Lolly Pop

Am delighted to report I just returned from my first proper (self-supported) tour. It was just an overnighter, to a camp site about 30 miles from here, over very hilly terrain.

Gorgeous scenery. Brought a change of clothes (dinner-in-town clothes, to be precise), tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (self-inflating), small down travel pillow, meths stove, one pot and one skillet, coffee-making stuff, stainless travel mug, toiletries, rain gear, and one pair of shoes (the sandals I wore). Misc camping stuff like head torch, matches, plus small travel towel, glasses, and some food in a small cooler bag that straps onto the top of my Surly Nice Front rack.

While it wasn't a ton of stuff, it wasn't the easiest to lug around either! Packed it in two front panniers, and put the clothes in one rear pannier. Oh, and a U-lock and cable for securing the bike while I had dinner in the restaurant. And a book.

This was my first ride longer than 10 miles since the beginning of June (it's been a hectic summer), and I could really feel my sit bones in agony! lol

My new (lower) gearing was awesome. Was able to use the middle ring for all but the steepest hills. Having that really low bail-out gear was great. It was so simple going up steep hills! I alternated between doing 20+ miles an hour on the downhills, to 5 miles an hour climbing.

Had good weather. Not too hot. Was quite chilly on the way home tonight, ended up putting on my balaclava (which I wear sleeping on cool nights camping). It rained on and off last night but the sun came out this morning and dried everything off. I checked my tires this morning and the rear one was soft. I think that explains why I was so knackered yesterday. I had pumped it up before setting off, but had bother with the pump cause I haven't used it very much. Getting the pump off, I lost more air than I thought. My technique is improving however, and this morning got the pressure right up.

I did some sightseeing touristy stuff at my destination today and then set off for home around 3. Got home around 7.30. Am quite tired, and very pleased.

Because I went alone, and because it was my first proper loaded tour, it felt really different. I realised I didn't have to go at any particular pace to keep up with the group, which was nice. Also, I am just really proud of myself for getting it all together and taking off for the weekend on my own! Go me!

My regular group are keen hostellers, so what I did wouldn't be their cup of tea. But I love sleeping outside, and camping is the only way to do it!

outashape

Congratulations on your maiden voyage. So now all you have to do is to find a way to support yourself for all future trips. (You know that is what happens.) Ahh!...what ya doing next week??? It will be hard to sleep at home in a bed when you could be out somewhere exploring on the bike.

Bekologist

Way to Go, Lolly! Enjoy the rest of the summer season, and the shoulder season as well....

Lolly Pop

Thanks! I am keen to do it again, but lighter!

kbabin

Congrats, Where did you go?

Lolly Pop

I went from Belfast south through County Down to Strangford, which faces Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula, on Strangford Lough.

I'll post some pics!

Lolly Pop

typical scenery en route, near Killyleagh

kbabin

I was in your area in 2004. We road out from Antrim to the north coast and around the east coast back to Belfast. Great trip, I loved the country and everyone was very nice.

Have you checked out the Loughshore Trail?

https://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index....etl.php&p=NN94

It is near Belfast and a nice trail, we did part of that on our ride.

Kevin

Lolly Pop

Yes, have been on the bottom bit of it, not the top.

This was in the middle of a small road. I went back to get a closer look:

Lolly Pop

Here I am, not exactly stealth camping

Monoborracho

I tell you I dream, I mean really dream, about doing a week to 10 days of touring in Ireland next summer.
I need to get some S&S couplers put on my bike, or maybe build up a new one this winter. Fly over, taxi to a B&B, put the bike together, leave the case, and cycle off.

".....and then the wheels came off"

Lolly Pop

Sounds like a plan! Though a week would be just a taster, really. I think three weeks would be about as short as would give a proper look at the place. Do you have any idea where you would like to go? The place is surprisingly diverse for somewhere so small.

tacomee

Good job Lolly Pop-- touring by yourself isn't easy.

Monoborracho

My initial thoughts were SW Ireland. By chance there were some really cheap $500 roundtrip flights offered a few months back and that got me to thinking and looking at some touring stories. But I'm open to suggestions. Sometimes a taste is all we get.

Lolly Pop

SW Ireland would be lovely. The middle-west bit also lovely -- dingle peninsula et al. It would be a good taste. You pretty much can't go wrong in Ireland.