Old Bikers never die, they just go on tour.

[Cousin Jack]

A few of you may be mildly interested to note that the resident silly old bugger has signed up to go off on tour again in 2024. This time it is Ireland, in July, again with Magellan.

Never been to Ireland on a bike but done two trips with the wife and car, some years ago now. IIRC the scenery is quite good, especially the west coast. This time we are doing a full circuit including the Norn Ireland coast which is also supposed to be good.

More info nearer the time, including pictures.

All deo volente of course, but I will try not to fall off my perch between now and July. This will be the 18th country I have ridden in only another 20 or so to go for a full set of Europe. Not too shabby, considering I didn't start touring until I was near 60.

And please don't tell me to enjoy the Guinness, I hate the bloody stuff!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Take your waterproofs

[weeksy]

and enjoy the Guinness

[Cousin Jack]

Read the effing post!

[Skub]

Set your suspension for comfort,the roads get worse every year.

[Cousin Jack]

Set your suspension for comfort,the roads get worse every year.

Yes, I do seem to remember a lot of potholes. OTOH England gives me lots of practice with potholes.

[Rockburner]

Take your waterproofs

Exactly what I was going to say.

I'd go further - invest in some non-wetting (ie shake dry) touring stuff so you don't need to stop when it rains, and you're not putting on wet stuff the next day.

oh - and spare gloves.

[Bustaspoke]

Set your suspension for comfort,the roads get worse every year.

On our Ireland tour last year,we were in a pub near Waterford one night & were asked 'about the roads,they were surprised when we replied 'Better than the roads back home'.

[Skub]

Set your suspension for comfort,the roads get worse every year.

On our Ireland tour last year,we were in a pub near Waterford one night & were asked 'about the roads,they were surprised when we replied 'Better than the roads back home'.

In Eire yes, they are a lot better than in Ulster.

[Tomcat]

I did a lap of Ireland in September, clockwise from Rosslare to the Copper Coast, the full length of the Wild Atlantic Way, the NI coast road and down through the Wicklow Mountains and Sally Gap. Breathtakingly beautiful countryside, though it must be said that after a while glorious coastal vistas all start to look alike. Lovely people though how much of the local craic you experience depends where you stay. I opted mainly for hotels which can be a bit soulless, though I did manage some pub B&B's too. The downsides, accommodation is quite expensive - Ireland is no longer a cheap place to visit - and the weather was shite. September should have been still OK but I got wet about 14 days out of 16 (the 2 dry days were awesome though).

Definitely a good experience overall though. For a small country Ireland has a lot to offer. It's in the blog: www.facebook.com/motosunburn

[Cousin Jack]

It's getting closer! Off on 4 July so no doubt there will be fireworks to celebrate my leaving, or arrival, or something. Anyhow, the reason for posting is that they now want the full balance for the trip, so no backing out from now on - I cant afford it!

[Dodgy69]

How many nights out does the trip involve?? I'd like to travel around Ireland sometime, taking time to enjoy it proper. Oh and please...when you get home, don't say I've "DONE" Ireland, it's sounds bloody awful and we never see every bit.

[Cousin Jack]

How many nights out does the trip involve?? I'd like to travel around Ireland sometime, taking time to enjoy it proper. Oh and please...when you get home, don't say I've "DONE" Ireland, it's sounds bloody awful and we never see every bit.

Basically 11 nights, + 1 day to get to the start (In the Peak District!) + another day to get home..

Details here
https://magellanmotorcycletours.co.uk/t ... rald-isle/

It is really a ride around the coast, all the middle bits are missed.

[Dodgy69]

Does look a good trip that.

[Cousin Jack]

It will be my 4th trip with this company. They are expensive compared with other companies, but good.

[Bustaspoke]

I did a week in south & west Ireland last year,really enjoyed it & I'll be going back.If I had to pick a favourite part,the area around Kenmare & Dingle stood out,but apart from Cork & Dublin it was all good Molls gap,Gap of Dunloe,Healy pass,Wicklow mountains.Lovely place to ride a bike

[Cousin Jack]

I did a week in south & west Ireland last year,really enjoyed it & I'll be going back.If I had to pick a favourite part,the area around Kenmare & Dingle stood out,but apart from Cork & Dublin it was all good Molls gap,Gap of Dunloe,Healy pass,Wicklow mountains.Lovely place to ride a bike

That's the part I know best. The Norn Ireland coast is also reputed to be good.

[Cousin Jack]

Getting close now, been out for a quick shakedown today because I am busy for the next week. Friday 5th is the proper start, but given I have further to go than most I am starting on Thursday so I can bimble across Dartmoor and have a wander around the Cotswolds on the way.

Watch this space, I have allegedly learned how to posts pics.

[Cousin Jack]

Well, I'm on my way. Now stopped in Rodborough overnight, tomorrow is a wander around the Cotswolds, meeting up with the rest of the group at Stow in the Wold at lunchtime. Wandered up so far avoiding the M5, just as well as it seems to have been closed for much of the day. Sat nav being trickster again, took me direct to a residential road in Stroud and told me I had arrived. Not at all where I wanted to go, but hey ho.

[Bustaspoke]

I'm glad your not sailing today,it's been blowing a gale all day around here,West Lancs