HUFFING & PUFFING.......

…….. I complete Stage 15 in the driving rain and gale force winds.

Stage 14 & 15 - View looking towards Wicklow Gap.

Great stuff the sponsorship keeps coming, it now totals £2,942.50 (including gift aid). Many thanks. I would love to raise more, so if anyone else would still like to sponsor me (even small amounts add up) click on the web link below:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/cycletourofireland

Since completing the 115miles of Stage 9 I thought a new pair of shades and clip-in cycle shoes would help speed me along on the rest of the tour ……… this has been a bit of wishful thinking on my behalf.

Out with the old broken shades and in with the new.

Out with the old footy trainers and in with the new clip-in shoes and peddles. I will now become at one with the bike.
As I find out on Stage 14 & 15 this is not so good when a gust of wind comes along, there is no way of getting your feet out to prevent a tumble.
I become at one with the bike........I fall over (twice) connected to the bike.

Stages 10 to 15, through Counties Tipperary (South), Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Dublin, Kildare and Laois, have been a hard slog. For example the moment I got on the bike at Nore Valley Farm, Co.Kilkenny to start Stage 12 my legs felt like lumps of lead and the whole cycle ended up being a very, very labored 76mile cycle. Thank goodness I had a rest day the next day.

But without doubt the hardest day of the tour so far has been the 70miles of Stage 14 & 15.  The combination of the hill climbs through Wicklow Gap, gale force winds, rain, sheep jumping out in front of me and falling off my bike twice made it a bonkers day. You know it is going to be a hard day's cycle when you have to peddle to go down hill (Rich Brown - any chance I could take you up on the offer of an electric bike?).

A peak just north of Wicklow Gap called Tonelagee or its Irish name “Tóin le Gaoith” meaning "back-side to the wind" captures the essence of the day.

Update on punctures

For the puncture sweepstake team (sick bunch) I have added a few photos to inform them on the brand and type of tyre on my bike. Anyone who knows his “onions” will be able to guess how the puncture rate is going?

Update on Stages Completed

Looking forward to Michael Pennance joining the team tomorrow (Thursday 8^th Sept.) for Stages 16 to 19. It will be good to have a fellow cyclist along.

Cheers

Ian