Yanks Coming to NI in August

[Creaney]

what a great holiday you've planned. I'm embarrassed to say i haven't seen the half of the things on your list, and i live here.

must get the bike out and go for it this summer!

 

[kuri77]

Penfold, thanks for the offer. Will post here when we leave and leave our phone numbers in case someone wants to ride a piece with us or whatever.
Creaney, thanks for the positive remarks, hopefully we can ride together and discover something new about Ireland for all of us

 

[Penfold]

No worries Kuri it'll be good craic ( fun ) !

 

[Dusty]

Stay in touch @kuri77, I'm sure a few people would be up for a run out when the time comes.

Marble Arch caves just popped into my head too,

Google Maps

 

[kuri77]

Dusty, thanks for cave info but we usually avoid them. Too long away from the bikes and the gear which we can't monitor for quite awhile and cave parking lots are usually empty because everyone is on the tour. However, if secure parking becomes available we'll reconsider. Bear in mind I come from the land of the "if it isn't tied down it's fair game"

 

[cupraricky]

Dusty, thanks for cave info but we usually avoid them. Too long away from the bikes and the gear which we can't monitor for quite awhile and cave parking lots are usually empty because everyone is on the tour. However, if secure parking becomes available we'll reconsider. Bear in mind I come from the land of the "if it isn't tied down it's fair game"

You could probably asked the receptionist to keep it behind the counter for you.

 

[Dusty]

Might be a couple of things here which may interest you.


The Irish Bucket List: 25 things to do and places to see before you die! | Ireland Before You Die

 

[kuri77]

Dusty-lots of great places on the list thanks, will add a number of them to the route. Wasn't so much the gear which we could lug along if necessary (since we're traveling very light with only a backpack each) but the rental bikes. Guess we're on the hook for quite a sum if they get nicked even with trip insurance. I know, paranoid, but you get that way in big cities over here. In Sturgis, the big rally in South Dakota, I read of a less than 30 second bike theft plan that is almost foolproof. Guys have had their bikes stolen by a guy pulling a low flatbed trailer. Pulls up next to the bike pushes it over on to the trailer and drives off.

 

[kuri77]

Well been a month since last post here and am twiddling my thumbs waiting for July. Bought my 2 daughters Honda Rebel 500s last week. They are awesome bikes, smooth, goodlooking (critical with daughters) and lots of power. So breaking them in is keeping me busy a little. You guys have them there yet? Other parts of my time are spent looking at the daily international temperatures in the newspaper and wondering when winter is gonna end over your way. 75-80 here this week and I'm looking at 50s for Dublin and rain almost every day. I know it's spring and you need the rain to make Ireland as beautiful as everyone knows it is but it's a little depressing waiting for it to warm up a bit there. May have to bring a snowmobile suit if it doesn't improve

 

[stevieturbo]

This isnt California...so dont expect sunny warm weather !! lol We might get a handful of days...but almost none as warm as you'd be used to.

 

[kuri77]

Well we know it won't be 80 but cold and dry is definitely ok. Worried about daughter with little rain experience plus first time for her riding on the left. I also know it won't be lower than 50 in the day by the time summer rolls around so staying mostly dry would be my preference.

 

[cupraricky]

Well we know it won't be 80 but cold and dry is definitely ok. Worried about daughter with little rain experience plus first time for her riding on the left. I also know it won't be lower than 50 in the day by the time summer rolls around so staying mostly dry would be my preference.

Dunno if it's beneficial, but sometimes a piece of white fabric tied on the right hand side of the handle bars to remind her where the centre white line should be. Know a few people who use that trick

 

[kuri77]

Thanks for the tip cupraricky. My other daughter adapted to NZ roads with no problem. I think it's much easier to adapt with a bike than a car especially if you're like me and ride near the center line.

 

[stevieturbo]

A lot of roads can be narrow here and down south, especially some rural or coastal routes you might take, so be careful about staying too close to the centre of the road in case someone in a much larger vehicle is taking up a lot of the road coming the other way.

But do bring good wet gear or at least be ready for it. You just never now what to expect sometimes

 

[kuri77]

Good point stevieturbo. We're not racers so there'll be little knee dragging over the line in corners.

