Up early this morning for a spin among the Wicklow hills.
The weather was near perfect - overcast but dry, cool and,
most importantly, barely a breath of wind. My route went by
Glencullen, Glencree, the Sally Gap, Laragh, the Wicklow
Gap, around Pollaphuca reservoir, back up the Sally Gap from
another side, Glencree, Glencullen, and home. The sun
speared through more and more as the day wore on. The high
hills were beautiful, the blanket bog all black/brown/red.
The lower slopes gorse yellow and green. A great day to be
out on a near silent vehicle going slowly enough to take in
the surroundings. It was by far my toughest ride of the year
so far - 5 proper climbs, of which the highest was (I think)
the Sally Gap at 500m, and 87 miles covered in 8 hours. I'll
feel it tomorrow. By the way, has anybody cycled up to the
RTE mast at Kippure? The road says "private - closed to
vehicles" but at 750m it's very tempting - it must be the
highest bit of tarmac around here.
tony R.