Distance: 104 km
Time:5hrs 8 min
Av Speed: 19.9 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 115 bpm
Calories Burned: 2979
Punctures so far: 0
Today it was an early start to ensure I hit Tipperary town at noon. I needed to leave time for inclement weather and possible punctures. I was off at 7.25 before breakfast was served. There had been some rain during the night. Clouds were low, slightly overcast but no mist.
Over the first few kilometres it was a gentle rise out of the valley of the Blackwater along the N20 with a broad shoulder. Road was surprisingly busy for such an hour on Saturday morning. After New Twopothouse the road surface deteriorated and the shoulder disappeared. (Diesel prices were not attractive today with 127.9 /lt in places.)
I paused for a while in Buttevant by the monument commemorating that two-horse race in 1752 from the steeple of the church in Buttevant cross-country over the ditches and dykes to the church steeple in Kanturk ( the first steeplechase).
Passing the showgrounds in Charleville, I see that tomorrow they are attempting a world record for the largest collection of single-cylinder tractors.
After turning 90 degrees to the right in Charleville I was on a long stretch of recently resurfaced road. Plenty of loose chippings. I needed to shield myself from possible flying stones from passing traffic. No incidents to report.
Place-names really fascinate me as I cycle along. Buttevant in Irish is Cill na Mullach (The Hill of the Church). Could be used for Kilfeacle. Outside Charleville I spotted Gortaderk ( in Irish Gort na Deirce…the tilled field of the poor). I’m sure there is an interesting legend or explanation here.
So, in Kilmallock I had some time before the local Bistro opened for breakfast. Some interesting antiquities around the town. Both Gates are in good condition at the west and north ends. The west gate (Blossom Gate) is one of the finest preserved medieval gates in Ireland. Then a good appetite for the full Irish.
Cycling along I always admire the fine sporting arenas (GAA, soccer, rugby and community fields) even in rural areas. And all of top quality that many a town would envy. At Martinstown just outside Kilmallock is one of the finest modern GAA complexes I have seen. All organised by JP McManus ( indeed a good benefactor of Abbey India Project over the years). Then Elton Community field with the youngsters already gathering for the day’s activities. In Emly, the GAA field was unusually flying all the European flags along the road wall. This I’m sure is for the Entente Florale. Hope the judges look favourably on what they saw in Ireland’s tidiest village. The flowers down the main thoroughfare are very impressive. A local strongly advised me to make a short visit to the Gardens behind the church. I wasn’t disappointed with the Four Seasons Garden – a colourful haven of sensory stimulation. Best of luck, Emly.
Up through the country my eye is regularly caught by farm buildings by a local Tipperary enterprise. Some were old and some newer. Just shows that they have been providing a quality product for a long time in terms of design, fabrication and erection.
Shortly after 11.00 I made contact with Tipp Mid West Radio to give an update for the last 24 hours. Some people I met later on commented on these daily reports….the power of local radio. Just after that a number of Lattin people made the effort to meet me along the route to wish me the best.
At Shronell just outside Tipp town, some of the Tipp Wheelers rode out against me and accompanied me into town. Such active support was much appreciated. Thank you Tony, Dermot and Martin.
We arrived in Tipp shortly after 12.00 and over a period met up with all the collectors at the various outlets. They reported great support from the public since this was a local Third World initiative. Thanks to all who kindly contributed to today's collection.
In the centre of town I was welcomed by Michael Ryan and by Bernadette Thabah, a native of Shillong and living in Co Tipperary who has maintained contact with the Abbey India Project since 2002. This was a pleasant surprise...she had heard of the cycle and collection on Tipp Mid West Radio also.
Shortly after 3.10 pm it was time for me to hit the road for Thurles, todays destination. The day had warmed up nicely and an amount of harvesting was under way over by Holycross. Still there's time for good healthy rural entertainment in different localities around.
I arrived in Thurles just after 4.30 after another enjoyable day's cycling. Tonight I spend at home and resume from Thurles at 8.00 in the morning.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.
