Sunrise Cycle along the Barrow Track
An early morning cycle, starting at sunrise, along the Barrow Track between Goresbridge and Clashganny was a great start to County Final Day!
Joe Sheppard, now domiciled in Manchester, a keen cyclist on UK towpaths and Sustrans routes, was looking forward to cycling along a riverbank as distinct from the linear towpaths that criss cross the UK.
Of good GAA stock, the conversations were wide ranging – from Ruislip to County Final Day; from Mental Awareness to Social Housing and Brexit; from Mary Teresa Kelly’s newsagents to out of town developments!
We don’t appreciate how much it means to ex pats to see Carlow doing well on the inter county scene. Joe and his son drove from Manchester to Rusilip to cheer on the Scallionaters in the Qualifiers during the summer. It was his sons’ first game of gaelic football and he was hooked. He marvelled at Brendan Murphy’s performance in particular – ‘ like a ballet dancer’ was his description of his movement and his agility.
Joe has been following the debate about the Blueway from afar, and he was initially all for it until he began reading up on the debate going on around the proposal. His position was changing before he came over based on first hand accounts of those who utilise these wonderful green linear nature reserve that we have hidden away so well in south Carlow.
After his cycle today Joe compared the route with what he has experienced in the UK. The UK routes benefit from hubs where bike repair / hire shops and coffee shops dot the routes attracting cyclists out into the countryside. The Barrow obviously does not have those key facilities but he maintained there was nothing to compare with the Barrow in the UK. He considers it a unique trail and would strongly be an advocate for minimal development. he found the route very passable – even though the grass was wet and long in places this morning. Interesting to hear the views of a very experienced touring cyclist from across the pond.
Here are a few photos of this morning:
Comorants take flight
How many Cormorants?
Neck and Neck!!
Cormorants on the Barrow
Dermot and Joe at the Mountain River
Cycling at Clashganny
Does anything taste nicer than a sambo on a cycle / hike?
Cormorant Rock
Heron in flight
Joe Sheppard, Manchester and Dermot along the Banks of the Barrow
Dermot at Mountain River
2 Responses to “Sunrise Cycle along the Barrow Track”
My cycle today along the Barrow was special and has utterly convinced me that we have a unique and natural jewel here in County Carlow.
Leave the track it as it is and those who are unsure what its future should be, please go and experience it.
We need to improve and build on what we have not change it in to something else
joe
That was a great cycle this morning Joe. Dermot has been an early riser, very early riser and I must say I enjoyed the early morning start. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and that you get to complete the route to St Mullins.