13th June, 2025

The day started with some confusion. I had ordered a continental style breakfast for 4.30am. When I got down to the dining area the overnight porter said both the 4.30 breakfasts were taken and the next was at 5am. Some sleuthing deduced that one of the peeps tucking into a 4.30 repast had actually ordered his for 5am but with some limitations to his English had assumed what he got was what he ordered. Did it matter? Nah. the night porter just brought out the food and coffee and all was well.

I can confirm I was on the road by 5.09am as that is what this photo of Bantry Bay is labelled with on the computer.

The weather was much better than yesterday and views along the coast unfolded delightfully.

The first big climb of the day was Healey Pass about 6km long at 4-5%. A classy little climb with lots of hairpins and through some rocky terrain.

And then you get to the top and catch the view ahead and a cracking descent

I couldn’t get over how lovely the countryside was, how quiet the roads were and how good the petrol stations were as a source of food. I had heard tell that they were good but they exceeded expectation with their hot and cold deli counters, coffee machines and bountiful supply of carbohydrate laced nourishment.

There were also some cracking cafes and passing through Kenmare I spotted two other TAW cyclists finishing off food and coffee and one told me the pie was delicious. Well I had to, didn’t I! She was right. I think it was Paula who told me this and she will feature more later in the race.

Another pass followed, the Gap o Dunloe with twisty roads and fine views.

If I remember correctly the only traffic consisted of horse drawn traps and walkers so I was able to get someone to take a picture of me at the crest of the pass.

By this point I had done about 100km and it was not yet noon. On reflection I think the secret to the ride was starting early. I am naturally a morning person and starting around 5am means a good chunk of distance is behind you by lunchtime (whenever that is).

On my descent I came past a real life Trail Angel. I screeched to a halt and turned back to take advantage of his offer of energy bars. Thank you Dave, they were a very useful in addition to the sausage baguette and coke from a petrol station, a little later, that marked ‘lunchtime’.

Dingle marked the passing of 160km or 100miles. I have fond memories of Dingle as Linda and I took a bike ride out along the fuchsia hedged roads when we were there on our honeymoon and, once more, the fuchsia was in bloom.

I had decided I would try and make Tralee for the day and started looking on Booking.com for somewhere to stay. Unfortunately there was nowhere to book. It had also started to rain and I had to don my overtrousers as well as my jacket a couple of times. It was too hot to wear if not raining but too wet not to put on if it was. The downpours would only last 30minutes to an hour so it was a bit of a faff but I have learnt it is best to try and stay dry otherwise I can quickly get cold and chafe.

Before Tralee there was Connor Pass to be climbed. I am looking at my record on Strava and can see that it took me just over an hour to climb 6.5km with an average of 6%. Another lesson I learnt is to enjoy the climb at a pace I can sustain. There is always a descent to enjoy and catch up on some of the time lost.

I made it to Tralee and asked someone on the street if they knew of a hotel. they pointed me in the direction of The James Hotel. I asked the doorman if they had any rooms. “We only have a superior left at xxx euros”. I must have looked doubtful as he suggested trying a place across the street. It may have been a guesthouse but I could not fathom how to get in or connect with anyone so I went back and said I would take the room. “Any chance of dinner?” “The kitchen is shut now but let me see what I can do.” Meanwhile I got to my room, showered, put on a clean t shirt (I had to wear my bib shorts as I had no other clothes) and went back down to the bar. “Would you like a pizza?” Oh, how wonderful! A pizza and Guinness zero put me right and the doorman gave me extra biscuits and tea and coffee when he learned I was leaving before breakfast the next morning. I thoroughly recommend The James Hotel 🙂

It had been a good day and I had made more than 250km that day before I collapsed into a nice, comfortable bed, with the alarm set for early o’clock.