Ride Coordinator: Sue Smith
Report by: Buzz Scher
BAC ‘Turas thair theas Éireann’ Tripper
[aka Southwest Ireland Tour Trip Report]
After two years of being postponed during the Covid pandemic, the BAC’s ‘Southwest Ireland Tour’ finally happened between 14 and 27 May for 23 of us fortunate to have secured a space. And while I ‘thought’ we were in Ireland – Immigration stamped my passport so in Dublin, everyone drove on the wrong side of the road, there was Guinness and incredible single malt Irish whiskey galore, the landscape was draped with lush green woods and open highlands, bright blue lakes, pastures and barren upland slopes crisscrossed with rough stone walls and a gazillion sheep, and lively pub music – it never rained on us during our 12 days of bicycling [in Alaska we don’t consider a drizzle ‘proper’ rain]; so now I am not entirely sure that is where we actually were! I even came home with a sunburn!
Being cyclists, we all share a particular interest in the distance and climbing metrics, so I will get that out of the way first. Briefly, the trip consisted of 12, 30 to 49-mile riding days (or more for those who ventured off-course at times – the club’s middle name is ‘adventure’); although two days afforded off-bike alternatives such as hiking and boat trips (e.g., to the Skellig Islands).In total we rode about 380 miles with almost 23,500 feet gained, or with all the add-on options about 470 miles and over 29,200 feet gained (the indomitable Scott Stroming did even more). Further, these days also included at least 11 climbs which, had this been a UCI sanctioned road race, would be rated at least Category 3 or 4 (2 km at avg 8%, to 6 km at avg 4%); at least one Category 2 climb (5-10 km at avg 5-7%), Conor Pass; and one Category 1 climb (5-10 km at >8%), Priest’s Leap. Point is this was one darn challenging BAC ‘2B’ ride!
It is hard to recall any criticism during the tour, although several (alright, me, the civil engineer) felt the posted speed limit on many of the ‘quiet’ roads away from towns, generally 100 kph, didn’t seem to consider line-of-sight and safe stopping distance. On the other hand there was no shortage of appreciation voiced daily towards such themes as (in no order): the overwhelmingly expansive and open view-scapes; incredible range of colorfully flowering plants and trees, especially the hedge-rows of fuchsia and rhododendron trees; delightfully open, friendly and helpful people; the surprisingly diverse and excellent cuisine, always served hot (I am likely not alone having returned home heavier than when I left, despite all the riding); bicycle-aware and courteous drivers; the rugged beauty and quality of the stonework exhibited in the rock bridges, walls and buildings; the day-long sounds of singing birds and bleating sheep; the abundance of small, family farms; Land Rovers with a border collie in the front seat; and old churches and cemeteries with colorfully marked grave sites. And by unofficial vote the ‘Dingle Loop’ was considered the most spectacular of the routes, with its combination of rugged, cliff-lined coastline and long sandy beaches, isolated farms and open highland slopes (seemed the sheep and cows have the best ocean views in Ireland).
Finally, special recognition goes to Sue Smith, our superb BAC trip organizer/leader; and John Trotter and Tony Boyd of Iron Donkey for ALL their daily efforts moving our luggage (not one bag got lost!), keeping the bicycles functioning, providing daily route briefings, points of special interest and historic information, and especially good humor.
This was truly a wonderful and memorable bicycling ‘adventure’. I now understand why several friends, who had participated on this tour before, said they so wished they could do it again – add me to that list.
Cheers - Buzz Scher (Anchorage, Alaska)
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org