Loaded up, with somewhere to go. Ireland.
The last 2,000 miles beckon, around the entire coast of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, via the remaining 45 RNLI Lifeboat Stations.
Fondo is clean, oiled, fine tuned and ready to roll. Note the new orange T-shirt!
Since last year’s completion of the 5,300 mile circuit of all the non Irish bits of the British Isles, the legs have wintered well, thanks to fairly regular training rides. Some solo, some in the good company of my old friend and serious cycling buddy, Keith Graham.
Off to Fishguard next Tuesday, 11 April, for the Rosslare ferry. Many thanks to Carl, Fishguard Lifeboat crew and Port Manager, for arranging my passage with Stena.
Fundraising cycling resumes in earnest on Wednesday, with a 64 mile (that’s 103 km in Ireland) ride from Rosslare Harbour to Dunmore East, via Kilmore Quay, Fethard and Hook Lighthouse).
Just need to clear these last few timbers (brought down by storm Doris) from the garden and re-stock the log shed before I go.
rnli coastal cycle ride 
We’ve braved icy roads, fierce winds, some long hills and some beautiful sunny winter rides out to help get you to the Irish start line for your latest RNLI challenge – and a few cafe stops for hot bacon and egg rolls seemed to help too…!
So for now:
‘Stiffen the sinews
Summon up the blood…
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit to his full height’ – Henry V, Act 3 Scene 1
You’ll need stout legs for cycling those roads but there will be no lack of opportunity in the evenings in Ireland for that!
Wishing you well my cycling buddy
love -Keith x
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