Ouch! Finished the 150Km tour of Collin’s country. Headwind all day. Pushed hard to keep up at the start and then dragged my way home. Felt lousy all day until the food stop- Pasta, two ham sandwiches and a cup of tea later I was off and feeling good. Oh did I mention that the wind changed?

I collapsed into my car as a torrent of rain poured down on me. I drove away planning to be in front of a raging fire in two hours with my long cycles for 2011 finished. No more I thought. I had done well to get back on the bike for L’etape Hibernia and it was an achievement to complete the Sean Kelly but today was too much and I was finished. Later Nic text… Tralee on Sat. 150Km incl the Conor pass, was I up for it? Two minutes later I texted him back- ‘Sounds great, I’ll be there.’