At the beginning of the Week Monday Morning I was laid low with a Stomach upset,I think it was Food Poisoning. I starting getting Pains in my Stomach on Sunday Night and by Monday Morning I had a Dose of what can only be described as in Dublin Parlance as Johnny Jump up,in other words I had the Runs.
This continued until 11 am on Wednesday and I could not leave the House . I missed the Dublin Cycling Campaign AGM and anything that was happening for Bike Week. I tried getting to the Post Office to pay a Utility Bil but had to get back to the House when I started getting the Pains in my Stomach. I tried again on Tuesday and made it there and back with the Bill paid.
By Saturday I was feeling much better and decided to have a look at the Cycle Races in Dame Street which had been closed off all around the Cobblestoned Narrow Streets of Temple Bar then up Dame Street to Christchurch Cathedral and back around Templebar in a Circuit of around 2 KM or 1 1/2 Miles. I looked at the Womens Race but could not stay for the Mens as I had to get Food and get Home. I tried to stay but realised it would be very late by the time it was over after 8 pm. The Mens Race the Excitement for it was Building up by the time I had left at 5.30 pm,an Eclectic Group of Irish Riders from Irish POST Sean Kellys Team and others in a Five Nations Race, Ireland ,England,Scotland,Wales,France.
On Sunday I went with the Dublin Social Group on a Trip along the Grand Canal to Roberstown but we only went as far as Sallins because we were all Knackered Tired. The Pathway or former Towpath was nicely Smooth as far as Clondalkin because the City Council done a Grand Job on it but those Metal Barriers was Cruel trying to go under them over them and through the Gates. That was the only annoying thing about the Trip. After Clondalkin the Pathway became rough and Wild and you were Cycling through Long Grass then Gravel as you were in the Countryside. Also there was some Muddy Motorbike Tracks that I got caught in and fell of the Bike Twice. Most of the Group had MTB's with just three of us with ordinary Bike's.it would have been better with the Thick Tyres in the Rough Ground.
We stopped in Hazelhatch at a Canal side Pub for some Drinks at 12 am but it was still closed so we had some Lunch at the outside Picnic Tables.
Then continued on to Sallins and had our Lunch and Drinks there and Elected not to go any Further to Roberstown as we reckoned we had enough. The Sun was very Warm,it was just like the Mediterannean and these little Canal side Pubs are very Inviting. There was some kind of Pro IRA Festival going on in the Town with Bands and Singers Playing Rebel Songs and Loads of IRA Banners and the noise was Deafening,I found it Objectionable and so did the rest of the Group. So we coasted around to get some quiet Pub away from the Ru Rah Ra and Political Overtones.We Cycled up the Road then back down the Road of the Little Hamlet of Sallins,the Police were in force directing the Traffic Jam which had Developed. Then we found ourselves back at Square one at a Pub on the Canal side and settled back to some Food and Drinks.
After an hour or two we headed back to Dublin and at Leeson Street we gradually said our Goodbyes until the next trip. I was accompanied by a Polish Girl to the Malahide Road then we both went our separate way and said Goodbye until the next meet up.
It was very enjoyable and I estimate we went 65 km or 40miles 33 out and 33 back. It was sapping on the Energy because of the rough Ground and also those annoying Barriers to keep the Joy Riders off the Paths.
Pictures are 5 Pics of the Womens Cycle Race around Templebar and Dame Street ( All Hail the Conquering Champions ) the three Winners.
Dublin Social Cycle Group ,Trip to Sallins along the Grand canal Dublin, Ornate Pub at Hazelhatch,Englisman and his wife Browseing at the Canal side and Canal Barges. The Group having Lunch at Hazelhatch,two Polish Girls one English Chap and the rest of us Irish.
Along the way Ornate Cottage stop for Rest and Pictures.
