Mallow to Cashel 78km

May 03, 2019

I woke early this morning to a bright sunny day. Had a good sleep and decide to get out of bed and sort my day and night bag. They haven’t had a good scour since I started the cycle and in order to stay half organised I need to sort them. That doesn’t take long so there is time to do some other housekeeping.

Breakfast is tea, toast and poached eggs with Fiona and Darragh and Gerry and Liam who are also on the cycle (father and son). Up and out by 8am and a lift back to the start. Its very cold this morning even though we were forecast good weather. At least there is no rain for now.

At the school, as soon as I get there, Gavin and Maggie arrive. Gavin is excited about the cycle and its great to see him here. We set about getting him signed on.

Rolling out of Mallow there is a longish drag which comes too early for me. Legs are never woke up this early.

The road to Mitchelstown is rolling and it’s a leg dragger. Michelstown itself seems to be built on hills and entering the school we have 200 meters of very steep climbing with the pupils lining both sides of the road. Even though I was choking for breath there was no way I was going to get off. So, it was push hard to get to the top.

Lunch was soup and sandwiches and lots of cakes. Very nice but I would have preferred something more substantial. Im getting to that stage were my body need a lot of sustenance.

Gavin is going well on the mountain bike even though it is quite heavy. Once clear of Mitchelstown the road levels out for the most part and its an easy spin to the Sos Beag in Cahir. Everyone is beginning to sense the weekend is upon us and the end of the cycle is near.

Then is the final push into Cashel. The Rock looks magnificent and I hear it will be lit up orange tonight in honour of our visit. That will be special!

Gail is keeping me tonight. I haven’t seen her and DJ for ages since she left Naas and Im really looking forward to the catch-up.

But first I hook up with Emily and Fred and Maggie who have come to cheer us in. Its such a joy that they have come up to greet us in as we arrive together.

They are off now for the weekend and taking Gavin away too. I’ll be sorry to see to see him go. They are off to Ballyhoura for a weekend mountain biking. That will be more to Gavins liking . But he did say he wanted to do some more road riding so I will lend him one of my road bikes for a while.

Back to Gail and DJ’s then for a shower, a lovely dinner, and a few beers and meet the 2 cats.