Enniskillen to Derry
Distance: 93 km
Time: 4 hrs 39 mins
Av Speed: 20.6 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 107 bpm
Ascent today: 2213 ft
Calories burned: 2834
Distance so far: 569 km
Punctures: 0 but...
Left Enniskillen at 8.30 again with clouds looking threatening and the forecast was for rain coming in from the west. Traffic was heavy with many going to work on the building of the large Erne Hospital on the Irvinestown Road. Shortly I was on much quieter roads with plenty of tree cover. Just before Irvinestown the rain came; not a downpour but a heavy drizzle. With a west wind I knew it would blow over. Took shelter for a while (20 mins) in a disused petrol station. Hadn't been used for a long time apparently. I put some of the rain gear on and covered up the panniers. Luckily I didn't have to keep them on for long. For the rest of the day some drops fell at times but never made it unpleasant. Leaving Irvinestown I crossed into Tyrone and some very nice rural scenery.
Today was very much crosscountry. I turned on to one particular road as a shortcut. Just then noticed the name ...LONGHILL ROAD. Oh,oh. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. There were plenty of hills but half of them were downhill. Turned out to be a great idea.
Along these roads from Dromore up to Newtownstewart it was upland landscape like above Holyford on to Rear Cross. Not much tillage since I left Athlone. But land was improving and an amount of sheep to be seen.
Apparently, building has come to a standstill in towns and out in the country. In one case work abandoned and the foundations looked toxic.
Two items of road furniture that attracted my attention were bus-shelters and phone booths out in the country. And all cars aren't being parked between y In villages various halls were decked out in colour. Approaching the smaller towns local loyalties were demonstrated with a show of flags. Union Jacks and Ulster flags on some and a cricket ground. In others Tricolours up and a well appointed GAA ground with Summer Camps in progress.
After Newtownstewart and on to Strabane tillage appeared again. Plenty of grain and acres of potatoes. In one place it wasn't 'British Queens' that were advertised but 'Dublin Queens'
Diesel prices: after crossing the border yesterday I noticed that prices were the same and I took it that they were priced in Euro near the border. Today I found out that those prices are in sterling. So at £1.22, that's E1.46 at 83p/Euro. pretty dear. And the petrol here is even dearer than the diesel.
Shortly after lunch I approached Derry along A5. The road surface here was rougher than anything I had met so far. Along the country roads of Tyrone they were so smooth.
I checked into the B&B and decided to do my own cycle tour of the city. Passing by St Eugenes Cathedral I found myself outside Celtic Park. Again a Summer camp was on. Down in the Bogside I had a few photos by the famous FREE DERRY gable. Spotted a number of organised tour-groups being shown the painted gables. I had thought that the Bogside was a much bigger area. Then it was up to the ancient Walls. Great views all over the city. On the river side of the walls, a loyalist area isn't too happy with the situation. I cycled most of the circuit. ( Next challenge now is to do the walls of Limerick on a bike !) Derry has been designated UK City of Culture and theres a lot of work going on improving the old part. Streets are being re- paved, ovely fountains by the Guild Hall and St Columb's Cathedral being given a shine. The bike is a great way to see a city. Would have taken me a full day to cover the same ground on foot.
So back to B&B and parked up the bike. Then I noticed that the rear tyre was in bits. Don't know how it happened. Off the to Bees Bikes and in no time the new tyre on and Bertie (the dog) was a good company. Any time I let air hiss out of the valve he jumped into a frenzy and growled. So that's a new tyre; but it doesn't count as a puncture.
Enjoyed the day on the road and the tour of Derry. All ready now for the approach to Malin tomorrow.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.
Distance: 93 km
Time: 4 hrs 39 mins
Av Speed: 20.6 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 107 bpm
Ascent today: 2213 ft
Calories burned: 2834
Distance so far: 569 km
Punctures: 0 but...
Left Enniskillen at 8.30 again with clouds looking threatening and the forecast was for rain coming in from the west. Traffic was heavy with many going to work on the building of the large Erne Hospital on the Irvinestown Road. Shortly I was on much quieter roads with plenty of tree cover. Just before Irvinestown the rain came; not a downpour but a heavy drizzle. With a west wind I knew it would blow over. Took shelter for a while (20 mins) in a disused petrol station. Hadn't been used for a long time apparently. I put some of the rain gear on and covered up the panniers. Luckily I didn't have to keep them on for long. For the rest of the day some drops fell at times but never made it unpleasant. Leaving Irvinestown I crossed into Tyrone and some very nice rural scenery.
Today was very much crosscountry. I turned on to one particular road as a shortcut. Just then noticed the name ...LONGHILL ROAD. Oh,oh. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. There were plenty of hills but half of them were downhill. Turned out to be a great idea.
Along these roads from Dromore up to Newtownstewart it was upland landscape like above Holyford on to Rear Cross. Not much tillage since I left Athlone. But land was improving and an amount of sheep to be seen.
Apparently, building has come to a standstill in towns and out in the country. In one case work abandoned and the foundations looked toxic.
Two items of road furniture that attracted my attention were bus-shelters and phone booths out in the country. And all cars aren't being parked between y In villages various halls were decked out in colour. Approaching the smaller towns local loyalties were demonstrated with a show of flags. Union Jacks and Ulster flags on some and a cricket ground. In others Tricolours up and a well appointed GAA ground with Summer Camps in progress.
After Newtownstewart and on to Strabane tillage appeared again. Plenty of grain and acres of potatoes. In one place it wasn't 'British Queens' that were advertised but 'Dublin Queens'
Diesel prices: after crossing the border yesterday I noticed that prices were the same and I took it that they were priced in Euro near the border. Today I found out that those prices are in sterling. So at £1.22, that's E1.46 at 83p/Euro. pretty dear. And the petrol here is even dearer than the diesel.
Shortly after lunch I approached Derry along A5. The road surface here was rougher than anything I had met so far. Along the country roads of Tyrone they were so smooth.
I checked into the B&B and decided to do my own cycle tour of the city. Passing by St Eugenes Cathedral I found myself outside Celtic Park. Again a Summer camp was on. Down in the Bogside I had a few photos by the famous FREE DERRY gable. Spotted a number of organised tour-groups being shown the painted gables. I had thought that the Bogside was a much bigger area. Then it was up to the ancient Walls. Great views all over the city. On the river side of the walls, a loyalist area isn't too happy with the situation. I cycled most of the circuit. ( Next challenge now is to do the walls of Limerick on a bike !) Derry has been designated UK City of Culture and theres a lot of work going on improving the old part. Streets are being re- paved, ovely fountains by the Guild Hall and St Columb's Cathedral being given a shine. The bike is a great way to see a city. Would have taken me a full day to cover the same ground on foot.
So back to B&B and parked up the bike. Then I noticed that the rear tyre was in bits. Don't know how it happened. Off the to Bees Bikes and in no time the new tyre on and Bertie (the dog) was a good company. Any time I let air hiss out of the valve he jumped into a frenzy and growled. So that's a new tyre; but it doesn't count as a puncture.
Enjoyed the day on the road and the tour of Derry. All ready now for the approach to Malin tomorrow.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.