Wee cycling trips in the wee county

 Covid 19 is still impacting on all our lives. Due to the increase in infections a 6 week lockdown (Level 5 up from Level 3) was imposed by the Government on the 22nd October 2020. This lockdown limited among other things travel to within 5km of home. This has severely curtailed almost all outdoor activities including cycling. Trying to keep up my level of fitness is difficult with these restrictions, however, I do get limited cycling both on indoor trainer (boring) and within the 5km  of home. Here are a few photos from my recent travels around Dundalk. 

Heynestown Church

Castle adjoining Church

St Oliver Plunkett Shrine

Covid 19 Coronavirus

Sadly the Corona virus is still with us. Travel restrictions are in force countrywide. Only travel within our county allowed.

Unfortunately due to increasing number of cases the Country has been moved to level 5 and now travel is only allowed within a 5km radius of our home for 6weeks to early December.

Businesses are forced to close on a temporary basis and sadly many are going through very hard and depressing times. I fear many will not survive.

This restricts cycling and plans for a cycle tour around Ireland in October had to be shelved. Similarly travel abroad is also a problem due to increased cases and likely quarantine requirements either in the visited country or on returning home. 

Have to be content with cycling within a Radius of 5km although this is not as bad as it seems and can manage around 50km while keeping within the regulations

Horse Power rather than Leg Power Roadtrip

 A  3 day 759km road trip on the Suzuki VStrom to Wexford. Camping at the Trading Post near Wexford town.  With good weather forecast from 14th September headed off on a 3 day roadtrip on my new VStrom. A different experience to cycle touring and at times uncomfortable due to the very warm weather and the need for protective motorbike gear. Nice to visit my home town Enniscorthy and Wicklow where my carest started.

Route Day 1: Dundalk, Dublin, Ashford, Wicklow town, Brittas Bay, Arklow, Gorey, Camping site 255km

Route Day 2: Enniscorthy, Monart, Caim, Curracloe, Wexford, Rosslare, Kilmore Quay and back to campsite 190km

Route Day 3: Wexford, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Gorey, Arklow, Woodenbridge, Laragh, Sally Gap, Blessington, M50 to home  305km

Weather: Beautiful autumn weather with daytime temperatures 20degrees. Foggy mornings until sun burned off fog.

Covid 19: Due the the virus Covid19 had to restrict contact with others and care needed with hand washing/sanitisation, mask wearing etc.,

Comment: While I enjoyed motorbike/touring I enjoy cycle touring more as it gives greater flexibility and freedom. Wearing the heavy motorbike protection gear, while necessary,was at times uncomfortable in the hot weather.  

Wicklow Harbour

Black Castle Strand

Black Castle, Wicklow

Camping at the Trading Post

A foggy Kilmore Quay, Co.Wexford

Caim Church, Co.Wexford

Monart Forge, Co.Wexford

Curracloe , Co.Wexford

Sally Gap, Co.Wicklow

Sally Gap, Co.Wicklow

Sally Gap, Co. Wicklow

Sally Gap, Co.Wicklow

Sally Gap, Co.Wicklow

 

Whats another year 2020

What a year and its only into its 8th month.

Had planned another cycling tour to Spain for 3 weeks at the end of February 2020 but then went and dislocated my shoulder a week beforehand. So trip had to be cancelled.

Had hoped to do the trip in April/May 2020 but then the beast from the east arrived named Coronavirus - Covid 19. This nasty virus caused major disruption to our lives not alone in Ireland but around the world.

New words became the everyday norm such as Cocooning, Washing Hands, Coughing/Sneezing in Elbows, Face Masks, Social Distancing, Clusters, Lockdown, R -numbers, Infection Rates, ICU, Ventilation and sadly deaths. Daily updates gave a myriad of statistics regarding new cases, new deaths and clusters of infections. 

Lock Down: Schools, Shops, Pubs, Social Gatherings, Travel,Restaurants, Hotels, Airlines, Public transport all closed or were severely restricted on 19th March 2020. 

Currently Infection Rates and deaths worldwide stand at 20 million and 750,000 respectively.

The Government/Health Services provided for a 4 phase reduction in the march lock down. 3 of the 4 phases went to plan but an increase in the number of new cases and clusters resulted in the deferral of phase 4 from the 10th August to the 31st August 2020. New clusters in Counties of Laois, Offaly and Kildare have resulted in lockdown of these three counties for 2 weeks from Saturday 8th August 2020.

Government advice is that no unnecessary travel should be undertaken and anyone arriving back from generally the popular destinations  are required to quarantine for 14days. 

Schools have been closed since March and are expected to reopen in early September.

At the time of writing the whole situation is fluid and who knows what in on the horizon.