Distance: 128 km
Time: 5 hrs 58 min
Av Speed: 21.4 km/hr
Calories Burned: 4191
Av Heart Rate: 101 bpm
Ascent today: 2517 ft
Distance so far: 476 km
Left Athlone at 8.30 after the Full Irish. Pleasant morning; there had been rain during the night. A nice gentle breeze was assisting me all day and made the trip so pleasant. Afew drops after Ballinamore but not enough to bring out the gear. Shortly after checking into the B&B here in Enniskillen down came the rain, but it passed over.
Plenty of small hills today but not too testing. Some sharp ones just outside Athlone around Glasson. But the views of the lake compensated.
Today I crossed 5 counties - Westmeath, Longfort, Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. So different from the start - it took me till the 3 rd day to get out of Cork. Each county bids the visitor Welcome (except I didnt see one for Cavan).
In Westmeath I came across Tang - I remember that as a youngster the first book from the library I ever read was " Cornelius - Rabbit of Tang" Anyone ever hear of it?
Watching the prices of Diesel today they were all in the previous price range 117 to 127. Today I spotted one higher just after Ballymahon....almost 1.30.
I was on the watchout for Danesfort as I came close to Longfort. Couldnt find the village, but in nearby Stonepark they told me that it was a large townsland just back the road. It's marked as a sizeable village on the Ordinance Survey.
I was in Longfort in just over 2 hours..busy and colourful streets. Paid a quick visit to people with connections in Thomastown.
Lovely moving along the roads of Leitrim...lovely surfaces on most of them. Some were open to the elements while others were tidily cut through the hillocks and beautifully banked.
Have crossed a number of canals over the last 2 days. Yesterday it was the Grand Canal and today it was the Royal Canal and the Erne waterway near Ballinamore. And here in Enniskillen plenty of craft in the marina.
Stopped in Ballinamore for a bit of lunch in the town park. A busy place complete with underground carpark.
Coming in to Swanlinbar I noticed its Irish name...Muileann an Iarainn ( The Iron Foundry) and there was such an industrial activity here. In fact the name Swanlinbar was concocted from bits of the names of four investors in the foundries.
Over on my left proudly stood the Cuilceagh Mountains...isn't that where the Shannon rises?
Crossing the border just after Swanlinbar almost went unnoticed. Not a mark on the road; no indication. Just a road sign advising motorists that Speed Limits are now in miles-per-hour.
From then on I did notice a change in driving habits. Quite a few cars and trucks pulled out even when I was very close to junctions. I just needed to be a bit more aware. Wonder will this driving habit persist up here.
So arrived into Enniskillen at 3.45 and found the B&B quickly.
A lovely days cycling. I notice that I am using the big ring more than usual and so the average cadence has dropped. heart rate has also dropped, but that usually happens after a few consecutive days cycling. Enjoying every kilometer. Must adapt to miles up here on the signposts. Converting will keep the brain active ..multiply by 8 and divide by 5.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.