Training Log Archive: roar

Galway -> Ennis -> random place -> Ennis

With Gina (on Clo's bike) as far as Ennis. Had considered going around the coast but it would be a long solo day if I did that which didn't seem all that fun. We started before breakfast as our hotel didn't have any with the plan of getting some on the way. Sunday morning in COVID though and there were not many places open. Stopped in a garage and got some bars and stuff anyway. Got overtaken by a huge group of Galway cyclists on the next bit, I stuck onto them for a bit just to see what it was like. Very easy compared to with just 2 people. We took a route that just skimmed the edge of the burren. IT was a bit weird becuase we were just going along this verdant leafy road when suddenly there were loads of cars parked with people sleeping in them (after 10am by this stage). Turned a corner and bam Burren area. Stopped for a few pics and battled on the Ennis. I say battled, we encountered some awful road surfaces on this stretch and both were not enjoying the saddle. Ennis and a huge hot chocolate was a welcome lunch.

I headed to meet the rest of the crew after lunch. Solo into what felt like constant uphill headwind towards Kilrush. At some point my right knee started to be a bit sore so I turned off for the coast, found a nice sunny spot and had a nap on a bench.

Last bit was quite fun, lovely tailwind group all working together having good chats and nice rolling hills. Cillin rolled off the front when everyone else sat up for food. When we had to work hard to make the catch, the last 15k turned into a bit of an actual race. Mostly with Brian doing all the work. Threw in an attack on a downhill but it didn't stick. Took the V in the sprint when I was the only one who saw the "Welcome to Ennis" sign.

Massive Indian for dinner. Top day.

Body was just at me so skipped a day, A little dissapointing that I had to, but for sure the better decision in the long run. Had I not spent most of the summer injured already probably would have just ploughed on but had a pain in the muscle just above my left knee which was too close for comfort.

Spent the day with Gina in Galway, bit of touristing, bit of eating and a visit to the seaside. An all round relaxing and enjoyable day.

E2 Clifden -> Galway

We would have liked to start earlier but were limited by breakfast times so got on the road at about 9:30. Today was slated to be the nice day with big tail winds. Little peninsula loop early, past the first transatlantic flight monument, gave us a little taste of both head and tail wind. Then we made some excellent progress to Roundstone. Sparesely popluated area this so there was a little bit of concern about where lunch was going to be.

Next section of tail wind was great but then going to out Glynsk cottages was grim enough. Little bit of an effort then to catch Gina when she went on ahead at a stop. Didn't eat at the 3 hour mark thinking lunch was coming and had a bit of a bonk at 3:20 at the bottom of a hill when lunch hadn't happenend yet. We then stopped about 5k later.

Some lovely cycling then for a bit and all 6 moving well, except there were a few sore bums. Worked to shelter Clodagh for the heading south leg with tasty crosswind. Brian, Cillin, Colm and me did an extra loop here somewhere and that turned into a bit of a "who can hold onto Brian" beasting session. Meeting up with the ladies then I could feel my knees compaining a bit about that.

Last 40k had an amazing tailwind so we motored along. Unfortunately it was a crazy busy road of a Friday evening so we also had to deal with quite a few sketchy overtaking maneouvres and general bad driving which made it much more stressful than I would ahve liked. Was quite the relief to get onto some cycle lanes in Galway city. My climbing muscle just above my left knee started to get really sore on this stretch too which was very concering.

Late by the time we got into town and with nowhere booked it was a struggle to find somewhere to eat. Eventually got a place that would let us sit outside in some back courtyard which was actually ideal.

Westport -> Clifden

Started off lovely, not too windy, nice flat road along the coast to get used to the bags on the bike. The headwind up to the Doo Lough gap was something else though. Difficult to stay on the bike at times. Good views though. Had a proper downpour just on the way into Leenaun before we stopped for lunch.

Group split after lunch, Brian and I went on the coast and the rest past Kylemore. We got anbelievably nice tailwind for this section and it was nice to reminisce from childhood summers here. Renvyle peninsula had more crazy headwinds up the back of Tully mountain. Brian fell over he was going so slowly. Eventually made it to Lettterfrack for coffee and regrouped.

Clo and Regina went straight to Clifden then while Cillin, Colm Brian and I did the last 2 peninsulas. The pace got pretty tasty and I suffered a bit but came good after a gel. More nice views. Bit of a race on the last downhill of the sky road, would have been last except for Colm's heavy bags.

Physio exercises. Squatting in all it's forms

Physio said try run a bit harder and see what happens. Knee was good, fitness was bad!

To Heuston in the absolute pouring rain. Got completely saturated and had to fully change for the train journey to Westport.

Cillin joined in Portarlington and then we also got wet cycling to the hotel, though not nearly as badly. Plenty of rain but a nice evening in Westport catching up with Niall, Colm, Clo and Cillinm none of whom I'd seen in ages.

Physio this evening. I've been mostly alright but my knee is still quite niggly at times, though not usually associated with running which is good. The issue has kind of migrated away from my patellar tendon, which is good I can keep gradually increasing my running while it doesn't make it sore, but bad because there still is a problem. It looks like one of the tendons on the side of my kneecap has been overworked but it should be resolvable basically through some intensive stretching and continuing rehab. If there's no improvement in 2 weeks, I have a letter to schedule an MRI.

I think it's fine to go on this cycle still, haven't had issues cycling of late anyway and I'll tape it up.