Day 2 stats: 79 miles, 3,628 ft of climbing, average speed 14.5 mph, time in the saddle 5 hours 27 minutes, calories 2517
What a difference a day makes! Despite some conflicting weather reports about what the afternoon would bring it remained by and large clear, and we even saw that mysterious orange bauble in the sky at some points! Wonders will never cease! It made the day much more enjoyable although the scenery was not really up to yesterday's jaw dropping standards and meant we could concentrate more on race tactics and mental disintegration of the competition in order to make the miles tick by quicker!
Picking up the 2 bags of clean bike kit the receptionist in the hotel had kindly agreed to wash for us late last night at breakfast at 8 ish prompt, the usual cereal/porridge combination was dispatched and there was severe peer pressure put on Kieran to tuck into another full Irish, but with him knowing about the avalanche of food his Aunt Polly would throw at us when we stopped there 30 miles into the day he wisely stuck with only a couple of sausages.
Getting the kit to the rooms it wasn't quite dry so the hotel rooms hand dryer was used to full effect or at least until it's thermal cut out switch rendered it inoperable drying the last of the clothes and both our shoes. Dec wasn't having any such problems with his requisitioned oil radiator as well as the main radiators he'd managed to dry everything out at the expense of his room being like a sauna all night.
Bags packed and bikes retrieved and it was out into the traffic through the centre of Killarney and twice round the main roundabout before we found the right way through town. With a grand total of 0.6 miles done it was time to stop again as Kieran saw a bike shop that was open. Getting the bike mechanic out to look at his bodge on his pannier rack, he was pretty impressed and said it would hold for the next few days and there was nothing else they could do. Taking the opportunity to borrow their track pump to get some air in the tyres and a bit of lube on the chains after yesterday, there was only time to ogle at the bike porn in the shop before getting back on our battered, heavy bikes and finally get underway. It was 10am!
Taking it easy out of Killarney the route took us on the back roads to Tralee avoiding the very busy N22 it was time to ease into it gently before the big climb at Batterfield over the Tralee hills. As he had smashed us all yesterday, once Conleth ambled past it was all over as a race. There was a chink of light however as their was a turning on the left half way up the climb that would take you onto the N70 and as Conleth was the only one without a little Garmin sat nav, he was unsure wether to carry on or turn left. We did discuss giving telling him to turn left instead of going straight on, but decided even if we did he'd catch us before the top. Telling him straight on it was clear he could smell a rat and slowed up, constantly looking over his shoulder to check we wouldn't turn left! Ahh honour among thieves!
At the top a quick drink and a banana and down the hill onto Tralee, but not before Dec's driving Miss Daisy descending in the middle of the road forced us all to slow down behind the van that was stuck behind him! At the bottom it was a left turn and down some single track, including a mile stretch freshly surfaced covered with chippings and into lovely Tralee. With Kieran's aunt Peggy 10 miles or so further on, we decided not to stop but push on out of Tralee to hit the second big climb of the day. Usual service of Conleth disappearing up the road while we hung on together for grim death and 15 minutes later it was nearly over and Conleth pulled over to the side of the road waiting. He had, however made a schoolboy mistake, stopping 100 yards short of the summit. Both my and Dec realised at the same time and the old rivalry was rekindled as we increased our pace to at least 8mph and I got over first, just! Chalk up another hollow victory! With Conleth catching up and complaining vigorously about the unfairness of it, we pulled up so Kieran could phone his aunt to put the tea on.
20 minutes later down a fast R556 we were turning off left down a side lane to find Kieran's aunt Peggy's house which he'd last been to 31 years ago! He'd already warned us about her legendary hospitality and as soon as we were in the door we were ushered to the set table and the feast began! Given we were only 30 miles in we were going to stop for lunch later on in the day, but the tea, home made scones, soda bread, ham, cheese, tomatoes, more team and Madeira cake seemed rude to refuse! An hour later we staggered out like lions who'd eaten a whole antelope, thanked aunt Peggy and her daughter who'd also popped in, taken a few photos and set off at 1.30 with 50 miles to go.
Back on the arrow straight R556 at last we organised ourselves back into a train to combat the strong headwind we were now going into only to disagree about the turn off to Tarbert where we would catch the ferry from. The turn off said 26 km but the route took us past it. Shouting "the route is the route" with reluctance they all followed and we were rolling into Balleybunion and out the other side on the climb up to Astee. As per of buggered Conleth into the distance with us labouring behind. He didn't get as far ahead as usual though and although he got over the top first I piled past him claiming the top was a bit further ahead to wind him up. While I was speeding along, Kieran joined me and sitting behind him while pilling along at 20mph the fun and games started for the intermediate sprint at the ferry terminal, even though it was 18 miles away. I got the jump on KC and for around 5 miles was all by myself until Conleth blasted past and disappeared into the distance. The last I saw of him was a spec in the distance at Ballylongford and then all of sudden Dec came hurtling past only for his rear light to fall off around 10 secs later and smash to tiny pieces in front of me. Using the Top Gear measure of not stopping to help a mechanical I commiserated him on his bad luck ( I didn't really) and took off for a firm second at Tarbert. Pulling into the town I was searching for the sign for the ferry when Kieran came past me at light speed shortly followed by Declan! How have they done that?! We went past the sign saying still 2km to the ferry and despite the mind being willing the legs were weak and Dec sped into the distance panniers wobbling to win a deserved 2 place. Conleth filmed us in and said he'd been there that long he'd Benin over and back on the ferry already.....
On to the ferry, a quick cup of tea, and a glance at the watch and we'd done the last 18 miles in under an hour! We now only had 22 miles left and it was only 3.30 so with a vow to take the next bit easier it was the climb out of the ferry terminal and back down to the coast. Stopping at Creegh for a top up of water bottles and a 4 pack of double deckers there was time for a photo with the Trump hotel sign and on to the last 15 miles to Spanish point.
As with yesterday the positioning for the stage win started at 11 miles to go with Dec stretching the pace a gaining 200 yards. Constantly looking over his shoulder I asked Kieran if he thought he was trying his luck. "Definitely" was his reply. "We're not going to let him get away with this are we" I said and Kieran upped the pace and slowly started reeling him in. It took about 3 miles but sure enough we were close enough for me to jump across to him. When I popped up alongside he admitted he thought it would be Kieran and they would be able to work together to beat me to the finish! With that the cat and mouse carried on for the next 4 miles with both of us unwilling to sit on the front, it getting so bad we had almost braked to a standstill, it was turning into a track race! All this cocking about had let Kieran and Conleth catch up and with 3 miles to go were all together. We all knew that if we left it too late Kieran would always win the sprint so when we found out later that Kieran's brother came past in the car shouting for us to get a move on the phoney war was over and it was balls out for the line! Luckily a steep downhill meant I could use my small stature to carve a lead then closing my eyes for the sharp corner at the bottom at a little village by the sea, Quilty, we were cheered on by Kieran's brother and his family who had stopped by the side of the road, and not looking round powered down the sea front road for the last 1.5 miles until a little punch of the air as I went past the Spanish point sign meant I had won! Greated at the hotel 100 yards later was one of Dec's best friendS Greg, just as Dec came hurtling round the corner closely followed by the other 2 and another day was done! I can honestly say the last 11 miles today was the most I've laughed on a bike!
As it was only 5.30 we quickly checked in and quick shower later it was into the bar for a glass ( half of Guinness over here) and an evening with Conleths brother Kieran, his partner Siobhan and her daughter Hannah and Dec's friend Greg. I'm going to be an adopted Irishmen by the time it's all over!
Only a short 68 miles tomorrow, here's hoping the weather holds.....
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