What a great time we all had last weekend in the West of Ireland. Some might say it boys and their toys but I tell you it was one hell of a informative and enlightening trip. Getting the opportunity to ride with some class instructors and advanced rider really brings you on. The application of the road craft system was faultless and it was on poor surfaced back roads in the west of Ireland. Mind you my fabulous GS 1200 along with the other nine GS's did not have any issues with road surface or the odd bump or two. Joining us GS's where 3 BMW RT's,2 BMW K1200, 2 Pans, a Triumph and a Ducatti. Talk about some people like suffering or what??
We met up with the guys from England on Friday at Dun Laoghaire and then proceeded out to the M50 through the south side of Dublin until we turned off for the west. Picking up a few additional riders in Enfield and on then through the midlands , Cong and arriving in Leenan in Galway. Saturday was the most amazing , sunny and long day I have even spent on the bike. Leaving the Hotel at 9am it was raining heavy, Headed up toward Achill and hit some of the most spectacular scenery as the sun began to break through. Out around the coast and across the Achill sound. Spin around the island and then out again toward Belmulet, and the north coast of Mayo. The ride from Belmulet out the R314 to Ballycastle was breath taking as the cliffs along by the ceide Fields came into view. Reported to be the first location of farmed settlements in Ireland it is a magical place. We then turned south along Lough Conn, across Glen Nephin toward Westport. Not finished yet we took out to Louisbough and down through the Doo Lough Pass. If there could be a place that would conjure up the images of the little people and fairy's and turf loaded Donkey pulling carts then here it is. A very enjoyable pint was had after all that and the excitement was audible in everyone chatter at dinner.
Sunday and its South we went. Cliff den, Ballyconneely, to Roundstone. By the way, riding around the twelve Pins mountains and the conamarra lakes we did get lost a few times. Hugh Curran was our leader and admitted that circling around Mountains and Peninsula it was hard at times to know what direction we where meant to be traveling in. It was all taken in good adventure style. Riding the coast road right down to Galway bay and Spideal traffic was building and it looked as if it would be a hard fought journey to get to the Burren. So a change in plan was agreed by Hugh and off we when north again to Moycullen, Oughterard, across to Maam Cross. At this point it started to rain and the best road yet was traveled in heavy rain to circumnavigate the Maumturk Mountains back to Leenan for a well deserved rest and another enjoyable pint or three. Good crack, company and standard of riding made for an impressive weekend.
The standard and smoothness of the advanced riders is only to be seen and experienced to realise the level of comfort that is achievable with practice and good training. Our first AGM to form a New Irish Group to advance the ideas and training of RoSPA is to be held on 3rd Nov in Dublin and hopefully a good attendance will form an exciting group of like minded riders for training and enjoying the Art of Motor biking. I have not mentioned Monday trip back home as it was rain I never want to see again. Enough said.
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