Originally Posted by
greg3rd48
The Famine had such a profound and terrible impact on the people of Ireland. At least 1.5 million died and another 2 million emigrated out of a population of 8.5 million. Ireland and in turn America would never be the same as a result of the Diaspora.
There was plenty of food available but the British masters would not provide for those in desperate, deathly need. Almost all famine is caused by man. Almost always used as a tool against an enemy. It's happening in Africa right now.
<rant mode off>
I have been scouting out some new roads to ride. There are many designated bike paths but they are along side major thoroughfares (40-50 mph). The nearby side roads are largely empty except for the few going into or out of their houses.
A side benefit of the side roads (pun?) is you can break up the climbing - a mile north, a mile east, a mile south, a mile east, a mile north,... etc. It is more pleasurable to me, albeit longer, than 4 miles east with a non-stop 1,000 foot elevation gain (from 5,200 ft to 6,200 feet in a 42X24 low gear).