The shortest day has been and gone and the main race today was not between the 4 of us (although there was a very controversial end to the day's stage!) but with the weather. Having woke up at 7ish Conleth put on breakfast TV to catch the weather and it was apparent that most of the day would be clear and dry but a heavy weather front was arriving in Galway at 4pm bringing some heavy rain. Looking at the miles we had to cover, it seemed very doable so the challenge was set to get to Galway for 4pm.
Down fro breakfast at just before 8, we were all ready for the off around 8.45 despite Declan having to remount his pannier clamp and slowly into the first 10 miles or so to Lahinch. We have been following the brown signs with the blue wavy lines on for most of the way so far signifying the official "Wild Atlantic Way" and the Atlantic Ocean was a constant over our left shoulder for just about all of the day.
Just before the big climb up Moher Hill to the famous Cliffs of Moher the Garmin Sat nav took us off to the right. Although we have had a motto to always "believe in the route" we could see it would catch up to the route round the next big curve at the top of the hill. As usual off went Conleth to wait for us at the top as the groupetto formed between the rest of us to drag ourselves up the 12% gradient. Stopping at the top (or so we thought) to look at the shrine of St Bridget's Well, there was also a very tall monument next to it. Kieran went to have a look and called over " you won't believe what it's called...." We had found O'briens monument! Cue photos of a delighted Dec posed in front of it! Reading the blurb however we found out that it was erected from public subscription for the main landowner of the time Cornelius O'Brien. I knew his socialist principles were a sham......
Re-joining the route we were still climbing and as Conleth dissapered over the horizon again we edged over and past the big visitors centre for the cliffs and mercifully meant an end to the big tourist coaches that had been coming past us for the past 30 minutes. Pulling in at the top at the lay-by where Conleth was waiting the amazing vista of Galway bay and the Isle of Aran was spread out in front of us. The sun had also made a fleeting appearance and we'd asked an Irish motorcyclist to give Dec some tips on how to go round corners properly on a bike, it was down the lovely decsent back to the coast. Coming off the main N67 it was a technical descent into a little village just before Doolin and the decision was made to stop for a coffee and some cake with 20 miles done.
Despite Dec not being over enamoured with his carrot cake, the lemon slices me and Kieran had and the rocky road Conleth tucked away were just the job and we were ready for the climb over the "Burren". Steep straight away and getting steeper Kieran out of nowhere put the hammer down and with Conleth not expecting any competition now, taken by suprise it was man against man at 4mph to the top of the steep part of the climb with me spectating from 400 yards further down the hill as Kieran just edged him out of it! The first real (aside from mine and Declan's sham victories) KOM that Conleth hadn't won! The euphoria didn't last long however as after a short downhill the climb continued even steeper into the distance and Conleth was taking no chances this time!
Waiting at the crossroads at the top the route on the sat nav took us straight on past a sign saying no through road. Dec wanted to turn right and follow the cycle path, but as we all chimed "believe in the route" we ploughed on up the track as it got steadily worse and worse, finally ending at a rock strewn gate. "I am not riding through that" piped Dec only to be outvoted as Conleth opened the gate and set off slowly. Strangely Kieran didn't object as he usually hates anything that's not tarmaced, but as Dec pointed out he was not riding his own bike but Dec's spare one!
5 miles later we were still bumping along the path at around 6mph and the only person we saw was a 90 year old women out walking her sheepdog! How did she get up here? We all asked ourselves just before the path closed in further and we had to get off an walk. As you could imagine the chuntering coming from the back and Dec's direction was now reaching fever pitch, but all of a sudden the road reappeared and we were back on firmer ground. All the way along the top the view had been spectacular, and 3 off us had really enjoyed it! It had put us massively behind time with the last 10 miles being the climb and the bridle way along the top covered in 1 hour 15 minutes.
We decided we'd get back down to the coast road and see if we could find anywhere to have something to eat about 30 miles out. What followed was brilliant as the sun came out as we dipped down into Fanore with only a little more unmade road to go down (Kieran stood in front of the sign while we waited for Dec to come down the hill so he wouldn't realise....) and followed the coast road as it swooped up and down along the coast. Stopping for me to take a video, Dec and Kieran decided to take advantage and upped the pace while I was putting my phone away and zoomed off into the distance. It took me ages to catch-up and just as I did we pulled into Ballyvaughan, found a Spar, and had lunch.
We still had 29 miles to go and it was just after 2pm. We'd be pushing it to get there for 4pm, but we resolved to put our differences behind us and work as a team for the last leg of the stage, with only a small climb to get over near Ballinderren about 12 miles out. And for once we did! Making a tight train we quickly got to the climb and off dashed Conleth. With me at the back and struggling, I had a fantastic view of Kieran hanging onto the back of Declan's rack with his left hand getting a tow up the hill! It did the trick as Kieran closed the gap to Conleth and pipped him over the top to take his second KOM of the day!
Shinanigans over with, it was back to teamwork as we piled through the miles and turned right onto the horribly busy N18, using the hard shoulder as much as we could and Dec taking monster turns on the front as his arse was killing him and he wanted to get to the hotel as quickly as possible! The team work lasted until 3 miles to go when an incline up a head signalled it was time for Conleth to go. As soon as he did Kieran had had enough and with his knee giving him gip, it was left to me and Dec to give chase which we did half heartedly. That was until we rounded a corner and there was Conleth stuck at the red light! Result! With the straight road now into Galway we were altogether, but it was really busy and we were wary of cocking about to much. However a bus lane then materialised out of nowhere giving us a bit of leeway and I made a bid for it with a mile to go. Getting a bit of a lead, the lights changed ahead. Ahhhhhh! I slowed down and as Dec caught up I said " if there is one rule, it's that you can't jump a red light, right?" He said nothing just carried on looked both ways and jumped the red light! Tentatively I followed but it was done and he passed the welcome to Gallway sign to provisionally take the stage win.
By the time we all got the next half mile to the hotel there was a full scale row going on. Using words I won't repeat I was accusing Declan of being a cheating, kiniving, sly so and so, while Conleth was calling us both out on the red light issue claiming we should both be disqualified and he won the stage by rights. With Kieran already at the hotel ( how did that happen?) we decided to ask the commisares for a verdict, as there was none, we asked the hotel receptionist to adjudicate! She proclaimed Conleth the stage winner and disqualified both me and Dec! She must have thought we were stark raving bonkers!
We had also made it for 4pm on the dot and 20 minutes later the heavens opened, so in the end we were all winners.......A quick shower and change and we were out in Gallway braving the rain to have our tea where the discussion raged on. It was finally put to bed when Conleths evening meal arrived looking very much lady a lady's front bottom........
78 miles tomorrow and it looks dry at the moment but the 20 mph headwind we'll be in all day may mean we have to put our differences behind us to get through it.......
Just a quick reminder that although we are "on holiday" we are doing this for a great charity. If your reading the blog and you haven't put your hand in your pocket please go to just giving and search for Chris Glencorse and it'll be there. Cheers!
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