Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Well shit, let's stop here ok?!



DAY 6, Sun Sept. 8, 2019
Limerick ⇰ Ennistymon. Dist, 68 km, 20k/hr Avg, 3.5 hrs, Flat and easy

The Route:
Limerick, Thomas Bridge- L8570- N18- L @ N19 (Avoiding M1), R458, N85

   After a quick looksy at King John's Castle, (Outside only) we had an easy exit of Limerick. The weather was great as usual which I'm very surprised about. After following my route for a couple hours, I stopped in a small town for a snack at a picnic table. I ate my sub not far from an outdoor washing/drying machine service. This was a new sight to behold for me.
   The ride to this point was nice but soon after it turned back to the standard cyclist's nightmare. I was wondering what would happen if I got a flat tire. I would literally have zero room to repair the flat. This would force me to walk and push Shirley which would be a death sentence because my shoulder is minus 4 inches. Luckily, we had no mechanical issues, just thinking out loud. Swearing too!! Honestly, there really should be signage on roads like this to warn cyclists. I mean, there is absolutely nowhere to go. The road lane width is minimal and there is a wall of vegetation where the shoulder line should be. No wonder I haven't seen any cyclists yet (touring kind).
    Well, I was closing in on Ennistymon and rain began to fall. I slowed down to acknowledge the very small town but rolled on through. I thought of a B & B sign that I had passed and wondered...
Should we stop here? it was only 2:30 pm. I turned around to look at the B&B, We pondered and brainstormed for several minutes.  I was exhausted from dodging debris, foliage and trying not to get run over, also, I think the introduction of rain was the last straw so I decided to bail here. The owners were very nice, the room was strange, but we were very happy to crash early. I swear that I burn more calories from the stress of the road than the actual exercise.
    Everything I needed was a five min. walk (Beer!!)

The fact that I took this picture means that I had a moment to relax, otherwise there were lots of gravel trucks. They like rock here for sure. I had a generous zero inch shoulder for a while but at least I had a painted line. I have no pics of the worse conditions because it was too dangerous to stop

Super nice section, these typically don't last long. Highwaycat was very relaxed which is always a good thing.
Not that way

Getting around the freeway via some nice quiet rural roads, I enjoyed this short portion of my route.

Rest/Lunch break spot. Picnic table set up at a gas station (closed). Was interesting to see this laundry facility.

Castle. Highway viewpoint
Rocks n cows

Ennistymon street scene

Same

Residential

Not logical, but worthy of a pic

The new stuff

Highwaycat Homebase B&B

Reminds me of "The Shining" Not sure who resides in the attic door. At 50 Euros I was cool with this anyway. Highwaycat was furious. Whatever. Beer me cat!



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