Long days, short cycles
Couple of late-breaking runs out to Aherla/Currahaly Cross.Trying to make a virtue out of the necessity of hugely late starts from vast procrastination, decided to out on the ol' bib tights again and make a "time" of them. Saturday I did it "backwards", out the main road all the way to CX. Slightly dull road, but relatively flat. Got there sans breather, 16.9km, 22.6kph. I was pretty pleased, though actually the "rolling average" had been up in the 23s for a while, until a couple of the little "drags" took care of that. Still, pretty pleased with that. Lengthy stop at Currahaly, including an Aldi apple. Then up the road to Aherla Cross -- and up it is, my chain shipped on the latter section. Rabbit loped away from me so leisurely that it practically seemed to be posing for photos (but not quiet). Back via Killumney, with the combination of the more undulating road, lack of light, and reducing puff slowing me somewhat. Decided to switch to the main road at Grange Cross -- why I cross there beats me, as I'm no great fan of that footbridge. Overall average speed was 21.1kph, which is still pretty decent for a 37km ride, by my own very modest standards.
Today, wanted to get an earlier start, but failed yet again. Compounded by one of my infamous "fruit at the bottom of the bowl" moments -- I couldn't find one of my cycling gloves, but was certain I'd had them after my last trip. Eventually decided to pack a pair of thicker gloves, and go barehanded. What do you know... the other one was lying just inside the gate, where I must have dropped it two days before. Out Curraheen then Killumney. The "no-breather" strategy wasn't working out for me, though I'm using stopping for a couple of snaps as an excuse, but it's the undulations that are more telling, to be honest. The 'orse (of the more usual colour) at Ballygroman was in a moderately sociable mood, coming down from the top of his field to the corner at the road. Didn't quite come within petting range, though I wonder if the thought crossed his mind, because he was shortly after having a damn good rub at his "scratching tree", with his rear end and his neck. Eventually did the 17.5km (it sez) out to Aherla Cross at 20.3kph. Several bonfires en route, including a fair-sized one just off the left of the road earlier, but most dramatic of all was the one I could see right on the horizon from Aherla. Photo doesn't do it justice, but the bright fire and column of smoke right on the line of the northern ridge had a real "beacon fire" look to it. Even if it was presumably just some dodgy farmer flouting environmental regs. Then down the road to Currahaly. Another apple, and a good swig of Aldi Summer Fruits High Juice, due to shocking lack of provision of Lidl OJ. Then on with the hiviz, and off back the main road. At the end of the 37km, averaged a fairly pleasing 22.0kph. I think that means I must have averaged over 24 for the return leg -- did it in about 42m, without a break (unless we count road junctions and fumbling at the gate for my swipe-gadget).