 

[stevieturbo]

Just to be cautious of the roads if you arent familiar with them. Some can be narrow and bumpy ! Always good scenery though

 

[kuri77]

Thanks for the warning but after riding abroad I'm usually pretty cautious and when I'm with my daughters supercautious. Hopefully will have our Sena radios going for the trip so I can radio her about any problems up ahead.

 

[kuri77]

Finally the big day tomorrow. Arriving Wed, 3 or 4 days at relatives in Kent and then heading for the ferry. Man, I'm glad we have no reservations because my weather report for Ireland says rain every day for the next 2 weeks. If that really happens and it's a drizzle no big deal but if it's thunderstorms and buckets full of rain guess we'll be heading to France sooner than later. Second daughter is flying in on the 11th for 10 days. She'll meet us either in Dublin or west coast of England. First daughter's girl friend will take over on the 21st til the end of the trip. Looking forward to meeting some of you soon.

 

[Brennan]

If you get time sir, check out Healy Pass in County Cork/Kerry, it's a 7 mile ribbon of tarmac that runs through the mountains with some of the most amazing hairpin bends you'll ever see, much like the ribbon roads you'll see in Eastern Europe. The views are simply spectacular. It literally is one of the greatest driving roads in Ireland.

You will have incredible fun on your bike on this road

 

[Penfold]

Finally the big day tomorrow. Arriving Wed, 3 or 4 days at relatives in Kent and then heading for the ferry. Man, I'm glad we have no reservations because my weather report for Ireland says rain every day for the next 2 weeks. If that really happens and it's a drizzle no big deal but if it's thunderstorms and buckets full of rain guess we'll be heading to France sooner than later. Second daughter is flying in on the 11th for 10 days. She'll meet us either in Dublin or west coast of England. First daughter's girl friend will take over on the 21st til the end of the trip. Looking forward to meeting some of you soon.

That's some forecast Kuri ! Wouldn't worry too much bud, even our local forecasters manage to get it wrong. In fact some of them couldn't tell you what the weather was like ten minutes ago. Been hot here in the north the last few days. We're expecting a bit of rain in the next few days but I'm sure it'll clear up.

 

[Antoin]

The drive/ ride in around the Killary Fjord in Mayo is great as well and isn't far off the Wild Atlantic Way Route and Westport, Co Mayo is a great wee town to stop in if you need to stay the night.

Some cracking roads in Ireland altogether, enjoy the trip.

We really are spoilt of choice on this Island!!!!

 

[Dusty]

Finally the big day tomorrow. Arriving Wed, 3 or 4 days at relatives in Kent and then heading for the ferry. Man, I'm glad we have no reservations because my weather report for Ireland says rain every day for the next 2 weeks. If that really happens and it's a drizzle no big deal but if it's thunderstorms and buckets full of rain guess we'll be heading to France sooner than later. Second daughter is flying in on the 11th for 10 days. She'll meet us either in Dublin or west coast of England. First daughter's girl friend will take over on the 21st til the end of the trip. Looking forward to meeting some of you soon.

That will change on a daily basis, I don't think you'll see anything torrential

 

[kuri77]

If you get time sir, check out Healy Pass in County Cork/Kerry, it's a 7 mile ribbon of tarmac that runs through the mountains with some of the most amazing hairpin bends you'll ever see, much like the ribbon roads you'll see in Eastern Europe. The views are simply spectacular. It literally is one of the greatest driving roads in Ireland.

You will have incredible fun on your bike on this road

Wow, now that's a road I want to be on
Thanks for the info and pics Brennan

 

[kuri77]

That's some forecast Kuri ! Wouldn't worry too much bud, even our local forecasters manage to get it wrong. In fact some of them couldn't tell you what the weather was like ten minutes ago. Been hot here in the north the last few days. We're expecting a bit of rain in the next few days but I'm sure it'll clear up.

Good to hear some optimism Penfold thanks

 

[kuri77]

That will change on a daily basis, I don't think you'll see anything torrential

Thanks Dusty any positive weather reports welcome