WILD ATLANTIC WAY DAY 1
Well, it stopped raining at 6 am. Breakfast was delicious with plenty of variety and choice. I think we were all a bit apprehensive of what was ahead on our first day. We got our new jerseys and rain jackets and had a bit of catwalking to see "is my bum too big in this"!!Great to chat to people while we were preparing to set out. We have 2 masseurs travelling with us and I had the legs done after breakfast. Didn't think I was that sore!! large size wears for formal party cost below 100
Rolled out at ... 9.30 after a safety briefing and headed for our lunch stop in Ballyvaughan.We had no sooner left when the rain came on. It was to last pretty much the whole trip.
The pace was controlled by our lead car and it was a flat start but it that didn't last long. By the time we hit the Cliffs of Mohir climbs we were pretty stretched. I got shelled out from the main group and spent the trip on my own. Out through Liscannor, Doolin, Fanore along the Atlantic Coast with the beautiful Burren on my right, until we reached the food stop in Ballyvaughan after 50km.
I was wet and cold and a delicious bowl of chowder didn't do the trick.
We had sandwiches and cakes and gallons of coffee.
Nothing for it but head out again into the cold. Cold and wet clothes were our lot. I thought I would die with the cold.
A few hills later the heat was back in the body, the road turned to rolling hills and flat and we decided to stay together to get through Galway City in an orderly bunch.
Rolling down through Kinvarra. Into Kilcolgan and on to Clarinbridge and into Oranmore. A circuit around central Galway, down through the docks area and out through Salthill.
The Connemara Coast Hotel was a welcome sight as we pull in.
Got my room and just peeled the lot off and got into a hot bath for a soak and a reheat!
Human again, into the bar for a welcome pint of Guinness before dinner.
Tomorrow it off Roundstone via Spidal and Inverin. About 100km.
Now it sleep time!

John B