Route: This was the longest day of riding i did, and possibly also the most visually impressive. It was also the rainiest day of riding, especially when we started out. We stopped at the recommended Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, but, after a long ride up the driveway, were unimpressed by the lack of available food to go with our coffee. At the easternmost point of the lower S-curve, we reached the amazing Lough Inagh Lodge, which served us toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, phoned a cab for Samira (who had had enough of the rain), and let me order scones, clotted cream, and tin foil, so that i could pack dessert for the road. I then rode past Kylemore Abbey (stopping in the parking lot, but not bothering to pay admission), rode through the green and beautiful Connemara National Park, and climbed up to some amazing mountain lakes before coasting downhill to Leenane. We had dinner in the Leenane Hotel, then whiskey and cribbage in the bar.
One of the Bens, in fog |
Samira taking a picture in the rain |
A waterfall |
The Bens, across Lough Inagh, in even foggier fog |
Looking north along the lake |
Hallway of Lough Inagh Lodge, our heroes |
Attempted panorama just outside Lough Inagh Lodge. Ignore the visual discontinuity and focus on the pretty mountains. |
One of the Bens in the fog |
Mountain waterfall |
A river in the rain |
Kylemore Abbey from the road |
Lake, mountain, and cars near Kylemore Abbey |
Fog-topped mountain |
Approaching Kylemore Abbey |
Fuzzy green mountainside |
Tourist map of Kylemore Abbey |
Greenery and river in Connemara National Park |
Connemara National Park |
Looking across a valley |
The road behind |
Connemara National Park |
Road through Connemara National Park |
Road and mountains |
Plants in Connemara National Park |
Greenery and mountains |
Thatched roofs marked my right turn in Tully Cross |
Hey, look, it's the ocean again |
Cemetary east of Tully Cross |
Ruined cottage and coast view |
Sheep by the coastline |
More sheep |
Coastline east of Tully Cross |
Houses and greenery along the road |
A little waterfall |
Looking down a steep slope towards the water |
Steep coastline and mountains |
The water is still clear |
Arrival at the first mountain lake |
I ate my scones by this lake |
Another mountain lake view |
Peat field |
My bicycle, with bonus giant thumb |
Mountain view in the highlands |
Mountain lake |
Mountain view |
A sheep by the roadside, photographed before the descent into Leenane |
Entering Leenane. |