by Stuart
15. February 2014 10:09
They say your mind forgets the bad bits – I rode this last year and the only things I remember was crossing the Boyne with Marc and Marc steaming past me on the last stretch.
This year I remember more. To stop people getting cold, we set off a bit early as it was raining and a windy.
As we left Dublin we split up in the wind. Rather than chase, I held back and soon was in a group of 6 or so sharing the load nicely. Just before the first stop I tagged onto a faster moving group who were passing. This was a mistake as I was dropped shortly after.
Stopped for coffee and a bun at Ballivor, and then set off again. Picked up a bigger group and tagged along with them for a while. The weather cheered up and soon we were clipping along nicely in brisk sunshine.
Shortly after Clonmellon it got a bit lumpy and I lost the group but re-found Barry who I’d met earlier. He had decided not to kill his legs so early in the day either – like we had a choice.
Took my jacket off at Oldcastle before passing through a big puddle at Kings mountain, quick sandwich at Kells and then on into the evening.
After a quick stop at Ashbourne for water and chocolate, finished around 8pm – quick chat and back to the airport for a pint and my bus.
Certainly a lot less painful than last year and nice weather to boot. Good to meet a few new faces too.
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