Clarinda Kildea

Hello,

I am taking part in the Cybercycle Malin to Mizen on behalf of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I will be covering 592km over the month of July which is approx a hefty 148km's a week in rain, hail or snow...which can happen!

All support is hugely appreciated - it is a very worthy cause. I will be giving updates on my spins as I go. Maps are found on the 'My Training' Tab which are from mapmyride / garmin. I may not be the fastest on most days but you can see where my gallavanting takes me! ;) 

01/07:15.96km to Skerries and back. Went well considering the wind and rain and now more traffic! Even though it was short, it was very tough conditions. Day 1 down though to settle the nerves ;) 

02/07:31.52k Skerries and Naul - lots slower than previous spin, was tough winds on the way back on the coast. I promise to take some pictures and add them on once the weather gets better! The plan is to cycle from North Co Dublin to Croke Park @ weekend - weather permitting! :)  

04/07:62.66k Balbriggan to Croke Park and back - very, very slow today. legs were heavy before i even got on the bike and then there was a headwind and rain / drizzle throughout. It was a tough spin but I managed to get the KMs in :) 

05/07: 17.69k Balbriggan to Naul and back - very, very, very, very (did I mention) Very windy today. Think its the slowest I have cycled out to Naul - head wind was in the region of 30-35 and westerly (appy said SW so I had hope it wouldn't be head on-it lied) but with a weather warning coming at 11am until 6pm, just got on with it. Very happy spin home, still windy but much more enjoyable than wondering if the next gust was going to take me clean off the bike. 

06/07: 31.52K Balbriggan to Skerries to Naul and back. Its been the week of Wind! really tough one this morning, winds gusty and very strong. 27% distance covered so far with another short spin planned for the morning. Rain is due but i will take a downpour any day of the week to not have near gales to cycle in! I appreciate all the donations and support - its all for a good cause! 

07/07: 15.96k Skerries Loop in the rain. Some wind but not as bad as it had been. Rest day tomorrow, will enjoy that! 

09/07: 31.53k Skerries Loop and Naul. Windy again, was tough enough but also had a car almost smash me into the ditch - they had decided to over take on a hill at a bend - with oncoming cars and as they approached me, speed up - sure why would you want to slow down like and hold up for a few seconds... Closest I have been to almost being mowed down. Car was slowed down by wordworks shortly after but didnt stop to even check if all were ok. I dont know who got more of a fright, the 2 cars coming against me or me! Its safe to say roads are back to Pre COVID times. Issues with Gears so bike went to local bike shop to get sorted - Next Spin will be a good one! 

11/07: 77k Balbriggan to Merrion Strand - Started out going to Croker again this weekend but decided it was such a lovely morning (pictures dont do it justice) but I decided I would go to Sanymount and then just a little further to Merrion Strand to have a refuel stop. I didnt realise it was 38k down the road! Returning back, last 10k were tough with leg cramp, had another refuel stop - but I got there in the end + it was a great spin. Longest so far this year! 

13/07: 31.52km. Skerries Loop + Naul - Tough enough today, legs still sore from Saturday's adventure on the bike but through the wind, rain, sun and a very select few mad yokes in cars - managed good mileage, passing Clarinbridge and 53% through on the map. Happy out to keep trucking along. 

14/07: 15.97Km. Skerries Loop - Cold this am and very breezy - tough coming back but good spin out to skerries and back. Looking forward to the lie in tomorrow morning :) 56% done, will keep trucking! 

16/07: 50.66Km. Naul Loop. Tough hills so am exhausted from this one. happy for a break from the bike tomorrow! 63% and almost in Limerick :) 

19/07: 92.99Km. Balbriggan to Sandycove. Was a gorgeous morning for a spin, lovely spin out to sandycove and really brilliant spot near the forty foot / james joyce museum for a refuel break where I took some pictures. Was going well on way back until 65-75k or so, started to get a little sluggish and wind picked up. took a few more stops than expected on the way back but finished in the time frame I had hope to. First 90km+ in a number of years but delighted I was able to complete it. I am 80% complete and in Cork so just motoring on now to finish in Mizen hopefully by the end of this week or start of next :) 

21/07: 42.86km - Skerries loop, up to Naul and back and out the R132 to top of a hill by an applegreen. Not bad for a tuesday. Tired this am, very little sleep but hardly anyone out at 5.35am! 87% done. Flying it now. 

23/07: 15.96km - Skerries loop. Nice and zippy spin after work. 

24/07: 31.49km - Skerries Loop and Naul. Weather = Awful. Traffice just as bad. second last spin before hitting Mizen - 95% completed. Will hit the goal in the next spin :) 

25/07: 31.55km - Skerries Loop and Naul Spin. Went better than yesterday, clip shoes will wet from yesterday but spin itself went ok. Like the start of this mission - it was very windy but being out early, not many people about so was a nicer spin.I have hit my target early so I will do a couple more spins before end of the month.