Louisberg - Cliften

Louisberg to Cliften started out a bit grim to be perfectly honest. Misty, rainy, and the first 10km uphill! The only thing to think about uphills is that they have to go down again! And it did, gloriously all the way round the Mayo mountains. Stunning scenery even if it was still misty. We were making good time to Leenaun then Timolo got a flat tyre, only the 2nd one of the trip so it was alright! After breaking the tyre levers, we managed to get the tyre off and a new inner tube. Turns out the side wall of the tyre was more than a bit shredded so we patched it with duct tape and hoped it would last til Cliften or Galway.

We headed into The Village Grill after seeing other cycle tourers inside and had a greasy fry which was really good! Inspired us to head on.

The next part of the journey was majorly hilly, and pretty difficult. It also tipped it down. I don't really mind cycling in the rain, its quite nice as long as you have somewhere dry when you arrive! Tents are not entirely ideal. I keep thinking oh maybe I should have chosen France but I think it'd be too hot there!

Finally got up to the campsite, which was up another hill of course, and found it was really boggy and full of midgies! Typical Ireland!

Mayo Mountains

Timolo being all 'dramatic' camera mode

Hi-vis by Kylemore Abbey