us who don’t race bikes! And I’m not sure it makes much of a difference to pros either!
Don’t be taken in by the marketing of the gear…
There is no need to spend a kings ransom on kitting yourself out for touring. For a start less is better. You don’t need countless changes of clothing; two tops, two shorts, two pairs of socks, a long sleeve top, a wind cheater and maybe a poncho for the rain.
Loose fitting tops are better for circulation, and lets face it, cycle tops are designed for whippets so we all look ridiculous in the gear! Why do we do this to ourselves!
I say a poncho rather than an expensive ‘guaranteed waterproof’ as I don’t believe there is such a thing on a long distance bike ride. And again the poncho covers more than the body and allows air in too.
And while talking of waterproof, line your panniers with plastic bags and store all your gear in the plastic bags – now that is waterproofing for a fraction of the cost!
Personally i go with ordinary pedals so I can wear runners on and off the bike. I also find it more comfortable to be able to adjust my feet position. I would bring a light pair of flip flops too.
A few tools and some spare parts are needed too but I’ll come back to that.
Total Distance travelled 2065 kms
Total cycled 1500kms
Trains 565kms
Highest point 8200ft
Longest stage 107kms
No of planes 2
No of Ferries 1
No of trains 4
No of Roman roads cycled 4
No of countries 5 England, France, Switzerland, Italy and Vatican City (!)
No of walled cities visited 5 – Laon, Langres, Lucca, San Gimignano, Sienna
No of punctures 5
No of spokes broken 1
No of eagles spotted 10
No of deer 6
No of lizards accidentally killed while cycling 2!
Lance on Mount Leinster
Peleton flying up towards the Nine Stones.
going over Mount Leinster with Lance Armstrong in the peleton
A good test for hills is to cycle out to Bradleys Cross Roads which is located on the top of the Nurney Plateau. It’s about 15 kms from Carlow Town, out through Tinryland, Ballyloo Cross and Nurney.
It’s worth it for the views. The Nurney Plateau provides a 360 degree vista of the entire County and on a fine day is a class little cycle.
The good news is that it’s downhill all the way home!!
