Followed by a Proper Ride

16. 09. 2017  Kilarney

Having removed the cover from the bikes, it was with some relief that we found them still intact after such a long lay-off. We decided to take on an undemanding circuit of a loch which lay nearby. According to our instructions we were to follow a route which passed a very grand house and thence to the start of our circumnavigation. Not only did we pass a grand house, we also passed a number of horse drawn carts and rode through quite a lot of horse doo doo! We did, however, locate our path (we thought). Weather was gentle if not hot and the path flat with excellent views of said loch. In amongst the plethora of signs was one for Torc falls. The waterfall was quite spectacular and just one of the many popular stops for the coach parties following the ring of Kerry. Al stayed with the  bikes, saying he would sort out our ongoing route, while I squished my way the bottom of the falls to take a photo. On my return, we remounted and took off …………….in the wrong direction! Fortunately, it was only a kilometre or so before we realised the lake was on the wrong side. Dah! Returned to the falls and then continued in the opposite direction and found ourselves on the lakeside, on a track with a very definitive one way sign indicating that bikes could not be ridden in this direction on pain of death! So, what does every law abiding rider do faced with such a directive, walk for the prescribed 1.5 km to a tea house. To our consternation this one way track continued in this direction for 4.5 kms. Do we walk, ride, run or fly? We had a cup of tea!

We walked/rode the next 4.5km on an excellent and wide track and saw three lots of oncoming traffic (e.g. three bikes/smug gits). In all our experience of cycle paths we were totally perplexed by the logic behind this one way system particularly as there had been no warning. It seems to me that all that was required was care and courtesy and the danger of collision would have been negligible.

We did finally return having completed 28 kilometres of interesting Irish logic but enjoyed some spectacular views and had been thoroughly entertained.

Yesterday was a bit more of a ‘proper’ ride. We left the van and rode to the start of the Gap of Dunloe described as’ one of the most spectacular places in Ireland, a narrow steep sided gorge 450m in depth and almost 4km in length’. What our guide book omitted was the mention of the steep climby bits. These were described as a ‘road which meanders through this awe-inspiring paradise interjected by a series of old bridges, ribbon like waterfalls and sparkling lakes’! It was quite pretty although not quite a paradise.  Slightly out of breath and having given way to walkers, motorists and numerous horses and carts, we reached the top and enjoyed a long and cold descent into Black Valley. This really was a complete contrast as few sight-seerers had the stamina to continue over the top. This was untouched countryside – a glacial valley of huge rocks and gushing rapids. A road so rarely used, that grass covered much of it. It probably felt more remote than it really was, but a lunch stop beside a small waterfall was reward for the journey thus far. Another fairly long climb returned us to civilisation and a more main road with the advantage of a café with cream teas. Yes, we were hungry again. The last 26km were admittedly along part of the ring of Kerry but no less beautiful for that. Apart from holding up numerous large coaches (all of which were very courteous) the descent back to Kilarney was uneventful. We were, though, beginning to feel the effects of not having ridden for some time and legs and lungs were relieved to find rest back at the van after a 60km round trip.