Today’s train took me south of Dublin into the county of Wicklow, also known as Garden of Ireland.
It lived up to its name, no doubt! I have taken the bike on footpaths before accepting to carry it part of the track but Cliff Manor and Bray Head became a jungle at some point in time.
Wicklow and its Mountains National Park remains on my target list.
Tomorrow is a rest day!
Fair winds…
My two objectives for the day were 50km spinning on flat terrain and get the bike on the train. Skerries, a small seaside village north of Dublin became the starting point of the bike ride.
With an electronic barcode ticket on the phone for me and the bike, we got on the Commuter train in Dublin Pearse, which is also the starting point of this particular line. Even before we crossed the River Liffey in Dublin we clocked two minutes delay, which is perfectly illustrated on the live-map.
A quick but intense rain shower allowed us for a welcome coffee & cake in Skerries before hitting the tarmac back into Dublin.
There is no reason not to enjoy future Rail & Bike Trips in Ireland. Good system, where the bike travels for free on all trains!
Fair winds…
Yesterday was arrival day but today is my really first day in Ireland. Recovery was high on the agenda yesterday as these nights at sea without sleep are paying its tribute. Back energized!
TS Maybe, my neighbour, was about to leave at 7am this morning and called for a short maneuver to release her from the pontoon, destination: IOM 🇮🇲
The weather invited for a bike ride and I discovered the peninsula of Howth. Not only posh, also offering hikes, beach & relaxed seaside ambience. 👍
Fair winds…
After 18 nights in Douglas Marina I decided to move on as weather windows – suitable for me – are rare in this part of the world. This island and its people are simply fantastic and offer much more than just the TT Motorcycle Race they are well known for. 536km B(H)iking gave me a little insight.
Sailing into the night under a wistful sunset, the waxing crescent moon was only two nights off from the first quarter but pointed the lady’s bow distinctively into the right direction for a short while before disappearing and leaving it to the stars to take over and keep the movie going on and on….
Upon arrival into Dublin Bay, wistful turned into mysterious and I was not sure where this welcome will end up! Keeping close contact with Dublin Vessel VTS on VHF Radio Ch12, gave me sufficient confidence to proceed until Poolbeg Boat & Yacht Club, passing through alternating fog waves.
As the harbour does not have many visitor berths, we have now rafted up against TS Maybe, a Tall Ship build in 1929 with an interesting history and crew.
Time for me to digest and call it a day being back in lovely Ireland 🇮🇪.
Fair winds…
I went out 🚴♂️ today to see some more beautiful glens and did not get disappointed at all. It is sheer unbelievable how diverse the landscape on this relatively small island comes across. Packed with natural nutrients!
The Court Cafe in Ramsey has been my pit stop for a few times now, where I enjoy tasty home made cakes!
On the final miles back into Douglas the rider to finish became a rider to race, a race, electric against ego. 😅
Fair winds…
Today, I was 🚴♂️ riding along the TT Mountain Course, which is 60,72km long from start to finish. Well, my average speed close to 20km/h.
Since 2023, the lap record sits with Peter Hickman and his BMW M1000RR Superstock bike closing the circuit in 16min and 36.115s. Well, this equals to an average speed of not less than 219,447km/h! Unbelievable, riding to race. There are onboard YouTube videos on this lap, which are better looked at before rather than after a meal.
Talking records, it is worth to mention that the TT Isle of Man races are the deadliest in the world, with more than 250 people killed since its inception in 1907! In other words, more than two people killed every year, statistically speaking.
I will stick to my 🚴♂️ rides to finish!
Fair winds…
It was the 9:20am feeder train from Villa Marina taking me to Derby Castle Station, from where I picked the 9:40am Electric Railway going north towards Ramsey again. The feeder train was special, 1 horsepower pulling us along the promenade to catch our connection. Timewise the horse Torrin was much more punctual compared to the Steam Train yesterday!
Today is the final day of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2024 and my program got packed suddenly to make the most out of it.
After switching from horsepower to electric we arrived after a bit more than one hour timely in Ramsey, where another great piece of history claimed a remarkable milestone today, thanks to the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust.
Queen‘s Pier was open to public and the 8 horsepower locomotive Planet took passengers on a short ride again, first time after 43 years. All respect to the charity organization for their dedication into such a complex project.
On the way back to Douglas I stopped at Groudle Station. Glen and railway could not be missed and both offer a perfect example of integration between these two very different fields of interest.
Upon arrival back at Derby Castle Station there was a shift change and 🐴 Nelson, a stable mate of 🐴 Torrin, pulled us back to Villa Marina Station.
Another great day on a great Island!
Fair winds…
The early morning steam train left Douglas with a 30 min delay and arrived 90 min late into Port Erin! Wow. It operated today in accordance to the original time schedule from 1874. Well, I was assured that the delay was caused by some unexpected events and definitely not normal during the good old days! 😅
One of the reasons was without doubt the popularity on today’s celebration having extra passengers and therefore the demand to add more wagons on short notice but also having the governor of the island joining.
However, we finally made it and my body and mind were already tired before I even hit the road. Glen Maye was my destination for the day, one of the many glens cutting sharp and deep into the rocky island. I did not get disappointed compared to the effort put in.
Fair winds…
The steam was on for 9:50am to get with the first departure of the day to Port St. Mary. Here started my coastal hike around the southern “peninsula”.
Despite the cloudy weather the track presented itself quite colourful and as described by the IOM Tourist Board: Rugged cliffs, rolling hills, picturesque glens, hidden coves and panoramic views! Nothing to add.
With less steam in my legs, the train from Port Erin took us back to Douglas.
Fair winds…
I could not let the foot off the pedal and off we go, back in the saddle today.
The Manx Heritage Transport Festival is in full swing on this island and I purchased a 5 days GO Explore Card, which entitles travelling across the island on all busses and trains. While the busses are all state of the art, the heritage focuses on the trains. 150 years of steam railway and 125 years of electric railway are the two main anniversary milestones being celebrated this year.
I cycled up to Snaefell Bungalow, left the bike behind and jumped on the train coming from Laxey taking us up on the final miles to the Snaefell Summit, the highest point on the Isle of Man (621m).
Second on my agenda was the tea room at Groudle Glen Railway, but unfortunately it will only reopen over the weekend. I will give it another try then.
Komoot 🚴♂️ recordings to be corrected: 39km over 600m altitude on tarmac and gravel, balance on rails!
Fair winds…
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