Time:5hrs 8 min
Av Speed: 19.9 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 115 bpm
Calories Burned: 2979
Punctures so far: 0
Today it was an early start to ensure I hit Tipperary town at noon. I needed to leave time for inclement weather and possible punctures. I was off at 7.25 before breakfast was served. There had been some rain during the night. Clouds were low, slightly overcast but no mist.
Over the first few kilometres it was a gentle rise out of the valley of the Blackwater along the N20 with a broad shoulder. Road was surprisingly busy for such an hour on Saturday morning. After New Twopothouse the road surface deteriorated and the shoulder disappeared. (Diesel prices were not attractive today with 127.9 /lt in places.)
I paused for a while in Buttevant by the monument commemorating that two-horse race in 1752 from the steeple of the church in Buttevant cross-country over the ditches and dykes to the church steeple in Kanturk ( the first steeplechase).
Passing the showgrounds in Charleville, I see that tomorrow they are attempting a world record for the largest collection of single-cylinder tractors.
After turning 90 degrees to the right in Charleville I was on a long stretch of recently resurfaced road. Plenty of loose chippings. I needed to shield myself from possible flying stones from passing traffic. No incidents to report.
Place-names really fascinate me as I cycle along. Buttevant in Irish is Cill na Mullach (The Hill of the Church). Could be used for Kilfeacle. Outside Charleville I spotted Gortaderk ( in Irish Gort na Deirce…the tilled field of the poor). I’m sure there is an interesting legend or explanation here.
So, in Kilmallock I had some time before the local Bistro opened for breakfast. Some interesting antiquities around the town. Both Gates are in good condition at the west and north ends. The west gate (Blossom Gate) is one of the finest preserved medieval gates in Ireland. Then a good appetite for the full Irish.
Cycling along I always admire the fine sporting arenas (GAA, soccer, rugby and community fields) even in rural areas. And all of top quality that many a town would envy. At Martinstown just outside Kilmallock is one of the finest modern GAA complexes I have seen. All organised by JP McManus ( indeed a good benefactor of Abbey India Project over the years). Then Elton Community field with the youngsters already gathering for the day’s activities. In Emly, the GAA field was unusually flying all the European flags along the road wall. This I’m sure is for the Entente Florale. Hope the judges look favourably on what they saw in Ireland’s tidiest village. The flowers down the main thoroughfare are very impressive. A local strongly advised me to make a short visit to the Gardens behind the church. I wasn’t disappointed with the Four Seasons Garden – a colourful haven of sensory stimulation. Best of luck, Emly.
Up through the country my eye is regularly caught by farm buildings by a local Tipperary enterprise. Some were old and some newer. Just shows that they have been providing a quality product for a long time in terms of design, fabrication and erection.
Shortly after 11.00 I made contact with Tipp Mid West Radio to give an update for the last 24 hours. Some people I met later on commented on these daily reports….the power of local radio. Just after that a number of Lattin people made the effort to meet me along the route to wish me the best.
At Shronell just outside Tipp town, some of the Tipp Wheelers rode out against me and accompanied me into town. Such active support was much appreciated. Thank you Tony, Dermot and Martin.
We arrived in Tipp shortly after 12.00 and over a period met up with all the collectors at the various outlets. They reported great support from the public since this was a local Third World initiative. Thanks to all who kindly contributed to today's collection.
In the centre of town I was welcomed by Michael Ryan and by Bernadette Thabah, a native of Shillong and living in Co Tipperary who has maintained contact with the Abbey India Project since 2002. This was a pleasant surprise...she had heard of the cycle and collection on Tipp Mid West Radio also.
Shortly after 3.10 pm it was time for me to hit the road for Thurles, todays destination. The day had warmed up nicely and an amount of harvesting was under way over by Holycross. Still there's time for good healthy rural entertainment in different localities around.
I arrived in Thurles just after 4.30 after another enjoyable day's cycling. Tonight I spend at home and resume from Thurles at 8.00 in the morning.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.